Ukraine’s rapid recapture of territory in recent days has put Russian forces on the back foot and raised the prospect of an early end to the war. Gideon talks to Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College in London about the dramatic turnaround and what happens next. Clips from BBC, Russian state TV More on this topic Military briefing - Ukraine offensive ‘dooms’ Russia’s aims for Donbas Russian army hobbled by shortage of soldiers Ukraine faces ‘tough fight’ even as ...
Sep 15, 2022•20 min
Polls suggest that the largest single party will be the Brothers of Italy - and its leader Giorgia Meloni will therefore be prime minister. That’s causing consternation in some quarters because the party has roots in the fascist-influenced politics of post-war Italy. Gideon’s guest this week is Nathalie Tocci, the director of the Institute for International Affairs, a think-tank based in Rome. Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Pre...
Sep 08, 2022•24 min
Gideon’s guest this week is Ramachandra Guha, who is often hailed as the most distinguished historian of modern India. He is also a noted critic of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @gideonrachman -Subscribe to https://ww...
Sep 01, 2022•21 min
Six months into the Ukraine war, Gideon talks to Phillips O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, about the balance of forces on each side. With Russian forces bogged down, is a Ukrainian victory now a possibility? Clips: The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Aspen Institute More on this topic: Six months of war in Ukraine: ‘The enemy learned fast’ Join the FT Telegram channel to receive Ukraine coverage alerts Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in maps — latest upda...
Aug 25, 2022•24 min
Gideon talks to Chinese-American academic Minxin Pei about China’s reaction to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. What does it tell us about Xi Jinping’s leadership as he bids for a third term as president? Clips: The Sun; Daily Telegraph More on this topic: Taiwan tensions force multinationals to rethink China risk China ratchets up pressure on Taiwan after US congressional visit Taiwan greets Chinese military intimidation with parties rather than panic Xi Jinping grasps ‘knife’ o...
Aug 18, 2022•28 min
Gideon talks to the South African writer and political activist, Songezo Zibi, about the need to build a coalition for change to help restore some of the high hopes that accompanied the end of apartheid. Clips: SABC, The Sun More on this topic: Bain barred from UK state contracts over ‘grave misconduct’ in South Africa South Africa hopes private sector can help end Eskom power crisis South Africa’s Ramaphosa under fire after ranch burglary fuels questions over wealth How three brothers ‘captured...
Aug 11, 2022•28 min
Sergio Jaramillo was one of the architects behind Colombia’s landmark peace deal with Marxist guerrilla group Farc. Now, as a senior adviser at the European Institute of Peace, he explains if and how Ukraine and Russia could ever arrive at a ceasefire or peace negotiation. John Paul Rathbone, security and defence correspondent for the Financial Times, talks to Jaramillo about how negotiations are as important a part of military strategy as fighting on the battlefield, and what Europe should do t...
Aug 04, 2022•21 min
Human rights lawyer Cori Crider co-founded Foxglove, a group that fights on behalf of those harmed by the misuse of technology. She talks to the FT’s Madhumita Murgia about why social media companies need to bear more of the cost for the poisonous content they host on their platforms. Clip: C-SPAN Want to read more? A tale of two Facebook whistleblowers Big Tech makes concessions on EU’s new anti-disinformation code EU approves groundbreaking rules to police Big Tech platforms Civil society must...
Jul 28, 2022•30 min
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been working hard to help open up an export route for Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. But as he wins plaudits for this key mediating role, his nation is struggling with soaring inflation and a cost of living crisis. Andrew England, standing in for Gideon, talks to Asli Aydıntaşbaş of the European Council on Foreign Relations and Laura Pitel, the FT's Turkey correspondent, about what’s motivating Erdoğan. Want to read more? Erdoğan is an infuriating ...
Jul 21, 2022•23 min
Alexander Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, tells Gideon why he believes Russia is destined to become a giant Iran of Eurasia. It will remain a significant military power, but one that is increasingly under the sway of China, the main destination for its energy exports. Clips: DW; Global News More on this topic: Iran plans to provide drones to Russia for Ukraine war, says US Putin warns of ‘catastrophic’ energy crisis if west boosts sanctions China’s image ...
Jul 14, 2022•21 min
Gideon talks to Kersti Kaljulaid, former president of Estonia, about the policy failures that led to the war in Ukraine. A weak response to Russia’s invasion of Georgia and Crimea gave Vladimir Putin the green light. Now the strength of Ukrainian resistance is giving the west another chance to "put its house in order". Clips: Sky News, AP More on this topic: Europe’s new defence bloc: Nordics and Baltics unite in face of Russian threat Estonia’s PM says country would be ‘wiped from map’ under ex...
Jul 07, 2022•20 min
The FT just launched a new podcast on porn, power and profit. When FT reporter Patricia Nilsson started digging into the porn industry, she made a shocking discovery: nobody knew who controlled the biggest porn company in the world. Now, she and her editor, Alex Barker, reveal who is behind it and much more. This eight-part investigative podcast reveals the secret history of the adult business and the billionaires and financial institutions who shape it. Brought to you by the Financial Times and...
Jul 04, 2022•33 min
It took years of digging and a lucky break to uncover the fraud at the heart of Wirecard. Gideon talks to Dan McCrum about the strange netherworld of financial speculators, private detectives, bumbling accountants and outright criminals that he encountered along the way. Clips: Bloomberg, Money Talks More on this topic: Why we trust fraudsters Less work for EY auditors? What about more accountability Wirecard middleman pleads guilty to hacking Inside Wirecard Subscribe to The Rachman Review wher...
Jun 30, 2022•33 min
European leaders have been united in their support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. But as costs mount they could face growing calls to compromise with Russia. Gideon talks to Ulrike Franke, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, about how France and Germany in particular are handling the crisis. Clips: Euronews; CNN; France24 More on this topic: Farewell to Russia and to the Sinatra doctrine Olaf Scholz says partnership with Putin’s Russia is ‘inconceivable’ ...
Jun 23, 2022•20 min
Gideon talks to the billionaire investor Ray Dalio about the connections he's found between the rise and fall of markets and the rise and fall of nations. Clips: CBS, CNBC, BBC More on this topic: Policy errors of the 1970s echo in our times Fed begins quantitative tightening on unprecedented scale Top investors split on direction of ‘tempestuous’ China’s markets Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produ...
Jun 16, 2022•27 min
Russia’s global power has rested in large part on its oil and gas reserves. Will Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine and Europe’s decision to seek alternative supplies shrink this power irreparably? Gideon talks to the American expert Dan Yergin about the role played by energy in the Ukraine conflict and its implications for the rest of the world. Clips: BBC, ABC, Sky News More on this topic: Europe at risk of winter energy rationing, energy watchdog warns LNG revolution: Germany’s plan ...
Jun 09, 2022•26 min
Gideon talks to Venezuelan economist Moisés Naím about the reasons for the collapse of the political centre in Latin America, and about the tactics used by populist politicians to rise to power in the region and beyond. Clips: Euronews; AP; Al Jazeera; NBC; Andrés Manuel López Obrador channel Want to read more? How the Colombia election could change Latin America Colombia’s Rodolfo Hernández goes from also-ran to the brink of power Conservative young Brazilians complicate Lula’s path to presiden...
Jun 02, 2022•20 min
Russia’s blockade of the port of Odesa is preventing Ukraine from exporting vital supplies of grain to a hungry world. A failure to resolve the problem will lead to food price rises and starvation, resulting in more migration and global unrest, according to David Beasley, head of the UN World Food Programme. He talks to Gideon about what needs to be done to avert catastrophe. Clips: NewsNation, ABC news, CNN Want to read more? Military briefing: Ukraine seeks way to break Russia’s Black Sea bloc...
May 26, 2022•24 min
The roots of Ukrainian nationalism go back to the second world war, when one prominent group sided briefly with Hitler against the Soviet Union. Gideon talks to Princeton academic Kim Lane Scheppele about the legacy of this group and whether any remnants of its ideology still have influence over the country’s politics and military. Clips: NBC, Open Ukraine, Eurovision Song Contest More on this topic: ‘Don’t confuse patriotism and Nazism’: Ukraine’s Azov forces face scrutiny Ukraine says rescue u...
May 19, 2022•24 min
Why do some countries stay poor while others find a rapid path towards growth and development? Economist Stefan Dercon thinks it’s all about the willingness of those in power to prioritise development over protecting their own interests. He explains how he came to this view in conversation with the FT’s Africa editor, David Pilling. Clips: IMF, Africa News More on this topic: Gambling on Development, by Stefan Dercon The Rachman Review: the rising toll of famine and conflict Ethiopia is a traged...
May 12, 2022•29 min
When Russia invaded Ukraine, a group of countries in the global south, including India and South Africa, held back from the chorus of condemnation led by Europe and the US. Gideon discusses why they have adopted a neutral stance with Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution and Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, chief executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs. Clips: Reuters; Republic World Want to read more? Nato’s eastern front: will the military build-up make Europe safer? Indone...
May 05, 2022•24 min
Russia raised the spectre of nuclear war this week as it struggles to make headway in Ukraine. How seriously should this threat be taken and can Vladimir Putin rely on his friendship with China’s Xi Jinping? Gideon discusses these questions with US political scientist Graham Allison, author of the classic study of the Cuban missile crisis, ‘Essence of Decision’, and of a book on US-China relations, ‘Destined for War’. Clips: ABC, Bloomberg Want to read more? ‘At war with the whole world’: why Pu...
Apr 28, 2022•29 min
Gideon talks to former World Trade Organization chief Pascal Lamy about the French election and what political trends in France tell us about nationalism and anti-globalist movements around the world. Clips: France 24 Want to read more? ‘She’s radiant’: what French voters like about Le Pen this time Patriots vs globalists replaces the left-right divide French election polls: the race for the presidency Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subsc...
Apr 21, 2022•29 min
In a country besieged by war, Ukrainian politicians continued to meet in their parliamentary building, despite the clear threat of attack from Russian troops. Ukrainian MP Dmytro Natalukha shares his experiences of keeping parliament running while Kyiv was under siege. As chairman of Ukraine’s economic affairs committee, Natalukha tells how the country’s economy has been ravaged, and how he expects the war will develop over the coming months. Clips: NBC News, BBC, DW News, CNA Presented by Gideo...
Apr 14, 2022•19 min
Far-right leader Marine Le Pen has put in an unexpectedly strong showing and looks set to go head to head with Emmanuel Macron in the second round of France’s presidential election. Gideon talks to the FT’s Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Bruno Cautrès of Sciences Po about the issues French voters care about and what happens next. Clips: Reuters, HuffPost, France inter www.ft.com/rachman-review https://play.acast.com/s/therachmanreview Want to read more? French election polls: the race for the presid...
Apr 07, 2022•27 min
Gideon talks to Catherine Belton, author of the bestselling book Putin’s People , about who is likely to be influencing the Russian president as he decides whether to step back or press on with the war in Ukraine. Clips: Reuters, BBC Want to read more? Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Turned on the West Germany and Austria plan for gas rationing over payment stand-off with Russia War in Ukraine: what explains the calm in global stock markets? Antigua investigates yacht with ...
Mar 31, 2022•26 min
Europe has been united by opposition to Putin’s war in Ukraine, but will this new found unity last and will Russia be permanently isolated? Gideon talks to Alexander Stubb, former prime minister of Finland, about how the conflict is reshaping Europe’s alliances with the rest of the world. Clips: British Pathé Want to read more? Nato to discuss extending Jens Stoltenberg’s term as secretary-general Biden heads for Europe with mission to maintain west’s unity in response to Russia We should not ab...
Mar 24, 2022•19 min
Ben Hall talks to Rose Gottemoeller, an American diplomat who was deputy secretary-general of Nato from 2016 to 2019, about the kind of deal Russian and Ukrainian negotiators are working towards. Will Ukraine agree to give up its ambitions for Nato membership and pledge neutrality instead? How might the west guarantee its security and could Vladimir Putin tolerate an independent Ukraine? Clips: Sky News, BBC, NBC Want to read more? Ukraine and Russia signal progress in talks How is Ukraine using...
Mar 16, 2022•19 min
How long can the Ukrainians hold out? Will Vladimir Putin be stuck in a never-ending war and how would Russians tolerate that? Might western powers be dragged in? Ben Hall, the FT’s Europe editor, discusses these questions with John Paul Rathbone, defence and security correspondent, and Henry Foy, European diplomatic correspondent and former Moscow bureau chief. Clips: BBC, Nato News Want to read more? Ukraine accuses Russia of Mariupol hospital bombing ‘atrocity’ Russia’s techies flee country t...
Mar 10, 2022•23 min
Putin’s war in Ukraine is not going to plan, but it’s as yet unclear how the Russian leader will react to these failures. Gideon talks to strategic expert Lawrence Freedman about what the Russian military can realistically achieve and, in particular, how worried Nato should be about Russia’s decision to put its nuclear weapons on standby. Clips: BBC, CNN Want to read more? Another Stalingrad’: assault on Kharkiv shatters ties that once bound two nations Air power counts for little in Ukraine war...
Mar 03, 2022•20 min
