Topic: Catherine Ashton

The European Union selects Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as the next EU President and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as the new foreign policy chief. The hosts analyze Mogherini's lack of experience and the political maneuvering required to balance left-wing and right-wing interests within the bloc while maintaining a tough stance against Russia.

YouTube has emerged as a primary destination for leaked diplomatic communications, including previous recordings of Victoria Nuland and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton. The hosts note the irony of the platform being used for high-level statecraft leaks while strictly enforcing copyright for music. They observe that despite surveillance awareness, government officials continue to discuss sensitive matters over recorded phone lines.

The Ukrainian Internet Party has officially nominated Darth Vader as a candidate for the presidency of Ukraine. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the election, which includes "Princess Leia" Yulia Tymoshenko and radical groups like the Right Sector. The episode concludes with John Dvorak mentioning his upcoming appearance on TWiT and a final sign-off from the hosts.

A leaked phone call between EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet suggests that snipers in Kiev may have been hired by the new Ukrainian coalition rather than the Yanukovych regime. The call indicates that the same snipers were killing both police and protesters.

Leaked audio continues to show EU official Catherine Ashton's reaction to reports of sniper activity in Kiev. She is also seen meeting with Ukrainian leaders, suggesting they "lay flowers" where protesters died as a symbolic gesture to stabilize the new government.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and High Representative Catherine Ashton announce they will leave their posts at the end of their terms. Ashton cites the physical toll of constant travel and sitting on planes. The hosts mock the "exhaustion" of the ruling class and compare the departing EU officials to Hillary Clinton.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton traveled to the Balkans to affirm Kosovo's sovereignty. Clinton stated that Kosovo's independence is not up for discussion, a move seen as securing Western interests in regional pipelines and oil. Ashton is criticized as an "elite placeholder" whose presence signals the European Union's intent to integrate the region.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with EU High Representative Catherine Ashton to discuss global challenges and the situation in Kosovo. The partnership between the U.S. and Europe is emphasized as the "partner of first resort" for international conflict resolution.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton held a joint press conference condemning the Syrian government's failure to protect embassies in Damascus. Clinton explicitly stated that President Bashar al-Assad is "not indispensable" and that the U.S. has "nothing invested" in his remaining in power. The hosts interpret this as a direct threat of regime change and speculate on potential backroom deals with Russia.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and EU High Representative Catherine Ashton signed a framework agreement for U.S. participation in EU crisis management operations. This treaty allows the United States military to support European Union missions without negotiating separate ad hoc agreements. The partnership focuses on shared democratic values and regional security challenges.

Baroness Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, is discussed in the context of coordinating humanitarian missions in Libya. The hosts echo criticisms from Nigel Farage regarding her unelected status and high salary within the European Union bureaucracy.

Nigel Farage questioned the fitness of Baroness Catherine Ashton for her role in EU overseas security, citing her past as treasurer for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Farage alleges the CND took undisclosed donations from communist sources during her tenure.