Who is Sergei Leontiev? To the US asylum system, he’s an exiled Russian banker who was persecuted by the state and forced to flee. To Russia, he’s said to be responsible for massive fraud. On The Russian Banker, a new series from the Financial Times, reporters Courtney Weaver and Stefania Palma try to uncover the truth, and find a story that tells us about Russia today and how people in the west build stories about who’s good and who’s bad. The Russian Banker is a special series t...
Aug 21, 2023•2 min
Gideon talks to the FT’s Miles Johnson, author of a new book called Chasing Shadows about the links between international crime and geopolitics. They discuss how wars and the breakdown of democratic accountability have contributed to the ability of criminals to operate across borders and, in some cases, with state backing. Free links to read more on this topic: Wagner leader generated $250mn from sanctioned empire Using crypto for crime is not a bug — it’s an industry feature Ecuador gripp...
Aug 17, 2023•26 min
China’s assertiveness on the global stage has reinvigorated economic and political ties between the US and Japan. Leo Lewis, the FT’s Asia business editor, discusses what’s changed with Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan. Want more? Free links: Corporate Japan back in the hunt for US deals Japan looks to expand diplomatic corps in overseas charm offensive Tokyo could win ‘not China’ global hub status — but it must want it Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your pod...
Aug 10, 2023•23 min
Donald Trump was indicted this week on charges related to his attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. But the former president is also in the running for the 2024 presidential election and polls suggest he’s likely to win the Republican nomination. Gideon Rachman is joined by Professor Peter Trubowitz, director of the US Centre at the London School of Economics and Political Science, to discuss what this all means for Trump’s future and the future of American democrac...
Aug 03, 2023•22 min
The Sudanese people are being held hostage by warring generals in a power struggle that has already lasted 100 days. With no solution in sight, the fighting risks drawing in outside actors like Russia’s Wagner group and destabilising neighbouring countries. David Pilling, the FT’s Africa editor, discusses the state of the conflict and its repercussions for the region with political analysts Kholood Khair and Alan Boswell. Clips: Middle East Eye; VOA; Human Rights Watch; Sky News. More on this to...
Jul 27, 2023•23 min
The government of Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez looks set to lose Sunday's elections to the centre-right People's party. But the PP may be unable to form a government without the participation of the hard-right party Vox. Henry Mance, standing in for Gideon Rachman, discusses what this will mean for Spain with the Madrid-based political scientist Pablo Simón. Clips: Deutsche Welle; El País More on this topic: Franco’s ghost fails to scare Spain away from the hard right ‘Spain first’: Vox party ...
Jul 20, 2023•27 min
The UAE, host of this year’s UN climate conference, has pushed for a “global stocktake” of progress towards Paris targets, aimed at triggering fresh climate action. But it has also been criticised for its choice of an oil executive, Sultan al-Jaber, as president of the talks. Henry Mance, standing in for Gideon Rachman, talks to Farhana Yamin, British lawyer and climate activist about what we can expect from COP28. Clips: COP 28, The National News, United Nations More on this topic: UAE to set o...
Jul 13, 2023•26 min
Scientists have been sounding the alarm about the potentially catastrophic dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Gideon talks to Anu Bradford, professor at Columbia University and author of a forthcoming book on the global battle to regulate technology about the different approaches being taken in the US, Europe and China. Clips: Amanpour & company; C-SPAN More on this topic: How actors are losing their voices to AI We must avoid the evils of social media with AI European companies s...
Jul 06, 2023•30 min
Gideon talks to Edward Lucas, author and senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, about the stability of Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia. With his weaknesses exposed by the Prigozhin rebellion, how will rival centres of power respond? Clip: BBC More on this topic: The revolution will now be Telegrammed A huge humiliation’: failed Russian putsch exposes deep flaws in Putin’s regime Ukraine says ‘main event’ in counteroffensive still to come Wagner’s future in Africa in question...
Jun 29, 2023•20 min
Gideon talks to Indian opposition Congress politician and former diplomat Shashi Tharoor about the concept of the 'responsibility to protect', which allows countries to intervene militarily in order to protect a population from mass murder. This was first mooted by Kofi Annan in the late 1990s after the Rwandan genocide. Can it be applied today, and in what circumstances? Clips: Global News, C-SPAN More on this topic: Rwandan genocide fugitive arrested in South Africa There can be no impunity fo...
Jun 22, 2023•19 min
Gideon talks to Karin von Hippel, director-general of the UK defence think-tank RUSI, about Ukraine’s counteroffensive and the discussions that are already taking place about a new world order once the fighting is over. Clips: Channel 4 News More on this topic: Military briefing: Ukrainian troops make early gains against ‘well-prepared’ Russians Germany’s first-ever security strategy names Russia as ‘greatest threat’ to peace Western allies plan to provide long-term security assurances to Ukrain...
Jun 15, 2023•25 min
Gideon meets Britain’s shadow foreign secretary on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, the main forum for discussion of security issues in the Indo-Pacific, in Singapore. They discuss Britain’s relations with China, Ukraine, Brexit and the Commonwealth. Clips: ShanghaiEye, CNA More on this topic: US pledges to maintain military capacity to defend Taiwan The Starmer Project: Labour’s surprisingly bold economic agenda UK seeks to revive post-Brexit trade links with Latin America Subscribe to...
Jun 08, 2023•28 min
Gideon talks to the FT’s Chris Miller about the recent upsurge in military operations between Ukraine and Russia. Is this the start of Kyiv’s long-awaited offensive and if so, what would constitute a successful fightback? Clip: NBC More on this topic: Military briefing: Ukraine’s daring ‘shaping operations’ stretch Russian defences Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in maps — latest updates F-16s might not win Ukraine’s war, but they promise a more equal fight Russia claims it ‘fully liquidated’ pro-K...
Jun 01, 2023•17 min
Gideon talks to strategist Raja Mohan about India’s rising geopolitical influence. As the countries of the world form alliances to counterbalance the power of China, India is being courted for its support. How is India responding, and what are the prospects that it could one day become a superpower itself? Clips: DD India More on this topic: The G7 must accept that it cannot run the world BBC accused of defaming Indian PM Narendra Modi in Delhi lawsuit This is the hour of the global south Subscr...
May 25, 2023•26 min
Gideon talks to economist Keyu Jin about China’s goal of becoming the world’s biggest economy despite a falling population, the impact of the deterioration in US-China relations, and the way in which the aspirations of its younger generation are shaping policy in Beijing. The podcast was recorded in collaboration with Intelligence Squared. Clips: CGTN; Sky News More on this topic: Xi Jinping’s Taiwan ambitions threaten China’s rise Chinese tech entrepreneurs go on global offensive China’s raids ...
May 18, 2023•30 min
Gideon talks to Russia expert Fiona Hill about the forthcoming Ukrainian counter-offensive, the state of Russia and the similarities between the leadership styles of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Clips: Daily Telegraph, PBS More on this topic: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in maps — latest updates US rejects Kremlin claims it was behind drone attack Russian spy network smuggles sensitive EU tech despite sanctions China vows to retaliate against EU sanctions on its companies It is now battered ...
May 11, 2023•28 min
Leaders in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have decided that they need to work with the regime in Syria to solve problems ranging from the return of refugees to curbing the local drugs trade. Gideon talks to Kim Ghattas about what has motivated this change of strategy and its chance of success in helping restore stability to the region. Clip: WSJ More on this topic: Arab world weighs price for Assad’s rehabilitation Iran’s president visits Syria as he seeks to bolster Tehran’s sway over ally Sp...
May 04, 2023•28 min
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in power for 20 years - and he has every intention of carrying on. But the Turkish leader faces a serious challenge in May’s general election. A change at the top in Turkey could also have profound implications for the wider region. But would Erdoğan accept defeat? Gideon hears from Soner Cagaptay at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy about Erdoğan's psychology, his political following and how a united opposition could finally unseat him. Clips:...
Apr 27, 2023•27 min
Gideon talks to the US political theorist John Ikenberry about why the Ukraine war has been both a challenge and a spur for those who want to see liberal democratic values thrive. Clip: Global News More on this topic: The new Washington consensus Lula vows partnership with China to ‘balance world geopolitics’ ‘Dare to fight’: Xi Jinping unveils China’s new world order It is time to cut Russia out of the global financial system Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts ...
Apr 20, 2023•27 min
Emmanuel Macron sparked an international backlash over remarks he made to the press about Taiwan after a visit to China. The French president is also facing growing opposition at home after he pushed through an unpopular policy to raise the retirement age. Gideon talks to Célia Belin of the European Council on Foreign Relations about Macron’s image, his diplomatic gaffes and his struggle to win support for his policies at home. Clips: Sky, Daily Telegraph. More on this topic: Macron allies defen...
Apr 13, 2023•21 min
Gideon talks to Hlib Vyshlinsky, director of Ukraine's Centre for Economic Strategy, about keeping Ukraine's economy alive while the war goes on. Despite a shortage of cash and labour, efforts are under way to try to build a more dynamic and transparent economy when the fighting is over. Clips: CTV, Sky More on this topic: The breaking and making of Ukraine Saving Ukraine’s economy: the grain giant fighting for survival Ukraine clinches $15.6bn IMF loan Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever y...
Apr 06, 2023•28 min
Gideon talks to the FT’s Max Seddon and Miles Johnson about Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group and its once secretive leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. They discuss how Prigozhin came to prominence during the fighting around Bakhmut in Ukraine and whether he can hold on to his position of influence with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin. Clips: euronews; NBC; CNN More on this topic: ‘Like Icarus’: Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin falls foul of Kremlin old guard Wagner leader generated $250mn from san...
Mar 30, 2023•21 min
Gideon talks to the FT’s Middle East editor Andrew England about his recent visit to Iran in the aftermath of some of the worst unrest since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Iran’s reconciliation with Saudi Arabia and its growing trade with Russia may help the regime survive, but relations with the west have plummeted and hopes for a revival of the nuclear deal look bleak. Clips: Reuters; BBC Read More on this topic: Exiled son of Iran’s last shah steps up to lead galvanis...
Mar 23, 2023•22 min
Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal tells Gideon why he believes Israel is on course for a full-blown constitutional crisis. The Netanyahu government’s plan to curtail the power of the judiciary, he says, will remove democratic checks and balances that are crucial for the survival of a liberal democracy. Opponents include business, the military and the country's intellectual elite, as well as many middle-class Israelis who will not accept the proposed changes. Clips: Anadolu Agency; NBC Protests by Is...
Mar 16, 2023•25 min
Gideon talks to academic and writer Denise Dresser about President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s autocratic tendencies and why she thinks the leader she once voted for is dismantling democracy in Mexico. Clips: France 24, Andrés Manuel López Obrador Amlo’s strongman act is weakening Mexico Thousands protest in Mexico against cuts to electoral watchdog Mexico’s former security chief convicted in US of helping cartel smuggle drugs Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcast...
Mar 09, 2023•30 min
The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist talks to Gideon about his efforts to keep global development goals alive amid rising geopolitical tensions. They discuss shrinking aid budgets, climate, technology, China-US tensions and whether Gates remains an optimist about the future. Bill Gates warns Ukraine war is sapping Europe’s foreign aid budgets Elon Musk’s Twitter is ‘stirring up’ digital polarisation, says Bill Gates Bill Gates loves trash Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get y...
Mar 02, 2023•28 min
Christopher Miller moved to the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in 2010 as a volunteer for the US Peace Corps. Now an FT correspondent in Kyiv, he tells Gideon about how the eastern city came to play a central role in the war and how he sees the conflict unfolding in the coming months. Clips: CNN More on this topic: A 12-year journey to the heart of the war in Ukraine ‘Hell. Just hell’: Ukraine and Russia’s war of attrition over Bakhmut Behind the Money podcast: The costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukr...
Feb 23, 2023•21 min
In the second episode in our special series, Gideon talks to war historian Hein Goemans about what it would take to end the fighting in Ukraine. FT podcast survey More on this topic: A year of war in Ukraine has left Europe’s armouries dry Military briefing: Russia prepares Ukraine spring offensive The keyboard warriors on Ukraine’s digital front line Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in maps — latest updates Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and sub...
Feb 16, 2023•20 min
In the first of a three-part series, Gideon talks to Ukraine MP Lesia Vasylenko about what it was like to wake up in a country at war, how Ukrainians surprised the world with their fightback, and the need for reparations and justice for the victims of Russia’s war crimes. More on this topic: FT podcast survey Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands ‘wings for freedom’ as UK pledges fighter pilot training Military briefing: what the west’s shifting red lines mean for Ukraine Russia’s budget deficit soars as ...
Feb 09, 2023•28 min
Gideon talks to Martin Wolf, the FT’s chief economics commentator, about his new book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism . They discuss why the post-war settlement between democratic governments and their people is no longer fit for purpose and what can be done to restore our faith in it. More on this topic: FT podcast survey Martin Wolf: in defence of democratic capitalism The great disruption has only just begun CEOs beware: cost-cutting isn’t the same as growth Subscribe to The Rachman Revi...
Feb 02, 2023•25 min
