The Rachman Review

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 America is pulling up the drawbridge Chinese competition a ‘defining challenge’ for EU companies Volkswagen warns Brussels against raising tariffs on Chinese electric cars Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Audrey Tinline. 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.

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 and Samantha Giovinco, with original music from Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 dispute with Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing government Italy’s far-right leader Matteo Salvini fights for political survival Meloni’s radical plan: rewriting Italy’s post-fascist constitution 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.

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 How to understand Modi’s India India’s Jekyll and Hyde journey India’s Rahul Gandhi bets on 6,700km trek to stop Narendra Modi’s election juggernaut 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.

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 provide Ukraine with air defence systems Ukraine faces race against time to deploy US funding Military briefing: Russian ‘glide bombs’ pound Ukrainian troops and towns 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 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 Israel attack The Biden dilemma on Israel Military briefing: Israel’s options to strike Iran 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 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 nuclear war, warns Vladimir Putin Israel grapples with ‘Eichmann’ dilemma over Hamas attack trials Mexico and Chile ask ICC to investigate Israel-Hamas conflict S Africa accuses Israel of breaking international laws on genocide in Gaza 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.

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 over 60 years Marriage holds key to Japan’s falling births The professor vs the PM: a political funding probe shakes Japan’s government 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.

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 bypass treaty ban on buying arms to support Ukraine Wars in Ukraine and Middle East boost orders at German defence supplier Defence CEO calls for European version of Israel’s Iron Dome 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 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 Democracy dies in Trumpian boredom 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.

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 of emergency after mass jailbreak Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Henry Mance. 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.

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 point for US support? Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Henry Mance. 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 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 India reach for the stars 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 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 production Russian victories shake global leaders’ faith in Ukraine war prospects Alexei Navalny, Russian opposition activist, 1976-2024 Joe Biden blasts Donald Trump for ‘un-American’ comments about Nato allies 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.

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 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 Mark Malloch-Brown, former deputy secretary-general of the UN and president of the Open Society Foundation, 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 ‘multipolar’ world defies the ‘rules-based’ order 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 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 ‘multipolar’ world defies the ‘rules-based’ order 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.

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.

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.

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 defeated in regional election Germany’s top court paves way for financing ban on extremist political parties 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.