Podcast appearances and mentions of Gideon Rachman

Gideon talks to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on Greece as a leading shipping nation. They discuss Greece's recovery from the financial crisis of 2015, how to achieve European strategic autonomy and the best way to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. Clip: France 24Free links to read more on this topic:Three supertankers attempt Strait of Hormuz crossingAmerica owes its European allies a defence roadmapProtests spread in Africa as fuel crisis deepensUAE says drone strike caused fire at nuclear plantTipping point looms for global energy crisisSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Rachman speaks to James Crabtree, former head of the Asia programme at the International Institute for Strategic Studies and author of The Perimeter, about Donald Trump's visit to Beijing, his first in a decade. What do Washington and Beijing hope to gain, and what does the trip reveal about the evolving balance of power between the world's two leading superpowers?Free links to read more on this topic:Donald Trump's plan to discuss Taiwan arms sales with Xi Jinping rattles Asian alliesTrump is up against China's great wall of confidenceTrump's war has given China an economic openingTrump, Xi and the bid for a ‘grand bargain' between superpowers Trump prepares to press Xi on Iran war Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts — please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Nisha Patel. Sound design is by Breen TurnerFollow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Lloyd Austin, who served as US defence secretary under the Biden administration, about the need to adapt to new forms of warfare, accusations that he presided over a ‘woke military' and how he headed off a nuclear threat from Russia in the early days of the Ukraine conflict. Clip: APFree links to read more on this topic:US pauses ‘Project Freedom' as Trump seeks way out of Hormuz impasseUS warns Europe of delays to arms shipments as Iran war drains stockpilesPentagon to pull 5,000 soldiers out of Germany in dispute over Iran warDonald Trump's Iran war has cost $25bn, Pentagon saysOur inaugural FT Weekend Festival in NYC is quickly approaching! Join John Lithgow, Orna Guralnik, Jancis Robinson and more on Saturday, June 20 at Spring Studios or online — as the FT Weekend comes to life for one unforgettable day. Register now and as a podcast listener save 10% off using our code FTPodcast— this is the Saturday you won't want to miss it.Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian foreign minister, about the current state of Russia's war against Ukraine. What would it take to break the stalemate and how has the conflict been impacted by the US-Israeli attack on Iran? Clips: DW; ReutersFree links to read more on this topic:Vladimir Putin pares back Victory Day parade over fear of Ukrainian strikes US ambassador to Ukraine to leave over differences with Donald TrumpUkraine's drone pilots hit Russian targets from 500km awayToxic rain falls on Russian city after refinery blazeSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon discusses why the Iran conflict is proving so difficult to end with Michael Singh and Dana Stroul of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. What are the options on the table for both sides and can America's allies play a useful role? Clip: New York PostFree links to read more on this topic:The Iran crisis has not yet peakedIranian tankers bypass US blockadeMacron and Starmer to hold summit on plan to secure Strait of HormuzLufthansa cuts 20,000 flights to save fuel as prices soarSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon discusses possible negotiated solutions to the Iran war with Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution. What do Tehran's leaders want and how long can they hold out for a winning settlement that will ease the country's economic pain? What are the stakes for Trump and the global economy? And what role, if any, can Gulf countries play in curbing the regime's power to blight progress in the region? Clip: Fox NewsFree links to read more on this topic:Why time is on Iran's sideIran is America's Suez crisis — and just as ridiculousIran used Chinese spy satellite to target US basesIran faces halt to oil production within weeks if US blockade succeedsLife inside Iran's internet blackoutSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Financial Times' Gideon Rachman discusses possible negotiated solutions to the Iran war with Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution. What do Tehran's leaders want and how long can they hold out for a winning settlement that will ease the country's economic pain? What are the stakes for Trump and the global economy? And what role, if any, can Gulf countries play in curbing the regime's power to blight progress in the region? Clip: Fox News © 2026 The Financial Times Ltd.

What is it like to negotiate with Iran and what are the key issues that need to be resolved if the war is to end? Has the war permanently reshaped the relationship between the US and Europe? Gideon talks to Baroness Catherine Ashton, who was the EU's high representative for foreign policy from 2009 until 2014 and played a leading role in negotiations with Iran.More on this topic:Armageddon is off . . . for nowUS and Iran agree 2-week ceasefire that will open Strait of Hormuz Has Trump officially united Europe Trump's threats to pull out of Nato leave alliance exposed Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Nisha Patel. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US President Donald Trump updated Americans on the war in Iran, and Chinese government bonds have sidestepped a global debt sell-off since the start of Washington's conflict with Tehran. Plus, in part four of our tariff anniversary series, the FT's Gideon Rachman explains how Trump's tariffs reshaped the geopolitical landscape. Mentioned in this podcast:Donald Trump offers mixed messages on war in IranChinese government bonds emerge as lone war havenListen to the FT News Briefing's tariffs series hereNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Fiona Symon, Victoria Craig, and Saffeya Ahmed. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann andD avid da Silva. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's Global Head of Audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has said the US military action against Iran may be coming to an end. If so, what would it have achieved and where does this leave the key question of safe passage for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz? Gideon discusses the consequences of the war for the US and its allies with Philip Gordon of the Brookings Institution. Clip: NBC NewsFree links to read more on this topic:Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalitionShutting Hormuz is a template for China in TaiwanIran could emerge from the war stronger and more dangerousUK to host coalition talks on securing Strait of HormuzOne battle after another: Netanyahu's new security doctrinePresented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Viktor Orbán has been a thorn in the side of the EU and a favourite of Donald Trump. But his party is now behind in the polls ahead of next month's Hungarian elections. So could this mark the end of the Orbán era? Gideon discusses this with Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst at the German Marshall Fund. They also discuss Orbán's close relationship with Russia and hostility to Ukraine. Clip: APTFree links to read more on this topic: ECB warns Hungary's seizure of Ukraine cash risks euro credibilityHungarian opposition groups quit to make way for Orbán challengerKremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in powerThe riches of Viktor Orbán's home villageHow Viktor Orbán's oligarchs reaped billions in public contractsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon discusses the Iran war with defence analyst Jack Watling, author of Statecraft - The New Rules of Power in a Divided World. Why did the US fail to foresee the need to protect the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route? What options are there to bring the war to a close?Clip: NYTFree links to read more on this topic:Iran vows retaliation against energy sites across Gulf after largest gasfield hitTrump ally warns US economy not strong enough to cope with Iran warIran still seen capable of escalating attacks on Gulf's energyIsrael says it has killed Iran's top security official Top US counterterrorism official resigns over war against IranSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT's Gideon Rachman explains what the Strait of Hormuz's closure means strategically for Iran, Italy's UniCredit has launched a €35bn takeover offer for Commerzbank and China's oil stockpile is put to the test as the strait remains closed. Plus, scientists have identified a potential new type of planet.Mentioned in this podcast:Why Hormuz will haunt us long after this war endsBiggest Nato allies reject Trump's Hormuz armada demandUniCredit launches €35bn Commerzbank takeover offerIran war tests Xi Jinping's plan to build China's stockpilesHellish new planet identified beyond solar systemNote: The FT does not use generative AI to voice its podcasts Today's FT News Briefing was hosted by Sonja Hutson, and produced by Marc Filippino, Saffeya Ahmed, and Victoria Craig. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michael Lello. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Cheryl Brumley is the FT's Global Head of Audio. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon speaks to Sir Simon Gass, a former UK ambassador to Iran, about why the formidable destructive power of the US and Israel has failed to dislodge the Islamic regime. They discuss how long the war can continue as well as likely outcomes for the US, Iran and the Gulf region. Clip: Middle East EyeFree links to read more on this topic:Trump's Venezuela strategy has failed in Iran Iranians rethink the price of regime changeIran official says new supreme leader is ‘fine' despite absence from viewDrones, lasers and radars: Middle East war spurs hunt for cheaper air defenceTaco on Iran will come too late for TrumpSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/zNwIQcrIMDs Recent update episodes: War with Iran day 4 - Living under fire (March 3) Khamenei Is Dead. What Now for Iran? - with Dr. Suzanne Maloney (March 1) US and Israel strike Iran; Khamenei reported dead - with Amos Harel (Feb 28) America and Israel are at war with Iran. non-stop sirens in Tel Aviv, the Gulf states are under fire, and the Trump administration is hit by a barrage of tough questions in Washington. This week, Yonit and Jonathan take stock of a historic and disorienting first week. Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, joins to assess the war from the outside: Trump shifting justifications for war, Israel's military logic-- and who will fill the regional power vacuum if Iran is weakened. And: Jonathan reports from Sydney, where he visited Bondi Beach and spoke to a Jewish community still shaken by the shooting in December — and Yonit, running on five nights of no sleep, describes what it's actually like to stop your car on the side of a highway when the sirens go off. Also: a wedding in a shelter, four floors underground. 0:00.000 Chapter: US & Israel war against Iran - day 6 22:31.671 Chapter: Shifting Justifications for War 25:22.534 Chapter: Israel's Strategic Calculus 28:27.274 Chapter: Changing Dynamics in American Support 31:12.981Chapter: The Role of Allies in a New World Order 34:19.257 Chapter: Future of Regional Powers in the Middle East 37:16.299 Chapter: The Complexity of Regime Change 40:07.423 Chapter: Responses from Gulf States and the Path Forward 42:47.830 Chapter: Understanding the Iranian Threat 42:56.867 Chapter: Current Events in the Middle East 43:59.964 Chapter: Reflections on the Conversation and Future Outlook     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gideon discusses the US and Israeli war against Iran with Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. What are the war aims, can they be achieved and where does this leave the future of the region and its relations with Israel? Clips: CBS; CNN Free links to read more on this topic:Gulf insurance costs soar 12-fold despite Trump guaranteeTrump has no realistic plan for Iran's futureMilitary briefing: how Iran could wage a new ‘tanker war'The cynical opportunities of ‘Epic Fury'The influencers leaping to Dubai's defenceSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's Editor's Desk, Alec Hogg highlights a new investigation by James Myburgh that deconstructs the historical "myth" regarding the ANC's relationship with the Iranian regime. This is followed by a deep-dive discussion from the Financial Times featuring Gideon Rachman and Emile Hokayem, who examine the escalating "battle of endurance" in the Middle East. They explore the strategic implications of the recent US combat operations in Iran, the resilience of the Iranian regime, and the growing anxiety among Gulf states and Western allies as the region faces the prospect of protracted instability.

In today's Editor's Desk, BizNews founder Alec Hogg unpacks the extraordinary escalation in Iran, what it says about Donald Trump's strategy, and why South Africa's closeness to Tehran deserves far more scrutiny. He also points to two sharp pieces — from Gideon Rachman and The Economist — that ask the same central question: what, exactly, comes next?

Gideon discusses the state of peace talks on Ukraine with Boris Johnson at a conference organised by the Yalta European Strategy group in Kyiv. The former UK prime minister offers his view of what needs to be done to bring an end to the conflict: put more pressure on Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Otherwise, we are “setting a course for years more of conflict”. Clip: BBCFree links to read more on this topic:Volodymyr Zelenskyy says war in Ukraine at ‘beginning of the end'European leaders express solidarity with Ukraine as US hangs backUkraine's economy shows grit amid lasting war damageEurope re-arms as US slows defence spendingSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Chrystia Freeland, former deputy prime minister of Canada, about different approaches to negotiating with the Trump administration. They also discuss the current state of the war in Ukraine, her new role as adviser to President Zelenskyy and how to pressure Russia into ending the conflict. Clip: US Department of StateFree links to read more on this topic:Why Rubio failed to repair the transatlantic riftCarney's new global order needs a huge shift in political willRussia-Ukraine talks yield ‘some progress' on ceasefire, says ZelenskyyEurope's path to security without the USSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to American political scientist Stephen Walt about the phrase ‘predatory hegemon' that he coined to describe the US administration under Donald Trump. What are the risks and benefits of this policy for the American people, and for those who formerly considered themselves staunch allies? Clip: The White HouseFree links to read more on this topic:A post-Trump restoration is still possibleWhy Maga loathes LondonTrump and the normalisation of devianceSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bill Gates tells Gideon that a climate of fear has taken hold in the US business community under the Trump administration: “People are afraid to speak out about being afraid to speak out.” He discusses falling aid budgets, why philanthropy cannot replace government funding, and an ambitious new collaboration with OpenAI to improve access to healthcare in Africa. Gates also reflects on the more destabilising uses of artificial intelligence and his past association with the disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Clips: NBC4, Bill GatesFree links to read more on this topic: Bill Gates and OpenAI back $50mn AI rollout in African health clinicsTech titans lined up for Trump's second inauguration. Now they're even richerBill Gates and Sergey Brin among newly released Epstein photosBill Gates warns aid cuts risk big increase in child deathsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year's World Economic Forum took place amid turbulent transatlantic relations. Donald Trump has renewed his plans for “getting” Greenland, threatening to annex part of a NATO ally. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine rages on, while the peace talks have stalled. What is the state of the European discussion on relations with the U.S.? Can Europe support Ukraine while managing its own domestic challenges and a volatile U.S. foreign policy? What are Western leaders thinking in terms of their Russia strategy?

So, the World Economic Forum (WEF) met again at their luxurious resort in the alpines at Davos, Switzerland. Their theme was "A Spirit of Dialogue."In this episode we look how the WEF has changed in recent years and how Donald Trump and Javier Milei have upset their machinery.The media fawned over Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's speech bucking the United States, supporting Denmark and Greenland, forming partnerships with China and promoting a "new world order." Yet, Trump got things done while he was there. He quickly worked out a Greenland deal and led the new international "Board of Peace" for phase 2 of the Israel-Gaza peace deal.Argentine President Javier Milei warned of the collapse of the West to socialism and wokeism but he also believed the United States was leading the way out of it.Next, we the usual hypocrisies with the messages and lifestyles of the Davos elites:carbon footprint with private jetsusing "escort services"Sources Cited:"Overview," World Economic Forum, accessed January 24, 2026.Yuval Noah Harari and Irene Tracey, "An Honest Conversation on AI and Humanity | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026," World Economic Forum, January 20, 2026.Mark Carney, Laurence D. Fink, and Gideon Rachman, "Special Address by Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026," World Economic Forum, January 21, 2026.Børge Brende, Laurence Fink, and Donald J. Trump, "Special Address by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America | WEF 2026," World Economic Forum, January 21, 2026."President Trump Participates in the Board of Peace Charter Announcement," The White House, January 22, 2026."'Globalization Has Failed:' Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick Tells Attendees at World Economic Forum," The New York Post, January 20, 2026.Javier Milei, "Special Address by Javier Milei, President of Argentina | World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026," World Economic Forum, January 21, 2026."Carney calls for New World Order during his visit to China amid strained ties with US," livemint, January 16, 2026."One private jet flight for every four Davos participants, Greenpeace report finds," Greenpeace International, January 15, 2026.Jenny Ricks, "3 Reasons to Protest the Davos World Economic Forum in January," FightInequality.org, accessed January 24, 2026.Abhinav Yadav, "

Canada's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, received a standing ovation at the World Economic Forum in Davos after warning that the global order has entered a period of “rupture”. In a post-speech interview with Gideon, Carney reflects on how globalisation went wrong — and on what can still be salvaged through deeper co-operation among countries and institutions that share common values. Interview and clips courtesy of the World Economic ForumFree links to read more on this topic:Mark Carney warns of ‘rupture' to global order as Donald Trump rattles alliesDonald Trump's ‘wrecking ball' set to touch down in DavosRepublicans begin to push back against Donald Trump's pursuit of Greenland America's barbarians inside the gatesSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Breen Turner and Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon speaks to Finland's president about how to resolve the stand-off between Europe and the US over Greenland. Alexander Stubb describes the dispute as the "most difficult issue he has faced since taking office", arguing that discreet “back office” diplomacy, rather than public grandstanding, is the best way forward. He also touches on Ukraine, applauding the transatlantic alliance's achievements so far but cautioning that the Greenland row is beginning to sap momentum from efforts to advance peace talks.. Clips: DWS; BBCFree links to read more on this topic:Greenland is ground zero for Arctic ‘Great Game'How the Greenland deployment of a few European troops enraged Donald TrumpTrump's Arctic ambitions torch the most important US asset Russia knocks out power, heating and water to Ukraine's freezing capitalSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribePresented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ivo Daalder discusses the week's major global events with Yasmeen Abutaleb, Gideon Rachman, and Chris Miller on this episode of World Review. The conversation covers the escalating tensions in Iran, the geopolitical implications of Greenland, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The panel examines President Trump's foreign policy strategies, the credibility of security guarantees, and the potential for international intervention. They also explore the challenges of regime change and the role of global powers in shaping outcomes.

Famine, mass killings and the collapse of basic government services have pushed Sudan into what the UN now calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. As regional powers across the Middle East fuel the conflict by backing rival factions, civilians have largely been left to fend for themselves. Gideon speaks to Sudanese political analyst Kholood Khair and Sudan expert Alex de Waal to understand how the country reached this point — and where the country and its people go from here. Clips: Sky News; Africa NewsFree links to read more on this topic:There is already an answer to securing Sudan's futureUS rebukes backers of Sudanese paramilitary force behind ‘horrific' atrocitiesThe human cost of a world without rulesHow the UAE-Saudi Arabia alliance rupturedIsrael's Horn of Africa gamble raises tension with Arab and Muslim rivalsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that the Trump administration has fully embraced the ‘Donroe Doctrine' - a policy claiming the western hemisphere as a US sphere of influence - which country will be next in the line of fire? Gideon discusses this with Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group consultancy, which has just published its top risk report for 2026.Free links to read more on this topic:Venezuela and the trouble with the Donroe doctrineGreenland's future must be decided by island and Denmark, Starmer warns TrumpDonald Trump's imperial Venezuela folly will leave America no richerThe gangs, goons and guerrillas running swaths of VenezuelaNo, Trump is not a fascistSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon and guests look back at 2025 as well as forward to the year ahead in an FT Live discussion for the Global Boardroom. Donald Trump set the tone of world politics this year from his tariff wars to his efforts to make peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, while also bombing Iran and threatening Venezuela. In a bid to make sense of the contradictions, Gideon is joined by Leslie Vinjamuri, president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Dan Drexner, professor of international politics at the Fletcher school at Tufts university in Boston, and James Crabtree, author of an acclaimed book on Modi's India and a forthcoming book on US-China tensions in the Pacific. Clip: PBSFree links to read more on this topic:When business and democracy don't mixThe AfD's love-in with MagaOpen source could pop the AI bubble — and soonChina is making trade impossibleSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Jens Stoltenberg, Nato's former secretary-general, about Ukraine and Europe's strategic priorities after recent scathing criticism from US president Donald Trump over its failure to end the war: ‘They talk but they don't produce.' Clip: PoliticoFree links to read more on this topic:The White House's rupture with the western allianceTrump pushes for ‘free economic zone' in Donbas, says ZelenskyyFriedrich Merz offers to host Ukraine talks so deal not done ‘above Europe's head'Ukraine's ‘fortress belt' that Donald Trump wants to trade for peaceSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest, about the rows over racism, Epstein and Israel that have broken out in Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement. Clips: Tucker Carlson, Right wing watch, Dana LoeschFree links to read more on this topic:Marjorie Taylor Greene to resign from Congress after clash with Donald TrumpTrump's Maga coalition fractures over far-right interviewMaga vs AI: Donald Trump's Big Tech courtship risks a backlashDonald Trump's Maga base split over handling of Jeffrey Epstein filesSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The French pioneer of European integration Jean Monnet believed that Europe would be ‘built in crisis'. The war in Ukraine is putting this theory to the test, once again. Gideon discusses with historian Timothy Garton Ash how European leaders are responding to this latest crisis after the brief ‘holiday from history' that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Clip: ITVFree links to read more on this topic:US and Russian officials draft new peace plan for UkraineThe scramble for Europe is just beginningUkraine secures winter gas support from GreecePoland blames Russia-linked operatives for rail explosionSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Rachman sits down with the FT's innovation editor John Thornhill and Caiwei Chen, China reporter for the MIT Technology Review, to discuss the race between China and the US to become the 21st-century AI superpower. The west is used to hearing about the might of the Silicon Valley giants, US cutting-edge research and chip dominance. But China has a different approach. Will its use of a cheaper and more efficient open AI model allow China to overtake the US with this era-defining technology?Want more? Join John and the FT's Chinese technology correspondent Eleanor Olcott in a live Q&A on November 13 at 1pm GMT where they will be answering your questions on the tech battle between Silicon Valley and Beijing. Submit your question: Will China win the AI race?And subscribe to a new six part newsletter series - 'The State of AI'. It's a collaboration between the FT and MIT Technology Review where writers from both publications debate the defining questions of the AI era. Sign up here More on this topic:The State of AI: is China about to win the race?China offers tech giants cheap power to boost domestic AI chipsAI pioneers claim human-level general intelligence is already hereThe AI raceWho's right about AI: economists or technologists?Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanSubscribe to the Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.The Rachman Review is presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips and the sound design is by Simon Panayi.Clip: AxiosRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Rachman talks to historian and author Anne Applebaum about the Trump presidency. The US president is increasingly accused of being a would-be dictator, but is it fair to compare Donald Trump to authoritarian leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping? This episode is an edited recording of an event organised by Intelligence Squared that took place in central London last month. Clips: CBS 60 MinutesFollow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanMore on this topic:Trump's fawning cabinet and the threat to US democracyThe Trump doctrine: don't rely on AmericaThe Trump SupremacySaudi Arabia in talks for US defence pactHow the Trump companies made $1bn from cryptoSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. The executive producer is Flo Phillips and sound design is by Breen TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amazon and Apple delivered solid earnings reports, and the FT's Gideon Rachman explores whether Donald Trump's foreign policy wins in Asia will hold. Plus, the European Central Bank has left its benchmark interest rate unchanged and the FT's Jennifer Hughes says India's initial public offering boom is not too hot, not too cold – it's just right. Mentioned in this podcast:Amazon revenues rise 13% on strength in cloud computing unitApple predicts holiday boom in iPhone sales‘Rely on America at your peril': the vagaries of Trump's foreign policyEurozone economy expands 0.2% in third quarterECB holds interest rates at 2%India's IPO boom has a goldilocks feel Today's FT News Briefing was produced by Lucy Baldwin, Victoria Craig, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kelly Garry. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you Brenda Elthon, Jay Lapidus, Thomas Wright, arvershbow@atlanticcouncil.org, Paul k, and many others for tuning into my live video with Gideon Rachman and Ken Moriyasu! Join me for my next live video in the app. Get full access to America Abroad at ivodaalder.substack.com/subscribe

Gideon talks to former US trade representative Michael Froman about Donald Trump's visit to Asia this week, culminating in a meeting with Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Apec summit in South Korea. What does it tell us about US trade priorities in the region and who is best placed to win the contest of strength between the US and China? Clips: NST online; Times Now Free links to read more on this topic: Will Trump push south-east Asia towards China?China calls for ‘extraordinary measures' to achieve chip breakthroughsWhy China keeps winning the trade warChina doubles down on industrial policySubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The morning after Donald Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election, The New York Times front page declared: ‘America Hires a Strongman'. But is Trump really a ‘strongman' and is it fair to put him in the same category of leaders as Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping? The Trump administration is already viewed by many commentators as more authoritarian than the first. But will Trump meaningfully crack down on civil liberties? Will he persecute his political opponents? Will he use the state to enrich himself and his inner circle? And will he abandon democratic allies and align America with other authoritarian so-called ‘strongman' states? Many critics say the answer to all of those questions is already, demonstrably ‘yes.' So how far could he go? We were joined by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Anne Applebaum and host Gideon Rachman for the final instalment of our Age of the Strongman event series. --- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This event is part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series. The morning after Donald Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the U.S. presidential election, The New York Times front page declared: ‘America Hires a Strongman'. But is Trump really a ‘strongman' and is it fair to put him in the same category of leaders as Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping? The Trump administration is already viewed by many commentators as more authoritarian than the first. But will Trump meaningfully crack down on civil liberties? Will he persecute his political opponents? Will he use the state to enrich himself and his inner circle? And will he abandon democratic allies and align America with other authoritarian so-called ‘strongman' states? Many critics say the answer to all of those questions is already, demonstrably ‘yes.' So how far could he go? We were joined by Pulitzer Prize winning historian Anne Applebaum and host Gideon Rachman for the final instalment of our Age of the Strongman event series. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events  ...  Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gideon talks to the historian and author Serhii Plokhy about how Russia's invasion of Ukraine changed our calculations about the risk of nuclear war. They discuss the history of the atom bomb from its first use in 1945 to the risk of a resurgence of proliferation. Clip: Harry S Truman Library Free links to read more on this topic: The Nuclear Age by Serhii Plokhy — why nations want the bombUS offers nuclear energy companies access to weapons-grade plutoniumThe covert trip by Iranian nuclear experts to RussiaThe old nuclear rules won't stop proliferationSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Taipei-based policy analyst J Michael Cole about how the Taiwanese are handling the threat of invasion from Beijing. Clips: APT News; RTI English.Free links to read more on this topic:TSMC's stock market rally is a triumph of need over fearTaiwan accelerates ‘T-dome' missile plan against China threatTaiwan backtracks on chip export curbs to South Africa after China spatTaiwan becomes largest importer of Russian naphthaSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to former White House official and Middle East expert Philip Gordon about Donald Trump's plan for a peaceful end to the Gaza conflict. What are the chances that it can succeed and what are the main stumbling blocks? Clip: TRT WorldSteve Witkoff and Jared Kushner join Israel-Hamas talks in EgyptWhat remains of Gaza?Trump goes mainstream on the Middle EastHow Donald Trump's Gaza deal came togetherSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Jean-Marc Eck and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon interviews Britain's deputy prime minister David Lammy at the Labour Party conference at a meeting hosted by the Tony Blair Institute. They discuss how the Starmer government, which has had a tough first year in office, can turn things around, as well as the Gaza peace plan, ties with the Trump administration and how to fight 'the politics of grievance'. Clip: Keir StarmerFree links to read more on this topic: Starmer urges Labour to launch ‘patriotic' fight against ReformHow Donald Trump's Gaza deal came togetherTrump goes mainstream on the Middle East‘Lost the plot': Tony Blair's Gaza role prompts incredulity — and some hopeSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Matt Duss, former adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders and executive vice-president of the Washington-based Center for International Policy. They discuss recent curbs on free speech, former president Joe Biden's foreign policy mistakes, and how identity politics has been used to distract voters from the ever widening gap between rich and poor. Clips: DRM News; ForbesFree links to read more on this topic: Jimmy Kimmel hits out at ‘anti-American' threats to free speech as show returnsInside Disney's decision to bring back Jimmy KimmelAmerica's accelerating exit from itselfSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis about Russia's recent drone incursion into Polish airspace. What message should Europe and Nato take from this? How worried are the Baltic states about a possible expansion of Vladimir Putin's war aims? And how vulnerable are they to attack? Clips: BBC, BFBSFree links to read more on this topic: What is Vladimir Putin's game plan against Nato's eastern flank?Russians lose internet access as Ukrainian drones hit close to homeBaltic states know Russian occupation is never temporaryMoscow holds Ukrainian children at hundreds of sites across RussiaEurope turns to Ukrainian tech for ‘drone wall' against RussiaPresented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to journalist Anshel Pfeffer about Israel's ‘strongman' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. They discuss how his ‘brazen disregard' for international norms has helped him to cling to power, but also left him at the mercy of more and more extreme forces in Israel. This episode is an edited recording of an event organised by Intelligence Squared that took place in central London earlier this month. Clips: LBC; CNN; BBCFree links to read more on this topic:Israel unbound: was Qatar a strike too far?EU moves to freeze some funding to Israel over war in GazaIsraeli annexation of the West Bank would be ‘red line' for UAENetanyahu's disastrous plan to take control of GazaSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Albanian academic Lea Ypi about her book Indignity. In the book, she describes how living first under the Ottoman empire, then as part of fascist Italy and later in a post-war communist state affected the lives of her grandparents. They discuss possible parallels between the first half of the 20th century and the times we are living in today and ask what lessons can be drawn from this history to avoid making the same mistakes. Clip: AQSHFFree links to read more on this topic:Kant and the case for peaceAlbania's ‘old sheriff' on course to win fourth term as prime ministerWhy the EU's migration dilemma is pushing the bloc further rightSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and the executive producer is Flo Phillips.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First: Putin has set a trap for Europe and Ukraine ‘Though you wouldn't know from the smiles in the White House this week… a trap has been set by Vladimir Putin to split the United States from its European allies,' warns Owen Matthews. The Russian President wants to make a deal with Donald Trump, but he ‘wants to make it on his own terms'. ‘Putin would like nothing more than for Europe to encourage Ukraine to fight on… and lose even more of their land'. But, as Owen writes, those who count themselves among the country's friends must ask ‘whether it's time to choose an unjust peace over a just but never-ending war'. Have European leaders walked into Putin's trap? Owen joins the podcast alongside Gideon Rachman of the Financial Times. Next: Lionel Shriver, Toby Young & Igor Toronyi-Lalic on the decline of shame in society A rise in brazen shoplifting, attempts to police public spaces and moralising over ‘Art' – these are all topics touched on by columnists Lionel Shriver and Toby Young and Arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic in the magazine this week. Are these individual problems in their own right, or could they be symptomatic of wider failings in British society? Lionel, Toby and Igor joined the podcast to try to make sense of why guilt and shame seem to have disappeared in modern Britain.And finally: the hell of owning a holiday rentalWilliam Cash writes in the magazine this week about the trials and tribulations of running a holiday let. He complains that the lines between hotels and holiday lets have become blurred, and people of all ages are now becoming guests from hell. He writes: ‘it has become increasingly evident that middle class families have no idea how to behave on holiday… basic guest decorum seems to belong to a different summer holiday age'. So how did things get so bad? William joined the podcast alongside Spectator columnist Melissa Kite – who runs her own B&B in Ireland.Plus: ahead of the long weekend, Mark Mason reveals who we can thank for bank holidays. Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the US president upends the global order, and consolidates power, markets keep climbing. Does it make any sense? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong speak with Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator. They try to understand where Trumpism sits between democracy and authoritarianism, and what that means for the US economy. Also, they go long bardcore, cheap watches and controversial fashion. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.