The Rachman Review

Gideon talks to FT Middle East correspondent Raya Jalabi about what she found when she drove from Beirut into Damascus shortly after the toppling of President Assad. What signs are there that the rebel group HTS will be able to manage a peaceful transition of power and end the country’s civil war? Clip: AFPFree links to read more on this topic:Netanyahu and Erdoğan compete to be the Middle East’s strongmanAssad dispatched $250mn of Syria’s cash to MoscowNow Syria can dream of a future againJustice for the victims of Assad’s atrocities in SyriaHow the Assad family built an empire of fear in SyriaSubscribe 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

One of the most important groups of advisers around Donald Trump are the 'restrainers'. They want to radically reduce America’s commitments to global security alliances. Gideon talks to Dan Caldwell, a leading restrainer and military veteran who believes the Iraq war was a 'monstrous crime'. Clip: Face the NationFree links to read more on this topic:Foreign Affairs article: Trump Must Not Betray “America First”The tragedy of Iraq, 20 years onNato chief warns Donald Trump of ‘dire threat’ to US if Ukraine pushed into bad peace dealThe west should not succumb to cynical regret over SyriaTrump swoops into Paris as Europe prepares for a more transactional relationshipSubscribe 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 FT contributing editor Kim Ghattas about the rebel advances in Syria that have taken place in the wake of Israel’s bombardment of President Bashar al-Assad’s Hizbollah allies in Lebanon. Will Assad’s backers in Iran and Russia hold firm and can the ceasefire agreement in neighbouring Lebanon hold? Clip: Channel 4 NewsFree links to read more on this topic:Rebel advances in Syria spell danger for Russia’s Middle Eastern ambitionsInside Aleppo: the Syrian city captured by rebelsRebel offensive boosts Turkey’s influence in SyriaAssad is sitting tight as Syria burnsSubscribe 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 Sir Alex Younger, former head of Britain's secret intelligence service MI6, about the "special relationship" between the US and the UK. They discuss Donald Trump’s choice of Tulsi Gabbard for the role of US director of national intelligence and they also consider what Britain needs to do to secure a role for itself in the world order. Free links to read more on this topic:Keir Starmer to urge G20 leaders to ‘double down’ on Ukraine supportBill Burns and Richard Moore: Intelligence partnership helps the US and UK stay ahead in an uncertain worldWhere Trump could surprise on the upsideAsk Shrimsley: how do I keep a relationship special?Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Sebastian Mallaby, author of a best-selling book on Silicon Valley called The Power Law. They discuss the reason why Elon Musk decided to back Donald Trump for president, what the entrepreneur will bring to the Trump administration, and what Musk's businesses stand to gain. Clip: WFAA TVFree links to read more on this topic: Who’s who in the Musk ‘A-team’ vying to shape Trump 2.0Elon Musk is an unguided geopolitical missileValuations at Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI set to soar in new dealsElon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays offSubscribe 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

Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister, has made a life-long study of China’s leadership. He tells Gideon how an understanding of Communist ideology helps explain Xi Jinping’s decision to roll back on the market reforms of his predecessor Deng Xiaoping. They are also a crucial guide to what could happen next. Clip: Sky News AustraliaFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:US-China relations will depend on which Trump shows upUS Space Force warns of ‘mind-boggling’ build-up of Chinese capabilitiesWhy Xi Jinping changed his mind on China’s fiscal stimulusSinologist Li Cheng: ‘America is not in the mood to study China’‘Too boring’: Chinese students are sleeping through propagandaSubscribe 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 his colleague Ed Luce and to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about what to expect from a second Trump presidency. Clip: Fox NewsFree links to read more on this topic:How Trump won in maps and chartsTrump’s new world orderElon Musk’s gamble on Donald Trump pays offSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Samantha Giovinco.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Ivo Daalder, a former American ambassador to Nato and chief executive of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, about the potential threat to US democracy if Donald Trump wins next week’s presidential election. Clip: PoliticoFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:How Trump learnt to love big businessTrump is the man who would be kingAmerica isn’t too worried about fascismKamala Harris warns of ‘more chaos’ under Donald Trump and vows ‘different path’Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, about her efforts to keep hope alive during a humanitarian catastrophe. Clip: United NationsFollow Gideon on X @gideonrachmanFree links to read more on this topic:Israel ‘starting to implement’ north Gaza starvation plan, say rights groups Hamas chief’s death opens up choice for Benjamin Netanyahu over Gaza warUS warns Israel humanitarian crisis in Gaza could threaten military aidIsrael, Lebanon and the mirage of a new Middle EastSubscribe 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