The Rachman Review

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.

Sergio Jaramillo was one of the architects behind Colombia’s landmark peace deal with Marxist guerrilla group Farc. Now, as a senior adviser at the European Institute of Peace, he explains if and how Ukraine and Russia could ever arrive at a ceasefire or peace negotiation. John Paul Rathbone, security and defence correspondent for the Financial Times, talks to Jaramillo about how negotiations are as important a part of military strategy as fighting on the battlefield, and what Europe should do to support Ukraine.Presented by John Paul Rathbone. Produced by Fiona Symon and Persis Love. Sound design by Breen TurnerClips: BBC, MSNBC, Associated PressRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Human rights lawyer Cori Crider co-founded Foxglove, a group that fights on behalf of those harmed by the misuse of technology. She talks to the FT’s Madhumita Murgia about why social media companies need to bear more of the cost for the poisonous content they host on their platforms.Clip: C-SPANWant to read more?A tale of two Facebook whistleblowersBig Tech makes concessions on EU’s new anti-disinformation codeEU approves groundbreaking rules to police Big Tech platformsCivil society must be part of the Digital Services ActSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design by Breen TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been working hard to help open up an export route for Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. But as he wins plaudits for this key mediating role, his nation is struggling with soaring inflation and a cost of living crisis. Andrew England, standing in for Gideon, talks to Asli Aydıntaşbaş of the European Council on Foreign Relations and Laura Pitel, the FT's Turkey correspondent, about what’s motivating Erdoğan.Want to read more?Erdoğan is an infuriating but indispensable allyUkraine grain deal and Syria top agenda for Putin’s talks with Iran and TurkeyFruit becomes a luxury in Erdoğan’s Turkey as inflation threatens re-election bidUkraine warns that only lifting Black Sea blockade can avert global food crisisSubscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design by Breen TurnerRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexander Gabuev, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, tells Gideon why he believes Russia is destined to become a giant Iran of Eurasia. It will remain a significant military power, but one that is increasingly under the sway of China, the main destination for its energy exports.Clips: DW; Global NewsMore on this topic:Iran plans to provide drones to Russia for Ukraine war, says USPutin warns of ‘catastrophic’ energy crisis if west boosts sanctionsChina’s image loses its shine in EuropeSubscribe 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 Kersti Kaljulaid, former president of Estonia, about the policy failures that led to the war in Ukraine. A weak response to Russia’s invasion of Georgia and Crimea gave Vladimir Putin the green light. Now the strength of Ukrainian resistance is giving the west another chance to "put its house in order".Clips: Sky News, APMore on this topic:Europe’s new defence bloc: Nordics and Baltics unite in face of Russian threatEstonia’s PM says country would be ‘wiped from map’ under existing Nato plansWar in Ukraine: will the Baltics become the ‘new West Berlin’?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 BreenRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The FT just launched a new podcast on porn, power and profit. When FT reporter Patricia Nilsson started digging into the porn industry, she made a shocking discovery: nobody knew who controlled the biggest porn company in the world. Now, she and her editor, Alex Barker, reveal who is behind it and much more. This eight-part investigative podcast reveals the secret history of the adult business and the billionaires and financial institutions who shape it. Brought to you by the Financial Times and Pushkin. To listen to new episodes, search ‘Hot Money’ wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It took years of digging and a lucky break to uncover the fraud at the heart of Wirecard. Gideon talks to Dan McCrum about the strange netherworld of financial speculators, private detectives, bumbling accountants and outright criminals that he encountered along the way.Clips: Bloomberg, Money TalksMore on this topic:Why we trust fraudstersLess work for EY auditors? What about more accountabilityWirecard middleman pleads guilty to hackingInside WirecardSubscribe 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 BreenRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

European leaders have been united in their support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression. But as costs mount they could face growing calls to compromise with Russia. Gideon talks to Ulrike Franke, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, about how France and Germany in particular are handling the crisis. Clips: Euronews; CNN; France24More on this topic:Farewell to Russia and to the Sinatra doctrineOlaf Scholz says partnership with Putin’s Russia is ‘inconceivable’Ukraine weighs up impact of EU leaders’ trip to KyivSubscribe 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 BreenRead a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.