The Rachman Review

Gideon talks to Sebastian Mallaby, author of a best-selling book on Silicon Valley called The Power Law. They discuss the reason why Elon Musk decided to back Donald Trump for president, what the entrepreneur will bring to the Trump administration, and what Musk's businesses stand to gain. Clip: WFAA TV Free links to read more on this topic: Who’s who in the Musk ‘A-team’ vying to shape Trump 2.0 Elon Musk is an unguided geopolitical missile Valuations at Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI set to soar in new deals Elon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays off 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister, has made a life-long study of China’s leadership. He tells Gideon how an understanding of Communist ideology helps explain Xi Jinping’s decision to roll back on the market reforms of his predecessor Deng Xiaoping. They are also a crucial guide to what could happen next. Clip: Sky News Australia Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: US-China relations will depend on which Trump shows up US Space Force warns of ‘mind-boggling’ build-up of Chinese capabilities Why Xi Jinping changed his mind on China’s fiscal stimulus Sinologist Li Cheng: ‘America is not in the mood to study China’ ‘Too boring’: Chinese students are sleeping through propaganda 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to his colleague Ed Luce and to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about what to expect from a second Trump presidency. Clip: Fox News Free links to read more on this topic: How Trump won in maps and charts Trump’s new world order Elon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays off 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 Samantha Giovinco. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Ivo Daalder, a former American ambassador to Nato and chief executive of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, about the potential threat to US democracy if Donald Trump wins next week’s presidential election. Clip: Politico Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: How Trump learnt to love big business Trump is the man who would be king America isn’t too worried about fascism Kamala Harris warns of ‘more chaos’ under Donald Trump and vows ‘different path’ 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, about her efforts to keep hope alive during a humanitarian catastrophe. Clip: United Nations Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Israel ‘starting to implement’ north Gaza starvation plan, say rights groups Hamas chief’s death opens up choice for Benjamin Netanyahu over Gaza war US warns Israel humanitarian crisis in Gaza could threaten military aid Israel, Lebanon and the mirage of a new Middle East 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After three years of sanctions, women's lives in Afghanistan are highly restricted and hunger is widespread. So if sanctions have failed, is it time for the outside world to change its approach and re-engage with the country's Taliban rulers? Gideon discusses this question with Saad Mohseni, chair of Afghanistan’s largest television station and co-author of a new book Radio Free Afghanistan, and Afghan women's rights activist Fatima Gailani. Clip: CBS News Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Leaving Kabul: what happened when the Taliban returned Taliban’s closer ties with UAE signal global divide over Afghan regime How the Taliban’s return made Afghanistan a hub for global jihadis Singer Elaha Soroor on her anthem for Afghan women 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Norbert Röttgen, a CDU member of the foreign affairs committee of the German parliament and author of a new book called Democracy and War. Röttgen criticises Chancellor Olaf Scholz for failing to live up to his early pledges of support for Ukraine. He laments the country's 'deplorable' divide on the Ukraine war, but says he is convinced that most Germans recognise that a victory for Russia would be disastrous for Europe. Clips: SPD; Info fur die Welt Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Germany, political extremism and the risks to Ukraine Victory for the AfD raises difficult questions about east Germany Germany to launch limited military service in push to be ‘war ready’ Ukraine’s shifting war aims 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East programme at Chatham House in London, about what Israel and Iran may be planning for their next move as the region slides towards all-out war. Clips: The Telegraph; BBC Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Middle East at war: 12 key moments Oil prices climb as Iran missile attack prompts supply fears Israel steps up offensive against Hizbollah as region braces for retaliation How Israeli spies penetrated Hizbollah 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Kim Ghattas, an FT contributing editor based in Beirut, about Israel’s decision to step up its war against Lebanon’s Hizbollah. How will the militant group and its allies respond, and can the war be contained? Clips: Sky News; The Guardian Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Israel tells troops to prepare for possible ground offensive in Lebanon Military briefing: Israeli intelligence and air force use ‘victory doctrine’ against Hizbollah ‘Leave your homes now’: Lebanon endures bloodiest day in decades Its strategy may lie in ruins, but Hizbollah will not admit defeat 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, Gideon Rachman speaks to António Guterres, secretary-general of the UN. Guterres explains why he thinks the organisation remains indispensable - as the world struggles to get to grips with an array of daunting global challenges - including war and climate change. Clip: The Guardian Free links: World must exit ‘highway to climate hell’, UN boss warns, as records are again broken China and US push each other on priorities for UN COP29 climate talks ‘Enfeebled’ UN fights for relevance in divided world Alarm raised on sea level rise and ocean warming as Pacific Islands leaders meet Nobel winners hit out at removal of fossil fuels from draft UN pact China and US push each other on priorities for UN COP29 climate talks Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman 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 and Simon Panayi. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region of Russia represented another sign that Vladimir Putin’s invasion is not going to plan. But numerous setbacks, and the sanctions regime imposed by the west, have so far failed to loosen the Russian leader’s grip on power. Gideon discusses why Russians are still backing Putin with Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. Clip: Deutsche Welle Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Vladimir Putin visits Mongolia despite international arrest warrant US accuses China of directly supporting Russia’s ‘war machine’ The Kremlin princelings cementing Putin’s rule Ukraine’s battle against Russia in maps: latest updates 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Gabriel Gatehouse about his new book, The Coming Storm: A Journey into the Heart of the Conspiracy Machine. They discuss the US Republican party’s embrace of far-fetched conspiracy theories, and how these are being deployed in the upcoming presidential election. Clip: CNN Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Conspiracy theories are being baked into American politics A mind-infecting virus: the dark dreams of QAnon Misinformed about misinformation America’s election year battle over who polices online disinformation 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Takako Hikotani of the Asia Society Policy Institute about how Japanese attitudes towards security have changed in light of the war in Ukraine and China’s more aggressive stance in the South China Sea. Clips: CNA Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Japan says China’s airspace incursion ‘totally unacceptable’ Never a zealot, Fumio Kishida showed a surprising fearlessness China rejects Nato accusations of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine US and Japan announce ‘most significant’ upgrade to military alliance 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 Simon Panayi. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Hall, the FT’s Europe editor, discusses Ukraine’s Kursk incursion with Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former defence minister and chair of the Centre for Defence Strategies in Kyiv. What is the strategy behind the move? How could it affect the fighting elsewhere on the frontline and could it prove to be a turning point in the war? Clips: Global News; France 24 To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Benn, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw. Free links to read more on this topic: Ukraine wants to create ‘buffer zone’ with Kursk incursion, says Zelenskyy ‘People are horrified’: Moscow turns to reluctant conscripts to defend Kursk How Ukraine pulled off its biggest gamble: invading Russia Ukraine’s battle against Russia in maps: latest updates Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Benn Hall. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael Stott, the FT’s Latin America editor, talks to Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based senior analyst for the International Crisis Group and Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank in Washington, about the crisis in Venezuela. How long can Maduro cling to power, having so obviously lost the July election. Clips: Channel 4 News, The Economic Times To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Michael, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw. Free links to read more on this topic: How Venezuela’s Maduro is clinging on to power Venezuela ramps up fear campaign after disputed presidential vote Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s contested president Nicolás Maduro blocks access to X amid feud with Elon Musk Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Michael Stott. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two assassinations carried out by Israel, one in Beirut and one in Tehran, have brought threats of retaliation from Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hizbollah. Andrew England, the FT’s Middle East editor, discusses whether the latest escalation can be contained with Emile Hokayem, a Middle East expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Clips: AP; CBS To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Andrew, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw. Free links to read more on this topic: Netanyahu is prepared to escalate in the Middle East How all-out war between Israel and its adversaries might play out Hamas picks Yahya Sinwar as new political leader Iran will ‘definitely’ retaliate against Israel for killing of Haniyeh, says new president Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Andrew England. Produced by Fiona Symon. 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.

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&Cs for the prize draw. Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Olympics organisers apologise as risqué ceremony sparks backlash Inside France’s Olympic medals factory A bold leap towards a leaner and greener Olympics Fake Games, cyber threats and disinformation: Russia reacts to sporting isolation 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 against Donald Trump? 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&Cs for the prize draw. Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Tamara Kormornick. Sound design is by Breen Turner Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw. Follow Gideon on X @gideonrachman Free links to read more on this topic: Republicans are delighted with Biden Joe Biden looks for early Democratic nomination to silence critics The US itself could be the biggest loser in this election 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 higher defence spending goal Survey link Prize draw terms and conditions 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. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.