Ukrainian cities have faced an onslaught of missiles from Russia this week in retaliation for the attack on the Kerch bridge that links Russia with occupied Crimea. Russia has threatened to go further and to use tactical nuclear weapons rather than face the defeat of its forces in Ukraine. But would it? Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow for the Carnegie Endowment think-tank, tells Gideon he thinks Putin’s threat is deadly serious.Clips: BBCMore on this topic:Putin suggests Nord Stream gas exports to Europe could be restoredNato allies struggle to secure air defence systems for UkraineRussia’s invasion of Ukraine 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The death of a young woman detained by Iran’s ‘morality police’ has sparked nationwide protests that the government is struggling to control. Gideon talks to Iranian analyst Sanam Vakil about what the unrest tells us about the weakening authority of the regime that has been in place for the past 40 years.Clips: BBC, France 24More on this topic:How Iranian students are shaping anti regime protestsIran’s Ayatollah Khamenei blames US and Israel for street protestsMahsa Amini has become a potent symbol for women in 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 Jake FieldingRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Europe’s priorities have undergone a massive shift in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Gideon talks to political scientist Ivan Krastev about how central Europe is gaining influence within the EU as a result of the Ukraine war.Clips: United Nations; France24More on this topic:EU to put price cap on Russian oil in new sanctions packageThe 90km journey that changed the course of the war in UkraineDenmark, Germany and Poland warn of ‘sabotage’ after Nord Stream leaksEndless frictions with Brussels risk fuelling Euroscepticism in PolandThe EU should press Hungary hard on rule of lawSubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Britain's new prime minister is facing huge challenges on both the domestic and international stage. Gideon talks to Bronwen Maddox, director of Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London about how Liz Truss will deal with the Ukraine war, Brexit and relations with the US and China.Clips: Royal Family Channel; France 24More on this topic:Liz Truss admits UK trade deal with US is not on the agendaThe economic consequences of Liz TrussLiz Truss to launch UK defence review as she calls for Russian reparationsBritain enters the era of King Charles IIISubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ukraine’s rapid recapture of territory in recent days has put Russian forces on the back foot and raised the prospect of an early end to the war. Gideon talks to Lawrence Freedman, emeritus professor of war studies at King's College in London about the dramatic turnaround and what happens next.Clips from BBC, Russian state TVMore on this topicMilitary briefing - Ukraine offensive ‘dooms’ Russia’s aims for DonbasRussian army hobbled by shortage of soldiersUkraine faces ‘tough fight’ even as Russian forces retreat, says USRussia’s invasion of Ukraine 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 TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polls suggest that the largest single party will be the Brothers of Italy - and its leader Giorgia Meloni will therefore be prime minister. That’s causing consternation in some quarters because the party has roots in the fascist-influenced politics of post-war Italy. Gideon’s guest this week is Nathalie Tocci, the director of the Institute for International Affairs, a think-tank based in Rome.Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman.Produced by Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/ukFollow @gideonrachman Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon’s guest this week is Ramachandra Guha, who is often hailed as the most distinguished historian of modern India.He is also a noted critic of the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman.Produced by Fiona Symon and Howie Shannon. The sound engineer was Breen Turner. -Read the latest on https://www.ft.com/world/uk-Follow @gideonrachman -Subscribe to https://www.ft.com/newslettersRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Six months into the Ukraine war, Gideon talks to Phillips O'Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, about the balance of forces on each side. With Russian forces bogged down, is a Ukrainian victory now a possibility?Clips: The Guardian, Al Jazeera, The Aspen InstituteMore on this topic:Six months of war in Ukraine: ‘The enemy learned fast’Join the FT Telegram channel to receive Ukraine coverage alertsRussia’s invasion of Ukraine in maps — latest updatesThe global reach of Alexander DuginSubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to Chinese-American academic Minxin Pei about China’s reaction to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. What does it tell us about Xi Jinping’s leadership as he bids for a third term as president?Clips: The Sun; Daily TelegraphMore on this topic:Taiwan tensions force multinationals to rethink China riskChina ratchets up pressure on Taiwan after US congressional visitTaiwan greets Chinese military intimidation with parties rather than panicXi Jinping grasps ‘knife’ of internal security to complete grip on powerSubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon talks to the South African writer and political activist, Songezo Zibi, about the need to build a coalition for change to help restore some of the high hopes that accompanied the end of apartheid.Clips: SABC, The SunMore on this topic:Bain barred from UK state contracts over ‘grave misconduct’ in South AfricaSouth Africa hopes private sector can help end Eskom power crisisSouth Africa’s Ramaphosa under fire after ranch burglary fuels questions over wealthHow three brothers ‘captured’ a countrySubscribe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.