The Rachman Review

4.7 (125)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

6 DAYS AGO

What Elon Musk gains from a friend in the White House

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.

24 min
14 NOV

The ideology behind Xi Jinping’s China

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.

25 min
7 NOV

What will Donald Trump's second term in office look like?

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.

33 min
31 OCT

Donald Trump and the autocrats' playbook

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.

28 min
24 OCT

The trauma of life and death in Gaza

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.

24 min
17 OCT

Afghanistan: a country on the edge

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.

26 min
10 OCT

Germany’s ‘deplorable’ divide on the Ukraine war

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.

23 min
3 OCT

Israel presses its military advantage

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.

24 min

See All (271)

4.7

out of 5

125 Ratings

Informative Discussion

28 Sept

Strings a and b

I always find this podcast informative and thought-provoking.
Brilliant

22 Aug

xdefxdefx

This is a weekly must listen for me. A balanced, intelligent, and thorough deep dive into a topical subject. Thank you Gideon and the team
Meloni

9 May

Crimebrook

Thank you for a timely and explanatory episode. Really interesting to get an understanding of the Meloni success. Well done 👍
Fabulous!

23 Jan

Tara Ned

This is my favourite podcast out there! Each conversation is so succinct and the guests are very articulate. It’s the complete opposite of our current Twitter news culture, without straying into being boring or full of waffle. I always learn a lot! Definitely recommend a listen.

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.