World Review from the New Statesman

In this special bonus episode of World Review, we look at the results of a two year initiative on how we can achieve wellbeing for all within planetary boundaries.  50 years after the ground breaking The Limits to Growth report, a new book Earth For All details five turnarounds that are the minimum requirements for our societies to build economies that support wellbeing for all, whilst protecting the planet.  The project brings together scientists and economists to show that it is possible to upgrade our economics and transform our societies with immediate, focused large-scale investment.  Philippa Nuttall is joined by some of the books authors: Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, Jayati Ghosh, an internationally recognized development economist and professor at the University of Massachusetts and Jorgen Randers, professor emeritus of climate strategy at the BI Norwegian Business School. To find out more and to order a copy of Earth for All visit www.earth4all.life/book This special edition of World Review is produced with support from the Club of Rome and Earth4All. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Wednesday (21 September), President Vladimir Putin announced illegal referenda to claim parts of Ukraine as Russia. In the biggest escalation of the war since the invasion began, he ordered a partial mobilisation of Russian army reserves and made a thinly veiled threat to use nuclear weapons. Emily Tamkin and Katie Stallard in Washington, DC, are joined by the New Statesman’s Britain editor and podcast host Anoosh Chakelian to discuss the risk of nuclear war, sold-out flights as military-eligible men attempt to leave Russia, and whether Putin is in fact running out of options. Next, the team turn to the UK and the foreign policy agenda of the new British prime minister, Liz Truss. They discuss if the UK’s staunch support for Ukrainians will continue, tensions with US President Joe Biden over the Northern Ireland Protocol and Truss’s hawkish approach to China. Then in You Ask Us, a listener asks what to make of Biden’s comments that the US would defend Taiwan.If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.ukPodcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer. Further reading: Katie on the dangerous logic behind Vladimir Putin’s speech. Emily asks will US/UK relations be damaged by Liz Truss. Lawrence Freedman on why using nuclear weapons won’t solve any of Putin’s problems. Katie asks where does Putin go from here? Freddie Hayward on Liz Truss’s frosty reception at the UN.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party, with its "post-fascist" history, is leading the polls ahead of parliamentary elections on 25 September. If the party wins, she will become the country's first ever female prime minister. Emily Tamkin, the New Statesman’s senior editor, US, speaks to author Tim Parks on how much the vote is about Italy's ideological direction, the country's revamped election system, and whether the centre-left alliance will prevent a right-wing landslide.Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer. Further reading: Jeremy Cliffe asks whether Giorgia Meloni be the next prime minister of Italy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukrainian forces have been making rapid and remarkable advances in the north-east of the country, regaining control of two key strategic hubs and a large swathe of territory in the Kharkiv region.Emily Tamkin in Washington DC, Ido Vock in Berlin and Katie Stallard in Austin discuss how this success could impact Western support and how far Ukraine could go.Next, the team turns to murmurings of dissent in Russia following Ukraine’s gains. They discuss what criticism broadcast on Russian state TV signals about Vladimir Putin’s position, his relationship with Xi Jinping, and what his options are now.Then in You Ask Us, a listener asks why the Sweden Democrats did so well in Sweden’s election.If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer.Further reading:Ido Vock reports on Ursula von der Leyen doubling down on EU support for Ukraine.Lawrence Freedman writes that, suddenly, Ukraine is winning.Katie Stallard on why China won’t ditch Vladimir Putin.Jeremy Cliffe says Sweden’s general election could result in a far-right backed government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Stallard speaks to Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College London and a regular contributor to the New Statesman, as well as the author of numerous books, including his latest, Command: The Politics of Military Operations from Korea to Ukraine. They discuss Vladimir Putin's failure to anticipate the scale of Ukraine's resistance and the current outlook for the conflict. Plus, the lessons that can be drawn from other military campaigns, from the Korean War to the combat in Iraq and Kosovo. Plus, what would happen if a nuclear stand-off such as the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis took place in 2022? Further reading:Putin's economic war on Europe is an act of desperation.The war in Ukraine is reaching a critical moment.Putin has failed to learn the lessons of Stalin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Russia has halted gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. The Kremlin has said that deliveries will not resume until the West lifts the sanctions imposed in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine. Emily Tamkin and Katie Stallard in Washington DC are joined by Ido Vock in Berlin to discuss soaring gas prices in Europe and the scrambled response from Germany and the EU as winter looms. They also cover the latest from the war in Ukraine and consider whether pressure from Russia will weaken European support. The team then turn to the US, where the November midterm elections are approaching. They discuss the surge in President Joe Biden's approval ratings after a slew of unexpected legislative victories and whether, combined with the backlash against the Supreme Court’s curtailing of abortion rights, this could be enough to give the Democrats the decisive victory they need. And in You Ask Us, a listener asks why it appears Xi Jinping will successfully retain power for a third term at China’s upcoming party congress.If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer.Further reading:Emily on everything you want to know about the US midterm elections.Emily on why Biden's right - Trump and "Maga Republicans" are a threat to democracy.Emily on what is wrong with this year's Republican Senate candidates?Ido on why the EU's energy crisis is emboldening the European far right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the Swedish general election on 11 September, we take a look at why the far-right party has risen in the polls and whether a recent recovery by the ruling Social Democrats means the country’s prime minister, Magdalena Andersson, will be able to retain power.Journalist and academic Dominic Hinde joins the New Statesman’s executive editor, Megan Gibson, to discuss the election’s main issues, what’s happened to the traditional conservative bloc and how Swedes view their place in the world.Read more:The Nordic leaders’ fight against far-right misogynyThe biggest challenge for Sweden’s new prime minister: tackling rampant gang crimeSweden’s decision to join Nato isn’t just about security Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, has died at the age of 91 in Moscow. He was credited with bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end and ushering in an era of openness and reform in the Soviet Union, which ultimately led to its collapse. Emily Tamkin in Washington DC is joined by Megan Gibson and Alix Kroeger in London to consider Gorbachev’s legacy and reactions to his death in Russia and around the world, as well as his relationship with Putin. They also discuss the latest from Ukraine, where the battle for Kherson has begun. Then, the far-right Sweden Democrats have surged ahead in the country’s polls before a general election on 11 September. The team discuss what is behind the party’s popularity and why the centre-right bloc is now ready to cooperate with them to challenge the Social Democrats, led by the prime minister, Magdalena Andersson. In You Ask Us a listener asks about the significance of flooding in Pakistan.If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer. Further reading; Philippa Nuttall says that even Pakistan’s devastating floods won’t inspire a green revolution. Emily Tamkin writes that Mikhail Gorbachev tried to unite the impossible – his failure was heroic. Megan Gibson on the Nordic leaders’ fight against far-right misogyny. Katie Stallard on the beginning of the battle for Kherson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, the historian Orlando Figes’s latest book considers how Russia and its rulers see the country.He speaks to Alix Kroeger about why his book is called The Story of Russia, rather than The History of Russia, what drives Vladimir Putin and the low chances of the country liberalising any time soon.The Story of Russia is published by Bloomsbury and available from 1 SeptemberRead more:Serhii Plokhy: “The Ukrainian army that no one ever knew existed is winning”Vladimir Putin has failed to learn Stalin’s lessonsHow Vladimir Putin views the world Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today (24 August) marks 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union and six months since Vladimir Putin’s invasion which has killed thousands and shaken the global order. This year, national celebrations are muted as the country braces for possible Russian attacks.In this special episode of World Review, Emily Tamkin and Katie Stallard in Washington DC, are joined by Jeremy Cliffe in Berlin to discuss his New Statesman cover story on “The war that changed the world”. In revisiting the past six months, they praise Ukraine’s resilience and resistance, ask whether support from the West will continue during what is expected to be a difficult winter, and uncover the extent of China’s relations with Russia. They also hear from the Estonian foreign minister Urmas Reinsalu about Russia’s claim that his country was involved in the killing of Darya Dugina, daughter of the prominent Russian ultra-nationalist Alexander Dugin.Then in You Ask Us a listener asks whether the war will be over by the end of the year.If you have a You Ask Us question for the international team, email podcasts@newstatesman.co.uk.Podcast listeners can subscribe to the New Statesman for just £1 a week for 12 weeks using our special offer. Just visit newstatesman.com/podcastoffer. Further reading:Ido Vock reports Estonia dismisses Russia’s claim it was involved in Dugina killing.Katie Stallard on what the murder of Darya Dugina means for Russia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.