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businesses across Europe grow at AWS.EU. Good morning. It's Tuesday, March 10, and this is the Brussels Playbook podcast.

Yeah, that's the energy I'm bringing today, guys. The vibe in Brussels today, it's pretty frantic. That's because following the war in Iran,

all prices are up and the EU is scrambling to find a way to lower them. It's all starting to feel

a bit like 2022, but the question is, have we learnt any lessons from that Russian invasion of Ukraine?

Also on the pod, the European People's Party Chief Manfred Weber and Iaracha Garcia, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament. They're hoping some dinner dates will resolve some bad blood. And which city do you reckon is the happiest in Belgium? You'll never believe it, Nick. I know, I've seen the results and I still don't believe it.

Shocked. All righty, folks, Ian is off this week. So we've got Nick Vinicor, Politico's chief foreign affairs correspondent, back with me this morning. Nick, how is your workout? Really painful. Still feeling it today. Well, I'm looking forward to seeing the gains, the buff bod. It's going to be out in time for summer. That's why it's a podcast and you can't see me.

You've got a great face for right here.

Thank you. looking forward to seeing the gains, the buff bod. It's going to be out in time for summer. That's why it's a podcast and you can't see me. You've got a great face for radio.

Thank you.

All right, for our first story today, the war in Iran, it's giving leaders some flashbacks to Europe

back in 2022. That is when oil prices skyrocketed in the wake of the Russian full-scale

invasion of Ukraine. And Europe was dealt a pretty hefty energy crisis, Nick. Oil and gas prices

were surging. Then they are surging again, despite the fact we've had four years to prepare for

another crisis like this, leaders are scrambling

to respond.

Yeah, indeed.

The Strait of Hormuz, which is where 20% of the world's oil is transported through, is

basically closed due to Tehran's ongoing threats.

We've got oil and gas production at several sites in Gulf countries that are shut down or

...