Mark Leonard

Mark Leonard

Executive Director, European Council on Foreign Relations

Mark Leonard is Executive Director of the first pan-European think-tank, the European Council on Foreign Relations. It was launched in late 2007 with backing from the Soros Foundations Network, Fride, the Communitas Foundation, the Sigrid Rausing Trust, and the Unicredit Group.

His first book, Why Europe will run the 21st Century, published in the UK by 4th Estate in February 2005, has been translated into 17 languages. His second book What does China think? will be published later in the year.

Mark writes and broadcasts regularly on international affairs – assignments which have led him to seek out barbecues in Texas, prisoners in Egypt and cutting-edge architecture in China. His work has appeared in publications including The Financial Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, Prospect, The Spectator, New Statesman, Foreign Policy, The Washington Quarterly, Country Life, Arena, The Mirror, The Express, and The Sun.

Mark also acts an adviser to companies and governments on China, Middle East Reform, the future of Europe and Public Diplomacy; occassionally collaborating with the Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas to produce work for clients ranging from the European Commission to Prada.

2mins
Mark Leonard discusses basic misconceptions about China in the West.
6mins
Mark Leonard discusses how he became interested in China and its internal debates.
3mins
Mark Leonard on China’s view of the U.S., and its involvements with other countries.
6mins
Mark Leonard discusses China’s economic rise, and its sustainability.
2mins
Mark Leonard describes how academic elites work with the government to shape Chinese debate.
2mins
Mark Leonard discusses how the Chinese government is paying greater attention to public opinion.
6mins
Mark Leonard on China’s view of itself in historical context, and it’s relationship with India.