FT World Weekly

Introducing: The Rachman Review

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Life in Europe's coronavirus hotspots: Foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman discusses how the coronavirus epidemic has been handled in Italy and Spain with the local FT correspondents, Miles Johnson in Rome and Daniel Dombey in Madrid. How are citizens reacting to the lockdown and what will be the long-term political and economic impact?

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Hong Kong protests: what happens next?

Thu, 01 Aug 2019 04:00:00 GMT

In this special episode from Hong Kong, Gideon Rachman talks to Regina Ip, a member of the territory's Executive Council and Legislative Council, and to student activist Joshua Wong about the continuing protests and what happens next.

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Britain's tanker dispute with Iran

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 15:49:16 GMT

What are the factors Britain and its allies need to consider as they weigh their response to Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz? Barney Jopson discusses the difficult waters Iran and the west must navigate to avoid a further escalation with Andrew England and Najmeh Bozorgmehr

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South Africa graft inquiry exposes ANC divisions

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 17:01:39 GMT

The judicial inquiry into alleged graft under the presidency of Jacob Zuma is laying bare the divisions of the ruling ANC. Gideon Rachman discusses Mr Zuma's testimony with Joseph Cotterill in Johannesburg and David Pilling, Africa editor.

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What envoy's downfall tells us about UK-US relations

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 07:44:47 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the crisis in Britain's relations with the US following the unscheduled departure of Kim Darroch as ambassador to Washington, with Ed Luce and Geoff Dyer.

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The European Union's new leadership team

Fri, 05 Jul 2019 06:10:53 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the fraught process of selecting a new leadership team in Europe and the impact these choices will have on integration, Eastern Europe and the Brexit negotiations, with Jim Brunsden and Ben Hall

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What to expect from this year's G20 summit

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 16:48:53 GMT

Martin Sandbu discusses the prospects that leaders attending this year's G20 summit in Osaka will be able to patch up their differences on trade and climate with Chris Giles and Leslie Hook.

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Europe's Balkan dilemma

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 18:00:00 GMT

EU foreign ministers this week postponed a decision on whether to open membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia until October, prompting a warning from the two countries' leaders that the delay could strengthen the hand of nationalist forces. Gideon Rachmans discusses the EU's dilemma on the Balkans with Ben Hall and Valerie Hopkins.

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Hong Kong erupts over China extradition bill

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 18:12:28 GMT

Protesters fought pitched battles with police in central Hong Kong in an eruption of public anger against an extradition bill that critics see as a fundamental threat to the territory’s civic freedoms and rule of law. Gideon Rachman discusses the protests and the government's harsh response with James Kynge and Sue-Lin Wong

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Trump's Mexico tariff threat

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 08:53:11 GMT

The US has threatened to impose levies of 5 per cent starting on June 10 on all Mexican products unless Mexico takes action to contain migration, increasing to 25 per cent by October if there is no progress. Gideon Rachman discusses the impact of this move on Mexico and on global trade with Jude Webber and Alan Beattie.

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Bolsonaro's first six months

Thu, 30 May 2019 15:55:44 GMT

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, took office six months ago with a pledge to fight crime, revive economic growth and open the Amazon to development. Gideon Rachman discusses what he has achieved so far with Andres Schipani and Michael Stott.

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Austria's ruling coalition falls apart

Thu, 23 May 2019 13:01:52 GMT

Sebastian Kurz’s ruling coalition has been blown apart after an incriminating video was published in which Heinz Christian Strache, former vice-chancellor and far-right Freedom party leader, was seen promising lucrative government contracts in exchange for political patronage. Gideon Rachman discusses the fallout for Mr Kurz and for far-right parties across Europe with Ben Hall and Sam Jones.

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The fraying transatlantic alliance

Thu, 16 May 2019 12:24:12 GMT

Anne Sylvaine-Chassany discusses the sharp deterioration in relations between Europe and the US against the backdrop of growing tensions in the Middle East with Guy Chazan in Berlin and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington.

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Istanbul mayoral vote puts Turkish democracy to the test

Thu, 09 May 2019 13:56:20 GMT

The decision to order a re-run of the Istanbul mayoral election which an opposition candidate won by a small margin is testing the faith of those who believe Turkish democracy can survive under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Barney Jopson discusses the ramifications with Ayla Jean Yackley and Daniel Dombey.

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Tarnished ANC seeks re-election in South Africa

Wed, 01 May 2019 18:09:27 GMT

The ruling African National Congress is expected to fend off all challenges in South Africa's forthcoming elections - the country's sixth since the end of apartheid. But the party has a severely tarnished legacy amid corruption scandals and failing infrastructure. Fergus Ryan discusses the options facing the country's divided electorate with Joseph Cotterill and David Pilling.

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Ukraine's comedian president

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 13:26:17 GMT

Ukraine's new president Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience, has promised to crack down on corruption and try to bring peace to the war-torn Donbass region. Gideon Rachman discusses how his leadership is likely to affect the country's relations with Russia and the west with Roman Olearchyk and Ben Hall.

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Fire in the heart of France

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the emotional, cultural and political impact of the fire that devastated France's Notre Dame cathedral this week with Victor Mallet and Edwin Heathcote

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Italy's Salvini launches populist alliance in Europe

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Italy's Matteo Salvini is seeking to upend the traditional balance of power in Brussels by forming an alliance of anti-immigration European populist parties. James Wilson discusses whether he can succeed with Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Miles Johnson.

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Erdogan suffers setback in Turkey's elections

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 23:12:00 GMT

The crucial local elections delivered a rare political disappointment for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. What do the polls say about the state of democracy in the country, and what do they mean for the economy? Gideon Rachman discusses the way forward for Turkey with Laura Pitel and Dan Dombey

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Netanyahu fights for a fifth term in office

Wed, 27 Mar 2019 21:26:23 GMT

Can Israel's long serving prime minister overcome allegations of corruption and renewed violence from Gaza to win a fifth term in office? Gideon Rachman discusses his prospects with Andrew England and Mehul Srivastava

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China's Belt and Road Initiative goes to Italy

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:38:33 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses Italy's controversial move to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative with Miles Johnson and Christian Shepherd

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Who will win the Democratic presidential nomination?

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Lawyers, senators, millennials. The field of Democrats vying for the Oval Office two years from now already includes more than a dozen contenders, and promises a record number of women and non-white candidates. Gideon Rachman discusses which of the candidates has the best chance of winning the nomination with Ed Luce and Courtney Weaver

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Algerians protest over entrenched autocracy

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 17:58:04 GMT

After decades of calm, Algerians have taken to the streets to rage against the candidacy of the ageing and ailing president Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April elections. Gideon Rachman discusses what happens next with Heba Saleh and Andrew England.

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Can India and Pakistan step back from the brink?

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 18:57:50 GMT

Pakistan and India are facing their worst conflict in almost half a century after an Indian military jet was shot down over disputed Kashmir territory and an Indian fighter pilot was captured by Pakistani forces. Gideon Rachman discusses what happens next with the FT's Amy Kazmin and Farhan Bukhari

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The uncertain fate of defeated Isis fighters

Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:51:56 GMT

Now that Isis has been crushed in Syria and Iraq, who has responsibility for what happens to the defeated fighters, some of them European nationals, and their families? Barney Jopson discusses the question with Michael Peel and Chloe Cornish

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Can Transatlantic rifts be healed in Munich?

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 18:42:23 GMT

Europe's pre-eminent gathering of the Transatlantic foreign policy elite gathers in Munich this week. Traditionally a show of affection between European and US officials, this year's event promises to be more divisive. Ben Hall discusses the rifts that have opened up and how they can be healed with David Bond and Michael Peel

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Does European industry need greater protection?

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:46:15 GMT

The EU decision to block a proposed tie up between French and German train companies Alstom and Siemens has angered politicians in Paris and Berlin. They have called for new rules to protect Europe's industry from allegedly unfair competition from countries like China. Ben Hall discusses whether these arguments have any validity with Rochelle Toplensky in Brussels and Guy Chazan in Berlin.

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What will Trump's tough stance towards Maduro achieve?

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 18:33:52 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the implicatons of Donald Trump's tough new stance towards the Maduro regime in Venezuela with Jonathan Wheatley and Gideon Long.

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What did this week's Franco-German treaty achieve?

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 13:08:54 GMT

Germany and France signed a new treaty in the border town of Aachen on Tuesday that commits them to deeper co-operation on foreign and defence policy and closer economic integration. But critics say the treaty lacked depth and that President Emmanuel Macron had pushed for much more ambitious goals. Ben Hall discusses what the treaty actually achieved with Victor Mallet in Paris and Tobias Buck in Berlin

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Congo's moment of truth

Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:55:00 GMT

FT analysis points to huge fraud in the first change of power since Joseph Kabila took over the presidency of the mineral-rich central African nation almost 18 years ago. Gideon Rachman discusses how the Democratic Republic of Congo's election authorities and regional powers will respond to the revelations with Tom Wilson and David Pilling

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Europe's watershed year

Fri, 11 Jan 2019 05:41:46 GMT

2019 will be momentous for the European Union, with all the top jobs up for grabs, elections in May that will test the strength of populist forces, and Britain's scheduled departure at the end of March. Anne-Sylvaine Chassany discusses how things could play out with Ben Hall, Europe editor, and Alex Barker, Brussels bureau chief.

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Where does Huawei affair leave the US-China trade dispute?

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 18:58:46 GMT

What impact will the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzho in Canada have on the trade negotiations between the US and China? Gideon Rachman discusses the repercussions with Demetri Sevastopulo Geoff Dyer.

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Anger over Macron reforms boils over

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 17:07:33 GMT

An online protest against a proposed fuel tax rise has morphed into a wide-ranging, mass protest against stagnating wages, a decrease in purchasing power and the French president himself. Gideon Rachman discusses why Emmanuel Macron's reforms have met such resistance and how badly the weekend riots have damaged him with Harriet Agnew and Ben Hall

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How radical is Mexico's new president?

Thu, 29 Nov 2018 05:00:00 GMT

As Mexicans await the inauguration of their new president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, at the weekend, rattled investors are watching to see which direction the leftwing maverick takes the country. Gideon Rachman looks at the choices facing Mexico's new leader with Jude Webber, the FT's Mexico correspondent and Katie Martin, the FT's capital markets editor.

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The politics of Interpol

Thu, 22 Nov 2018 17:55:07 GMT

Interpol, the global police organisation, has appointed its new chief. Usually a quiet affair, the appointment became headline news when it transpired that the frontrunner was a prominent Russian. Anne-Sylvaine Chassany takes a look at the institution with guests Henry Foy, the FT's Moscow bureau chief and Michael Peel, the FT's diplomatic editor.

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Hong Kong dissent

Thu, 15 Nov 2018 13:30:56 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the rising political tensions in the Chinese territory with Ben Bland, Hong Kong correspondent, and Victor Mallet, Asia news editor.

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Who won the US mid-term elections?

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:09:46 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the implications of the US mid-term election results for the Democrats and Republicans with the FT's Geoff Dyer and James Politi. Will a mood of reconciliation or confrontation prevail?

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Europe without Merkel

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 13:20:43 GMT

Angela Merkel is on her way out as the leader of Germany. Her decision to stand down as chair of the Christian Democratic Union sets up a battle for the leadership of the German centre-right. Gideon Rachman discusses the end of the Merkel era and its implications for Europe with the FT's Guy Ghazan and Ben Hall.

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Global arms control arrangements under threat

Wed, 24 Oct 2018 17:29:53 GMT

Anne Sylvaine-Chassany and guests discuss Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw from the so-called Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty, How much of a question mark does this put over what is left of the arms control arrangements that have helped the US and the Soviet Union contain the risk of nuclear confrontation.

Contributors: Anne-Sylvaine-Chassany, world news editor, Daniel Dombey, deputy world editor, Henry Foy, Moscow bureau chief and Michael Peel, diplomacy correspondent. Producers: Fiona Symon and Sam Westran

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Saudi Arabia under pressure over alleged brutal murder of journalist Khashoggi

Thu, 18 Oct 2018 11:50:58 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the regional and international repercussions of the apparent murder by Saudi agents of an exiled journalist in Turkey with Laura Pitel and Andrew England.

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Can the world avoid a climate change catastrophe?

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 10:39:43 GMT

A UN report on climate change this week concluded the earth had warmed by 1C since pre-industrial times and was likely to heat up by a further 2C by the turn of the century. Daniel Dombey discusses what this means with the FT's Leslie Hook and Ed Crooks

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Nafta is salvaged: how much did Trump gain?

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 16:38:55 GMT

Daniel Dombey discusses the new trilateral pact called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement with the FT's Alan Beattie and James Politi

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Brexit after Salzburg

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Theresa May left last week’s EU summit in Salzburg in trouble: her Chequers plan for Britain's departure from the EU was rejected by other EU leaders. Where does this leave the Brexit negotiations — and Britain's domestic politics — with just six months to go? Is the Chequers plan really dead? Political editor George Parker and Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker join Dan Dombey to discuss.

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Brazil's polarising vote

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 16:45:46 GMT

Weeks before Brazil's presidential election, voters appear to be gravitating to opposite ends of the political spectrum, with a right-wing populist Jair Bolsonaro going head to head with the Workers' party candidate Fernando Haddad. Daniel Dombey discusses what this means for Brazil and the region with Joe Leahy and Jonathan Wheatley

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Africa's rapid urban expansion

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 15:34:06 GMT

Almost unnoticed, Africa has become the world’s most rapidly urbanising continent. Daniel Dombey discusses the implications with David Pilling and Barney Jopson

Read David's article here

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Sweden's lurch to the right

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 12:35:38 GMT

With polls showing a surge in support for the far right Sweden Democrats, Gideon Rachman discusses the outlook for Sweden's general election on September 9th with the FT's Ben Hall and Richard Milne.

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Iranians count the cost of renewed sanctions

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the impact on Iran's economic and political stability of the US decision to reimpose sanctions, with the FT's Najmeh Bozorgmehr and Andrew England

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Zimbabwe’s pivotal election

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:10:21 GMT

The world is watching results come in from Zimbabwe's first presidential election without Robert Mugabe on the ballot. The ruling Zanu-PF has secured a parliamentary majority, suggesting that the party's candidate, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is likely to have won the closely-fought presidential race. The legitimacy of the election is seen as vital to whether Zimbabwe can re-engage with foreign donors and investors to end its long isolation and rebuild its shattered economy. But with the final result not yet declared, the opposition is already disputing the result. Gideon Rachman talks to the FT's Africa editor David Pilling in Harare and former southern Africa bureau chief Andrew England.

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Imran Khan’s challenges as Pakistan’s prime minister

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:58:59 GMT

Imran Khan, who entered politics in 1996 after retiring from international cricket, is on track to become Pakistan’s next prime minister after an election clouded with accusations of vote rigging. But with an economic crisis looming for the next government to tackle, will he be able to fulfil his campaign promises to root out corruption and increase public spending on health and education? Gideon Rachman talks about the election and its aftermath with the FT’s Kiran Stacey and Victor Mallet.

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Helsinki's missed opportunities

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 17:45:20 GMT

The Helsinki summit has left both President Trump and President Putin looking weaker as the missed opportunities of their first summit become apparent. Henry Foy in Moscow and Ed Luce in Washington discuss the repercussions with Gideon Rachman

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What kind of president will López Obrador make?

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 14:59:03 GMT

Ben Hall discusses how Mexico's new leftist president will make good on his pledge to assist the poor, while keeping within budget. He has promised to slash fat-cat bureaucratic salaries and to crack down on corruption. But will that be enough?

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What will Turkey's president do with his new powers?

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 10:14:18 GMT

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has fulfilled his dream of taking the helm of an all-powerful executive presidency in Turkey. Daniel Dombey discusses what he will do with the unprecedented control he now has over the levers of the state with the FT's Laura Pitel in Ankara

This show was temorarily unavailable due to an error that has now been fixed. Apologies to all our listeners.

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Migration issue returns to haunt EU leaders

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 13:59:47 GMT

European leaders will attempt this month to overcome deep divisions over migration policy, at a time when the issue has flared up again in Germany, threatening to destabilise Angela Merkel's coalition government. Gideon Rachman discusses prospects for the EU summit and whether Ms Merkel's government can survive with the FT's Tobias Buck and James Wilson.

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Will the Trump-Kim summit make Asia safer?

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 12:09:35 GMT

Who are the real winners from Donald Trump's rapprochement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un? Philip Stephens discusses how the summit has been viewed by countries in the region with the FT's Bryan Harris and Jamil Anderlini

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Football special: Russia prepares for the World Cup

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 18:58:21 GMT

Gideon Rachman, Murad Ahmed and Simon Kuper in Paris join Jonathan Derbyshire to discuss the World Cup, amid concerns about hooliganism, visitor numbers and a sense that international football these days is a diminished prospect in comparison with the high-intensity club game. Produced by Murray Withers. Cover illustration by Nigel Buchanan

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Italy's political stalemate

Thu, 31 May 2018 13:23:45 GMT

Italy's political crisis, lasting nearly three months, is the longest in the country’s postwar republican history. Gideon Rachman discusses the stalemate and how it might be resolved, as well as the market reaction this week, with the FT's James Politi and Miles Johnson.

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Ireland votes on whether to repeal divisive abortion ban

Thu, 24 May 2018 11:08:54 GMT

The people of Ireland are about to vote on whether to repeal a ban on abortions that has been enshrined in the constitution since 1983. The campaign to repeal the ban is supported by the leaders of all parties in the Irish parliament but the issue remains one of the most divisive in national politics. Gideon Rachman discusses the background to the vote with the FT's Arthur Beesley and Orla Ryan

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Italy on the brink of populist party rule

Thu, 17 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT

The leaders of Italy’s two leading populist parties are on the brink of a formal alliance after a nine-week stalemate followed by less than a week of serious negotiations. Gideon Rachman discusses the potential impact of their policies on Italy and the eurozone with the FT's James Politi and Ben Hall

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Iran nuclear deal: what happens next?

Thu, 10 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT

What will be the impact of Donald Trump's decision to renounce the Iran nuclear deal on the Middle East and on global alliances? Daniel Dombey puts the question to the FT's Katrina Manson and Andrew England

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Transatlantic allies fall out over trade

Thu, 03 May 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Jonathan Derbyshire discusses what's behind the trade row between the Trump administration and the European Union with the FT's Shawn Donnan and Guy Chazan

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Iran-Israel tensions rise

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Tensions have been building between Israel, Iran and Hizbollah, Iran's Lebanese ally, over Israel's concerns that its regional foes are looking to exploit the conflict in Syria to build weapons caches and bases close to the Israeli border. Gideon Rachman discusses the recent skirmishes and the risk of further escalation with Mehul Srivastava and Andrew England.

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Will the real Trump step forward?

Thu, 19 Apr 2018 05:06:58 GMT

As another scandal breaks over allegations from the former FBI chief James Comey that Donald Trump is 'morally unfit', Gideon Rachman and Demetri Sevastopulo look back at the US president's first year in office and the challenges that lie ahead

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Europe faces twin threats from Putin and Orban

Thu, 12 Apr 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses the growing confrontation between Russia and the west, and the re-election of Hungary's Viktor Orban, a populist leader who represents a challenge to the traditional values of the European Union, with the FT's Neil Buckley and Alex Barker

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Macron's big test

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 10:26:03 GMT

The bitter confrontation between Emmanuel Macron and rail workers over plans to overhaul the country's state train operator is the French president’s most perilous gamble so far. Gideon Rachman discusses what is at stake and who is likely to come out the winner with the FT's Ben Hall and David Keohane.

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Egypt’s president tightens his grip

Thu, 29 Mar 2018 04:00:00 GMT

Egyptians voted in a three-day election this week that is virtually certain to hand Abdel Fattah el-Sisi a second term as president. The only contender running against Mr Sisi, a former military chief who came to power in a popularly backed 2013 coup, is an obscure politician who is a self-confessed supporter of the president. Gideon Rachman discusses what the election means for Egypt with the FT’s Heba Saleh in Cairo and Andrew England in London.

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Trump's legal woes mount

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 06:00:00 GMT

Donald Trump was hoping that the Russia probe would be over by now but, if anything, it is intensifying with the news that Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the Trump Organisation to turn over documents. Daniel Dombey asks the FT's Demetri Sevastopulo and Ed Luce how damaging this is for the US president and whether an end is in sight.

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What next for Putin's Russia?

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 06:00:00 GMT

The poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter with a rare military-grade nerve agent has sent Russia's relations with the west to fresh lows. Ahead of this week's elections, what does this tell us about what we can expect from Vladimir Putin's next term in office? Gideon Rachman discusses this question with the FT's Neil Buckley and Kathrin Hille.

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Anti-establishment parties upend Italian politics

Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:32:36 GMT

About half of Italians who voted in Sunday’s elections opted for one of the country’s anti-establishment parties and the country must now stitch together a coalition government. Gideon Rachman discusses what happens next with the FT’s Rachel Sanderson and Tony Barber.

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China discards model of fixed-term presidency

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 17:08:35 GMT

By signalling his intention to remove the two-term limit on China’s presidency, China's strongman Xi Jinping is discarding more than three decades of precedent aimed at institutionalising the peaceful transition of power. Gideon Rachman discusses the implications of the move with the FT's Tom Mitchell and James Kynge.

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Trump versus Mueller

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 17:44:56 GMT

The US president is being outplayed by special investigator Robert Mueller’s chess moves, but unless the Republican Party turns against him, his presidency still looks secure. Gideon Rachman discusses whether the special investigator's patience will pay off in the end with the FT's Ed Luce and Geoff Dyer.

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What's Zuma's legacy for South Africa?

Wed, 14 Feb 2018 18:19:20 GMT

South Africa's president Jacob Zuma is clinging to power despite intensifying efforts to remove him. Gideon Rachman discusses the ruling ANC's predicament and whether its new leader Cyril Ramaphosa can restore the country's fortunes with the FT's Andrew England and Joseph Cotterill

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Germany's new grand coalition

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 18:34:28 GMT

After four months of bargaining, Germany is to have a new government. Angela Merkel will remain chancellor and the foreign and finance minister jobs will be occupied by the centre-left SPD. EU officials are delighted with the pro-European tilt of the latest grand coalition. Daniel Dombey discusses what this means for Germany and Europe with the FT's Alex Barker and Guy Chazan

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Turkey's Syria incursion strains ties with US

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 18:26:21 GMT

Turkey’s attack on a prized US ally in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin in north-western Syria has opened a new front in Syria’s seven-year-old civil war and highlights the depths to which Ankara’s relations with the US have sunk. Andrew England discusses the implications for Syria, the Kurds, Turkey and the west with the FT's Laura Pitel and Erika Solomon

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Davos special: Is the global trading system at risk?

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 14:58:50 GMT

Trade has dominated discussions at this year's World Economic Forum in Davos amid fears that Donald Trump's America-first approach will lead to fragmentation. Gideon Rachman sat down with Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and asked him how worried people should be about the integrity of the global trading system.

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Italy faces prolonged political uncertainty

Wed, 17 Jan 2018 18:28:02 GMT

March elections in Italy could see a surge in support for the country’s eurosceptic opposition. Paolo Gentiloni’s ruling Democratic party is trailing both a resurgent centre-right coalition led by former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, and the anti-establishment Five Star Movement in the polls. Gideon Rachman discusses what this means for Italy and the eurozone with the FT's Rome correspondent James Politi

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The End of the Merkel Era

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

As Angela Merkel struggles to form a new government, Guy Chazan and Fred Studemann join Gideon Rachman to discuss if we are witnessing the end of the Merkel era?

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Unrest shakes Iran's political establishment

Thu, 04 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMT

What do Iran's recent anti-government demonstrations mean for the regime of Hassan Rouhani, and for the country's foreign policy? Gideon Rachman discusses the repercussions of the unrest with the FT's Najmeh Bozorgmehr and Andrew England.

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What impact has Donald Trump had on US foreign policy?

Wed, 13 Dec 2017 17:44:30 GMT

How has Donald Trump's first year in office affected America's relationship with the rest of the world? Is he an isolationist, and if so, how do we interpret his assertive policy towards North Korea? Gideon Rachman and Geoff Dyer discuss these questions and look at the US foreign policy challenges of the coming year.

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Yemen's unending torment

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:13:56 GMT

The long-running war in Yemen has caused the world's worst humanitarian crisis and the killing of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the influential former president, this week curtailed a fledgling effort to reach a negotiated solution. Gideon Rachman discusses why the conflict has proved so protracted with the FT's Simeon Kerr and Andrew England.

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Brexit drives a wedge between the UK and Ireland

Wed, 29 Nov 2017 18:20:27 GMT

Disagreement over the future of the Northern Irish border after Brexit has strained Anglo-Irish relations. As the UK's negotiations with the EU approach a crucial stage, could Dublin derail the British government's pursuit of a Brexit deal?

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Exit Robert Mugabe

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 16:46:49 GMT

A tumultuous week in Zimbabwe culminates in the resignation of President Robert Mugabe, the country's leader of 37 years. Gideon Rachman is joined by Andrew England and David Pilling in Harare.

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Threats loom for world trading system

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 18:48:55 GMT

As President Donald Trump's tour of Asia comes to a close, we ask whether the US stance on the TPP and Nafta agreements bodes ill for the stability of the world trading system. Gideon Rachman is joined by the FT's Martin Sandbu and Shawn Donnan in Washington.

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Turmoil in Saudi Arabia

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:17:07 GMT

Some of the most powerful figures in Saudi Arabia have been arrested in a new anti-corruption crackdown, while tensions between the gulf kingdom and Iran are being felt across the region. Gideon Rachman is joined by Simeon Kerr and Erika Solomon.

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Donald Trump's visit to Asia

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 17:59:12 GMT

The US president is about to embark on a five-country tour of Asia. With tensions mounting over North Korea, what can we expect?

Gideon Rachman is joined by Geoff Dyer and Katrina Manson.

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The rise of populism in central Europe

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Populist parties are on the rise in Poland, Hungary and now the Czech Republic after the election victory of a party led by Andrej Babiš, who some people label the Czech Donald Trump. Gideon Rachman discusses how serious a challenge this poses for the European Union as a club of like-minded democracies with Neil Buckley and James Shotter.

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Is Venezuela dismantling its democracy?

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Flawed regional elections in the oil rich but cash strapped country have resulted in a victory for Nicolás Maduro’s socialist party, in spite of the fact that it has presided over perhaps the worst economic meltdown in Latin American history. Ben Hall discusses why the opposition lost and how the international community will react with Gideon Long and Johnpaul Rathbone

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Turkey-US spat: who will blink first?

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 13:08:34 GMT

US-Turkish relations have plunged to a new low following America's decision to suspend issuing any non-immigrant visas to Turks. Gideon Rachman discusses how the rift came about and how serious it is with Daniel Dombey and Mehul Srivastava

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Japan's Abe faces tough new challenge

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 16:27:17 GMT

Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe has called an early vote, but finds himself in a tougher fight than he bargained for after the emergence of a new opposition party led by the charismatic Tokyo governor Yuriko Koike. Gideon Rachman discusses this radical change in Japan's political landscape with Robin Harding and Roger Blitz

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Catalonia heads for clash with Spain

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 05:00:00 GMT

The Spanish authorities have pulled out all the stops to try to prevent an independence referendum in Catalonia this weekend which the Madrid government deems illegal. But the Catalan government is determined to press ahead. Ben Hall discusses Spain's political and constitutional crisis with Michael Stothard, FT correspondent in Madrid, and Tony Barber, Europe editor.

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Why Sunday's German elections matter

Thu, 21 Sep 2017 05:00:00 GMT

Angela Merkel is expected to win a fourth term in office after Sunday's elections in Germany, so what difference will the vote make and why does it matter? Shashank Joshi puts the question to Gideon Rachman and Hans Kundnani during a discussion at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change in London.

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What's next in the Korean nuclear crisis?

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 10:50:30 GMT

On Sunday, North Korea tested what is says was a hydrogen bomb, and may be preparing a further missile test. Bryan Harris in Seoul and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington join Gideon Rachman to discuss the latest escalation of the nuclear crisis on the Korean peninsula.

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The human consequences and market impact of Harvey

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 17:06:11 GMT

What are the human and economic consequences of the hurricane and floods that have devastated Houston, the United States’ fourth-largest city? Gideon Rachman discusses the situation with David J Lynch in Houston and Gregory Meyer in New York.

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Barcelona terror attack

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 15:54:11 GMT

As Spanish police investigate the origins of last week's terrorist attack on pedestrians in the Las Ramblas tourist district of Barcelona, Daniel Dombey asks Sam Jones and Michael Stothard what we know so far and how such attacks can be prevented.

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US launches bid to rewrite trading relationships

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 17:50:37 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses what are the chances of success of Donald Trump's bid to rewrite US trading relationships with Canada, Mexico and China, with Shawn Donnan, trade editor and James Kynge, emerging markets editor

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Trump's dangerous war of words with North Korea

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:33:09 GMT

Tensions between the US and North Korea are at their highest in years over Pyongyang's accelerating efforts to build a nuclear arsenal capable of hitting America. Ben Hall discusses the options for ending the standoff with Katrina Manson, US diplomatic correspondent, and Lucy Hornby, China correspondent.

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Venezuelan outlook darkens

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 16:51:07 GMT

Venezuela's new constituent assembly will give President Maduro sweeping powers to rule as he pleases, but few foreign governments will recognise the laws that he and the assembly approve. James Wilson discusses what options are left for his opponents with Gideon Long and John Paul Rathbone

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EU and Poland clash over judicial overhaul

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 17:33:24 GMT

Poland has angered the Brussels authorities by promoting a series of laws to assert greater government control over the judiciary. James Wilson discusses what the EU's objections are and what it can do to try to bring Poland into line with Arthur Beesley and James Shotter.

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Brazil's political system in turmoil

Wed, 19 Jul 2017 16:58:40 GMT

The whole Brazilian political class seems to have been caught up in corruption scandals from former president Lula da Silva to the current president Michel Temer. Joe Leahy and John Paul Rathbone discuss the local and regional repercussions with Gideon Rachman

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Trump troubles escalate over son's Russia meeting

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:00:32 GMT

Revelations of a hitherto secret meeting between Donald Trump's son and a Russian lawyer allegedly connected to the Kremlin have revived the scandal about Russian involvement in the US presidential election. Gideon Rachman discusses the latest twists with Courtney Weaver and Max Seddon.

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Syrian battle risks international conflict

Fri, 23 Jun 2017 17:27:33 GMT

As rival forces scramble to recapture Isis territory in Syria and Iraq, the likelihood of international confrontation escalates. Gideon Rachman discusses the growing tensions in the region with the FT's Middle east commentator David Gardner and Geoff Dyer, former Washington correspondent

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Brexit wrangling begins

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 12:26:24 GMT

As Britain and the EU finally begin formal Brexit negotiations on Monday, Gideon Rachman discusses what to expect in the weeks ahead with Alex Barker, the FT's Brussels bureau chief, and Whitehall editor James Blitz.

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The blockade of super rich Gulf state Qatar

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:32:23 GMT

Gideon Rachman discusses what's behind the siege of super rich Gulf state Qatar by its neighbours Saudi Arabia and the UAE with the FT's Simeon Kerr and Erika Solomon

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The EU-US rift

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:29:13 GMT

Germany's Angela Merkel says Europe can no longer count on the US as a reliable partner, reflecting a widening rift with US president Donald Trump. Gideon Rachman discusses this deterioration in relations with FT Berlin correspondent Guy Chazan and Geoff Dyer, former Washington correspondent.

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Trump and the Middle East

Fri, 26 May 2017 16:39:19 GMT

Donald Trump reset US relations with the Sunni Arab world during a foreign trip that included visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel. But how much has the substance of US policy towards the Middle East changed? The FT's Ben Hall discusses the issue with deputy editor Roula Khalaf, Gulf correspondent Simeon Kerr and Jerusalem bureau chief John Reed.

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Venezuela in crisis

Fri, 19 May 2017 13:21:33 GMT

Venezuela has become trapped in a downward spiral of economic decline, social turmoil and political unrest. Gideon Rachman discusses the worsening situation with Latin America editor John Paul Rathbone and Andes correspondent Gideon Long.

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France's 'rock star' president

Fri, 12 May 2017 05:00:00 GMT

There are big expectations for France's new 'rock star' president, who has promised to overhaul politics in the country. Gideon Rachman asks Ben Hall and Anne-Sylvaine Chassany what his first priorities will be.

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Europe's Brexit wrangling

Fri, 05 May 2017 13:56:22 GMT

It's been a tempestuous week in the world of Brexit. British prime minister Theresa May angrily denounced the EU for "meddling" in the British election, just days after reports were leaked of her acrimonious dinner with Brussels officials. Jonathan Derbyshire joins the FT's Gideon Rachman and Daniel Dombey to discuss the future of the UK-EU relationship.

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Macron close to victory in French presidential poll

Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:51:39 GMT

Polls predict an easy victory for Emmanuel Macron in the second round of France's presidential elections, but a lot can happen in the final two weeks of campaigning. Gideon Rachman discusses the independent centrist and his prospects with the FT's Tony Barber and Michael Stothard

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Where does Erdogan go from here?

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 12:05:22 GMT

By winning last week's constitutional referendum, albeit narrowly, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has achieved his long-held ambition of taming the country's institutions. Daniel Dombey discusses how he is likely to use his new powers with Delphine Strauss and Mehul Srivastava.

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Is the world's policeman back on the beat?

Wed, 12 Apr 2017 12:45:38 GMT

Donald Trump's decision to order a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airbase in response to the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons has raised hopes that the world’s policeman is back on the beat. But does the move signal a genuine change of strategy? Ben Hall puts the question to the FT's Gideon Rachman and Geoff Dyer.

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Trump meets Xi Jinping

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 12:33:15 GMT

Donald Trump is welcoming Chinese president Xi Jinping to his Florida resort this week for their first ever face-to-face meeting, with discussions expected on centre on trade relations and the North Korean nuclear crisis. Geoff Dyer discusses the US-China relationship with FT Beijing bureau chief Tom Mitchell, and Demetri Sevastopulo, Washington bureau chief.

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Trump and the nuclear threat from North Korea

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 17:07:04 GMT

Tensions between North Korea and the US have escalated this month over Pyongyang’s fast-developing nuclear weapons programme. How is the Trump administration going to manage the reclusive state? Gideon Rachman puts the question to the FT's Seoul bureau chief Bryan Harris and Geoff Dyer, a former FT foreign affairs correspondent.

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Populism and politics in Europe

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 18:26:36 GMT

The FT's deputy editor Roula Khalaf chairs a panel discussion on the rise of the right in Europe, with the FT's Gideon Rachman and Simon Kuper and with Catherine Fieschi, a political consultant and longtime observer of the far right in France.

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Hong Kong's democracy debate

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:13:16 GMT

This week, Gideon Rachman talks to two leading pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong about the city's "one country, two systems" agreement with China. Both Joshua Wong, 20, and Nathan Law, 23, played prominent roles in the Umbrella Movement in 2014 that took to streets to demand democratic elections for Hong Kong chief executive in 2014. Mr Law is the youngest elected member of the Hong Kong legislative council to date - but could be disbarred from office for his views.

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Netanyahu under fire

Fri, 10 Mar 2017 16:56:54 GMT

Benjamin Netanyahu should be feeling on top of the world after a high profile visit to the White House last month. But at home, the Israeli prime minister faces three police investigations that are testing his reputation for political invincibility. Gideon Rachman discusses what this could mean for Israel with the FT's Jerusalem bureau chief John Reed and FT International affairs editor David Gardner.

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Fillon clings on as French election race heats up

Thu, 02 Mar 2017 15:15:31 GMT

French presidential hopeful François Fillon has slumped in the polls after being placed under formal investigation over an alleged fake jobs scandal. But the one-time frontrunner has vowed to stay in the race. What does this mean for France - and for Marine Le Pen's chances for taking the Élysée? FT world news editor Ben Hall discusses the question with Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief international commentator, and Paris correspondent Michael Stothard.

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Merkel's surprise challenger from the left

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:56:48 GMT

Martin Schulz, the new face of Germany's Social Democratic Party, has surged in the polls to become a surprise challenger to chancellor Angela Merkel in September's elections. Gideon Rachman discusses what this could mean for Germany with the FT's Stefan Wagstyl and Guy Chazan in Berlin.

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South Africa's critical test

Thu, 16 Feb 2017 18:04:53 GMT

This year, the African National Congress - which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid - picks a new leader. But their embattled president, Jacob Zuma, will leave a legacy of scandal, corruption allegations and a sluggish economy. Gideon Rachman discusses the future of Africa's largest economy with the FT's Africa editor David Pilling, and South Africa correspondent Joseph Cotterill.

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The fate of the euro

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 16:11:49 GMT

With economic growth reviving in the eurozone, is the euro crisis now over, or is this just a lull before another euro storm? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Claire Jones, FT correspondent in Frankfurt, and Martin Sandbu, economics commentator.

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Trump travel ban sparks global backlash

Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:15:13 GMT

Donald Trump's controversial visa ban has led to chaos at airports and condemnation from abroad. What are the consequences - at home and overseas - of this unprecedented move by the new president? Daniel Dombey, the FT's deputy world news editor, discusses the question with Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo and Erika Solomon, Middle East correspondent.

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France decides: battle for Élysée takes shape

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 13:04:52 GMT

The list of contenders for France's 2017 election will be finalised this week, as the socialists choose their candidate on Sunday. Gideon Rachman discusses what is set to be an unpredictable and closely fought battle for the presidency with Anne-Sylvaine Chassany, the FT’s Paris bureau chief, and former bureau chief Hugh Carnegy.

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Trade, Trump and Brexit

Wed, 18 Jan 2017 13:16:10 GMT

This week, UK prime minister Theresa May laid out her plans for a 'hard' Brexit, as US president-elect Donald Trump expressed doubts about the EU's future and promised a 'quick' US-UK trade deal. How feasible would such a deal be? And is the west retreating from a free trade model that has taken decades to roll out? Daniel Dombey, the FT's Brexit editor, discusses with Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker and FT world trade editor Shawn Donnan.

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Trump's confirmation hearings: nominees in the spotlight

Wed, 11 Jan 2017 10:08:20 GMT

A series of confirmation hearings for president-elect Donald Trump's controversial cabinet nominees began in the Senate this week, with Democrats eager to grill candidates. How smooth is the process likely to be and who is vulnerable? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Courtney Weaver, the FT's White House correspondent, and Barney Jopson, the US policy correspondent in Washington.

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Turkey battles political turmoil and terrorists

Wed, 04 Jan 2017 11:45:48 GMT

The new year began with a terrorist attack on a nightclub in Istanbul which left 39 dead - the latest blow to hit a country still reeling from the aftermath of a failed coup last year and the political purges that followed. Gideon Rachman discusses Turkey's prospects with Daniel Dombey and Mehul Srivastava

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How will the events of 2016 play out in the coming year?

Thu, 22 Dec 2016 06:00:00 GMT

Daniel Dombey asks Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief foreign affairs columnist, and Fred Studemann, features editor, how the big events of 2016 - Brexit, the US election, and Syria - will play out on the world stage in the coming year.

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Trump's Taiwan foray

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 17:42:36 GMT

Donald Trump created a diplomatic storm earlier this month by speaking on the telephone to Taiwan's leader - the first such official communication since 1979. He then suggested he might ditch US adherence to the One China policy - a bedrock of ties between the two world powers. Does he really mean to change US policy and if so what will the consequences be for US-China ties? Ben Hall puts the question to the FT's James Kynge and Demetri Sevastopulo.

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On the front lines in Yemen

Thu, 08 Dec 2016 06:00:00 GMT

Dr Natalie Roberts has spent several years on the front lines of conflict zones as an emergency doctor for Médecins Sans Frontières, providing medical care to critically injured and malnourished patients. She talks to the FT's Maggie Fick about her time working for the humanitarian organisation in war-torn Yemen. To read more about MSF and the FT Seasonal Appeal visit FT.com/appeal. Diary clips and photo courtesy of MSF.

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Cuba after Castro

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 23:31:49 GMT

Will Fidel Castro's influence over Cuba outlast his death, and will the Trump presidency reverse the detente with the US begun by Barack Obama? Gideon Rachman puts these questions to John Paul Rathbone, the FT's Latin America editor, and Geoff Dyer, Washington correspondent.

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Fillon is surprise favourite of French conservative voters

Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:15:24 GMT

François Fillon, a former prime minister, looks on course to become the surprise presidential candidate of the centre-right in next year's French presidential elections. James Wilson asks Anne-Sylvaine Chassany, Paris correspondent, and Ben Hall, world news editor, what his appeal is and how he would fare in a contest against the far-right populist leader Marine Le Pen.

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Donald Trump and Europe: friend or foe?

Thu, 17 Nov 2016 13:08:00 GMT

Does the election victory of Donald Trump represent an opportunity or a threat to Europe? Gideon Rachman discusses the mixed reaction across the continent with George Parker, the FT's political editor in London, and diplomatic correspondent Arthur Beesley in Brussels.

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Trump win stuns America's allies

Wed, 09 Nov 2016 18:22:03 GMT

Donald Trump's momentous victory has stunned America's allies but also delighted populists and strongmen leaders around the world, notably Russia's Vladimir Putin. Ben Hall discusses the world response with Gideon Rachman and Guy Chazan.

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China's return to strongman rule

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 15:37:01 GMT

Chinese president Xi Jinping was anointed as the “core” leader of the Communist party last week, paving the way for a return to strongman rule. So is China moving towards a more autocratic system? Gideon Rachman discusses the question with the FT's Beijing correspondent Lucy Hornby, and James Kynge, former bureau chief in the capital.

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The EU's trade conundrum

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 12:35:12 GMT

Wallonia, a Belgian region, has rejected the proposed Ceta trade deal with Canada, all but torpedoing the agreement for good. What does this mean for the EU's trade liberalisation agenda, transatlantic trade and the UK's Brexit negotiations? The FT's world news editor Ben Hall speaks with Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker and our diplomatic correspondent, Arthur Beesley.

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Putin: opportunist or master strategist?

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 15:30:15 GMT

Vladimir Putin has been playing brinkmanship in Syria, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Is the Russian president a master strategist or are his moves merely opportunistic? Gideon Rachman discusses the question with Neil Buckley the FT's East Europe editor.

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South Africa's political turmoil

Wed, 12 Oct 2016 16:51:23 GMT

South Africa has been shaken by news that the country's respected finance minister Pravin Gordhan is facing fraud charges in what appears to be the latest episode in a power struggle with President Jacob Zuma and his allies. Many suspect the charges are trumped up and designed to give Mr Zuma total control of the levers of power. Ben Hall discusses what happens next with Joseph Cotterill and Andrew England

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Theresa May's Brexit vision

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:08:30 GMT

At the UK Conservative party conference this week we got a clearer sense of Theresa May's Brexit vision, with the prime minister announcing that the process for leaving the bloc will be formally set in motion early next year. So what are the implications at this stage for Britain - and for Europe? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Daniel Dombey, the FT's Brexit editor, and Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker.

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Renzi's big test

Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:26:43 GMT

This week Matteo Renzi, Italy's prime minister, set a date in December for his high-stakes referendum on constitutional reform. The vote will determine the political future of a leader already struggling with painful party defeats in local elections, troubles in Italy's banking system and a persistently weak economy. Ben Hall discusses with James Politi, the FT's Italy correspondent and Europe news editor Joshua Chaffin.

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What can stop the war in Syria?

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 17:16:48 GMT

After a brief ceasefire, the war in Syria has been renewed in all its horror. Is there anything that can stop it? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent and Erika Solomon, Middle East correspondent.

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US election 2016: the what ifs

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 17:44:41 GMT

The US presidential election has taken a dramatic new turn with the sudden illness of Hillary Clinton, and a tightening in the opinion polls. Could Donald Trump actually win? Gideon Rachman discusses with the FT's chief political commentator Philip Stephens and Shawn Donnan, the world trade editor based in the Washington bureau.

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Merkel's populist challenge

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:19:34 GMT

Angela Merkel is facing a new challenge to her leadership after the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany dealt her party a stinging blow in a regional election on Sunday. What threat does the success of the populist party pose for German stability and for Merkel's chance of remaining as chancellor? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Stefan Wagstyl, the FT's Berlin bureau chief and Fred Studemann, comment editor.

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Europe's fraying economic ties with America

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 17:47:39 GMT

Economic ties between Europe and the US took a knock this week when the EU slapped huge back taxes on Apple and several European politicians declared transatlantic trade talks to be effectively dead. Gideon Rachman asks Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor, and Shawn Donnan, the FT's world trade editor, what hopes remain for a successful conclusion to the TTIP talks.

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Turkey's Syrian gamble

Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:45:15 GMT

Turkey sent tanks into Syria on Wednesday, as part of a major offensive ostensibly against Isis - but also to contain Syrian Kurds. The move follows a recent coup attempt against President Erdogan and a deadly terrorist attack in the southern Turkish town of Gaziantep. Andrew England, the FT's Middle East editor, speaks with Turkey correspondent Mehul Srivastava and former Turkey correspondent Daniel Dombey.

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Russia and Ukraine: a new crisis?

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 09:14:06 GMT

Russia has been back in the spotlight recently, after President Putin replaced his long-standing chief of staff Sergei Ivanov. Meanwhile, tensions have mounted in eastern Ukraine, prompting fears of a new Russian offensive. Russia is still heavily involved in Syria. Is a new crisis building? Gideon Rachman speaks with Kathrin Hille, the FT's Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, Eastern Europe editor.

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Trumponomics

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 13:33:50 GMT

This week, Donald Trump gave a major speech on the economy and Hillary Clinton fired back. While Trump attempted to appeal to a more traditional Republican base with many of his proposed policies, how is his trade protectionism being received? And is Clinton tacking to the left or heading for the centre ground? Gideon Rachman puts the questions to Shawn Donnan, the FT's World Trade editor and Sam Fleming, US economics editor.

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The battle for Aleppo

Wed, 03 Aug 2016 17:22:05 GMT

The battle for Syria's second city is both a grave humanitarian crisis and a potential turning point in the country's long civil war. The FT's Erika Solomon and David Gardner join Gideon Rachman.

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Discord at the Democratic Convention

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:22:44 GMT

The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia got off to a turbulent start this week, revealing deep divisions between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. The FT's World News editor Ben Hall discusses what this means for Clinton's campaign for the White House with Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo and Gideon Rachmann, the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator.

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Turkey's bungled putsch

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 14:14:23 GMT

Following a failed military coup in Turkey, President Erdogan has launched a sweeping crackdown on alleged plot sympathisers. Who was responsible for the uprising? And how have Ankara's western allies responded? The FT's World News editor Ben Hall speaks to Mehul Srivastava, the FT's correspondent in Turkey, and former Turkey correspondent Daniel Dombey.

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Italy's struggling banks pose a test for Renzi and the EU

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 16:58:04 GMT

Italy's banking system is struggling in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union and ahead of stress tests this month. What does this mean for the future of Matteo Renzi, Italy's prime minister, and for Europe's wider economic prospects? Daniel Dombey puts the question to the FT's Alex Barker and James Politi.

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Chilcot report issues damning verdict on Iraq war

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 14:28:37 GMT

This week's Chilcot report delivered a damning verdict on Britain’s decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. The UK's political, military and intelligence establishments were all implicated, but particular criticism was reserved for Tony Blair, the former prime minister. Daniel Dombey discusses the report's findings with the FT's James Blitz and Roula Khalaf

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European rivals eye London's banking business

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 16:49:42 GMT

How far will Frankfurt and Paris go to claim the business of the City of London once the UK has left the European Union? Which other cities are in the running and how many jobs does London stand to lose? Gideon Rachman puts these questions to Michael Stothard, the FT's Paris correspondent and James Shotter, Frankfurt correspondent.

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What next for Modi's India?

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:35:45 GMT

The Indian government announced welcome reforms to attract foreign investors this week. But India-watchers were distracted by the resignation of the much-respected head of the country's central bank, Raghuram Rajan. Gideon Rachman discusses the future of prime minister Narendra Modi's reform programme with the FT's South Asia bureau chief Amy Kazmin and former Mumbai correspondent James Crabtree.

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France in crisis

Wed, 15 Jun 2016 17:22:50 GMT

Beset by strikes and deepening terrorism worries, France is struggling to cope as it hosts a major football championship, the Euro 2016 games. Gideon Rachman discusses the country's security problems and political strife with World News editor Ben Hall and Anne-Sylvaine Chassany, the FT's Paris bureau chief.

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Tensions rise in the South China Sea

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:04:10 GMT

China and the US clashed over the South China Sea at a defence forum last weekend, amid island-building by Beijing and increased naval and air patrols by the US. Gideon Rachman discusses the escalating tensions with Geoff Dyer, the FT's Washington correspondent and former Beijing bureau chief, and James Crabtree, contributing editor.

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Is Venezuela becoming a failed state?

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 15:49:17 GMT

Life in Venezuela is becoming increasingly difficult, with soaring crime, widespread food shortages, rampant corruption and a political stalemate that thwarts all attempts at change. Gideon Rachman discusses whether the country is becoming a failed state with the FT's Latin America editor John Paul Rathbone and Andes correspondent, Andres Schipani.

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Populism in Austria

Wed, 25 May 2016 17:19:10 GMT

Austria came within a whisker of electing a far-right candidate as its head of state this week. As EU leaders breath a collective sigh of relief, World News editor Ben Hall discusses the ramifications of the election with the FT's Austria correspondent Ralph Atkins and Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker.

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Filipinos elect 'wild card' president

Wed, 18 May 2016 14:32:36 GMT

The Philippines has taken a radical change of political direction with the election of Rodrigo Duterte as president. Gideon Rachman discusses why outsiders and investors are so taken aback by the development with Avantika Chilkoti and Tony Tassell.

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Saudi Arabia's ambitious reforms

Wed, 11 May 2016 18:01:20 GMT

Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has shaken up expectations about the world's biggest oil exporter. MbS, as he's known, plans to wean the kingdom off oil and boost the private sector, slashing unemployment along the way. Ben Hall discusses the kingdom's ambitious reform plans with Anjli Raval and Simeon Kerr.

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Iraq and Syria fall apart

Wed, 04 May 2016 16:14:11 GMT

Iraq and Syria are coming apart, divided into warring factions that seem unable to reach an accommodation. Gideon Rachman talks to FT Middle East experts David Gardner and Erika Solomon about fading hopes for peace and what this means for the fight against Isis.

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Are we headed for a Trump vs. Clinton general election race?

Wed, 27 Apr 2016 19:07:05 GMT

The latest round of the US presidential election has seen big victories for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. So is it now all-but-certain that we are looking at a Trump-Clinton contest in November? The FT's digital comment editor Sebastian Payne puts the question to Gideon Rachman and Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo.

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Russia's new nationalism

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 09:25:40 GMT

What are the origins of Eurasianism in Russia and how has it come to occupy a central place in Kremlin thinking today? Charles Clover, FT China correspondent and former Moscow bureau chief discusses his new book, Black Wind, White Snow: The Rise of Russia's New Nationalism with Gideon Rachman.

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Ukraine in turmoil

Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:43:24 GMT

How bleak is the outlook for Ukraine? The Prime Minister has resigned, the President is implicated in the Panama papers and the Dutch have rejected an EU-Ukraine trade deal. Gideon Rachman puts the question to the FT Ukraine correspondent Roman Olearchyk and the FT's Eastern Europe Editor, Neil Buckley.

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Europe's controversial refugee expulsion plan

Wed, 06 Apr 2016 16:07:00 GMT

The EU this week began expelling migrants from Greece and sending them back to Turkey - a controversial policy that has been criticised as a possible violation of the Geneva Convention and caused rioting in Greek refugee camps. However, there are signs that the influx into Greece is slowing. Can the system work? Peter Spiegel put the question to Alex Barker in Brussels and Stefan Wagstyl in Berlin.

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The Isis threat to European security

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:33:31 GMT

Last week's attacks in the Belgian capital have raised fresh questions about the extent of Isis operations in Europe and whether security services and law enforcement agencies are capable of containing the threat. Ben Hall discusses the attacks and their ramifications with Peter Spiegel, the FT's Brussels bureau chief and Sam Jones. defence and security editor.

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Can Brazil's Rousseff stave off impeachment?

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 16:26:45 GMT

A political crisis is threatening to cut short the presidency of Dilma Rousseff in Brazil. Gideon Rachman is joined by John Paul Rathbone and Samantha Pearson to discuss the Petrobras scandal, the impeachment process and the economic meltdown that have all contributed to the crisis.

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Can Angela Merkel survive Europe's refugee crisis?

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 14:24:00 GMT

Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats suffered a setback in regional elections last weekend. How wounded is the chancellor and have German politics changed fundamentally under the pressure of the refugee crisis? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Fred Studemann and Stefan Wagstyl.

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Can the EU-Turkey deal resolve Europe's migration crisis?

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 18:19:39 GMT

European leaders have negotiated a deal with Turkey aimed at stemming the flow of refugees into the European Union. But can it work? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Alex Barker, the FT's European diplomatic editor, and Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor.

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Is Trump a threat to American democracy?

Wed, 02 Mar 2016 16:44:33 GMT

Donald Trump now looks highly likely to secure the Republican nomination for the US presidency. Gideon Rachman discusses what this means for US democracy and the rest of the world with FT columnists Edward Luce and Martin Wolf.

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Russia's foreign policy resurgence

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 19:26:18 GMT

Russian air power has changed the course of the civil war in Syria and its annexation of Crimea remains largely unchallenged. Gideon Rachman talks to Neil Buckley, FT East Europe editor, and Sam Jones, defence and security editor, about Russia's renewed confidence on the global stage and whether this is justified.

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Antonin Scalia's legacy and the US Supreme Court

Wed, 17 Feb 2016 16:46:38 GMT

How influential was Antonin Scalia as the longest serving Justice on the US Supreme Court? Martin Sandbu discusses his legacy and the political repercussions of his demise with FT Washington correspondents Barney Jopson and Geoff Dyer.

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What happens if Aleppo falls?

Wed, 10 Feb 2016 18:47:19 GMT

Syrian government forces backed by Russian air power are on the brink of encircling the northern city of Aleppo, a stronghold of the moderate rebels in what could prove to be a decisive moment in Syria's murderous civil war. Ben Hall discusses the implications with Erika Solomon, FT Middle East correspondent, and Geoff Dyer, FT US diplomatic correspondent.

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Britain's referendum on the EU

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 17:00:00 GMT

David Cameron, Britain's prime minister, announced the details of Britain's draft deal to renegotiate its relationship with the EU - but where does that leave the debate? Gideon Rachman discusses with George Parker, UK political editor and Alex Barker, Brussels Correspondent

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Iowa offers first test for US presidential hopefuls

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:56:51 GMT

After months of build-up, the Iowa caucus will offers US presidential candidates their first chance to get ahead. Gideon Rachman reviews the chances of the Republican and Democratic rivals with Courtney Weaver and Edward Luce.

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Lifting of sanctions offers hope to Iran's ailing economy

Thu, 21 Jan 2016 19:36:44 GMT

The lifting of UN sanctions on Iran reconnects a potentially vibrant emerging economy to world markets, with the allure of a bonanza for international and local investors and a brighter future for a restive young population. The FT's Siona Jenkins asks Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent, Martin Arnold, banking editor, and Anjli Raval, oil correspondent, what obstacles remain and how soon the country is likely to see results.

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Brussels launches probe into rule of law in Poland

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:26:34 GMT

Poland's conservative government has taken decisions about the courts and media that are causing concern across Europe, prompting the European Commission to launch an investigation into the rule of law in Poland. Gideon Rachman discusses the unprecedented move with Henry Foy, FT correspondent in Warsaw, and Neil Buckley, East Europe editor.

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Iran-Saudi split damps hopes for regional conflict resolution

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 18:36:44 GMT

The year has begun with a sharp deterioration in the relationship between the two major powers in the Gulf region: Iran and Saudi Arabia. Gideon Rachman is joined by Roula Khalaf, foreign editor, and Geoff Dyer, Washington correspondent, to discuss the regional implications of the dispute.

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Has the rise of France's National Front been halted?

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 17:08:01 GMT

France's far-right National Front failed to win control of any regions in this weekend's elections, but its performance was strong enough to shock the mainstream parties. Gideon Rachman asks Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Hugh Carnegy how worried they should be about 2017's presidential elections.

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Brazil's political quagmire

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 08:00:00 GMT

Brazil's economy is shrinking, President Dilma Rousseff's popularity is at an all time low and now opposition politicians have begun impeachment proceedings against her. Gideon Rachman asks John Paul Rathbone and Joe Leahy what this means for the country and whether things can get any worse?

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What hope for the Paris climate talks?

Wed, 02 Dec 2015 17:12:04 GMT

How much progress is likely at this week's global talks on combating climate change? Gideon Rachman discusses the prospects for agreement on reducing carbon emissions with Michael Stothard and Martin Sandbu.

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Can world powers make common cause against Isis?

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 17:42:08 GMT

France has been courting US and Russian support for a war on Isis in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. But while Russia and Turkey, a Nato member, claim to be fighting the same foe, they themselves saw armed combat this week when Turkey shot down a Russian jet on its border with Syria. Mark Vandevelde asks Gideon Rachman and Geoff Dyer whether world powers are capable of making common cause against Isis.

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Paris atrocity exposes European security shortcomings

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:08:40 GMT

The Paris terror attacks have exposed Europe's security and intelligence shortcomings and fulfilled officials' worst fears about blow back from Syria's bloody civil war. Ben Hall discusses the attacks and their implications with Sam Jones, defence and security editor, and Roula Khalaf, foreign editor.

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Cameron's message to the European Union

Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:51:56 GMT

David Cameron has set out his demands for a new relationship with the European Union ahead of a referendum on Britain's membership. Gideon Rachman discusses how the UK prime minister's message is being received at home and in the rest of Europe with George Parker and Alex Barker

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The US climate change divide

Wed, 04 Nov 2015 17:58:49 GMT

As world powers prepare to negotiate a new global accord on greenhouse gas emissions in Paris, one of the big questions is what happens in the US, the world’s second biggest emitter. Ben Hall discusses the issue with Pilita Clark and Demetri Sevastopulo.

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Poland's shift to the right

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 16:42:00 GMT

The election victory of Poland's Law and Justice party took many by surprise given the successful economic record of the outgoing government. Gideon Rachman discusses why Poles voted for change, and what the result means for the country's ties with the EU, Russia and Nato, with Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Henry Foy, Warsaw correspondent.

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UK rolls out the red carpet for China

Wed, 21 Oct 2015 14:41:11 GMT

President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK has featured all the pomp and circumstance the UK can muster. Has it cemented the UK's place as a prosperous best friend to China in the West or has Britain bowed too deeply to an authoritarian regime? Joshua Chaffin puts the question to Jamil Anderlini and Demetri Sevastopulo.

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Turmoil in Turkey

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:35:00 GMT

Turkey suffered its worst terrorist attack at the weekend, but rather than uniting the country in grief, it has exacerbated suspicions that the ruling AK party is intent on stoking ethno-sectarian tensions ahead of next month's elections. Ben Hall discusses the crisis with Daniel Dombey and David Gardner.

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What the TPP means for US-Asia ties

Wed, 07 Oct 2015 17:13:00 GMT

The US reached agreement this week with Japan and 10 other Pacific Rim economies on a Trans-Pacific Partnership. Gideon Rachman discusses the scope of the pact and what it will mean for those who have signed up, and those left out, with Shawn Donnan and Geoff Dyer

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Merkel under pressure

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:07:00 GMT

Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel is facing an array of problems ranging from the scandal at Volkswagen to the arrival of up to a million refugees in the country. Gideon Rachman discusses the extent of Germany's difficulties and whether it amounts to a crisis with Stefan Wagstyl and Andy Sharman.

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Russia raises its profile in the Middle East

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 16:44:00 GMT

Russia has moved fighter jets, tanks and troops into a base in Syria, meanwhile Vladimir Putin, Russian president, is gearing up to make a major speech at the United Nations. What are the Russians up to? Gideon Rachman discusses this question with Neil Buckley and Geoff Dyer.

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Europe's fraying union

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:45:00 GMT

Mark Vandevelde, executive comment editor, joins Gideon Rachman, Tony Barber and Peter Spiegel to discuss how the dual euro and refugee crises are putting strain on the EU, what role the Schengen agreement may or not have played in the latter, and whether or not the union can weather the storm

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Lebanon and Turkey struggle to meet the needs of Syrian refugees

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 17:43:00 GMT

The future of Syria and its neighbouring states, Lebanon and Turkey, remains unsure as they are struggling to cope with millions of refugees from the Syrian conflict. Gideon Rachman talks to Erika Solomon, FT correspondent in Beirut, and Dan Dombey, former FT bureau chief in Istanbul, about the political and societal strains caused by the refugee crisis.

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Europe's borders under strain

Wed, 02 Sep 2015 16:39:00 GMT

Europe is facing its biggest refugee crisis in decades, with Germany assuming the greatest burden for absorbing the asylum seekers. Gideon Rachman talks to Jeevan Vasagar, FT correspondent in Berlin, and Tony Barber, FT Europe editor, about the political strains caused by the crisis.

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How risky is China's volatility for the global economy?

Wed, 26 Aug 2015 12:52:00 GMT

The impact of China's stock market volatility has been felt around the world this week. Martin Sandbu is joined by the FT's economics editor Chris Giles, and US economics editor Sam Fleming, to discus show risky this is for the health of the global economy.

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Ukraine faces battles on two fronts

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:07:00 GMT

Rising violence in eastern Ukraine has prompted the leaders of France, Germany and Ukraine to convene an emergency summit to try to halt the fighting; at the same time Kiev's negotiations with its creditors are reaching a critical point. Ben Hall discusses the twin crises with Neil Buckley and Elaine Moore

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China's renminbi devaluation

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:00:00 GMT

China this week stunned financial markets with the biggest devaluation of the renminbi in two decades, only to intervene to stop the slide. Was it a move towards liberalisation or a desperate bid to halt the country's economic slowdown? Ben Hall discusses the move and its consequences with James Kynge and Gabriel Wildau.

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Barack Obama's climate plan

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 16:37:00 GMT

President Barack Obama this week unveiled America's most far reaching action so far on climate change by imposing stringent emissions cuts on the power sector. Orla Ryan asks Pilita Clark and Barney Jopson about the significance of the move.

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Turkey steps up its battle on terror

Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:50:00 GMT

Nato allies have welcomed Turkey's decision to step up its fight against Isis. But its decision to include Kurdish opponents as the target of its attacks is causing some to question Ankara's true motives. Siona Jenkins discusses Turkey's strategy with Daniel Dombey and Alex Barker.

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Iran nuclear deal: historic breakthrough or mistake?

Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:39:00 GMT

Years of painstaking negotiations between Iran and the world powers have finally led to a deal. Was it the biggest international diplomatic breakthrough in decades or a historic mistake? Roula Khalaf, FT foreign editor, and Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent, debate the pros and cons.

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Who loses most from the Greek rescue deal?

Wed, 15 Jul 2015 15:39:00 GMT

On Monday Athens was given a long list of economic reforms it needed to implement in return for another EU bailout. Was it a humiliation for the Greeks or a capitulation by the Germans? Gideon Rachman and Wolfgang Munchau discuss who was the biggest loser.

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Europe's moment of decision on Greece

Wed, 08 Jul 2015 16:30:00 GMT

Is this week finally the one when Greece defaults on its debts and crashes out of the euro? Gideon Rachman is joined by Henry Foy and Ferdinando Giugliano to discuss an apparent hardening of opinion among Europe's politicians towards Greek appeals for debt relief.

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Terror attacks hit Tunisia's economy

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 18:28:00 GMT

Last week saw the second deadly attack on Western tourists in Tunisia in four months, dealing a severe blow to the industry that is the country's economic mainstay. Siona Jenkins is joined by Erika Soloman and Roula Khalaf to discuss what the government can do to tackle the jihadi threat.

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Nato renews its commitment to collective defence

Wed, 24 Jun 2015 16:32:00 GMT

Defence ministers from the Atlantic Alliance's 28 members are meeting in Brussels to discuss the reinvigoration of the alliance in the face of Russian aggression. The US is to make the biggest reinforcement of its forces in eastern Europe since the fall of the Soviet Union. Ben Hall discusses the development with Geoff Dyer and Sam Jones.

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What happens if Greece defaults?

Wed, 17 Jun 2015 16:11:00 GMT

Is Greece about to default on its debts and if so, what happens next? Gideon Rachman and his guests Tony Barber and Martin Sandbu discuss what has gone wrong between Greece and its eurozone creditors and whether the political rifts can be repaired.

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Turkey's dramatic change of direction

Wed, 10 Jun 2015 17:02:00 GMT

Turkey's dramatic election results have set back the political ambitions and increasingly personalised rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gideon Rachman discusses what this means for the country's future with Daniel Dombey and David Gardner.

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Will Italy's regional poll results weaken Renzi's reforms?

Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:36:00 GMT

The government of Matteo Renzi has done badly in regional elections. Gideon Rachman and guests discuss whether his reformist project is now in trouble and what that would mean for the rest of Europe.

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Scandal engulfs football's governing body

Fri, 29 May 2015 19:45:00 GMT

Despite the arrest this week of several of Fifa's top officials, football's world governing body has re-elected Sepp Blatter as its president. Roger Blitz joins Gideon Rachman to discuss the implications of the scandal for the business of the global game.

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Narendra Modi's first year in office

Wed, 20 May 2015 17:46:00 GMT

Narendra Modi's election a year ago was accompanied by hopes for economic regeneration but anxiety about his Hindu nationalist agenda. Gideon Rachman discusses the Indian prime minister's first year in office with Victor Mallet and James Lamont.

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Will Britain stay in the European Union?

Wed, 13 May 2015 13:25:00 GMT

Britain's first majority Conservative government for 18 years is pushing for a renegotiation of its relationship with the EU and has promised an in-out referendum on membership by the end of 2017. Ben Hall discusses Britain's place in the EU with George Parker and Alex Barker.

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Greece on the brink

Wed, 06 May 2015 18:48:00 GMT

Greece is said to be about to run out of money and yet there's no sign of a deal with its creditors. Gideon Rachman is joined by Martin Sandbu and Kerin Hope to discuss whether a further crisis can be avoided.

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Obama seeks to cement Japan ties

Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:08:00 GMT

Siona Jenkins, Gideon Rachman and Lindsay Whipp discuss the Japanese prime minister's visit to Washington as the US seeks to cement defence and trade ties with Japan, a key ally in its bid to push back against growing Chinese influence in Asia.

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Europe's Mediterranean migrant crisis

Wed, 22 Apr 2015 16:00:00 GMT

EU leaders are scrambling to respond to the deaths of thousands of refugees who have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean from Libya towards a better life in Europe. Ben Hall is joined by Peter Spiegel and Borzou Daragahi to discuss Europe's migrant crisis.

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Obama's rapprochement with Cuba: how far can it go?

Thu, 16 Apr 2015 17:34:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Geoff Dyer and John Paul Rathbone to discuss the rapprochement between Obama's America and Castro's Cuba. How far can it go and what are the international implications?

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Iran and Saudi Arabia wage proxy war in Yemen

Thu, 09 Apr 2015 15:49:00 GMT

Ben Hall is joined by Roula Khalaf and Najmeh Bozorgmehr to discuss the civil war in Yemen, and the growing hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia, who are backing different sides in the conflict.

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Rush to join China-led bank embarrasses Washington

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 18:20:00 GMT

It seems odd that an international bank for building roads and airports in Asia should become a yardstick for the rise of China as a global power and of the relative decline of the US. But that is what Beijing appears to achieved with its Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank. Some of Washington's closest allies have signed up even though it had lobbied furiously to dissuade them from doing so. Ben Hall discusses the development with Alan Beattie and Ed Luce.

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Can the Iran nuclear talks succeed?

Wed, 25 Mar 2015 18:48:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Roula Khalaf and Sam Jones to discuss the controversial international talks on Iran's nuclear programme. What kind of a deal is on the table and can the talks succeed?

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Brazil president's troubles multiply

Wed, 18 Mar 2015 17:54:00 GMT

The popularity of Brazil's president Dilma Roussef has plummeted only months after she was re-elected in the face of a floundering economy, mass street protests and a corruption scandal. Gideon Rachman discusses what went wrong with Jonathan Wheatley and Samantha Pearson.

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Israel's knife edge general election

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 15:49:00 GMT

Isaac Herzog's centre left Zionist Union has overtaken Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party in the polls, signalling that Israel's electorate, which appeared to be veering ever more to the right in recent years with security concerns taking priority, are tilting to the left on the back of economic concerns.

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Who killed Boris Nemtsov?

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 18:12:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Kathrin Hille and John Thornhill to discuss the murder of Russian opposition activist Boris Nemtsov. How has his death been handled by the Kremlin and the Russian media and to what extent is the prevailing atmosphere of war psychosis to blame?

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Presidential poll puts Nigeria to the test

Wed, 25 Feb 2015 16:19:00 GMT

Nigeria's presidential election next month is the closest contest since the end of military rule in 1999 and is taking place against a worrying backdrop of civil conflict and economic trouble. Gideon Rachman is joined by Tom Burgis and William Wallis to discuss whether the country can hold together.

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How strong is the Islamic State?

Wed, 18 Feb 2015 19:07:00 GMT

Islamist terrorists have grabbed headlines in the Arab world with horrific atrocities, but there are signs their influence may be on the wane. Gideon Rachman discusses the extent of their power with Borzou Daragahi and David Gardner.

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Are Europe's politicians ready to contemplate Grexit?

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 16:05:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Ferdinando Giugliano and Stefan Wagstyl to discuss the growing stand-off between Greece and its eurozone creditors as the language becomes more uncompromising on both sides. What would happen if Greece left the eurozone and are politicians prepared to contemplate such an outcome?

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Time to start arming the Ukraine government?

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:48:00 GMT

The upsurge in fighting between pro-Russian separatist rebels and Ukrainian government forces has shown how little diplomatic leverage the west now appears to have with the Kremlin. There is an increasingly lively debate about whether the west should provide Kiev with arms to help it face down the secessionist onslaught. Ben Hall discusses the crisis with Neil Buckley, Geoff Dyer and Stefan Wagstyl.

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How stable is Saudi Arabia?

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 17:16:00 GMT

Saudi Arabia's new monarch King Salman takes over at a time of unprecedented challenges in the shape of regional chaos as well as a sharply falling oil price. Gideon Rachman is joined by Roula Khalaf and Simeon Kerr to discuss how stable the kingdom is.

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Will the European Central Bank's QE work?

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 15:39:00 GMT

Ben Hall is joined by Claire Jones and Ferdinando Giugliano to discuss the European Central Bank's battle against deflation and whether its long awaited bond buying plan will work

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France after the Islamist attacks

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:14:00 GMT

France has been through a traumatic week following several terrorist attacks and demonstrations by millions in response to the killings. Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy and Michael Stothard to discuss the impact of these events and whether France can ward off the forces of polarisation.

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Will the Greek election reignite the eurozone crisis?

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 15:50:00 GMT

Snap elections are being held in Greece later this month in which the radical left Syriza party is expected to come out on top. Gideon Rachman is joined by Kerin Hope, Athens correspondent, and Tony Barber, Europe Editor, to discuss the implications for Greek debt restructuring and the eurozone.

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Consequences of the US-Cuba rapprochement

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:05:00 GMT

Following president Barack Obama’s announcement that the United States will begin normalising relations with Cuba, John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, joins Gideon Rachman to examine how quickly the island state's Soviet-style economy is likely to change and the implications for the wider region.

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Japan's snap elections

Thu, 11 Dec 2014 17:05:00 GMT

Shinzo Abe's decision to call snap elections only two years into his term perplexed many people. Was it simply cover for a U-turn on a planned rise in consumption tax or was the prime minister seeking a renewed mandate for more radical measures to kick-start growth? Ben Hall discusses what the elections mean for the future of the world's third-largest economy with Ben McLannahan and David Pilling.

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Can Russia's economy weather the storm?

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 17:41:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Neil Buckley and Kathrin Hille to discuss the state of the Russian economy, How well can it weather the impact of the falling oil price and falling Rouble, in addition to western sanctions? What are the likely political repercussions?

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US foreign policy after Chuck Hagel's resignation

Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:34:00 GMT

This week Chuck Hagel stepped down as US defence secretary at a time when doubts are growing about the administration's ability to manage growing threats in the Middle East and Europe. Gideon Rachman discusses what the resignation means for American foreign policy with Geoff Dyer and Ed Luce.

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A breakthrough in the fight against climate change

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:00:00 GMT

The US and China surprised the world last week with an outline agreement in which both countries agreed to limit emissions of greenhouse gases. Gideon Rachman is joined by Pilita Clark, FT environment correspondent, and Paul Bledsoe, senior fellow on climate and energy in the German Marshall Fund in Washington, to discuss how big a breakthrough it is.

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Mexican president under fire

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:10:00 GMT

Until recently Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña Nieto, was getting a great press, with the Mexican economy going well and important reforms pushed through, but now he seems to be in serious political trouble. Gideon Rachman is joined by John-Paul Rathbone and Jude Webber to discuss what has gone wrong.

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What hopes for detente between Japan and China?

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 16:09:00 GMT

What are the prospects for some form of detente between Japan and China? Ahead of next week's Apec summit, where leaders of the two countries are expected to meet, Ben Hall discusses the reasons for the strained relations between the two countries with Beijing bureau chief Jamil Anderlini and David Pilling, Asia editor.

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US mid-term elections and their longer term repercussions

Wed, 29 Oct 2014 17:02:00 GMT

In next week's US mid-terms, the Republicans are looking to win back control of the Senate and increase their majority in the House of Representatives, giving them control of the legislative agenda and the ability to further constrain President Barack Obama during his final two years in office. Ben Hall discusses the elections and their and longer term repercussions with Richard McGregor and Ed Luce.

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Europe's budget wrangles

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:30:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, and Tony Barber, Europe editor, to discuss the threat that the European Commission will reject the budgets of some of Europe’s biggest nations, in particular France and Italy. Is such a move really possible and what would be the political and economic consequences?

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Turkey's role in the war against Isis

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 18:09:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by David Gardner and Daniel Dombey to discuss Turkey's role in the unfolding war against the jihadist movement Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Does Turkey share western war aims or is the government of President Erdogan more interested in crushing the Kurdish movements that are fighting Isis?

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Brazil at the crossroads

Thu, 09 Oct 2014 17:03:00 GMT

The first round of voting in Brazil's presidential elections is over and the incumbent Dilma Rousseff will face a centre right candidate Aécio Neves in the second round. Gideon Rachman discusses the differences between the candidates and what is at stake with Joe Leahy and Jonathan Wheatley

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Hong Kong's political crisis

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 13:54:00 GMT

The scale and persistence of the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong have taken many by surprise. Gideon Rachman is joined by David Pilling, Asia editor, and Tom Mitchell, Beijing correspondent, to discuss the crisis and China's response.

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Sarkozy returns to frontline politics

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 15:58:00 GMT

With President François Hollande languishing at record lows in the polls, former president Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he plans to return to frontline politics, which almost certainly means a view to running for the presidency in 2017. Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, and Tony Barber to discuss his prospects.

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Isis and the new war in Iraq

Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:25:00 GMT

Barack Obama, the US president, promised in a televised address to destroy Isis, the self-proclaimed Islamist state in Iraq. Does that mean another western war in the Middle East is under way? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Roula Khalaf, FT foreign editor, James Blitz, former security editor, and David Gardner, FT correspondent in Beirut.

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Scottish referendum outcome too close to call

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:59:00 GMT

A late surge in support for Scotland's pro-independence camp a week ahead of the referendum has set alarm bells ringing among politicians in London. James Blitz is joined by Michael Stott and Mure Dickie to discuss the arguments being used to sway Scottish voters

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Rising tensions over war in Ukraine

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:42:00 GMT

The War in Ukraine, the rising tensions between Russia and the West, Vladimir Putin's objectives, and how ordinary Russians and Russia's other neighbouring states see the conflict. Neil Buckley, the FT's eastern Europe editor and Jack Farchy, Moscow correspondent, join Gideon Rachman.

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Ebola: what risk does the virus pose to Africa and the wider world?

Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:30:00 GMT

Parts of Western Africa are gripped by the Ebola virus, with more than 670 dead in the current outbreak. Gideon Rachman is joined by Clive Cookson, science editor, and Javier Blas, Africa editor, to discuss how serious a threat the virus poses to the region and to the wider world, and what the international community can do to thwart its progress

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Crisis over the MH17 atrocity

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 17:00:00 GMT

Russia and the west have been increasingly at odds following the shooting down of a Malaysian Airlines flight over Ukraine, an atrocity that has been widely blamed on pro-Russian separatists. What are Vladimir Putin's options, and what diplomatic accommodation be can be found to make the situation less volatile?Katherine Hille, Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman.

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Gaza crisis: what does current conflict mean for Netanyahu, Hamas and the wider middle east?

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 15:20:00 GMT

As bombing reaches its ninth consecutive day, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu is facing criticism abroad for causing unnecessary bloodshed, and at home for not sending troops into Gaza. Gideon Rachman is joined by Siona Jenkins, Middle east news editor, and from Gaza by John Reed, Jerusalem bureau chief to look deeper at the broader Israeli/Palestinian conflict and how Hamas has been able to use the current crisis to drum up support as chaos in the middle east reaches levels unparalleled in recent decades

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US-German relations strained over new spying allegations

Wed, 09 Jul 2014 15:45:00 GMT

Germany has summoned the US envoy following allegations that an agent working for Germany’s intelligence agency was spying for the US. Gideon Rachman is joined by James Blitz, former security correspondent, and Jeevan Vasagar, Berlin correspondent, to discuss what this means for already troubled relations between the Obama and Merkel governments, and how the two nations can resolve their differences in order to tackle the numerous shared geopolitical challenges they face.

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What would an Erdogan presidency mean for Turkey?

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 23:00:00 GMT

Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced he will run in the country's first every directly elected presidential contest next month. Ben Hall is joined by Istanbul correspondent Daniel Dombey and FT columnist David Gardner to discuss how is the turmoil across the border in Syria and Iraq is changing the political dynamics ahead of the election, and whether an Erdogan victory would mean breaking the grip of Turkey's old elite, or just another step towards authoritarian rule.

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Who are the winners and losers in a Juncker presidency?

Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:45:00 GMT

With Jean-Claude Juncker increasingly likely to be appointed as the next president of the European Commission, Gideon Rachman is joined by Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, for an in-depth look at what this would mean for the UK and for Europe as a whole. Also on the agenda are the growing dominance of Germany in the EU decision-making process and this week's European Council meeting in Ypres

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Isis pushes Iraq to the brink

Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:30:00 GMT

Isis’ lightning offensive has pushed Iraq to the brink of outright civil war and a return to the murderous sectarian bloodshed that nearly tore it apart in 2006. President Obama is considering limited military intervention to take on the terrorists but only if there are signs that Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s Shia prime minister does more to reach out to moderate Sunnis and Kurds. Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, Roula Khalaf, foreign editor, and Guy Chazan, energy editor, join Ben Hall

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Brazil 2014: Political tensions surround World Cup

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 16:55:00 GMT

About half the world's population is expected to watch the World Cup in Brazil, but the run up to the tournament has been troubled by demonstrations in Brazil and all-too-familiar allegations of corruption at the heart of Fifa, world football's governing body. Joe Leahy, Brazil correspondent, Roger Blitz, leisure industries correspondent, and JP Rathbone, Latin American editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the state of the World Cup.

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US and China taking climate change seriously

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 18:17:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Pilita Clark, environment correspondent, and Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, to discuss renewed efforts to tackle climate change. The Obama administration appears to have succeeded in making climate change a public health issue, and has set a target of reducing US power plant emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. Meanwhile rumours abound that China could include strict targets in its next five year plan, although sustaining economic growth remains its priority.

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The fallout from the European elections

Mon, 26 May 2014 23:00:00 GMT

The recent European Parliament elections have transformed the continent’s political landscape. Anti-establishment parties have scored remarkable victories in countries such as France, Greece and the UK while mainstream forces have done less well. But good results for Angela Merkel’s CDU in Germany and Matteo Renzi’s Democratic Party in Italy show voters have not completely turned their backs on the EU. In this week’s podcast, Ferdinando Giugliano is joined by Tony Barber, Europe editor, Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, and Guy Dinmore, Rome correspondent, to discuss the fallout from the elections

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Relations between Russia and China

Wed, 21 May 2014 23:00:00 GMT

President Vladimir Putin's recent visit to Beijing took on added significance because of the deep divisions between Russia and the west, caused by the Ukrainian crisis. The two countries signed a landmark deal on gas supplies, as well as other agreements covering trade and arms sales. So is a new Russia-China axis emerging? Gideon Rachman is joined by James Blitz and James Kynge to discuss.

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EU elections - the populists are coming

Thu, 15 May 2014 16:40:00 GMT

This week's podcast explores the rise of Europe's populist parties, and internal ructions over the election process for José Manuel Barroso's successor as EU President. Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, and Tony Barber, Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to ask whether strong polling for populist parties should be seen more as a threat to their domestic rivals or to the result of next week's European elections. Also on the agenda is the fear that the disagreement between the European Parliament and heads of state over the process by which the next EU President will be chosen, is exactly the kind of internal standoff that gives eurosceptics justification for disengaging with EU politics

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How should Nigeria tackle the militant threat of Boko Haram?

Fri, 09 May 2014 11:00:00 GMT

Nigeria’s status as the new economic powerhouse of Africa was supposed to be the talking point of a meeting of African leaders and top executives in Abuja this week. Instead, the world is in uproar over the government’s slow response to the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls by the Boko Haram terrorist group last month. In this week’s podcast, Ben Hall, world news editor, is joined by William Wallace, the FT’s Africa affairs writer and Javier Blas, Africa editor, to discuss western governments’ increasing concern at the upsurge in attacks and the Nigerian state’s apparent inability to deal with the militant threat.

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The differing responses to the Ukraine crisis

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:00:00 GMT

This week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in Washington for talks with President Barack Obama, and Ukraine will top the agenda. Washington has led the way on sanctions, imposing asset freezes and travel bans on dozens of senior Russians and scores of companies, in an attempt to show Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that his interference in Ukraine will bring rising economic costs. The EU on the other hand, seems deeply resistant to tougher economic sanctions, given the much more important ties between Europe and Russia. In this week’s podcast, Ben Hall, world news editor, is joined by Geoff Dyer, Washington correspondent, and Stefan Wagstyl, Berlin bureau chief, to discuss how the two leaders should handle the escalating situation

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Obama’s state visit to Japan

Wed, 23 Apr 2014 23:00:00 GMT

This week, we look at Japan, where President Barack Obama is concluding a state visit. The US leader and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have vital business to discuss, from Japan’s delicate and rather dangerous relationship with China, to the state of the Japanese economy and hopes for a major new trade deal. David Pilling, Asia editor, and Lindsay Whipp, former Tokyo correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss

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The fragile middle

Tue, 15 Apr 2014 23:00:00 GMT

Decades of rapid growth have created a new middle class in the developing world, prompting multinational companies to invest heavily in emerging markets as they attempt to serve millions of new consumers. But rising inequality and slowing growth has presented a risk to this new middle class and is forcing companies to rethink their strategy. In this week's podcast, Ferdinando Giugliano is joined by Shawn Donnan, world trade editor and James Kynge, emerging markets editor to discuss this nascent middle class and its prospects in the face of slowing growth

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India goes to the polls

Thu, 10 Apr 2014 23:00:00 GMT

India, the world’s largest democracy, is in the midst of conducting its general election. Voting has started and is set to go on for several weeks, with the result declared in mid-May. That result could be dramatic, with polls and pundits predicting the end of a long period of rule by the Congress party, and that a new government could be headed by Narendra Modi, the controversial leader of the BJP. To discuss what we can expect from these elections, Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet, Delhi bureau chief, and James Crabtree, Mumbai correspondent

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A new direction for France?

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 23:00:00 GMT

President François Hollande's socialist party took a serious drubbing in Sunday's local elections. He responded by swiftly sacking his prime minister and replacing him with Manuel Valls, a tough interior minister and economic reformer from the party's right wing. So does this appointment signal a modernisng direction for France? Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, and Ben Hall, world news editor and former Paris correspondent, to discuss.

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Turkey in turmoil over Erdogan's Twitter ban

Wed, 26 Mar 2014 13:20:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Daniel Dombey, Turkey correspondent, and Leyla Boulton, head of special reports and former Turkey correspondent, to discuss Prime Minister Erdogan's ban on Twitter and what the year ahead holds for the country and its divisive leader. The Twitter ban adds to a growing cloud of controversy, with allegations of corruption and a blackmail ring also engulfing Turkey's political system, but Erdogan has retained much of his support from coservative groups and is still polling broadly above 40 per cent as this weekend's local elections approach

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Europe’s response to the Crimean crisis

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Ben Hall is joined by Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief and Neil Buckley, East Europe editor to discuss Europe’s response to Russia’s summary annexation of Crimea, the first such grab for sovereign territory by a European nation since the second world war. President Vladimir Putin’s move has prompted outrage in European capitals, and the muscular tone of his speech to the Duma on Tuesday will have triggered some alarm about Russian intentions. But Europe’s response so far seems timid, as governments weigh their economic interests with standing up to Russian aggression.

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The turmoil in Venezuela

Wed, 12 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT

While the crisis in Ukraine has grabbed the headlines, Venezuela, once the toast of the radical left around the world, has also been in the grip of a violent political crisis. In the last three weeks, protests have left at least 20 dead. Gideon Rachman is joined by Latin American editor John Paul Rathbone, and correspondent Andres Schipani to discuss the background to the situation, and where the country goes from here.

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The international crisis over Ukraine

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Russian troops are in effective control of many parts of the Ukrainian region of Crimea and the United States is threatening Russia with isolation if it doesn’t back down. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Neil Buckley, East Europe editor and chief US commentator Edward Luce to discuss how this dangerous situation is likely to develop

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Crimea and a cash shortage take centre stage in Ukraine

Wed, 26 Feb 2014 19:00:00 GMT

Viktor Yanukovich has fled the scene of last week's brutal crackdown on protests, but Ukraine still faces real danger from separatist tensions that could spiral into violence and the threat of financial meltdown. Ben Hall is joined over the phone by Neil Buckley, Eastern Europe editor, in Kiev, and Kathrin Hille, Moscow bureau chief, to discuss Russia's sabre-rattling, pro-Russian sentiment in Crimea and whether western capitals can come up with a financial lifeline for Ukraine

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Can Renzi break Italian deadlock?

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT

In Italy, the government of Enrico Letta has fallen and the country is set to have its youngest Prime Minister ever. Matteo Renzi promises to be a radical reformer. In this week’s podcast Guy Dinmore, Rachel Sanderson and Ferdinando Giugliano join Gideon Rachman to discuss whether Mr Renzi can break the political and economic deadlock that seems to be paralysing the country and what the stakes are for Europe

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The Sochi Winter Olympics and the image of modern Russia

Wed, 12 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Even by Olympic superlative standards, the Sochi games are an extraordinary event. The most expensive Olympics ever, these games are the personal project of President Vladimir Putin, bankrolled by the country’s billionaire oligarchs.In this week’s podcast, Ben Hall, world news editor, is joined by Kathrin Hille, Moscow bureau chief and Neil Buckley, East Europe editor to discuss whether after the build up, snags and negative portrayal in western media, are we now seeing a normal winter Olympic contest?

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Will Scotland go it alone?

Fri, 07 Feb 2014 00:00:00 GMT

The referendum on Scottish independence takes place in seven months and if the Scots vote to go it alone, they will break up a union which has existed for over 300 years. On Friday, Prime Minister David Cameron made an impassioned plea to Scots: “We want you to stay.” But Mr Cameron’s intervention has been treated by the Scottish Nationalists as a sign of panic from the government in London. Gideon Rachman is joined by Mure Dickie, Scotland correspondent, and John McDermott, commentator to discuss what is going on both in the polls and in the wider debate.Audio clip of David Cameron provided by Reuters

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Obama's zen-like State of the Union address

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama has just delivered his State of the Union speech to Congress. As usual, it was full of uplifting stories and calls for action, punctuated by standing ovations. But many believe that the sad reality is that this is a presidency that is running out of steam, and some of what Mr Obama had to say about the State of the Union was actually quite bleak. In this week's podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief and Edward Luce, chief US commentator, to assess the speech and the state of the presidency in general.

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Prospects for peace in Syria

Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:00:00 GMT

World powers are gathering in Switzerland in an attempt to find a diplomatic solution to Syria's three-year civil war, which has cost more than 130,000 lives drawn in regional powers to fight a proxy sectarian war. The conference nearly fell apart before it began when the UN invited Iran to participate. But what chance of success remains? Roula Khalaf, foreign editor, and Borzou Daragahi, Middle East correspondent, join Ben Hall to discuss.

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Can Hollande get the French economy back on track?

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

By an unfortunate coincidence, President François Hollande’s efforts to relaunch his presidency with an announcement of bold economic reforms have coincided with the revelation that he appears to be having an affair with an actress. Meanwhile, the economy continues to struggle, and the government is engaged in an effort to block performances by the controversial comic Dieudonné. Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy, Paris Bureau chief, and Ben Hall, world news editor, to discuss whether France is in crisis, or whether it’s business as usual

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The turmoil in Turkey

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Turkey is in political turmoil. In recent weeks a corruption scandal has gripped the government, resulting in a series of arrests, the moving of hundreds of senior police officers, a challenge to the power base of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a split between Mr Erdogan and his former backers in the Gulenist movement. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Daniel Dombey, Turkey correspondent and Tony Barber, Europe editor, to discuss how these developments threaten the political and economic stability of this large dynamic country that is vital to the geopolitics of both Europe and Asia

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Protests continue in Ukraine

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 18:38:00 GMT

Mass protests continue in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych. The government had refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union, apparently in favor of closer ties to Russia. Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, and Roman Olearchyk, Kiev correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the still-volatile situation.

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China and Japan in the struggle of the century

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 18:30:00 GMT

Aerial posturing over disputed territories in the East China Sea has caused concern among the international community. After China declared an air identification zone over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands, the US despatched two B-52 bombers in an apparent show of defiance, but has instructed its civilian airlines to respect the zone. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Jamil Anderlini, Beijing bureau chief, and Geoff Dyer, US foreign policy correspondent to shed light on the situation

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International reaction to the Iran nuclear deal

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The United States and European Union are clearly delighted with the historic nuclear deal struck with Iran in Geneva last week, but some key US allies in the region, notably Israel and Saudi Arabia are not happy. John Reed, Jerusalem correspondent, James Blitz, defence and security editor and Siona Jenkins, Middle East news editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss how the agreement will affect the balance of power in the region

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The tug of war over the future of Ukraine

Wed, 20 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Ukraine finds itself caught between Russia and the EU ahead of a summit next week in Vilnius, where the country’s president Viktor Yanukovich will have the opportunity to sign a major free trade deal and political association agreement with the EU. Russia has intensified pressure on the country recently not to sign the deal in favour of joining a Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Neil Buckley, Eastern Europe editor and Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief to explain how the situation is likely to develop

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China’s third plenum could lead to far-reaching reforms

Tue, 12 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Xi Jinping was appointed Chinese president just over a year ago and promised to shake up China's economy. Now Mr Xi's agenda for the next decade has become a little clearer with the conclusion of a party plenum in Beijing on Tuesday. In a statement the ruling Communist party pledged to implement wide-ranging economic reforms, with a greater role for market forces. In this week’s podcast Gideon Rachman is joined by Tom Mitchell, Beijing correspondent and James Kynge, editor of China Confidential to discuss whether this is a pivotal moment for the world's second largest economy.

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Spying scandal spotlight moves from US to UK

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As the scandal around spying and surveillance continues, Gideon Rachman is joined by James Blitz in the studio and Geoff Dyer down the line from Washington, to discuss the latest developments. Much of the focus in recent weeks has been on the activities of the US National Security Agency, but this week it was the turn of the British intelligence chiefs to give evidence in an open session of a Parliamentary committee, the first time that has ever happened. Did they say anything interesting? And are the intelligence agencies being held to account in the US?

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Spain: a cautious return to growth

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Spain is back! Or is it? In this week’s podcast Ben Hall, world news editor, talks to Tobias Buck, Madrid bureau chief about Spain’s nascent recovery – is it gathering momentum? Also joining us is Michael Steen, Frankfurt bureau chief, to put some of the more positive indicators into a European context as inflation data out today shows worrying signs

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Where does President François Hollande go from here?

Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:00:00 GMT

In this edition of World Weekly, Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief and Ben Hall, world news editor and former Paris correspondent, to focus on France, where President François Hollande's approval ratings have dropped to a sorry 23%. The President's plummeting popularity comes against the background of a weak economy and controversy over the deportation of a Roma schoolgirl. So where does Hollande go from here, and should we be worried by the momentum building behind the National Front ahead of the municipal and European elections next spring?

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Prospects of a deal over the Iranian nuclear programme

Thu, 17 Oct 2013 23:00:00 GMT

After the most productive talks on Iran's nuclear programme in years in Geneva this week, Gideon Rachman is joined by defence and diplomatic editor James Blitz and Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent, to examine what was discussed by the diplomats and how a potential deal might look.

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The Republican role in the budget battles gripping Washington DC

Wed, 09 Oct 2013 23:00:00 GMT

As the government shutdown drags on into its second week and the US teeters on the brink of defaulting on its debt, Ben Hall, world news editor, is joined by Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, and Edward Luce, chief US commentator, to discuss how badly the Republicans have been damaged by the budget battles and whether they should be worried about the political consequences of their uncompromising stance.

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A resurgence of global terrorism?

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 06:30:00 GMT

The terrible attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi has refocused the world’s attention on the threat of urban terrorism. Gideon Rachman is joined in the studio by defence and diplomatic editor James Blitz, and down the line from Nairobi by Katrina Manson, east Africa correspondent to discuss whether we are facing a resurgence of global terror.

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Climate change special: should we be worried by the latest findings on global warming?

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 15:55:00 GMT

As the world’s leading climate scientists gather in Stockholm to discuss new findings on climate change, Clive Cookson, science editor, is joined by environmental correspondent Pilita Clark and Simon Buckle, policy director at Imperial College's Grantham Institute of Climate Change, to discuss climate sensitivity and the steps that the international community must take to mitigate against global warming.

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Is Obama becoming a lame duck?

Wed, 18 Sep 2013 14:38:00 GMT

A week that has seen US president Barack Obama zigzag between diplomacy and military action on Syria and back away from nominating Lawrence Summers as chairman of the Federal Reserve has raised questions about the president's leadership. Gideon Rachman and Richard McGregor in Washington join Ben Hall to discuss whether the Obama administration has stalled and whether he is in danger of becoming, very prematurely, a lame duck president.

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What will decide the German election?

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 17:30:00 GMT

The German federal election is less than two weeks away, and the consensus among experts is that Angela Merkel will secure a third term in office. As the world’s fourth largest economy, Germany appears socially and financially secure, so what issues will decide the outcome of the vote and how far down the political agenda have developments in Syria fallen as a result? Joining Gideon Rachman are Fred Studemann, comment editor, and Michael Steen, Frankfurt bureau chief.

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Obama's political gamble on Syria

Tue, 03 Sep 2013 23:00:00 GMT

President Barack Obama’s decision to consult Congress before launching any military strikes on Syria came as a surprise to friend and foe alike. How is this political gamble likely to work out and what are the implications for the crisis in Syria and and for the use of American power around the world? Gideon Rachman is joined by James Blitz, diplomatic editor and Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, to discuss

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The debt dragon: China's growing debt burden

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 23:45:00 GMT

China's debt has ballooned over the past five years raising questions over the sustainability of such a burden amid slowing growth. Simon Rabinovitch, China correspondent, explains the country's debt dynamics and answers some of the questions FT readers posted on our blog and sent via social media.

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Currency jitters in India and emerging markets

Wed, 21 Aug 2013 23:00:00 GMT

India was once seen as a rising superpower and one of the world’s most dynamic economies, but now its rupee is plunging and the economy is stalling. What’s more, this seems to be part of a broader problem in emerging markets, as Indonesia, Turkey, South Africa and Brazil all experience currency jitters. Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet, New Delhi bureau chief and Ralph Atkins, capital markets editor, to discuss what’s going on and how deep the problems are

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What comes after the crackdown in Egypt?

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 17:15:00 GMT

The Egyptian army's efforts to clear supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood from camps around Cairo has led to hundreds of deaths and a deepening political crisis. So what is the future for Egypt, and how is the rest of the world likely to react? Heba Saleh, Cairo correspondent, and David Gardner, senior international affairs commentator, join Gideon Rachman.

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Can Spain's scandal-plagued government survive?

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Spain's prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, and his Popular Party are embroiled in a scandal that threatens to bring down the government. The flare-up in the long-rumbling scandal comes at a bad time for Spain, which continues to struggle to revive an economy where unemployment is around 20 per cent. Tobias Buck, Madrid bureau chief, and Tony Barber, Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the crisis.

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Can President Hollande turn things around?

Tue, 09 Jul 2013 23:00:00 GMT

This week the French government announced a multi-billion euro programme of investment, designed to boost the economy and President Hollande's flagging poll ratings. In this podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief and Ben Hall, former Paris correspondent, to discuss a turbulent few weeks in which Mr Hollande has had to fire a cabinet member for dissent, the French government has clashed repeatedly with the European Commission in Brussels and Nicolas Sarkozy has made a flamboyant re-entry into French politics.

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How should the world react to Morsi's overthrow?

Thu, 04 Jul 2013 15:30:00 GMT

What happens to Egypt following the overthrow of the government of President Mohammed Morsi, and how should the world react? Borzou Daragahi in Cairo and David Gardner, FT senior commentator based in the Middle East, join Gideon Rachman.

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China's cash crunch

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 12:19:00 GMT

It's been a nervous few days on Chinese stock markets in the wake of last week's cash crunch, which saw interbank lending rates in China rise to as high as 28 per cent. The Chinese central bank has made reassuring statements, but some commentators have talked about China being on the brink of a new financial crisis. Stefan Wagstyl, emerging markets editor and editor of the FT beyondbrics blog, and Simon Rabinovitch, Shanghai correspondent, join Shawn Donnan to look at the state of the Chinese economy.

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The impact of Iran's election

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:00:00 GMT

What does the surprise victory in Iran’s presidential election of Hassan Rohani, the candidate backed by reformists, mean for the country and the region? Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran join Gideon Rachman

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The Istanbul protests and the future of Turkish politics

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:35:00 GMT

What prompted the unrest in Istanbul? What does it mean? What does the future hold for Turkish politics and the wider region? Dan Dombey, Turkey correspondent, and Lex's Vincent Boland, a former Turkey correspondent, join Gideon Rachman.

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The Xi-Obama summit

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Later this week, the presidents of the United States and China will hold a two-day summit, the first since Xi Jinping's elevation to the top job in China. It comes as US-China tensions are fairly high on a number of issues, from cyber attacks to territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas. So what are both sides hoping to achieve? Gideon Rachman is joined by James Kynge, editor of FT China Confidential, and Geoff Dyer,who was a Beijing correspondent before his current assignment in Washington.

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What next for Syria?

Wed, 29 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

With the Syrian conflict now over two years old and political positions hardening, Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, James Blitz, diplomatic editor and Beirut correspondent Abigail Fielding-Smith join world news editor Shawn Donnan to discuss the disarray among the Syrian opposition, the relaxation of the EU arms embargo and the impact of Hizbollah fighters.

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Russia's role in world politics

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:45:00 GMT

Under the second Putin presidency, the Russian government seems to have become even harder to deal with, be it in seeking to forge international agreement on Syria, spy scandals, energy diplomacy, or neighbourhood diplomacy. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief, and James Blitz, diplomatic editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the best ways to understand the Russian government.

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Britain's future in the EU

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:05:00 GMT

Prime Minister David Cameron thought that his promise to renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership of the EU, and to hold an in-out referendum on British membership in 2017 had bought him domestic political peace. Instead, many in his own Conservative party are agitating for an even harder-line position, and the anti-EU United Kingdom Independence Party is soaring in opinion polls. An eventual British exit from the EU is looking increasingly possible. So what's going on, and what do other Europeans make of it. Quentin Peel in Berlin joins Janan Ganesh and Gideon Rachman in London.

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A turning point for Pakistan?

Tue, 07 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

As Pakistan prepares to go to the polls in the first transfer of power between one democratically elected government and another since the foundation of the state, optimists say the elections will mark an important turning point for the country. But pessimists point to the background of violence against which the elections are taking place and the continuing parlous state of the economy. To assess this, Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet, South Asia bureau chief, and Stefan Wagstyl, emerging markets editor

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The debate over intervention in Syria

Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

The death toll in Syria is now estimated at a horrifying 70,000, and the pressure on the United States to intervene is mounting, particularly with the suggestion that the Syrian government may have used chemical weapons. Geoff Dyer in Washington and Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut join Gideon Rachman to discuss where the debate over Western intervention in Syria stands.

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Prospects for a new Italian government

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:00:00 GMT

The political chaos in Rome seems to be about to come to an end as the bickering parties prepare to form a broad coalition government led by Enrico Letta of the centre-left Democrats. Will the coalition be able to rise to the challenges facing Italy, including an economy now entering its eighth consecutive quarter of contraction. Ferdinando Giugliano, FT leader writer, and Guy Dinmore, Rome correspondent, join Ben Hall to discuss.

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The Thatcher legacy

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:23:00 GMT

The past week in Britain has been a reminder of the bitterness of the politics of the 1980s as a vehement debate has broken out about the legacy of Margaret Thatcher since her death last week. For Conservatives, she remains a hero who rescued the British economy and helped to win the Cold War. But for the left, she was a villain who provoked social division and wrecked Britain's relations with the European Union. Chris Giles, economics editor, and Philip Stephens, chief political commentator, join Gideon Rachman to attempt to arrive at a more nuanced verdict on the Iron Lady's legacy -- for Britain and the world.

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Portugal’s painful austerity programme runs into trouble

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:30:00 GMT

Pedro Passos Coelho, Portugal’s prime minister, is one of Europe’s staunchest backers of austerity. But his government’s painful two-year programme of structural adjustment has yet to deliver the results promised. And late last week, the country’s constitutional court issued a ruling that could fatally undermine his efforts to get the economy back on track.

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Is war with North Korea imminent?

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 23:00:00 GMT

In the last two weeks, tension on the Korean peninsula has risen dramatically, as North Korea has threatened to target US territories in the Pacific and blocked South Korean workers from entering a joint industrial complex in the North. In this week’s podcast, John Aglionby is joined by Geoff Dyer, diplomatic correspondent and Jamil Anderlini, Beijing bureau chief, to discuss whether Kim Jong-eun’s escalating rhetoric is purely sabre-rattling or if we should be worried about his threats

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What next for the Brics?

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Brics started life as a marketing gimmick dreamt up by Goldman Sachs to promote emerging markets, but the notion has taken on a life of its own and this group of nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are now a formal organisation who have just met for their fifth summit. In this week's podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Stefan Wagstyl, editor of beyondbrics, and Andrew England, South Africa correspondent, reporting from Durban, where the group has agreed to set up a Brics-led development bank. But do the Brics matter, what unites and divides these nations, and are we likely to still be discussing this group in ten years' time?

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What lies ahead for Cyprus and the eurozone?

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:30:00 GMT

After a failed bailout plan that involved taxing the deposits of small savers, Cyprus is now the epicentre of the eurozone crisis. Lawmakers are now seeking an alternative before Monday, when the European Central Bank will cut emergency liquidity to Cyprus's foundering banks. Kerin Hope, Greece and Cyprus correspondent; Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief; and Patrick Jenkins, banking editor, join Ben Hall to discuss what's happened and what lies ahead.

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A tale of two Middle East anniversaries

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:00:00 GMT

March 15 marks the second anniversary of the start of the uprising against the Assad regime in Syria and on March 20 it will have been a decade since the start of the Iraq war, a conflict that still reverberates around the region and the world. Abigail Fielding-Smith, FT correspondent in Damascus; David Gardner, senior international affairs commentator, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan.

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Chavismo after Hugo Chavez?

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:36:00 GMT

Does the death of Hugo Chavez spell the end of Latin American radicalism, or will Chavismo live on? John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, and Benedict Mander, FT correspondent in Caracas, join Gideon Rachman to discuss Venezuela after Chavez.

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Japan's Abenomics and the world economy

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:52:00 GMT

Japan is still the world's third-largest economy, but has also been stagnating and idling for twenty years. Now a new government led by Shinzo Abe has come to power pledging to take dramatic steps to turn the situation around. The potential rewards of this policy are high, but so are the risks - and not just for Japan but the whole world economy. Martin Wolf, the FT's chief economics commentator and Jonathan Soble, Tokyo correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the consequences of Abenomics.

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Instability rules in Italy

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Italian national elections have ended in chaos and the voters' message is that they are tired of austerity and the political elite. The country faces a hung parliament after votes were split between a former comedian, an ex-prime minister who faces corruption charges, and the centre-left, who won narrowly in the lower house. Mario Monti, the technocratic prime minister who was appointed 15 months ago, came a distant fourth place. In this podcast, Guy Dinmore, Rome correspondent, Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, and Ferdinando Giugliano, leader writer, join world news editor Shawn Donnan to discuss the unfolding drama, which could take weeks to resolve.

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What the strange trial of a dead man tells us about Putin's Russia

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:15:00 GMT

Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in a Moscow jail in 2009 after making allegations of tax fraud against interior ministry officials, is to be tried on tax-evasion charges in a Russian court beginning on Monday. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief; Geoff Dyer, diplomatic correspondent; and Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what this strange posthumous trial says about Putin's Russia and how could it affect relations with Europe, and particularly the US.

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How dangerous is North Korea's nuclear test?

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:35:00 GMT

Within hours of the North Korean nuclear test this week, the UN security council was meeting in emergency session. But how dangerous is this development, and what is likely to happen next? James Blitz, diplomatic and defense editor, Christian Oliver, former Seoul correspondent, and Simon Mundy, the current FT correspondent in Korea, join Gideon Rachman.

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The most important Italian election for 30 years?

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Some argue that the elections to be held in Italy are the most important for that country in three decades, since the fate of the euro could be at stake. Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Guy Dinmore, Rome bureau chief, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the election.

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A post-Davos debrief on the state of the world economy

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As US growth shrinks and fears of a catastrophic collapse in the eurozone recede, Gideon Rachman, FT editor Lionel Barber and economic editor Chris Giles discuss the strength of world economy in this week's podcast (also available on video)

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Foreign policy priorities for Obama's second term

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As President Obama begins his second term in office, Shawn Donnan, world news editor, is joined by Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor to discuss what the administration's foreign policy priorities are likely to be and if we should expect any surprises.

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The French intervention in Mali

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Why has France intervened militarily in Mali and what is at stake? William Wallis, Africa editor; Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, and Xan Rice, FT correspondent in west Africa, join Gideon Rachman.

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Demonstrations over censorship in China and Obama's pick for US defense secretary

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:30:00 GMT

Could the demonstrations over censorship at Southern Weekend newspaper be a significant turning point in the battle for free speech in China? Kathrin HIlle reports from Guangzhou. In Washington, President Obama has nominated Chuck Hagel, to be the next US defense secretary. But the former Republican Senator is a controversial figure, with some pro-Israel groups going so far as to accuse him of antisemitism. So why select him, and why now? Washington-based diplomatic correspondent Geoff Dyer joins Gideon Rachman to discuss.

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The fiscal cliff agreement: lasting solution or just a brief respite?

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 16:20:00 GMT

Politicians in Washington have managed to avoid plunging the United States off the "fiscal cliff", which would have imposed deep spending cuts and tax rises. Instead, President Obama and Congress agreed limited tax rises, while deferring discussion of spending cuts. But is this a solution, or just a respite? Richard Macgregor, Washington bureau chief, and Martin Sandbu, economics leader writer, join Gideon Rachman.

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The aftermath of the Connecticut school shooting

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The massacre of 27 people, including 20 children, at an elementary school in Newtown, has changed America’s discussion about gun control, but will it lead to legislative change? Ben Fenton, from the FT’s live news desk talks to US correspondent Ed Crooks and Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, about the steps President Obama can take to curb investment in the gun industry and why citizens so zealously guard the second amendment, which gives Americans the right to bear arms.

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The looming political showdown in Italy

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:45:00 GMT

Italian prime minister Mario Monti has said he'll resign, making elections likely to occur next February. But who is likely to win, or even who will run, remains unclear. Both Mr Monti and Silvio Berlusconi are possible candidates. Guy Dinmore, FT bureau chief in Rome, Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Ferdinando Giugliano, leader writer, join Gideon Rachman.

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What's holding up a European banking union?

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:20:00 GMT

When European leaders resolved to finally solve the eurozone crisis, they swore that that a banking union would be a crucial part of the solution and that agreement would be in place by the end of this year. But with the latest negotiations bogged down, what's happened and does it pose a threat to financial stability in Europe? Patrick Jenkins, banking editor, and Alex Barker, Brussels correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss.

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What's next in Egypt following protests against Morsi?

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Almost two years after the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, Cairo's Tahrir Square is once again the scene of angry demonstrations. This time, however, the object of protestors' anger is Mohamed Morsi, an elected president and leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose proposed reforms of presidential powers have sparked accusations that he is setting up a new dictatorship. Heba Saleh, Cairo correspondent, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what's next for Egypt.

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Ceasefire agreed in Gaza but will the calm hold?

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT

After a short and bloody conflict in which at least 152 Palestinians and 5 Israelis died, a ceasefire has been declared between Israel and Hamas. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Tobias Buck in Gaza City and Middle East editor Roula Khalaf to discuss the recent fighting and its implications for the wider region

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China's new leadership

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:00:00 GMT

China has just completed its carefully-scripted, once-in-a-decade leadership transition. The Politburo was cut from nine to seven members and incoming general secretary and president Xi Jinping will also become head of the military. With these remaining uncertainties settled, Jamil Anderlini, Beijing bureau chief; James Blitz, diplomatic editor, and David Pilling, Asia editor, join John Aglionby to discuss how the new leadership will cope with an increasingly demanding population and whether the world will engage with Beijing any differently

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Global challenges facing Obama in his second term

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:45:00 GMT

What does Barack Obama's reelection mean for the United States' relations with the world? FT editor Lionel Barber and Washington bureau chief Richard McGregor join Gideon Rachman to discuss the economic and geopolitical challenges facing the president in his second term.

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China's new leadership faces many challenges

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:20:00 GMT

China's new leadership team is due be unveiled at the Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which begins next week in Beijing.The transition takes place against a troubled background. The economy is slowing and tensions are rising in a territorial dispute with Japan. Bo Xilai, who once expected to promoted in the reshuffle, is instead about to go on trial, and the outgoing premier, Wen Jiabao, has just been accused in the New York Times of using his position to accumulate huge wealth for his family. James Kynge, editor of FT China Confidential, and David Pilling, Asia editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the state of China at this crucial juncture.

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Obama and Romney debate foreign policy

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:10:00 GMT

The final US presidential debate focused on foreign policy, and both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney laid out their vision for America's place in global affairs. What does it mean for the world, and are US voters really paying attention to foreign policy? Borzou Daragahi, Middle East and north Africa correspondent, Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, and James Blitz, diplomatic and defense editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss the candidates' positions on Syria, Iran, China and their notable silence on Europe.

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What will swing the US election?

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:15:00 GMT

The US presidential race is as tight as ever. President Obama appears to have ended his slide in the opinion polls following a much stronger performance in the second debate with Mitt Romney, but with less than three weeks until the election, what is likely to determine who wins the White House? Richard Macgregor in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Gary Silverman in New York join Ben Fenton to discuss.

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Hugo Chavez returns to power

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:55:00 GMT

Hugo Chavez returns to powerWhat does Hugo Chavez's return to power in Venezuela mean for his country, for Latin America, and for international politics? Gideon Rachman is joined by Richard Lapper, a Latin America expert who heads the FT's research on Brazil, and Phil Gunson, the Economist's correspondent in Caracas.

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Is Romney's debate victory a game-changer?

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:00:00 GMT

The consenus after the first US presidential debate last night was that Republican challenger Mitt Romney was the victor over president Barack Obama. But will this be enough to change an election in which Mr Romney has consistently trailed Mr Obama in the polls? Richard McGregor in Denver and John Gapper in London join Gideon Rachman.

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Is the worst over in the eurozone?

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:50:00 GMT

With the ECB committed to unlimited purchases of eurozone bonds, the German Constitutional Court in a forgiving mood, and the Dutch electorate surprising pundits by voting for pro-euro candidates, is the worst over in the euro crisis, or, with Spain still teetering, is this just another false dawn? Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, join Gideon Rachman.

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Middle East turmoil and the US response

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 17:15:00 GMT

The Middle East is in turmoil following the murder of the American ambassador to Libya and assaults on various US embassies across the Muslim world. Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, and Ed Luce, chief US commentator, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what recent events say about the internal stability of post-revolutionay Libya and Egypt and President Obama's policy towards the Middle East. How will these and the other regional concerns in Syria, Iran, and the Palestinian territories affect the US election?

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Where is Xi? Who knows!

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:15:00 GMT

A Party Congress next month is expected to confirm the once-in-a-generation leadership change atop the Chinese Communist Party. But things are not going to plan: the transition is occurring against a backdrop of a slowdown in the Chinese economy and now the mysterious disappearance from public view of Xi Jinping, just weeks before his expected elevation to lead the party. Jamil Anderlini in Beijing, Geoff Dyer in Washington and Tom Mitchell in London join Shawn Donnan to discuss the uncertainty in China.

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After the conventions: the race for the White House

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Did President Barack Obama’s Democratic convention speech convince the American electorate that he is worth another four years in the White House? Or has Mitt Romney begun to swing the race towards the Republicans? With the opinion polls at level pegging, Gideon Rachman is joined by John McDermott in the studio and Richard McGregor down the line from Charlotte, North Carolina to discuss how the parties stand post convention

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The Republican convention and the future of the GOP

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:05:00 GMT

This week's Republican Convention has been showcase for a strong next generation of potential leaders for the party, but is Mitt Romney's campaign also the last throw of the dice for a party that may need to adapt to a rapidly changing electoral demographics? Richard McGregor and John McDermott join John Aglionby to discuss the indications from Tampa.

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Violence in South African mining and the Julian Assange embassy imbroglio

Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:00:00 GMT

As the standoff over the extradition of Julian Assange continues London, John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, tells Gideon Rachman what Ecuador stands to gain - and lose - from giving the Wikileaks founder asylum in its embassy. Also: Alec Russell, former Johannesburg bureau chief, explains the violence and turmoil in the South African mining industry and its historical context.

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A contentious running mate

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Mitt Romney’s decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate has energised the race for the White House. Is it a masterstroke or a terrible mistake? Gideon Rachman is joined by Washington bureau chief Richard McGregor and US economics editor Robin Harding to discuss where the truth lies and what Mr Ryan really stands for.

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Curiosity on Mars and the future of space exploration

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT science editor Clive Cookson to discuss the significance of the Curiosity rover’s landing on Mars and the future of space exploration

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London 2012: The first week of the Olympic games

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:25:00 GMT

FT sports writers Matthew Engel and Simon Kuper join Gideon Rachman to provide their mid-term assessment of the London Olympics.

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Conflict intensifies in Syria

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:00:00 GMT

This week the FT's world news editor Shawn Donnan is joined by James Blitz, diplomatic editor and Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut to discuss the conflict in Syria. Violence in the capital Damascus and commercial centre Aleppo, the disclosure that the regime possesses chemical weapons, refugee flight and the risk of instability spreading into Lebanon – is there now a case for western intervention?

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Britain takes le Tour by storm

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 23:00:00 GMT

As the Tour de France enters its final stages, Shawn Donnan is joined by Jennifer Hughes and Hugh Carnegy to discuss the rise of Team Sky and Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins, concerns over doping and the shadow it casts over the sport. Could a Brit ride up the Champs Elysées to glory for the first time?

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Left behind in Japan and China

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:30:00 GMT

The economic challenges and changes facing the young "ice age generation" in Japan, and the "post-1990" generation of Chinese youth.

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The US and China: Prospects of the world's largest economies

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:30:00 GMT

The eurozone has dominated headlines for months, but what of the other key poles of the world economy, China and the United States? Growth has been slowing in China for months, and the US is also struggling. James Politi in Washington and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing join Gideon Rachman to discuss the prospects of the world's two largest economies.

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Euro 2012: Football and politics in Poland and Ukraine

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 10:05:00 GMT

With the European football championship reaching its climax this week, we look at how Poland and Ukraine have fared by hosting the tournament. Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, Jan Cienski, Warsaw correspondent and Simon Kuper, the FT columnist covering the tournament, join Gideon Rachman.

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Egypt’s revolution rolled back?

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:10:00 GMT

With the announcement of the winner of Egypt’s presidential election delayed, and the ruling military’s move to dissolve the democratically-elected parliament, David Gardner, international affairs editor, and Borzou Daragahi in Cairo join Gideon Rachman to discuss whether the gains of the Egyptian revolution area being rolled back.

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Another tumultuous week for the eurozone

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Spain reluctantly accepted a bailout for its struggling banks last weekend but it has not restored market confidence - the government's borrowing costs have soared to their highest level since the birth of the euro. Meanwhile Greece is holding a general election this weekend. No party is likely to win an overall majority, the country's exit from the eurozone is a distinct possibility and as much as €500 million is leaving its banks each day. Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet in Madrid, Kerin Hope in Athens and Chris Giles in the studio to discuss the crisis.

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Putin's agenda for Russia

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:00:00 GMT

As Vladimir Putin settles back into the Kremlin, we focus on his vision for Russia‘s domestic politics and its relationship with China and the west. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, eastern Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss.

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Is Spain the new eurozone crisis front line?

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:39:00 GMT

Trapped in a vicious cycle of fragile banks, economic contraction, and a yawning budget deficit, Spain's government is now under criticism fror its handling of the crisis at Bankia, the country's third-largest lender. So is Spain the new front line in the eurozone sovereign debt crisis? FT correspondents Miles Johnson in Madrid and Peter Spiegel in Brussels join Ben Hall to discuss.

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Egypt's presidential election

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Egyptians are voting in the first democratic presidential election in their nation's history this week, but with the powers of the office that the winner will hold still unclear and the economy in tatters, many questions remain. Heba Saleh and Borzou Daragahi, FT correspondents in Egypt, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss.

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Greece in political limbo

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 GMT

With Greece in political limbo ahead of a new election in June, what is the the economic and political future of that country and the eurozone? How feasible is for Greece to leave the euro, and how are other European countries managing the increasingly anti-bailout mood in Athens? Gideon Rachman is joined by Kerin Hope, the FT's Athens correspondent; Chris Giles, the FT's economics editor, and Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor.

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Growth vs austerity in the eurozone

Wed, 09 May 2012 15:20:00 GMT

The growth vs austerity debate has been a focal point of eurozone politics over the past weeks. With voters in France and Greece appearing to reject austerity in this weekend's elections, are we beginning to see a shift in policy from austerity towards spurring growth? Ralph Atkins, Hugh Carnegy, Chris Giles and Ben Hall join Shawn Donnan to discuss.

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Chen Guangcheng and the rule of law in China

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:08:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by Geoff Dyer, Kathrin Hille and James Kynge to discuss the consequences of the case of Chen Guangcheng, the blind legal activist who has left the US embassy in Beijing following a deal between the US and China.

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Austerity backlash in Europe and UN monitors in Syria

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

As the Dutch government falls, a socialist wins the first round of the French presidential election, and the UK slides back into recession, Brussels bureau chief Peter Spiegel and Europe editor Ben Hall discuss the backlash against Europe's austerity politics. Michael Peel reports from Syria on the progress of UN monitors in the country, and diplomatic editor James Blitz looks at how the West's intervention could be made more effective.

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Nicolas Sarkozy's legacy in French politics

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:00:00 GMT

With the first round of the French presidential election upon us andthe second round just around the corner, the FT's Hugh Carnegy, BenHall and John Thornhill join Shawn Donnan to discuss the legacy ofpresident Nicolas Sarkozy and his chances of reelection.

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North Korea's missile politics

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Governments in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington reacted angrily to the announcement last month of North Korea's impending rocket launch. But what are they really concerned about? Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, and Christian Oliver, Seoul correspondent join Shawn Donnan to discuss Pyongyang's missile politics.

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The World Bank presidency and Iraq's impact on global oil markets

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:30:00 GMT

Alan Beattie, Xan Rice, Michael Peel and Guy Chazan join Gideon Rachman to discuss the battle for the presidency of the World Bank and the state of Iraq and its impact on the global oil market.

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Great expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi and the Obama administration's healthcare bill

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT correspondents to discuss the great expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi in the upcoming by-election in Myanmar. They also examine the US Supreme Court case that will determine the fate of the Obama administration’s healthcare reform.Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Gwen Robinson and Alan RappeportProduced by Amie Tsang and Serena Tarling

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Terrorism’s impact on the French election

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:00:00 GMT

With the first round of France’s presidential election a month away, how has the shock of the terrorist attacks changed the political climate? Paris bureau chief Hugh Carnegy and former Paris bureau chief Peggy Hollinger join Gideon Rachman.

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Anxiety over Afghanistan and a power struggle in China

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Jamil Anderlini joins Gideon Rachman to explain how the dismissal of Bo Xilai fits into the ongoing power struggle at the apex of the Chinese Communist Party. In Washington, where President Obama and British prime minister David Cameron are meeting this week, there is growing anxiety about Afghanistan, Geoff Dyer reports. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan itself, there is concern about what will happen to women’s rights once Nato leaves the country, Matthew Green reports from Kabul.

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Japan one year after the tsunami, part two

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

In the second part of the podcast commemorating the earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-east Japan, World Weekly looks at how the expatriate community was affected. Serena Tarling, the FT's Asia page editor, speaks to Helen Wood about her experience.

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Japan one year after the tsunami

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:10:00 GMT

One year ago, an earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan’s north-east, causing widespread loss of life and triggering the Fukushima nuclear crisis. Mure Dickie, Tokyo bureau chief, and Lindsay Whipp, former Tokyo correspondent, join Shawn Donnan to discuss how life has changed in the region and how the rebuilding is taking shape.

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What next for Vladimir Putin?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

FT editors and correspondents discuss what the future holds for Vladimir Putin and Russia. They also look at how the man has evolved and the legacy he will leave behind. Presented by Shawn Donnan, with John Thornhill, Charles Clover and Neil Buckley. Produced by Amie Tsang and Martin Stabe

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Outside reaction to the crises in Syria and Iran

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:51:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT diplomatic and defence editor James Blitz, commodities editor Javier Blas and US diplomatic correspondent Geoff Dyer to discuss the outside world's reaction to the crises in Syria and Iran.

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Further uncertainty in Greece and Chinese princeling Bo Xilai under pressure

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

This week Gideon Rachman discusses with Peter Spiegel, FT's Brussels bureau chief, whether time really has run out for Greece. He also talks to Jamil Anderlini, FT's Beijing bureau chief, about Bo Xilai, the Chinese princeling who recently suffered a severe blow to his chances of becoming a member of the Communist party leadership.Produced by Amie Tsang and Serena Tarling

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Putin faces a a growing Russian protest movement, Xi Jinping visits Washington, and emissions trading causes friction at the EU-China summit

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:02:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman and FT correspondents in Moscow, Washington, Beijing, and Brussels discuss how Vladimir Putin will react to Russia’s growing protest movement, Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington and tensions ahead of the EU-China summit over the emissions trading scheme.

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Diplomatic response to Syrian crisis in the balance and elections in Uttar Pradesh

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT

With a diplomatic response to the crisis in Syria in the balance at the United Nations, Middle East correspondent Michael Peel, who recently visited Syria, and Middle East editor Roula Khalaf join Shawn Donnan to discuss the situation.And, as India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, goes to the polls, FT south Asia bureau chief James Lamont and James Fontanella-Khan explain the importance of the election and the risk faced by the Congress party and the scion of the Gandhi dynasty, Rahul Gandhi, in particular.

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Sarkozy trails in the polls and US Republicans' search for a candidate continues

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT

France's Presidential campaign has begun ahead of the first round of voting in April, and Socialist challenger Francois Hollande is leading opinion polls. Paris bureau chief Hugh Carnegy and Europe editor Ben Hall join Shawn Donnan to discuss whether Nicolas Sarkozy could be facing defeat. Across the Atlantic, as Barack Obama set out his stall in the State of the Union address this week, the Republican party’s search for a candidate to oppose him in November grew ever more acrimonious and colourful. Chief US commentator Ed Luce and Washington bureau chief Richard McGregor join the show to discuss the campaign.

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Tensions rise between Iran and the west and Nigeria tries to end a costly fuel subsidy

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:11:00 GMT

James Blitz, diplomatic editor, Javier Blas, commodities editor, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss the growing tensions between Iran and the west as the EU prepares an oil embargo.Also, William Wallis, Africa editor, and Xan Rice, west Africa correspondent, join the podcast to examine the Nigerian government’s climbdown from an attempt to end a costly fuel subsidy

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The Eurozone, the Hildebrand affair and prospects for political reform in Myanmar

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:40:00 GMT

As Greece continues to haunt the Eurozone, Berlin bureau chief Quentin Peel and Europe news editor Ben Hall join Gideon Rachman to discuss the latest developments in the crisis. Also, Zurich correspondent Haig Simonian discusses the fallout from the Philipp Hildebrand affair at the Swiss National Bank, and Gwen Robinson, south east Asia correspondent, discusses the prospects for political reform in Myanmar.

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The race for the White House: what's next after Iowa

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Will Mitt Romney secure the Republican candidacy? How far will the economy determine the course of the US election? Is Obama's position looking weak or is he poised for a better second term? Anna Fifield, White House correspondent, and Edward Luce, chief US commentator, join Gideon Rachman for a discussion of what's next after Iowa.

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Arab Spring special

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman is joined on the podcast by David Gardner, international affairs editor, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, to discuss the major geopolitical upheaval of 2011: the Arab Spring.

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The eurozone after Cameron's veto, and the Durban climate talks

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Shawn Donnan, Ben Hall and Peter Spiegel discuss the eurozone crisis following Cameron's treaty veto, while Clive Cookson talks to Pilita Clark about the outcome of the Durban climate change talks.

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Egyptian elections, pressure on Iran and demonstrations in Moscow

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This week, Gideon Rachman talks to Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, about the results of the Egyptian elections, where Islamist parties have won almost two-thirds of the vote and discusses the growing international pressure on Iran with James Blitz, defence and diplomatic editor. Also this week, David Crouch, Europe news editor, talks to Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief, about the demonstrations in Moscow against Vladimir Putin. Produced by Amie Tsang and Serena Tarling

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World Weekly climate change special: the Durban summit

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:30:00 GMT

In a World Weekly special on climate change, guest host Clive Cookson, science editor, is joined by Pilita Clark, environment correspondent, and Chris Giles, economics editor, to discuss how the conflict between the industrialised and emerging economies is shaping the discussions at the climate change summit in South Africa. Also on the show, Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, and Leslie Hook, Beijing correspondent, examine how trade in renewable energy technologies is raising new disputes between the two key countries at the talks.

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Turmoil in the Middle East and what Putin's return means for the West

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:21:00 GMT

FT correspondents join Gideon Rachman to discuss the continuing turmoil in Egypt and Syria, and what the return of Vladimir Putin means for Russia's relationship with the West.

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A new phase in the eurozone crisis?

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In this week’s show: after a week in which the prospect of a country leaving the eurozone has been floated, where do we go from here? We look at the possibility of closer political and fiscal union in the eurozone, the state of relations between Germany and the UK, and the prospects for a financial transaction tax.Presented by the FT’s chief foreign affairs commentator Gideon Rachman, with economics editor Chris Giles and Berlin bureau chief Quentin Peel.

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Palestine, Turkey, Hong Kong

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:22:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: As president Mahmoud Abbas presses his argument for Palestinian statehood at the UN - we ask former editor of the Jerusalem Post, David Horovitz and head of the Palestinian government media centre, Ghassan Khatib, what the people on the streets of Israel and Palestine really think about the prospect; then we talk about an activist Turkish foreign policy which sees Turkey facing confrontation on many borders; and finally, rising inflation and soaring property prices in Hong Kong open up the gap in living standards between the rich and poor.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Dan Dombey in Istanbul and David Pilling in Hong Kong - interviewed by Serena Tarling.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Brics buying debt, Greece in trouble again, Palestine lobbies for statehood

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:14:00 GMT

In this week’s show: As Europe looks to China and other Bric nations to buy up its debt – we ask, is the global economy at a tipping point? Back in the Eurozone – rumours are flying again about the possibility of a Greek default and Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel is under pressure; and Palestinian leaders prepare to present their case to the UN for statehood.Presented by Shawn Donnan with Joe Leahy in Sao Paulo, Jamil Anderlini in Beijing, Guy Dinmore in Rome, Gerrit Wiesmann in Berlin and Roula Khalaf and Ben Hall in the studio in London.Produced by LJ Filotrani and Serena Tarling

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The legacy of 9/11

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:49:00 GMT

We devote this week's show to the aftermath of the terrorist attack on the United States and the decade that has followed. We talk to the editor of the Financial Times, Lionel Barber, about his memories of the time and we hear from FT correspondent Matthew Green about life on the Afghan-Pakistan border, in 2011.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Lionel Barber in the studio in London and Matthew Green in Islamabad - interviewed by Serena Tarling.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Libya, the eurozone, and anti-corruption in India

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:15:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Libya - a week on from the fall of Gaddafi; the eurozone and the state of play as we come out of the summer break; and, an Indian hunger striker forces parliament to support his anti-corruption crusade.Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Blitz in Paris, James Lamont in Delhi and Martin Sandbu in the studio in London.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Gaddafi, gold, Gaza

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:20:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Is the conflict in Libya finally coming to an end? The world's new craze for gold; and, Gaza, renewed violence dashes hopes for ceasefire.Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Blitz and Edward Hadas in the studio in London, and Tobias Buck in Jerusalem.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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US debt, Greek debt, and Indonesian growth

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:00:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: Obama and the US debt limit – the president avoids default at the 11th hour; Greece, we ask whether the second bail-out package is enough to stem contagion across the eurozone; and, Indonesia’s growth trajectory attracts foreign investment.Presented by Rob Minto with James Crabtree, Martin Sandbu and Gideon Rachman, in the studio in London and Anthony Deutsch in Jakarta - interviewed by Serena Tarling.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Norway, Gaddafi, and high speed trains in China

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:17:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Terror in Norway: a lone attack or a signal that the far right is rising? Libya – what next for Gaddafi? And, China's ambitions for high speed rail are dealt a blow.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Robin Wigglesworth, Martin Sandbu and David Gardner in the studio in London and Simon Rabinovitch in Beijing - interviewed by Serena Tarling.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Greece bailout, Cameron, US/China relations

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:56:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Have European leaders done enough to save Greece and the eurozone? UK prime minister David Cameron struggles to keep a lid on the News of the World phone hacking scandal; And, has Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama endangered US/China relations?Presented by Gideon Rachman with Peter Spiegel in the studio in London, Elizabeth Rigby in Westminster and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing - interviewed by Serena Tarling.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Murdoch, Italy, India

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 15:30:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The Murdoch scandal goes international; the euro debt crisis reaches Italy; and, bombings in Mumbai - is the stage set for Rahul Gandhi to step up as prime minister?Presented by Gideon Rachman with Ben Fenton in the studio in London, Guy Dinmore in Rome and Rahul Jacob in Delhi - interviewed by Serena Tarling. Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Syria, DSK, Yingluck Shinawatra

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:43:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Are there signs that the crisis in Syria is coming to an end? Can former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn really make a political comeback in France? And, Thailand's first female prime minister - what challenges will she face?Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner, Ben Hall and Serena Tarling in London and Tim Johnston in Bangkok.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Obama's troops, eurozone collapse, India's economy

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 16:52:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: President Obama accelerates the timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan; as the Greek crisis unfolds, we ask whether the eurozone could actually collapse; and, India battles to keep inflation under control.Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Blitz and Vincent Boland in the studio in London and James Lamont in Delhi.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Nato, Greece, Vietnam

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 14:38:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: scathing criticism of Nato from the US calls the alliance's future into question; the political instability in Greece compounds the sovereign debt crisis and causes arguments within Germany; strains over contested islands in the South China Sea could see an unlikely alliance between old enemies, Vietnam and the US.Presented by Gideon Rachman, with James Blitz, Quentin Peel and Ben BlandProduced by LJ Filotrani and Rob Minto

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Iran, Opec, US

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 16:18:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad’s role as Iran’s president is looking uncertain; Oil cartel Opec meeting descends into acrimony; And, we end the show in the US with the fiscal debate over raising the country’s debt ceiling.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Clive Crook and David Blair in the studio in London and Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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US, Yemen, Germany and the outbreak of E-coli

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:15:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The race for the Republican nomination heats up in the US; Yemen on the brink of collapse; the E.coli outbreak in Europe causes rift between Spain and Germany.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Clive Crook in the studio in London, Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut and Quentin Peel in Berlin.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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US/UK relations, Spanish unrest, the Arab spring and Japan's nuclear future

Thu, 26 May 2011 17:04:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: the essential relationship between the US and the UK; Spain on the edge of a sovereign debt crisis; stalemate in Libya - what next for the Arab spring; and, we look to the future for Japan’s energy policy post Fukushima.Presented by Shawn Donnan with Sarah Neville, David Gardner and Abeer Allah in the studio in London, Peter Spiegel in Brussels, Victor Mallet in Madrid and Mure Dickie in Hong Kong.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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IMF post-DSK, Obama vs Israel, and Thai elections

Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 GMT

In this week’s show, we look at the candidates to be head of the IMF; After president Obama’s speech calling for Israel to move out of territory it has occupied since 1967, where now for US-Israel relations? And our correspondent in Bangkok discusses the forthcoming elections in Thailand. Presented by James Blitz, with economics editor Chris Giles and Jerusalem bureau chief Tobias Buck in the studio, and Tim Johnston in Bangkok. Produced by Rob Minto

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Syria, Pakistan, Germany

Thu, 12 May 2011 16:27:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: the Syrian government escalates its use of force against protestors; Pakistan's prime minister calls for investigation into the army's intelligence of bin Laden's hideout; Germany's chancellor Angela Merkel announces her backing for the next president of the European Central Bank.Presented by James Blitz with Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut, Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad, Quentin Peel in Berlin and David Gardner in London.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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World Weekly special: Osama bin Laden

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:30:00 GMT

As the world watched scenes of jubilation in Washington following the death of Osama bin Laden, we ask what does his killing mean for the war on terror.Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Blitz and David Gardner in the studio and from Delhi, James Lamont.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Eurozone anger, Ivory Coast, India fights corruption

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:22:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: Anger in the eurozone after Portugal requests bail-out; Ivory Coast’s president is captured; and, potential civil unrest in India following a telecoms scandal.Presented by James Blitz with Peter Spiegel in Brussels, Orla Ryan in London and James Lamont in Delhi.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Yemen, refugees, US government shutdown

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:11:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The threat to Yemen's president; refugees and the Libyan crisis; and, shutting down the government in Washington.Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Crabtree in the studio, Abigail Fielding-Smith in Sana and Guy Dinmore in Rome.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Syria, US, Japan

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 16:37:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Middle East unrest spreads to Syria; American politics and the Libyan intervention; and, Japan struggles to deal with the devastation and tragedy of the tsunami.Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner and James Crabtree in the studio and Mure Dickie in Tokyo.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Libya, Portugal, Israel

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:27:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Seven days into the allied military action, Colonel Gaddafi holds on; we ask, is Portugal about to succumb to Eurozone fever?; terrorism returns to Jerusalem - is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict about to turn violent again? Presented by Gideon Rachman with James Blitz and David Oakley in the studio, Peter Spiegel in Brussels and Tobias Buck in Jerusalem.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Japan and the Middle East

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:39:00 GMT

In this week's show: Japan - the aftermath of the quake and the desperate efforts to avert a meltdown at nuclear plant Fukushima, with Mure Dickie and Stefan Wagstyl, and the continuing unrest in the Middle East with David Gardner, Robin Wigglesworth and Simeon Kerr. Presented by James Blitz.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Japan's earthquake; intervention in Libya; eurozone debt; and the Dalai Lama

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Mure Dickie reports from Tokyo on the devastating earthquake. In the studio, James Blitz examines the options for intervention in Libya, and Richard Milne looks at eurozone debt - are defaults on the cards? We also hear from Jamil Anderlini in Beijing on the Dalai Lama retiring from politics.Presented by Gideon Rachman.

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Middle East unrest and resignations in Europe

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:44:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Civil war beckoning in Libya; political jostling across the Middle East; and, trouble in Europe with high profile resignations in Germany and France.Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner in the studio, Peggy Hollinger in Paris and Gerrit Wiesmann in Frankfurt.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Libya and the potential oil crisis

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:47:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The escalating civil uprising in Libya, the threat of rising oil prices and the implications for the global economy.Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner and James Mackintosh.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Arab unrest, EU deficit, US budget

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 13:40:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: the crisis in the Arab world; the latest efforts to resolve Europe's debt; the row over America's budget.Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner, Peter Spiegel, James Crabtree and Michael Peel.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Stand-off in Cairo, hanging on in Ivory Coast, and ECB confusion

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

With protests entering their third week and the president defiant, what next for Egypt? In Ivory Coast, another president refuses to leave. We report from a country in limbo. And the race to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet at the ECB has taken another twistJames Blitz presents, with Heba Saleh in Cairo, Tobias Buck in Jerusalem, Orla Ryan in Ivory Coast and Quentin Peel in Berlin.Produced by Fiona Symon and Rob Minto.

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Egypt’s demonstrators undaunted

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman talks to Michael Peel, who is on the ground in Cairo, about another day of protests in Egypt and assesses the impetus of the movement.We also hear from Joshua Chaffin in Brussels on the EU’s warning that millions of euros in economic aid could be at risk if his regime does not halt violent attacks against anti-government protestors.Produced by Emily Cadman

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Unrest in Egypt

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In a special edition of the podcast, we assess the significance of the demonstrations in Egypt, the threat they pose to the ruling regime and the implications for dynastic succession in the Arab world. We also look how investors are reacting to the unrest in both Egypt and Yemen, the effect on the regional stock markets, the decline of the Egyptian pound and the potential knock-on effect on food prices. Presented by James Blitz, with Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, Robin Wigglesworth, Gulf economic correspondent and Middle East correspondent Michael Peel.Produced by Emily Cadman

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Tunisia, US-China and eurozone bailouts

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Gideon Rachman presents the world weekly podcast. This week: Tunisia - can a stable democracy emerge? As China president Hu Jintao visits the US, how are relations between the world’s top two economies? And what impact will the eurozone bailout disagreement have on European debt?

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Sudan, Haiti and US politics

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: As southern Sudan votes in a referendum on independence we hear from our correspondent in the region, Katrina Manson, about the huge exodus of people from the North to the South in anticipation of the a country being created. Over 300,000 people died in Haiti in 2010 in a devastating earthquake. One year on, what has happened to the reconstruction effort? Andrew Jack reports from Port-au-Prince on a nation struggling to rebuild. And in the US, the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has shocked the nation, and prompted questions about incendiary political debate. Is it acceptable to “target” the opposition?Presented by James Blitz, with William Wallis, FT Africa editor, and James Crabtree, FT comment editor in the studio.Produced by Rob Minto

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WikiLeaks, Nobel Peace Prize, World Cup

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:07:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The war on WikiLeaks, the Nobel Peace Prize and Russia's World Cup.Presented by Richard Edgar, with Tim Bradshaw, Richard McGregor and Roger Blitz.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Eurozone debt, Wikileaks, hidden millions

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:55:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Eurozone debt and the risks of contagion, with Richard Milne and Ralph Atkins; Wikileaks and the Middle East with Roula Khalaf; EU structural funds with Cynthia O'Murchu and Peter Spiegel.Presented by David GardnerProduced by LJ Filotrani

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Korea, Ireland, Spain

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:08:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: We look at Ireland and its four-year austerity plan announced yesterday and as the euro plunges further we discuss the impact of the Irish debt crisis on Portugal and Spain. But we start this week's show in Asia and the unprovoked attacks on South Korea by North Korea.In the studio, John Aglionby; in Ireland, John O'Doherty; in Madrid, Victor Mallet and in Seoul Christian Oliver.Presented by Gideon RachmanProduced by LJ Filotrani

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Ireland, Berlusconi, food prices

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 18:26:00 GMT

In the podcast this week: We ask whether the resignation of four officials earlier this week marks the end of the Berlusconi era; we look at the results of the Food and Agriculture Organization food outlook report, published yesterday, about rising prices and what this means for emerging markets and we ask what is the future for Ireland as it teeters on the edge of accepting a bailout loan from the EU and the IMF.Presented by Gideon Rachman with David Gardner, Martin Sandbu and Stefan Wagstyl in the studio, Geoff Dyer in Beijing and Guy Dinmore in Rome.Produced LJ Filotrani

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Phil Gordon, Burma and Robert Zoellick

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:42:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: America's secretary of state for Europe, Phil Gordon, on US/European cooperation in Afghanistan and over Iran; the first elections in 20 years in Burma; the rumpus caused by the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick as he calls for the return to the gold standard.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Edward Hadas in the studio and Tim Johnston in Bangkok.Interview on Burma by Fiona Symon.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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G20, Obama and France/UK treaty

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:31:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: The preparations for the G20 meeting in South Korea, President Obama's high-profile return to Indonesia and the new 'entente cordiale' between Britain and France.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Chris Giles in the studio, Anthony Deutsch in Jakarta and Josh de la Mare and James Blitz in London.Produced by LJ FilotraniPlease note James Blitz talks to Josh de la Mare on the French/British treaty not Josh Noble as stated on the podcast.

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Brazil, the midterms and EU wrangling

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 17:18:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Political change in Brazil and Argentina, the midterm elections in the United States and Europe's negotiations over debt and deficit.Presented by Gideon Rachman, with John Paul Rathbone and Peter Barber in the studio and Peter Spiegel in Brussels.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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UK defence cuts, Middle East peace process and the Vatican bank’s frozen assets

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

In this week’s show, we hear from diplomatic editor James Blitz on the UK defence cuts, Tobias Buck in Jerusalem on the latest in the Middle East peace process, Christian Oliver on the currency wars and get the latest on the Vatican bank's Italian court case from Guy Dinmore, hosted by David Blair.

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After the miners; China's open question; and currency skirmishes

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

The miners are free, but what does it mean for Chile's regional standing and the president's popularity? Can China resist calls for a more open society? And what will the currency wars mean for the G20 meetings later this year?Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Richard McGregor, formerly Beijing bureau chief; John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor; and Chris Giles, economics editor.Produced by Rob Minto.

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Currency wars, Chile's miners and Amsterdam's cafés

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

After the crisis, the war – currency wars, to be precise. What can regulators do to stop countries from using devaluations to boost their economic growth? We also have the latest on the plight of the Chilean miners – will they be freed soon? And we also look at Amsterdam, where the spliff-friendly café beloved of many a curious tourist may soon be more strictly regulated. Has pot-tourism had its day?David Gardner presents, with Alan Beattie in Washington, Jude Webber in Buenos Aires, and Michael Steen in the studio.Produced by Rob Minto

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The Irish fiscal crisis; the power struggle in Moscow; and the succession path in North Korea

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 23:00:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: How can Ireland escape its fiscal crisis? The mayor of Moscow is ousted in a show of strength by the Russian president, Dmitry Medvedev - but is the power struggle over? And in North Korea a succession plan is emerging as Kim Jong-Il's third son is promoted to general - but what role will his aunt play?Gideon Rachman hosts the world podcast, with guests David Gardner in the studio, Catherine Belton in Moscow and Christian Oliver in Seoul.Produced by Rob Minto

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The far right in Sweden, arms in the Middle East and China's relationship with Japan

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 15:00:00 GMT

In the podcast this week: Hints of a change at the top in North Korea, a surge in arms sales to the Middle East, the rise of the far right in Sweden and tensions between China and Japan.Presented by Gideon Rachman with Richard McGregor and David Blair in the studio, Andrew Ward in Stockholm and Christian Oliver in Seoul. Reports on North Korea and Sweden by Helen Warrell and Fiona Symon respectively.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Sarkozy, Naoto Kan and the Pope

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:10:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: We look at the many controversies courted by France's president Sarkozy, at the Pope's visit to Britain and at the survival of the Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan.Presented by Gideon Rachman with John Authers and James Blitz in the studio, Ben Hall in Paris and Mure Dickie in Tokyo.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Obama, Gillard, French unrest, Andy Coulson

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:14:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: With the mid-term elections looming we look at where the Democrats are in the popularity stakes and we ask whether Obama's promise to fight for an extension of tax breaks for the majority of Americans will be enough to save the party. After that we look to Australia and the formation of the first minority government in over 60 years. We then turn to France and the strikes and protest that have greeted efforts to raise the French retirement age. And finally we look at the latest political scandal here in Britain concerning the prime minister’s press secretary and what this could mean for Cameron.Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Richard McGregor and Ben Fenton in the studio, Ed Luce in Washington and Ben Hall in Paris - interviewed by Fiona Symon.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Iraq, the Middle East, Nigeria and Mexico

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:30:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: We look at Obama’s Oval Office address marking the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and to his White House dinner to mark the beginning of a new round of Middle East talks. We hear from the FT’s west Africa correspondent about the preparations for the presidential elections in the Niger Delta and we look at the brutal violence unleashed in Mexico by the country’s war on drugs.Presented by Gideon Rachman with the FT's international affairs editor David Gardner, Middle East and Africa news editor, David Blair and Latin America editor John Paul Rathbone.Down the line: Tom O'Sullivan interviews the FT's west Africa correspondent Tom Burgis in Bayelsa.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Cameron, Rwanda, Cambodia and the marshlands of Louisiana

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:40:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: We ask whether Cameron's trip to India to build business and commerce relationships has been a success; we ask whether Paul Kagame is likely to hold on to his role as president in the upcoming elections in Rwanda; we ask what the sentencing of former Khmer Rouge prison chief Duch means for the people of Cambodia; we look at the disappearing marshlands of Louisiana.Presented by Tom O'Sullivan with David Blair in the studio.Down the line: James Lamont in New Delhi, Harvey Morris in New Orleans.Khmer Rouge report: Helen WarrellProduced by LJ Filotrani

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Cameron, Afghan aid and Iran's nuclear programme

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:15:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: David Cameron faces trying questions on his first visit to America as UK PM, about the Lockerbie bomber Mr Megrahi and the possible involvement of BP in the lobbying for his release; Chilcot inquiry update following the former director-general of MI5, Eliza Manningham-Buller's statement on Monday that Blair ignored her advice about going to war with Iraq; aid distribution and corruption in Afghanistan; Iran and its nuclear programme, which may not be as advanced as first thought.Presented by Gideon Rachman with guests in the studio James Blitz, the FT's defence and diplomatic editor and David Blair, the FT's Middle East and Africa news editor. Helen Warrell reports on Afghan aid.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Somalia, Iran sanctions, China-US

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:34:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: We turn our attention to the violence which erupted at the weekend in Somalia; we look at what impact the US imposed sanctions on Iran are having; we discuss why American business seems to have gone sour on China.In the studio: Richard McGregor, David Blair and William WallisFrom Dubai: Simeon Kerr Presented by Gideon RachmanProduced by LJ Filotrani

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Europe, South Africa and Guantanamo Bay

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 18:08:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: Gideon Rachman returns from his travels and gives us his reflections on South Africa, and his feelings about the impact of the World Cup on the country. We also look at the first conviction at Guantanamo Bay under the Obama administration and finally we turn our attention to Europe and the trouble that politicians in both France and Italy find themselves in as they approach their summer break.Fiona Symon asks Ben Hall, the FT's Paris correspondent, how Sarkozy is coping in the light of the recent scandal concerning France's richest woman Liliane Bettencourt and Helen Warrell talks to FT correspondent, Anna Fifield from Guatanamo about the conviction of Osama bin Laden's former bodyguard.Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Helen Warrell and Hugh Williamson.Produced LJ Filotrani

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Petraeus, Google and Russian spies

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:55:00 GMT

In this week’s podcast: We look at how General Stanley McChrystal’s replacement General David Petraeus is getting on in his first week as head of UN and Nato forces in Afghanistan. We hear from the FT’s Beijing correspondent Kathrin Hille about Google’s final attempts to rescue its presence in China; and finally we turn our attention to the alleged Russian spies arrested in the US earlier this weekPresented by David Gardner, the FT's international affairs editor, with Helen Warrell, Asia page editor, Neil Buckley, Eastern Europe editor and James Blitz, defence and diplomatic editor.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Gillard, McChrystal and the G20

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:58:00 GMT

In this week's podcast we look at the appointment of Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard. We ask, what went wrong with Kevin Rudd's leadership and what can we expect from his successor?Also up for discussion is the prompt sacking of US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal. We ask, what does this action reveal about the Obama administration?And finally we look forward to the upcoming G20 meeting in Toronto this weekend. Presented by Tom O'Sullivan with Helen Warrell, the FT's Asia page editor, Peter Smith, the FT's Australian and Pacific correspondent, Richard McGregor the FT's deputy news editor and down the line Dan Dombey the FT's US diplomatic correspondent.Produced by LJ Filotrani

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Special Edition: the UK's unavoidable Budget

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 GMT

It was anything but straightforward. Our team of experts dissect George Osborne's complex first Budget in a special podcast. With Chris Giles, Nick Timmins and Alison Smith, hosted by Robert Shrimsley.

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BP's future, the Gaza blockade, and unrest in Kyrgyzstan

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:00:00 GMT

In this week's podcast: BP's future - is the worst over? Israel looks to ease the Gaza blockade; and the violence in Kyrgyzstan.In the studio this week are Ed Crooks, energy editor, and Neil Buckley, eastern Europe editor. Tobias Buck reports from Jerusalem.Presented by Gideon Rachman with co-presenter Helen WarrellProduced by Rob Minto

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Labour unrest in China, the World Cup and Angela Merkel

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:08:00 GMT

In this week's pod: Labour unrest in China, the start of the World Cup in South Africa and Angela Merkel's decreasing popularity in Germany.Guest in the studio is Richard McGregor and from Berlin Quentin Peel is interviewed by Fiona Symon.Presented by Gideon Rachman with co-presenter Helen WarrellProduced by LJ Filotrani

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