Gideon talks to the FT’s Max Seddon and Miles Johnson about Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group and its once secretive leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. They discuss how Prigozhin came to prominence during the fighting around Bakhmut in Ukraine and whether he can hold on to his position of influence with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin. Clips: euronews; NBC; CNN More on this topic: ‘Like Icarus’: Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin falls foul of Kremlin old guard Wagner leader generated $250mn from sanctioned empire Wagner Inc: a Russian warlord and his lawyers 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 the FT’s Middle East editor Andrew England about his recent visit to Iran in the aftermath of some of the worst unrest since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Iran’s reconciliation with Saudi Arabia and its growing trade with Russia may help the regime survive, but relations with the west have plummeted and hopes for a revival of the nuclear deal look bleak. Clips: Reuters; BBC Read More on this topic: Exiled son of Iran’s last shah steps up to lead galvanised diaspora Saudi rapprochement with Iran is an exercise in buying time Iran agrees to reinstall IAEA cameras at nuclear facilities 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.

Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal tells Gideon why he believes Israel is on course for a full-blown constitutional crisis. The Netanyahu government’s plan to curtail the power of the judiciary, he says, will remove democratic checks and balances that are crucial for the survival of a liberal democracy. Opponents include business, the military and the country's intellectual elite, as well as many middle-class Israelis who will not accept the proposed changes. Clips: Anadolu Agency; NBC Protests by Israeli reservists raise stakes in battle over judicial changes Illiberal democracy comes to Israel US defence secretary cuts short trip to Israel ahead of mass protests 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 academic and writer Denise Dresser about President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s autocratic tendencies and why she thinks the leader she once voted for is dismantling democracy in Mexico. Clips: France 24, Andrés Manuel López Obrador  Amlo’s strongman act is weakening Mexico Thousands protest in Mexico against cuts to electoral watchdog Mexico’s former security chief convicted in US of helping cartel smuggle drugs 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.

The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist talks to Gideon about his efforts to keep global development goals alive amid rising geopolitical tensions. They discuss shrinking aid budgets, climate, technology, China-US tensions and whether Gates remains an optimist about the future. Bill Gates warns Ukraine war is sapping Europe’s foreign aid budgets Elon Musk’s Twitter is ‘stirring up’ digital polarisation, says Bill Gates Bill Gates loves trash 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.

Christopher Miller moved to the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut in 2010 as a volunteer for the US Peace Corps. Now an FT correspondent in Kyiv, he tells Gideon about how the eastern city came to play a central role in the war and how he sees the conflict unfolding in the coming months. Clips: CNN More on this topic: A 12-year journey to the heart of the war in Ukraine ‘Hell. Just hell’: Ukraine and Russia’s war of attrition over Bakhmut Behind the Money podcast: ​​The costs of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine How Ukrainian photographers captured a year of conflict Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 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.

In the second episode in our special series, Gideon talks to war historian Hein Goemans about what it would take to end the fighting in Ukraine. FT podcast survey More on this topic: A year of war in Ukraine has left Europe’s armouries dry Military briefing: Russia prepares Ukraine spring offensive The keyboard warriors on Ukraine’s digital front line Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 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.

In the first of a three-part series, Gideon talks to Ukraine MP Lesia Vasylenko about what it was like to wake up in a country at war, how Ukrainians surprised the world with their fightback, and the need for reparations and justice for the victims of Russia’s war crimes. More on this topic: FT podcast survey Volodymyr Zelenskyy demands ‘wings for freedom’ as UK pledges fighter pilot training Military briefing: what the west’s shifting red lines mean for Ukraine Russia’s budget deficit soars as energy revenues slump by almost half Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 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 Martin Wolf, the FT’s chief economics commentator, about his new book, The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism. They discuss why the post-war settlement between democratic governments and their people is no longer fit for purpose and what can be done to restore our faith in it. More on this topic: FT podcast survey Martin Wolf: in defence of democratic capitalism The great disruption has only just begun CEOs beware: cost-cutting isn’t the same as growth 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.

The Filipino people are paying a heavy price for regional tensions between China and the US, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr tells Gideon. He explains how he hopes to steer clear of conflict, build up the economy and focus on mitigating the economic damage caused by climate change. Clips: Inquirer.net More on this topic: Ferdinand Marcos Jr says Taiwan tensions ‘very, very worrisome’ for Philippines US military deepens ties with Japan and Philippines to prepare for China threat China and Philippines vow to handle maritime tensions with ‘friendly consultations’ US vice-president visits Philippine island off contested South China Sea 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.

The war in Ukraine has had dire consequences for millions of people beyond Europe. Gideon talks to David Miliband, IRC president, about why Putin's challenge to the world order must not go unpunished. Clips: CNN More on this topic: Geopolitics threatens to destroy the world Davos made War in Tigray may have killed 600,000 people, peace mediator says How the law finally caught up with notorious human trafficker Kidane 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.

A small group of Republican party zealots, backed by former president Donald Trump, have forced their way into a position of power in the US Congress. Gideon talks to Jacob Heilbrunn, editor of the National Interest magazine in Washington and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, about what they are seeking to achieve and whether they will end up playing into the hands of President Joe Biden if he seeks re-election. Clips: ABC, CNN More on this topic: Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces tough first week seeking to unify Republicans Joe Biden’s claim to presidential greatness The debt ceiling is scarier this time 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 has Russia changed since Putin embarked on his Ukraine war nearly a year ago? Gideon talks to Angela Stent of Georgetown University about the origins of Russia’s imperialist ambitions, its rupture with Europe and reliance on revived alliances with the global south. Clips: @Rumoaohepta7; Channel 4 News More on this topic:  ‘Untrainable’: Russian army faces backlash over conscripts’ death in Ukraine attack Turning the tide in Russia’s war on Ukraine Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 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 Jake Fielding Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Rachman is joined by a panel of colleagues: FT editor Roula Khalaf, Moscow correspondent Max Seddon and US editor Edward Luce. This year was defined by Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Will 2023 be any different? Meanwhile, in China, Xi Jinping was confirmed for a third term as the country's leader, with many believing he's now set to rule for life.  Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.  -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @gideonrachman -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Qatar’s decision to host the World Cup was mired in controversy from the start but ultimately seems to have paid off, bringing the tiny Gulf emirate new friends and winning over old enemies. Gideon talks to Simeon Kerr, the FT’s Gulf correspondent, about what motivates the emirate to seek to deploy its vast wealth for political ends. Clips: Qatar Airways; France 24 More on this topic: Qatar wooed EU lawmakers ahead of football World Cup How the unlikeliest World Cup ever came to be Qatar faces the harsh glare of World Cup publicity Qatar World Cup provides rare source of unity to Arab states 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.

Australia’s relations with China have taken a dive in recent years, forcing Canberra to reassess regional security and trade ties. Gideon talks to Michael Fullilove, director of the Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading foreign-policy think-tank, about how Australia is adapting to the new reality. Clips: ABC, ChannelNewsAsia More on this topic: Australia, China and the judgment of the Solomons Australia’s defence dilemma: projecting force or provoking China? US to ‘deepen’ defence ties with Australia in face of China threat Australian business hopeful of better ties with China 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.

Severe lockdowns associated with China’s zero-Covid policy have combined with economic woes to incite the most widespread protests since Tiananmen Square. President Xi Jinping is now under pressure to address this discontent. Gideon discusses what his options are with the FT’s Yuan Yang, who has recently returned to London from Beijing. Clips: BBC More on this topic: Xi’s pandemic triumphalism returns to haunt him Guangzhou eases restrictions despite worsening Covid outbreak China’s high youth unemployment stokes student Covid protests Restless Beijingers rise up against Covid controls 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.

Italy has become one of the main entry points to the EU for irregular migrants but its new nationalist prime minister Giorgia Meloni has taken a hard line and is demanding Europe do more to help. Why has Meloni taken such a confrontational approach? Ben’s guest is Nicoletta Pirozzi, head of the EU programme at Italy’s Institute for International Affairs in Rome. Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Ben Hall. Produced by Fiona Symon and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner.  -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk -Follow @gideonrachman -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newsletters Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brazil joins a group of Latin American countries that have elected leftwing leaders. What kind of change will they bring to the region and its relations with the rest of the world? Michael Stott, the FT’s Latin America editor, discusses these questions with Andrés Velasco, dean of the school of public policy at the London School of Economics and a former finance minister of Chile, and Chris Sabatini, senior fellow for Latin America at Chatham House in London. Clips: AP, VOA, BBC More on this topic: Lula seeks Brazil constitutional change to fund campaign pledges Amazon destruction woes overshadow Brazil’s farming advances Chile’s Boric seeks ‘new path forward’ after voters reject constitutional changes Latin America moves to bring Venezuela’s Maduro in from the cold 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.

Thomas Wright, director of strategic planning at the National Security Council in the Biden White House, tells Gideon how the war in Ukraine changed US thinking about the need for broader alliances. Clips: The White House, Channel 4 News More on this topic: Xi Jinping’s China and the rise of the ‘global west’ US coal phaseout plan meets divided response at COP27 China and the US remain locked in mutually assured co-operation 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.