The Rachman Review

More than three decades after The End of History and the Last Man made Francis Fukuyama one of the world’s best-known political thinkers, he is still correcting misconceptions about what he actually meant. In a wide-ranging conversation with host Gideon Rachman, Fukuyama revisits his original thesis and explores how resentment and the search for recognition are reshaping liberal democracy. They also discuss whether US institutions can withstand Donald Trump’s authoritarian impulses, why Fukuyama remains optimistic about American democracy, China and Russia’s quest for status, and his own intellectual journey away from neoconservatism. Cip: BBC

Free links to read more on this topic:
In the Realm of the Last Man — how the future disappeared from politics
A German election result heard around the world
A spreading war threatens Trump and MBS
Supreme Court rejects Donald Trump’s restrictions on mail-in ballots for midterms

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Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. Executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. 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.

The world is experiencing a record number of conflicts, just as governments retreat from international aid and diplomacy to leave a more politically fragmented international landscape in their wake. That is the view of David Miliband, the former UK foreign secretary and president of the International Rescue Committee, in conversation with host Gideon Rachman. They discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the collapse in humanitarian funding and whether middle powers can ever fill the vacuum left by the US. Clip: Al Jazeera

Want more? Free links:
Fragile states in Africa and Middle East hit by more than 40% cut in UK direct aid
Life on the frontline against Ebola
How will UK foreign policy change under Ed Miliband?
Donald Trump reboots foreign aid with cash-for-data strategy

Presented by Gideon Rachman. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War is raging in Ukraine, the Middle East and Sudan, while tensions are rising between China and Taiwan. What is driving this surge in global conflict, how should we respond and where, if anywhere, are the prospects for peace? Gideon is joined by Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6; Tom Tugendhat, the UK’s new shadow foreign secretary; and Kim Ghattas, FT contributing editor and author of Black Wave. They discuss how today’s conflicts are connected, the risk of further escalation and the importance of ending a war well.

This episode is an edited recording of an event organised by FT Weekend Festival. Clip: CBS News

Free links to read more on this topic:
Trump envoys take Ukraine peace proposal to meeting with Putin
Trump envoys hold talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv after meeting Putin in Moscow
Russia launches missile strikes against Kyiv as pause in raids ends
Why the US and Iran keep escalating
Lebanon warns of ‘dangerous escalation’ after Israeli strikes

Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.

Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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.

US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent is calling for an “economic D-Day” for the Iranian regime while threatening secondary sanctions on countries that do business with the country. Will this be more effective than previous attempts at economic pressure? What impact will this have on US relations with China? And how will energy markets react? Sasha Polakow-Suransky, executive opinion editor, speaks with Emma Ashford, Stimson Center senior fellow and Foreign Policy columnist, about Washington’s latest Iran sanctions push dubbed Operation Economic Outcast. Clip: CBS News

Join us at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London, and spend the day with FT journalists and leading voices across business, politics, economics, culture and the arts. FT podcast listeners can save 10% off tickets with the code FTPODCAST. Click on this link to find out more.

Free links to read more on this topic:
US launches further strikes on Iran as conflict flares up
Energy price surge hits bond markets as European gas reaches three-year high
Donald Trump says US will hit Iran ‘hard’ as conflict reignites
Scott Bessent: an economic D-Day is coming for Iran
Scott Bessent threatens Iran’s economic partners with more sanctions
Is China’s ‘wise camel’ the winner from the US-Iran war?

Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts - please listen, rate and subscribe.
Presented by Sasha Polakow-Suransky. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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.

The UN is choosing a new secretary-general at a time when it’s struggling to remain relevant. Sidelined in the wars in Ukraine, Sudan and the Middle East, and facing a severe funding crisis, the organisation is under growing pressure. This week, guest host Alec Russell speaks to Thant Myint-U, a former UN official, author and the grandson of former UN secretary-general U Thant, about the challenges its new leader will face. Clip: AP Archive

Free links to read more on this topic:
António Guterres on the future of the UN
Superpowers are discovering their limits, says UN chief
The new world order? Every man for himself
Wanted: a leader to rescue the UN
Nuclear watchdog chief pitches ‘leaner’ UN in secretary-general bid

Subscribe to The Rachman Review wherever you get your podcasts

Join us at the FT Weekend Festival on Saturday, September 5 at Kenwood House Gardens in London and spend the day with FT journalists and leading voices across business, politics, economics, culture and the arts. FT podcast listeners can save 10% off tickets with the code FTPODCAST. Click on this link to find out more.

Follow Alec on X @alecurussell

Presented by Alec Russell. Produced by Clare Williamson. 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.