Despite some early setbacks the Paris Olympics is proving a big success. The French have set aside their initial doubts and are enjoying a breather from the disagreements that have torn apart the political classes. Gideon asks Sylvie Kauffmann, editorial director of Le Monde, how long the truce can last. Clips: BBC To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Gideon, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here . Click here to find T...
Aug 01, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon Rachman hosts the show from Washington, DC, with his guest Jacob Heilbrunn, the editor of the National Interest magazine. They discuss the state of the US presidential election after Joe Biden’s decision to stand down and endorse his vice-president, Kamala Harris. Heilbrunn makes an unusual prediction: he thinks Harris could win big. Clip: MSNBC Free links: Read Gideon’s latest column, Trump, Harris and a fear-filled campaign Read the latest FT report, What are Kamala Harris’s chances aga...
Jul 23, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon discusses the latest drama in the US presidential race with his friend and colleague Ed Luce at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. After his narrow escape from an assassination attempt, Donald Trump is looking like a winner. How would he change the US political landscape during a second term and can the Democrats find a strategy that will get them back in the race? Clip: CNN To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Gideon and to be in with the chance to win a p...
Jul 18, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast How easy will it be for Keir Starmer, Britain’s new prime minister, to reset relations with the EU, and what impact will political disarray in France have on leadership within the bloc? Gideon discusses these questions with Charles Grant, director of the London-based Centre for European Reform think-tank. Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic: France and Britain are changing places The French left needs to urgently learn the art of compromise Keir Starmer plans ‘road map’ for UK to hit...
Jul 11, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to John Sawers, a former head of MI6, Britain’s secret intelligence agency, about the Israel-Hamas conflict. Is there any prospect of peace in Gaza? And how do the region's most powerful countries see their interests? Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic: Benjamin Netanyahu lays out plans for a summer of conflict ‘Smuggled’ food and $64 peppers: Gaza’s grocery stores fight to survive US expected to lift ban on sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia The Israel-Hama...
Jul 04, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast What would US foreign policy look like under a second Trump presidency? Gideon puts this question to former US state department official Jeremy Shapiro, who talks about the three camps hoping to shape the Republican nominee’s thinking on global affairs. Clip: Inquirer.net Free links to read more on this topic: The folly of the pro-Trump plutocrats The economic consequences of Mr Trump Trump donors warm to Marco Rubio as running mate Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your pod...
Jun 27, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa took office at the head of the country’s first power-sharing government since the immediate post-apartheid period. Many are hoping this will offer the prospect for economic renewal and bring much needed investment back to the country. Gideon discusses its chance of success with the FT’s Monica Mark and Alec Hogg, editor and publisher of Biznews.com . Clip: eNCA TV Free links to read more on this topic: Investors cheer as Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in...
Jun 20, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a grim showing for his party in the European elections, President Emmanuel Macron stunned observers by calling snap elections in France. With Marine Le Pen’s National Rally riding high in the polls, could French voters elect a far-right government? Gideon discusses the possible ramifications of Macron’s gamble with Célia Belin, head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Clip: La Province Free links to read more on this topic: Jordan Bardella: the far-right TikTo...
Jun 13, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to Oriana Skylar Mastro, author of Upstart: How China Became A Great Power . They discuss China’s rapid rise, Beijing’s ambitions on the global stage and how the US will respond. Clip: Bogdan Kokkonen Free links to read more on this topic: China emerges as one of biggest bilateral lenders to Philippines China hits out at ‘aggressive’ Taiwan for military build-up US and allies say China is ‘aggressively recruiting’ their fighter pilots China accuses US of seeking ‘Asia-Pacific ...
Jun 06, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to Henry Foy, the FT’s bureau chief in Brussels, about next week’s EU parliamentary elections. Far-right parties are set to win more seats, but how will this translate into their ability to influence policy? Clip: Bruegel TV How will the European parliamentary elections change the EU? Join Henry Foy and colleagues on June 12 for a subscriber webinar on the election results. You can register by going to ft.com/euwebinar Free links to read more on this topic: Ursula von de...
May 30, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Introducing Power for Sale, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. In Untold: Power for Sale, host Valentina Pop and a team of FT correspondents from all over Europe investigate what happened in the Qatargate scandal, where EU lawmakers were accused of accepting payments from Qatar to whitewash its image. Subscribe and listen on: Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
May 29, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon discusses the state of Ukraine’s defences with Jack Watling, senior fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. Russia’s advantage in ammunition and forces is beginning to show on the battlefield. What would it take to turn things back in Ukraine’s favour? Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic: Russia has advanced 10km towards Kharkiv, says Ukraine G7 warms to plan for Trump-proofing Ukraine aid Nato training soldiers in Ukraine does not escala...
May 23, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast As the US election looms, President Joe Biden has announced huge new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other green tech goods. Gideon Rachman sits down with Michael Froman, former US trade representative and the president of America's Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the widening of protectionism in the US and globally, and the dangers this could bring. Clip: PBS Free links to read more on this topic: Joe Biden and Donald Trump battle to prove who can be toughest on China Am...
May 16, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a new season of Tech Tonic, longtime FT China reporter Jame Kynge travels around the world to see how China is pushing towards tech supremacy. Will China be able to get an edge in crucial technological areas? What does China’s attempt to leapfrog the west look like on the ground? A 6-part series looking at China’s tech industry. Presented by James Kynge. Edwin Lane is the senior producer. The producer is Josh Gabert-Doyon. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner a...
May 10, 2024•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast With elections for the European parliament a month away, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is emerging as a key figure in European politics. Gideon talks to Amy Kazmin, the FT’s Rome correspondent, about the rise of Meloni, her roots in the Italian far right, her close relationship with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and the great challenges that lie ahead for Italy. Clip: Fratelli d’Italia Free links to read more on this topic: Italian journalists strike in disput...
May 09, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Narendra Modi looks set to win a third term in office thanks to the popularity of his economic policies. But the Indian prime minister has a vision of a Hindu homeland that clashes with the country’s original secular values. Gideon talks to Ravi Agrawal, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine, about the secret of Modi’s success and what the future holds for India. Clip: Capital TV Free links to read more on this topic: Narendra Modi increases anti-Muslim rhetoric in India election campaign H...
May 02, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Outgunned and outmanned, Ukraine has been forced to cede territory to Russia in recent months. Now it has been thrown a lifeline with the latest US military aid package. How much difference will this make and can Ukraine still hope to win the war? Gideon puts these questions to the FT’s Christopher Miller, recently back from the frontline. Clips: Sky News, MSNBC Free links to read more on this topic: Ukraine is the front line of a much larger conflict Greece and Spain under pressure to pro...
Apr 25, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon discusses Iran’s attack on Israel with Emile Hokayem, senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. What will the leaders of Israel and Iran be thinking about as they ponder their next move? And where does this leave the prospects for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza? Clip: ABC News Free links to read more on this topic: Ukraine’s air defence struggle highlights risks to Israel US and EU prepare fresh sanctions against Iran after Israe...
Apr 18, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon discusses the history of international humanitarian law since the first world war with Boyd van Dijk, a historian at Oxford university and author of a recent book, Preparing for War - The Making of the Geneva Conventions . They discuss current efforts to prevent war crimes and hold leaders engaged in conflict to account. Clip: The Fog of War, RadicalMedia and SenArt Films, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, 2003 Free links to read more on this topic: Russia ‘prepared’ for nuclea...
Apr 11, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Japan has been celebrating the end of a near 20-year deflationary cycle. But the country’s shrinking population remains a serious cause for concern. Gideon talks to the FT’s Kana Inagaki and Leo Lewis about whether the new mood of optimism about Japan is justified. Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic: Why good news for Japan may be bad news for hedge funds Japan relaxes defence export rules to allow sales of new fighter jet US and Japan plan biggest upgrade to security pact in o...
Apr 04, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to Bastian Giegerich, chief executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, about the state of Europe's defences. The scramble to come to the aid of Ukraine and doubts about future US willingness to contribute have exposed significant vulnerabilities. How quickly can Europe’s armed forces be upgraded to meet the Russian threat? Clips: CBS News; France 24; Daily Telegraph Free links to read more on this topic: Europe’s leaders have woken up to hard power EU looks to b...
Mar 28, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about the prospect of a second Trump presidency. They discuss why Rupert Murdoch’s ‘anger-tainment’ industry has done less harm to Australia’s democracy than it has in the US, and why the recent referendum on Aboriginal rights in Australia failed. Free links to read more on this topic: China urges Australian caution on ‘third-party’ disruption of relationship Donald Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine Democra...
Mar 21, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Henry Mance discusses the breakdown of the rule of law in Haiti with Robert Fatton, professor of government and foreign affairs in the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia. How has the past influenced recent events and is there a way out of the nightmare? Clips: The Times and The Sunday Times; AP Free links to read more on this topic: The gangster named ‘Barbecue’ who controls Haiti’s violent slums Haiti prime minister to quit as gang violence rocks country Haiti declares state o...
Mar 14, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast Henry Mance, standing in for Gideon, talks to James Shotter, FT correspondent in Jerusalem, about the Israeli political landscape and why the country’s leadership is pursuing such a scorched earth policy in Gaza. Clip: Sky News US begins Gaza aid airdrops after Joe Biden rebukes Israel The Israel-Hamas war in maps: latest updates Berlin and Paris join outcry over Israel’s role in Gaza aid convoy deaths The urgent need to end the catastrophe in Gaza Israel’s Rafah offensive: a tipping...
Mar 07, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon Rachman talks to Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute in Sydney, about the differing views he encountered at recent security conferences in India, Europe, the US and Australia. Clip: midday india Free links to read more on this topic: The squawkus about Aukus is getting louder Leaked Russian military files reveal criteria for nuclear strike White House decision to not replace Asia tsar stokes concern among US allies Asia space race heats up as China, Japan and...
Feb 29, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast How much of a threat would Russia pose to Europe if its invasion of Ukraine was successful? Given recent remarks by the US Republican presidential contender Donald Trump, does Europe have the firepower to defend itself without the aid of the US? Gideon discusses these questions with the writer and historian Anne Applebaum, just back from the 2024 Munich Security Conference. Clip: Deutsche Welle Free links to read more on this topic: Ursula von der Leyen calls on EU to subsidise defence productio...
Feb 22, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast China’s property crisis and slowing growth rate have raised questions about its future as an economic and military power. Gideon discusses whether it’s time to call ‘peak China’ with Richard McGregor, senior fellow at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. Clip: Bloomberg Free links to read more on this topic: China’s consumers tighten belts even as prices fall China’s growth enigma The looming trade tensions over China’s subsidies We shouldn’t call ‘peak China’ just yet Subscribe to The Rachm...
Feb 15, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Gideon talks to Mark Malloch-Brown, former deputy secretary-general of the UN and president of the Open Society Foundations, about the role of the United Nations. While it sometimes struggles to make an impact on matters of global security, it plays a unique and often unrecognised role in shaping policy on migration, refugees and climate. Clip: The Guardian ICJ’s Israel judgment seeks to restore rule of law to a brutal conflict Head of UN agency for Palestinians defies Israeli calls to quit A ‘m...
Feb 08, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you have questions about this year's US presidential election, we have answers. Swamp Notes is a new podcast from the FT News Briefing. Listen every Saturday morning as our journalists analyse and discuss the latest happenings in US politics. We’ll go beyond the horse race for the White House and offer a global perspective on the election. You can subscribe to Swamp Notes here or wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 05, 2024•1 min•Transcript available on Metacast Germans have been staging mass protests against the far-right ideology of the AfD party. This followed revelations about a meeting late last year in which the party and its backers discussed the potential for mass deportations of people of foreign origin. Gideon discusses whether this could be a turning point in German politics with international affairs analyst Constanze Stelzenmüller. Clip: The Guardian Free links to read more on this topic: In praise of mass immigration German far right defea...
Feb 01, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
