The Rachman Review

This week South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa took office at the head of the country’s first power-sharing government since the immediate post-apartheid period. Many are hoping this will offer the prospect for economic renewal and bring much needed investment back to the country. Gideon discusses its chance of success with the FT’s Monica Mark and Alec Hogg, editor and publisher of Biznews.com.Clip: eNCA TVFree links to read more on this topic:Investors cheer as Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa’s presidentRamaphosa re-elected South African president after striking deal with oppositionCan the party that liberated South Africa still hold it together?In charts: 30 years of ANC rule in South AfricaSubscribe 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

After a grim showing for his party in the European elections, President Emmanuel Macron stunned observers by calling snap elections in France. With Marine Le Pen’s National Rally riding high in the polls, could French voters elect a far-right government? Gideon discusses the possible ramifications of Macron’s gamble with Célia Belin, head of the Paris office of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Clip: La ProvinceFree links to read more on this topic:Jordan Bardella: the far-right TikTok king gunning for France’s premiershipEmmanuel Macron appeals for rivals to join his fight against ‘extremist fever’Victory for French far right could trigger Liz Truss-style debt crisis, warns finance ministerWhy Emmanuel Macron went all in against Marine Le PenSubscribe 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Oriana Skylar Mastro, author of Upstart: How China Became A Great Power. They discuss China’s rapid rise, Beijing’s ambitions on the global stage and how the US will respond.Clip: Bogdan KokkonenFree links to read more on this topic:China emerges as one of biggest bilateral lenders to PhilippinesChina hits out at ‘aggressive’ Taiwan for military build-upUS and allies say China is ‘aggressively recruiting’ their fighter pilotsChina accuses US of seeking ‘Asia-Pacific Nato’China’s army tests gun-toting version of robot dogSubscribe 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Gideon talks to Henry Foy, the FT’s bureau chief in Brussels, about next week’s EU parliamentary elections. Far-right parties are set to win more seats, but how will this translate into their ability to influence policy? Clip: Bruegel TVHow will the European parliamentary elections change the EU? Join Henry Foy and colleagues on June 12 for a subscriber webinar on the election results. You can register by going to ft.com/euwebinarFree links to read more on this topic:Ursula von der Leyen’s bid for second term in trouble over Giorgia Meloni tiesHow the far right is winning over young EuropeansPolice raid European parliament staffer’s office in Russian influence probeRussia plotting sabotage across Europe, intelligence agencies warnSubscribe 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Introducing Power for Sale, a new season of Untold from the Financial Times. In Untold: Power for Sale, host Valentina Pop and a team of FT correspondents from all over Europe investigate what happened in the Qatargate scandal, where EU lawmakers were accused of accepting payments from Qatar to whitewash its image.Subscribe and listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Gideon discusses the state of Ukraine’s defences with Jack Watling, senior fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. Russia’s advantage in ammunition and forces is beginning to show on the battlefield. What would it take to turn things back in Ukraine’s favour? Clip: BBCFree links to read more on this topic:Russia has advanced 10km towards Kharkiv, says UkraineG7 warms to plan for Trump-proofing Ukraine aidNato training soldiers in Ukraine does not escalate war, says Estonian PMStrikes in Russia with US weapons would help Kyiv hold line, says officialSubscribe 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 the US election looms, President Joe Biden has announced huge new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and other green tech goods. Gideon Rachman sits down with Michael Froman, former US trade representative and the president of America's Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the widening of protectionism in the US and globally, and the dangers this could bring.Clip: PBSFree links to read more on this topic: Joe Biden and Donald Trump battle to prove who can be toughest on ChinaAmerica is pulling up the drawbridgeChinese competition a ‘defining challenge’ for EU companiesVolkswagen warns Brussels against raising tariffs on Chinese electric carsSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Audrey Tinline. Sound design is by Breen TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com

In a new season of Tech Tonic, longtime FT China reporter Jame Kynge travels around the world to see how China is pushing towards tech supremacy. Will China be able to get an edge in crucial technological areas? What does China’s attempt to leapfrog the west look like on the ground? A 6-part series looking at China’s tech industry.Presented by James Kynge. Edwin Lane is the senior producer. The producer is Josh Gabert-Doyon. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Samantha Giovinco, with original music from Metaphor Music. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

With elections for the European parliament a month away, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is emerging as a key figure in European politics. Gideon talks to Amy Kazmin, the FT’s Rome correspondent, about the rise of Meloni, her roots in the Italian far right, her close relationship with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, and the great challenges that lie ahead for Italy. Clip: Fratelli d’ItaliaFree links to read more on this topic: Italian journalists strike in dispute with Giorgia Meloni’s rightwing governmentItaly’s far-right leader Matteo Salvini fights for political survivalMeloni’s radical plan: rewriting Italy’s post-fascist constitutionSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe. Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Tamara Kormornick. Sound design is by Breen Turner.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com