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The Rachman Review

by Financial Times · English · News

Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times chief foreign affairs columnist talks to the decision-makers and thinkers who are shaping world affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest: 8 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026 · 29 min

What would a Bolsonaro victory in Brazil mean for the world?

Flávio Bolsonaro took a clear lead in the first round of Brazil’s presidential election, and is the favourite to assume power after a run-off against the incumbent, Lula Ignacio da Silva, later this month. Will Flávio, who is the son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, follow his father’s playbook, by cosying up to Trump and slashing environmental regulations – or will he follow a more moderate path? Gideon speaks to Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Brazil and fellow with the Carnegie Endowment in Washington, to find out how a Bolsonaro victory…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

1 Oct 2026 · 32 min
Could AI really end humanity?
High-profile AI safety incidents, as well as warnings from industry figures about AI’s rapid progress, have stoked a new wave of fear about the future of humanity. Artificial intelligence systems are becoming more and more capable. Can we regulate this technology effectively – or is it too late to put the AI genie back in the bottle? Gideon speaks to Toby Ord, senior researcher at Oxford university’s AI Governance Institute, and author of ‘The Precipice: Existential Risk and the Future of Humanity.’ Clip: C-Span Subscribe to Gideon’s show on Apple , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you…
24 Sep 2026 · 31 min
Francis Fukuyama on democracy, AI and his own intellectual journey
More than three decades after The End of History and the Last Man made Francis Fukuyama one of the world’s best-known political thinkers, he is still correcting misconceptions about what he actually meant. In a wide-ranging conversation with host Gideon Rachman , Fukuyama revisits his original thesis and explores how resentment and the search for recognition are reshaping liberal democracy. They also discuss whether US institutions can withstand Donald Trump’s authoritarian impulses, why Fukuyama remains optimistic about American democracy, China and Russia’s quest for status, and his own…
17 Sep 2026 · 29 min
David Miliband: ‘Peacemaking has gone into retreat’
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…
10 Sep 2026 · 33 min
The world at war
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…
3 Sep 2026 · 32 min
Will Bessent’s ‘economic D-Day’ break Iran?
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…
27 Aug 2026 · 25 min
Making the UN great again
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…
20 Aug 2026 · 27 min
The making of the modern Middle East
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…
13 Aug 2026 · 29 min
Iran’s growing strategic ambitions
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…
7 Aug 2026 · 31 min
The cockroach rebellion in India
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…
30 Jul 2026 · 31 min
The weaponisation of trade
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…
23 Jul 2026 · 28 min
Does Nato have a future without US leadership?
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…
15 Jul 2026 · 24 min
Trump, Infantino and the political history of the World Cup
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…
9 Jul 2026 · 29 min
What would a far-right government in France look like?
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…
2 Jul 2026 · 21 min
Lebanon peace deal: can it hold?
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…
28 Jun 2026 · 28 min
Bonus episode: Rahm Emanuel on how to fix America
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…
25 Jun 2026 · 26 min
America's waning power
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…
18 Jun 2026 · 28 min
Jaishankar and Nusseibeh on the challenges of a world at war
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…
11 Jun 2026 · 34 min
Britain’s post-Brexit policy options
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…
4 Jun 2026 · 26 min
Mideast war: The view from Tehran
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…
28 May 2026 · 31 min
The backlash against AI
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…
21 May 2026 · 27 min
Mitsotakis on Hormuz, Iran and how to escape a debt trap
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…
14 May 2026 · 32 min
Trump returns to Beijing: what’s at stake
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…
7 May 2026 · 29 min
Lloyd Austin on Ukraine, Iran and the lessons of war
Gideon talks to Lloyd Austin, who served as US defence secretary under the Biden administration, about the need to adapt to new forms of warfare, accusations that he presided over a ‘woke military’ and how he headed off a nuclear threat from Russia in the early days of the Ukraine conflict. Clip: AP Free links to read more on this topic: US pauses ‘Project Freedom’ as Trump seeks way out of Hormuz impasse US warns Europe of delays to arms shipments as Iran war drains stockpiles Pentagon to pull 5,000 soldiers out of Germany in dispute over Iran war Donald Trump’s Iran war has cost $25bn,…
30 Apr 2026 · 27 min
Ukraine’s ‘existential’ battle with Russia
Gideon talks to Dmytro Kuleba, former Ukrainian foreign minister, about the current state of Russia’s war against Ukraine. What would it take to break the stalemate and how has the conflict been impacted by the US-Israeli attack on Iran? Clips: DW; Reuters Free links to read more on this topic: Vladimir Putin pares back Victory Day parade over fear of Ukrainian strikes US ambassador to Ukraine to leave over differences with Donald Trump Ukraine’s drone pilots hit Russian targets from 500km away Toxic rain falls on Russian city after refinery blaze Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you…
29 Apr 2026 · 1 min
Introducing: The Story of Money
Those who do not study history may be destined to repeat it . . . and lose money. The Story of Money is a new podcast from The Financial Times exploring the past to see where the next opportunities — and disasters — may lie. Hosted by FT columnist Gillian Tett and FT Alphaville editor Robin Wigglesworth, The Story of Money explores the history of global finance through the people, ideas, events, and institutions that have shaped it. From unregulated frontier banking experiments in 19th-century America to institutionalised debt forgiveness in ancient Mesopotamia, The Story of Money traces how…
22 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Trump finds it’s easier to start a war than to end one
Gideon discusses why the Iran conflict is proving so difficult to end with Michael Singh and Dana Stroul of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. What are the options on the table for both sides and can America’s allies play a useful role? Clip: New York Post Free links to read more on this topic: The Iran crisis has not yet peaked Iranian tankers bypass US blockade Macron and Starmer to hold summit on plan to secure Strait of Hormuz Lufthansa cuts 20,000 flights to save fuel as prices soar Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and…
16 Apr 2026 · 27 min
Iran war: What does Tehran want and will it get it?
Gideon discusses possible negotiated solutions to the Iran war with Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution. What do Tehran's leaders want and how long can they hold out for a winning settlement that will ease the country’s economic pain? What are the stakes for Trump and the global economy? And what role, if any, can Gulf countries play in curbing the regime’s power to blight progress in the region? Clip: Fox News Free links to read more on this topic: Why time is on Iran’s side Iran is America’s Suez crisis — and just as ridiculous Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target US bases…
8 Apr 2026 · 33 min
Is it possible to negotiate with Iran?
What is it like to negotiate with Iran and what are the key issues that need to be resolved if the war is to end? Has the war permanently reshaped the relationship between the US and Europe? Gideon talks to Baroness Catherine Ashton, who was the EU’s high representative for foreign policy from 2009 until 2014 and played a leading role in negotiations with Iran. More on this topic: Armageddon is off . . . for now US and Iran agree 2-week ceasefire that will open Strait of Hormuz Has Trump officially united Europe Trump’s threats to pull out of Nato leave alliance exposed Follow Gideon on…
2 Apr 2026 · 28 min
Trump says the Iran war may be ending soon: mission accomplished?
Donald Trump has said the US military action against Iran may be coming to an end. If so, what would it have achieved and where does this leave the key question of safe passage for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz? Gideon discusses the consequences of the war for the US and its allies with Philip Gordon of the Brookings Institution. Clip: NBC News Free links to read more on this topic: Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalition Shutting Hormuz is a template for China in Taiwan Iran could emerge from the war stronger and more dangerous UK to host…

About The Rachman Review

The Rachman Review is a English news podcast from Financial Times. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Financial Times
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 29 min
Latest episode: 8 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1504048545
Rights: Financial Times

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