The Rachman Review

Donald Trump has said the US military action against Iran may be coming to an end. If so, what would it have achieved and where does this leave the key question of safe passage for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz? Gideon discusses the consequences of the war for the US and its allies with Philip Gordon of the Brookings Institution. Clip: NBC NewsFree links to read more on this topic:Trump threatened to stop weapons for Ukraine unless Europe joined Hormuz coalitionShutting Hormuz is a template for China in TaiwanIran could emerge from the war stronger and more dangerousUK to host coalition talks on securing Strait of HormuzOne battle after another: Netanyahu’s new security doctrinePresented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Viktor Orbán has been a thorn in the side of the EU and a favourite of Donald Trump. But his party is now behind in the polls ahead of next month’s Hungarian elections. So could this mark the end of the Orbán era? Gideon discusses this with Zsuzsanna Végh, an analyst at the German Marshall Fund. They also discuss Orbán's close relationship with Russia and hostility to Ukraine. Clip: APTFree links to read more on this topic: ECB warns Hungary’s seizure of Ukraine cash risks euro credibilityHungarian opposition groups quit to make way for Orbán challengerKremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in powerThe riches of Viktor Orbán’s home villageHow Viktor Orbán’s oligarchs reaped billions in public contractsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon discusses the Iran war with defence analyst Jack Watling, author of Statecraft - The New Rules of Power in a Divided World. Why did the US fail to foresee the need to protect the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping route? What options are there to bring the war to a close?Clip: NYTFree links to read more on this topic:Iran vows retaliation against energy sites across Gulf after largest gasfield hitTrump ally warns US economy not strong enough to cope with Iran warIran still seen capable of escalating attacks on Gulf’s energyIsrael says it has killed Iran’s top security official Top US counterterrorism official resigns over war against IranSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Introducing Opus Dei, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. Host Antonia Cundy uncovers the cultural and political influence of a controversial Catholic organisation in America. Opus Dei exists to help people get closer to God, but some members say they found other agendas – and unexpected harm – entangled in that spiritual mission. The first episode of Untold: Opus Dei launches March 25. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Gideon speaks to Sir Simon Gass, a former UK ambassador to Iran, about why the formidable destructive power of the US and Israel has failed to dislodge the Islamic regime. They discuss how long the war can continue as well as likely outcomes for the US, Iran and the Gulf region. Clip: Middle East EyeFree links to read more on this topic:Trump’s Venezuela strategy has failed in Iran Iranians rethink the price of regime changeIran official says new supreme leader is ‘fine’ despite absence from viewDrones, lasers and radars: Middle East war spurs hunt for cheaper air defenceTaco on Iran will come too late for TrumpSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon discusses the US and Israeli war against Iran with Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies. What are the war aims, can they be achieved and where does this leave the future of the region and its relations with Israel? Clips: CBS; CNN Free links to read more on this topic:Gulf insurance costs soar 12-fold despite Trump guaranteeTrump has no realistic plan for Iran’s futureMilitary briefing: how Iran could wage a new ‘tanker war’The cynical opportunities of ‘Epic Fury’The influencers leaping to Dubai’s defenceSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity.Follow Gideon on Bluesky or X @gideonrachman.bsky.social, @gideonrachmanRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com