The Rachman Review

Gideon talks to Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East programme at Chatham House in London, about what Israel and Iran may be planning for their next move as the region slides towards all-out war. Clips: The Telegraph; BBCFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:Middle East at war: 12 key moments Oil prices climb as Iran missile attack prompts supply fearsIsrael steps up offensive against Hizbollah as region braces for retaliationHow Israeli spies penetrated HizbollahSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Kim Ghattas, an FT contributing editor based in Beirut, about Israel’s decision to step up its war against Lebanon’s Hizbollah. How will the militant group and its allies respond, and can the war be contained? Clips: Sky News; The GuardianFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:Israel tells troops to prepare for possible ground offensive in LebanonMilitary briefing: Israeli intelligence and air force use ‘victory doctrine’ against Hizbollah ‘Leave your homes now’: Lebanon endures bloodiest day in decadesIts strategy may lie in ruins, but Hizbollah will not admit defeatSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, Gideon Rachman speaks to António Guterres, secretary-general of the UN. Guterres explains why he thinks the organisation remains indispensable - as the world struggles to get to grips with an array of daunting global challenges - including war and climate change.Clip: The GuardianFree links:World must exit ‘highway to climate hell’, UN boss warns, as records are again brokenChina and US push each other on priorities for UN COP29 climate talks‘Enfeebled’ UN fights for relevance in divided worldAlarm raised on sea level rise and ocean warming as Pacific Islands leaders meetNobel winners hit out at removal of fossil fuels from draft UN pactChina and US push each other on priorities for UN COP29 climate talksFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner and Simon Panayi.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region of Russia represented another sign that Vladimir Putin’s invasion is not going to plan. But numerous setbacks, and the sanctions regime imposed by the west, have so far failed to loosen the Russian leader’s grip on power. Gideon discusses why Russians are still backing Putin with Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.  Clip: Deutsche WelleFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:Vladimir Putin visits Mongolia despite international arrest warrantUS accuses China of directly supporting Russia’s ‘war machine’The Kremlin princelings cementing Putin’s ruleUkraine’s battle against Russia in maps: latest updatesSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Gabriel Gatehouse about his new book, The Coming Storm: A Journey into the Heart of the Conspiracy Machine. They discuss the US Republican party’s embrace of far-fetched conspiracy theories, and how these are being deployed in the upcoming presidential election. Clip: CNNFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:Conspiracy theories are being baked into American politicsA mind-infecting virus: the dark dreams of QAnonMisinformed about misinformationAmerica’s election year battle over who polices online disinformationSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Takako Hikotani of the Asia Society Policy Institute about how Japanese attitudes towards security have changed in light of the war in Ukraine and China’s more aggressive stance in the South China Sea. Clips: CNAFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic: Japan says China’s airspace incursion ‘totally unacceptable’Never a zealot, Fumio Kishida showed a surprising fearlessnessChina rejects Nato accusations of supporting Russia’s war in UkraineUS and Japan announce ‘most significant’ upgrade to military allianceSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Ben Hall, the FT’s Europe editor, discusses Ukraine’s Kursk incursion with Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former defence minister and chair of the Centre for Defence Strategies in Kyiv. What is the strategy behind the move? How could it affect the fighting elsewhere on the frontline and could it prove to be a turning point in the war?  Clips: Global News; France 24To take part in the audience survey mentioned by Benn, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.Free links to read more on this topic: Ukraine wants to create ‘buffer zone’ with Kursk incursion, says Zelenskyy‘People are horrified’: Moscow turns to reluctant conscripts to defend KurskHow Ukraine pulled off its biggest gamble: invading RussiaUkraine’s battle against Russia in maps: latest updatesSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Benn Hall. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Michael Stott, the FT’s Latin America editor, talks to Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based senior analyst for the International Crisis Group and Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank in Washington, about the crisis in Venezuela. How long can Maduro cling to power, having so obviously lost the July election. Clips: Channel 4 News, The Economic TimesTo take part in the audience survey mentioned by Michael, and to be in with the chance to win a pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones, click here. Click here to find T&Cs for the prize draw.Free links to read more on this topic:How Venezuela’s Maduro is clinging on to powerVenezuela ramps up fear campaign after disputed presidential voteNicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s contested presidentNicolás Maduro blocks access to X amid feud with Elon MuskSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Michael Stott. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Simon Panayi.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com