The Rachman Review

The world is experiencing a record number of conflicts, just as governments retreat from international aid and diplomacy to leave a more politically fragmented international landscape in their wake. That is the view of David Miliband, the former UK foreign secretary and president of the International Rescue Committee, in conversation with host Gideon Rachman. They discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the collapse in humanitarian funding and whether middle powers can ever fill the vacuum left by the US. Clip: Al Jazeera Want more? Free links: Fragile states in Africa and Middle East hit by more than 40% cut in UK direct aid Life on the frontline against Ebola How will UK foreign policy change under Ed Miliband? Donald Trump reboots foreign aid with cash-for-data strategy Presented by Gideon Rachman. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War is raging in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, while tensions are rising between China and Taiwan. What is driving this surge in global conflict, how should we respond and where, if anywhere, are the prospects for peace? Gideon is joined by Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6; Tom Tugendhat, the UK’s new shadow foreign secretary; and Kim Ghattas, FT contributing editor and author of Black Wave . They discuss how today’s conflicts are connected, the risk of further escalation and the importance of ending a war well. This episode is an edited recording of an event organised by FT Weekend Festival. Clip : CBS News Free links to read more on this topic: Trump envoys take Ukraine peace proposal to meeting with Putin Trump envoys hold talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv after meeting Putin in Moscow Russia launches missile strikes against Kyiv as pause in raids ends Why the US and Iran keep escalating Lebanon warns of ‘dangerous escalation’ after Israeli strikes Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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.

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent is calling for an “economic D-Day” for the Iranian regime while threatening secondary sanctions on countries that do business with the country. Will this be more effective than previous attempts at economic pressure? What impact will this have on US relations with China? And how will energy markets react? Sasha Polakow-Suransky , executive opinion editor, speaks with Emma Ashford, Stimson Center senior fellow and Foreign Policy columnist, about Washington’s latest Iran sanctions push dubbed Operation Economic Outcast. Clip: CBS News Join us at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London, and spend the day with FT journalists and leading voices across business, politics, economics, culture and the arts. FT podcast listeners can save 10% off tickets with the code FTPODCAST. Click on this link to find out more. Free links to read more on this topic: US launches further strikes on Iran as conflict flares up Energy price surge hits bond markets as European gas reaches three-year high Donald Trump says US will hit Iran ‘hard’ as conflict reignites Scott Bessent: an economic D-Day is coming for Iran Scott Bessent threatens Iran’s economic partners with more sanctions Is China’s ‘wise camel’ the winner from the US-Iran war? Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Sasha Polakow-Suransky. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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.

The UN is choosing a new secretary-general at a time when it’s struggling to remain relevant. Sidelined in the wars in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, and facing a severe funding crisis, the organisation is under growing pressure. This week, guest host Alec Russell speaks to Thant Myint-U, a former UN official, author and the grandson of former UN secretary-general U Thant, about the challenges its new leader will face. Clip: AP Archive Free links to read more on this topic: António Guterres on the future of the UN Superpowers are discovering their limits, says UN chief The new world order? Every man for himself Wanted: a leader to rescue the UN Nuclear watchdog chief pitches ‘leaner’ UN in secretary-general bid Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts Join us at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London and spend the day with FT journalists and leading voices across business, politics, economics, culture and the arts. FT podcast listeners can save 10% off tickets with the code FTPODCAST. Click on this link to find out more. Follow Alec on X @alecurussell Presented by Alec Russell. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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 speaks to historian and author Simon Sebag Montefiore about his new book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East . They discuss the forces that shaped the region, from the Ottoman Empire and Ataturk to the ongoing tensions between the US, Israel and Iran. Gideon and Simon examine the region's complexities and interconnectedness and whether lessons from the past can offer a glimpse into the future. CLIP: British Pathé Join us at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London and spend the day with FT journalists and leading voices across business, politics, economics, culture and the arts. FT podcast listeners can save 10% off tickets with the code FTPODCAST. Click on this link to find out more. Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Want more? Free links: Israeli settlers besiege Palestinian homes The exodus from Israel Egypt deploys jets to UAE as Iran war strains Arab alliances Far-right Israeli minister advocates killing ‘30 to 40’ Gazans each night Israel moves to give police powers in occupied West Bank Far-right Israeli minister advocates killing ‘30 to 40’ Gazans each night Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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 Vali Nasr, author of Iran’s Grand Strategy and professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Johns Hopkins University, SAIS, about how the balance of power in the Middle East is changing. After six months of on-off hostilities, Nasr argues, Iran’s core aims are unchanged - ending the US threat and securing economic relief. But Iran now looks to have the upper hand and is using its leverage from controlling the Strait of Hormuz to seek ever more far-reaching concessions from the superpower. Clip: CTV Free links to read more on this topic: Will failure in Iran reshape how the US fights? Iran’s supreme leader elevates loyalists as he tightens grip Trump and the failure of the Fafo doctrine Brinkmanship in the Strait of Hormuz Israel’s campaign to make southern Lebanon ‘unliveable’ Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. Sound design is by Breen Turner Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What began as outrage over a senior judge's comments has become one of the most striking youth protest movements India has seen in years. Gideon talks to Professor Mukulika Banerjee of the London School of Economics about why so many young Indians have taken to the streets, what the "cockroach movement" says about the country's economic and educational pressures, and whether it poses a genuine challenge to Narendra Modi's government. Clip: BBC Free links to read more on this topic: Abhijeet Dipke, the face of India’s victorious ‘cockroach’ protests India’s ‘Cockroach’ Gen Z has had enough India should listen to its frustrated youth Why India’s student protests are different India’s ‘cockroach’ movement halts protests after minister quits Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. Sound design is by Breen Turner Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tariffs, sanctions and chokepoints have become the weapon of choice to punish political rivals - but what happens when these fail? Gideon discusses the impact of geopolitical disputes on global trade with Edward Fishman, author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. Clip: Al Jazeera Free links to read more on this topic: Trump vows to deliver ‘beating’ to Iran in retaliation for latest attack Saudi Arabia joins US strikes on Iran-backed militias in Iraq Ukraine, Iran and how regional wars go global Donald Trump rebuilds his tariff wall 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 Sean McGarrity. Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Julianne Smith, former US ambassador to Nato about the future of the alliance. There seems to be greater transatlantic agreement on Ukraine, but tensions remain over Europe’s stance on Donald Trump’s war on Iran. So can the alliance survive without the US at the helm? Clip: ANI News Free links to read more on this topic: Nato’s carnival of Trumpian caprice Why the world trusts China more than America Ukraine’s drone swarms test Moscow air defences Nato opens its cheque books in bid to keep Trump engaged 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Simon Kuper, FT columnist and author of World Cup Fever, about what distinguishes this World Cup from previous tournaments. What role has geopolitics played historically in the World Cup and is there any truth to some of the conspiracy theories surrounding this year's events? Clip: ITV Sport Free links to read more on this topic: Bellingham brace carries England past Norway into World Cup semi-final World Cup shows US is ‘golden market’ for football, says Major League Soccer boss How western Europe became a formidable football factory Why are China and India so bad at football? Inside the secretive Fifa committee that suspended the US red card 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marine Le Pen has run for the French presidency several times before, but her chances of winning next year look better than ever. Gideon talks to the FT's Victor Mallet about the source of her growing popularity and what a far-right government would mean for France and the EU. Clip: The Guardian Free links to read more on this topic: Le Pen revives presidential bid echoing Trump French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says she will run for president Marine Le Pen’s massive double gamble on presidency France’s crowded race to replace Emmanuel Macron 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. Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The war in Iran triggered a new round of conflict between the Hizbollah militia in Lebanon and the Israeli army. More than 4,000 people have been killed and about a million displaced. Lebanon and Israel signed a peace deal in Washington at the weekend to end the fighting, but without Hizbollah’s participation, can the deal hold? Gideon puts the question to the FT's editor Roula Khalaf and Andrew England, the FT's Middle East editor. Clip: This is Beirut Free links to read more on this topic: Lebanon’s deal with Israel sparks backlash How Hizbollah’s fighters ended up in court Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrive in Doha for talks over US-Iran deal How Benjamin Netanyahu’s big moment backfired 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of the Rachman Review, Edward Luce , the FT's Washington commentator, talks to Rahm Emanuel, former White House chief of staff for Barack Obama, about where the Democratic party has gone wrong in recent years and how to win back the confidence of middle America. This is an edited version of a discussion that took place at the recent FT Weekend Festival in New York. Free links to read more on this topic: Rahm Emanuel says Trump ‘got schooled’ by Iran in bad ceasefire deal Why young America is trending socialist Rahm Emanuel and the 2028 ‘ideas primary’ How Benjamin Netanyahu’s big moment backfired Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman and Edward Luce. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity. Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the repercussions of the Iran war for American power? How will the outcome be viewed by America’s allies and the leadership in Beijing? Gideon discusses these questions with Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister of Australia, Katherine Thompson, who until recently was a senior official in the Pentagon under President Trump, and Philip Gordon, who was national security adviser to vice-president Kamala Harris. This is an edited version of a discussion that took place at the recent FT Weekend Festival in New York. News clip: Fox News Free links to read more on this topic: America’s allies look to declare independence from the US The rise and fall of US hegemony Nato chief reveals Italy allowed US planes to use bases in Iran war Trump and Xi will not determine Taiwan’s fate 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much should we care about wars that are not in our neighbourhood? What role can countries not directly involved play in paving the way for a more peaceful world? Gideon discusses these questions with India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar, Lana Nusseibeh, minister of state for foreign affairs for the United Arab Emirates, and Finland’s foreign minister, Elina Valtonen. The discussion was recorded at the Kultaranta conference in Finland. Clip: CNN Join Gideon live on Saturday, June 20 at the FT's inaugural NYC Weekend Festival Free links to read more on this topic: Donald Trump says US will not invest in $300bn fund for Iran Brussels approaches Kremlin over potential Ukraine talks A fragile Iran peace follows a war without victors The long way back from the Iran energy shock How the US-Iran deal came together 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where should Britain stand in the great power struggle between the US and China? Does the special relationship with Washington mean anything anymore or do all roads lead back to Europe? Gideon discusses these questions with Ben Judah, former special adviser to deputy prime minister David Lammy. Clip: Channel 4 News Free links to read more on this topic: Donald Trump warns US will soon hit Iran ‘hard’ again Will Trump abandon Taiwan? It is time for a European Security Council Britain re-entering the EU ‘an inevitability’, says Treasury minister Putin and Trump don’t have the cards 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is life like in the Iranian capital and is the regime ready to compromise to achieve a lasting peace? Gideon discusses the mood in Tehran and the changing political landscape in the country with the FT’s Tehran correspondent, Najmeh Bozorgmehr. Clips: AP, Reuters, Bloomberg. Free links to read more on this topic: Greek shipping tycoon Evangelos Marinakis ready to pay Strait of Hormuz transit fees One killed and dozens hurt in Iranian strike on Kuwait airport Benjamin Netanyahu faces backlash after Donald Trump call Why Iran fears a deal today means more war tomorrow Iran is beating Trump at the art of the deal 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Sebastian Mallaby, author of The Infinity Machine , a book about the career of Demis Hassabis and his AI company, Google DeepMind. They discuss the growing backlash against AI, why people are worried, and what governments can do to mitigate the risks of the coming technological revolution. Clip: WSJ Free links to read more on this topic: OpenAI’s foundation to spend $250mn on research into AI’s impact on economy Pope’s appeal can’t change the AI race’s risky logic AI guardrails stripped from Meta and Google models in minutes How AI threatens the giants of consulting AI companies are just companies 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 , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 24 Free links to read more on this topic: Three supertankers attempt Strait of Hormuz crossing America owes its European allies a defence roadmap Protests spread in Africa as fuel crisis deepens UAE says drone strike caused fire at nuclear plant Tipping point looms for global energy crisis 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 , @gideonrachman Read 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 allies Trump is up against China’s great wall of confidence Trump’s war has given China an economic opening Trump, 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 Turner Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social , @gideonrachman Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.