FT World Weekly

The death toll in Syria is now estimated at a horrifying 70,000, and the pressure on the United States to intervene is mounting, particularly with the suggestion that the Syrian government may have used chemical weapons. Geoff Dyer in Washington and Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut join Gideon Rachman to discuss where the debate over Western intervention in Syria stands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The political chaos in Rome seems to be about to come to an end as the bickering parties prepare to form a broad coalition government led by Enrico Letta of the centre-left Democrats. Will the coalition be able to rise to the challenges facing Italy, including an economy now entering its eighth consecutive quarter of contraction. Ferdinando Giugliano, FT leader writer, and Guy Dinmore, Rome correspondent, join Ben Hall to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The past week in Britain has been a reminder of the bitterness of the politics of the 1980s as a vehement debate has broken out about the legacy of Margaret Thatcher since her death last week. For Conservatives, she remains a hero who rescued the British economy and helped to win the Cold War. But for the left, she was a villain who provoked social division and wrecked Britain's relations with the European Union. Chris Giles, economics editor, and Philip Stephens, chief political commentator, join Gideon Rachman to attempt to arrive at a more nuanced verdict on the Iron Lady's legacy -- for Britain and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pedro Passos Coelho, Portugal’s prime minister, is one of Europe’s staunchest backers of austerity. But his government’s painful two-year programme of structural adjustment has yet to deliver the results promised. And late last week, the country’s constitutional court issued a ruling that could fatally undermine his efforts to get the economy back on track. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the last two weeks, tension on the Korean peninsula has risen dramatically, as North Korea has threatened to target US territories in the Pacific and blocked South Korean workers from entering a joint industrial complex in the North. In this week’s podcast, John Aglionby is joined by Geoff Dyer, diplomatic correspondent and Jamil Anderlini, Beijing bureau chief, to discuss whether Kim Jong-eun’s escalating rhetoric is purely sabre-rattling or if we should be worried about his threats Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Brics started life as a marketing gimmick dreamt up by Goldman Sachs to promote emerging markets, but the notion has taken on a life of its own and this group of nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - are now a formal organisation who have just met for their fifth summit. In this week's podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Stefan Wagstyl, editor of beyondbrics, and Andrew England, South Africa correspondent, reporting from Durban, where the group has agreed to set up a Brics-led development bank. But do the Brics matter, what unites and divides these nations, and are we likely to still be discussing this group in ten years' time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a failed bailout plan that involved taxing the deposits of small savers, Cyprus is now the epicentre of the eurozone crisis. Lawmakers are now seeking an alternative before Monday, when the European Central Bank will cut emergency liquidity to Cyprus's foundering banks. Kerin Hope, Greece and Cyprus correspondent; Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief; and Patrick Jenkins, banking editor, join Ben Hall to discuss what's happened and what lies ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 15 marks the second anniversary of the start of the uprising against the Assad regime in Syria and on March 20 it will have been a decade since the start of the Iraq war, a conflict that still reverberates around the region and the world. Abigail Fielding-Smith, FT correspondent in Damascus; David Gardner, senior international affairs commentator, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the death of Hugo Chavez spell the end of Latin American radicalism, or will Chavismo live on? John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, and Benedict Mander, FT correspondent in Caracas, join Gideon Rachman to discuss Venezuela after Chavez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Japan is still the world's third-largest economy, but has also been stagnating and idling for twenty years. Now a new government led by Shinzo Abe has come to power pledging to take dramatic steps to turn the situation around. The potential rewards of this policy are high, but so are the risks - and not just for Japan but the whole world economy. Martin Wolf, the FT's chief economics commentator and Jonathan Soble, Tokyo correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the consequences of Abenomics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian national elections have ended in chaos and the voters' message is that they are tired of austerity and the political elite. The country faces a hung parliament after votes were split between a former comedian, an ex-prime minister who faces corruption charges, and the centre-left, who won narrowly in the lower house. Mario Monti, the technocratic prime minister who was appointed 15 months ago, came a distant fourth place. In this podcast, Guy Dinmore, Rome correspondent, Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, and Ferdinando Giugliano, leader writer, join world news editor Shawn Donnan to discuss the unfolding drama, which could take weeks to resolve. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who died in a Moscow jail in 2009 after making allegations of tax fraud against interior ministry officials, is to be tried on tax-evasion charges in a Russian court beginning on Monday. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief; Geoff Dyer, diplomatic correspondent; and Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what this strange posthumous trial says about Putin's Russia and how could it affect relations with Europe, and particularly the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Within hours of the North Korean nuclear test this week, the UN security council was meeting in emergency session. But how dangerous is this development, and what is likely to happen next? James Blitz, diplomatic and defense editor, Christian Oliver, former Seoul correspondent, and Simon Mundy, the current FT correspondent in Korea, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some argue that the elections to be held in Italy are the most important for that country in three decades, since the fate of the euro could be at stake. Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Guy Dinmore, Rome bureau chief, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As US growth shrinks and fears of a catastrophic collapse in the eurozone recede, Gideon Rachman, FT editor Lionel Barber and economic editor Chris Giles discuss the strength of world economy in this week's podcast (also available on video) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As President Obama begins his second term in office, Shawn Donnan, world news editor, is joined by Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor to discuss what the administration's foreign policy priorities are likely to be and if we should expect any surprises. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why has France intervened militarily in Mali and what is at stake? William Wallis, Africa editor; Hugh Carnegy, Paris bureau chief, and Xan Rice, FT correspondent in west Africa, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could the demonstrations over censorship at Southern Weekend newspaper be a significant turning point in the battle for free speech in China? Kathrin HIlle reports from Guangzhou. In Washington, President Obama has nominated Chuck Hagel, to be the next US defense secretary. But the former Republican Senator is a controversial figure, with some pro-Israel groups going so far as to accuse him of antisemitism. So why select him, and why now? Washington-based diplomatic correspondent Geoff Dyer joins Gideon Rachman to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politicians in Washington have managed to avoid plunging the United States off the "fiscal cliff", which would have imposed deep spending cuts and tax rises. Instead, President Obama and Congress agreed limited tax rises, while deferring discussion of spending cuts. But is this a solution, or just a respite? Richard Macgregor, Washington bureau chief, and Martin Sandbu, economics leader writer, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The massacre of 27 people, including 20 children, at an elementary school in Newtown, has changed America’s discussion about gun control, but will it lead to legislative change? Ben Fenton, from the FT’s live news desk talks to US correspondent Ed Crooks and Richard McGregor, Washington bureau chief, about the steps President Obama can take to curb investment in the gun industry and why citizens so zealously guard the second amendment, which gives Americans the right to bear arms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian prime minister Mario Monti has said he'll resign, making elections likely to occur next February. But who is likely to win, or even who will run, remains unclear. Both Mr Monti and Silvio Berlusconi are possible candidates. Guy Dinmore, FT bureau chief in Rome, Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Ferdinando Giugliano, leader writer, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When European leaders resolved to finally solve the eurozone crisis, they swore that that a banking union would be a crucial part of the solution and that agreement would be in place by the end of this year. But with the latest negotiations bogged down, what's happened and does it pose a threat to financial stability in Europe? Patrick Jenkins, banking editor, and Alex Barker, Brussels correspondent, join Gideon Rachman to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Almost two years after the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, Cairo's Tahrir Square is once again the scene of angry demonstrations. This time, however, the object of protestors' anger is Mohamed Morsi, an elected president and leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose proposed reforms of presidential powers have sparked accusations that he is setting up a new dictatorship. Heba Saleh, Cairo correspondent, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what's next for Egypt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a short and bloody conflict in which at least 152 Palestinians and 5 Israelis died, a ceasefire has been declared between Israel and Hamas. In this week’s podcast, Gideon Rachman is joined by Tobias Buck in Gaza City and Middle East editor Roula Khalaf to discuss the recent fighting and its implications for the wider region Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China has just completed its carefully-scripted, once-in-a-decade leadership transition. The Politburo was cut from nine to seven members and incoming general secretary and president Xi Jinping will also become head of the military. With these remaining uncertainties settled, Jamil Anderlini, Beijing bureau chief; James Blitz, diplomatic editor, and David Pilling, Asia editor, join John Aglionby to discuss how the new leadership will cope with an increasingly demanding population and whether the world will engage with Beijing any differently Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does Barack Obama's reelection mean for the United States' relations with the world? FT editor Lionel Barber and Washington bureau chief Richard McGregor join Gideon Rachman to discuss the economic and geopolitical challenges facing the president in his second term. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

China's new leadership team is due be unveiled at the Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, which begins next week in Beijing.The transition takes place against a troubled background. The economy is slowing and tensions are rising in a territorial dispute with Japan. Bo Xilai, who once expected to promoted in the reshuffle, is instead about to go on trial, and the outgoing premier, Wen Jiabao, has just been accused in the New York Times of using his position to accumulate huge wealth for his family. James Kynge, editor of FT China Confidential, and David Pilling, Asia editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss the state of China at this crucial juncture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final US presidential debate focused on foreign policy, and both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney laid out their vision for America's place in global affairs. What does it mean for the world, and are US voters really paying attention to foreign policy? Borzou Daragahi, Middle East and north Africa correspondent, Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, and James Blitz, diplomatic and defense editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss the candidates' positions on Syria, Iran, China and their notable silence on Europe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US presidential race is as tight as ever. President Obama appears to have ended his slide in the opinion polls following a much stronger performance in the second debate with Mitt Romney, but with less than three weeks until the election, what is likely to determine who wins the White House? Richard Macgregor in Manchester, New Hampshire, and Gary Silverman in New York join Ben Fenton to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugo Chavez returns to powerWhat does Hugo Chavez's return to power in Venezuela mean for his country, for Latin America, and for international politics? Gideon Rachman is joined by Richard Lapper, a Latin America expert who heads the FT's research on Brazil, and Phil Gunson, the Economist's correspondent in Caracas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The consenus after the first US presidential debate last night was that Republican challenger Mitt Romney was the victor over president Barack Obama. But will this be enough to change an election in which Mr Romney has consistently trailed Mr Obama in the polls? Richard McGregor in Denver and John Gapper in London join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the ECB committed to unlimited purchases of eurozone bonds, the German Constitutional Court in a forgiving mood, and the Dutch electorate surprising pundits by voting for pro-euro candidates, is the worst over in the euro crisis, or, with Spain still teetering, is this just another false dawn? Tony Barber, Europe editor, and Peter Spiegel, Brussels bureau chief, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Middle East is in turmoil following the murder of the American ambassador to Libya and assaults on various US embassies across the Muslim world. Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, and Ed Luce, chief US commentator, join Gideon Rachman to discuss what recent events say about the internal stability of post-revolutionay Libya and Egypt and President Obama's policy towards the Middle East. How will these and the other regional concerns in Syria, Iran, and the Palestinian territories affect the US election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Party Congress next month is expected to confirm the once-in-a-generation leadership change atop the Chinese Communist Party. But things are not going to plan: the transition is occurring against a backdrop of a slowdown in the Chinese economy and now the mysterious disappearance from public view of Xi Jinping, just weeks before his expected elevation to lead the party. Jamil Anderlini in Beijing, Geoff Dyer in Washington and Tom Mitchell in London join Shawn Donnan to discuss the uncertainty in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did President Barack Obama’s Democratic convention speech convince the American electorate that he is worth another four years in the White House? Or has Mitt Romney begun to swing the race towards the Republicans? With the opinion polls at level pegging, Gideon Rachman is joined by John McDermott in the studio and Richard McGregor down the line from Charlotte, North Carolina to discuss how the parties stand post convention Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's Republican Convention has been showcase for a strong next generation of potential leaders for the party, but is Mitt Romney's campaign also the last throw of the dice for a party that may need to adapt to a rapidly changing electoral demographics? Richard McGregor and John McDermott join John Aglionby to discuss the indications from Tampa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the standoff over the extradition of Julian Assange continues London, John Paul Rathbone, Latin America editor, tells Gideon Rachman what Ecuador stands to gain - and lose - from giving the Wikileaks founder asylum in its embassy. Also: Alec Russell, former Johannesburg bureau chief, explains the violence and turmoil in the South African mining industry and its historical context. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mitt Romney’s decision to choose Paul Ryan as his running mate has energised the race for the White House. Is it a masterstroke or a terrible mistake? Gideon Rachman is joined by Washington bureau chief Richard McGregor and US economics editor Robin Harding to discuss where the truth lies and what Mr Ryan really stands for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT science editor Clive Cookson to discuss the significance of the Curiosity rover’s landing on Mars and the future of space exploration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FT sports writers Matthew Engel and Simon Kuper join Gideon Rachman to provide their mid-term assessment of the London Olympics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the FT's world news editor Shawn Donnan is joined by James Blitz, diplomatic editor and Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut to discuss the conflict in Syria. Violence in the capital Damascus and commercial centre Aleppo, the disclosure that the regime possesses chemical weapons, refugee flight and the risk of instability spreading into Lebanon – is there now a case for western intervention? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the Tour de France enters its final stages, Shawn Donnan is joined by Jennifer Hughes and Hugh Carnegy to discuss the rise of Team Sky and Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins, concerns over doping and the shadow it casts over the sport. Could a Brit ride up the Champs Elysées to glory for the first time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The economic challenges and changes facing the young "ice age generation" in Japan, and the "post-1990" generation of Chinese youth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The eurozone has dominated headlines for months, but what of the other key poles of the world economy, China and the United States? Growth has been slowing in China for months, and the US is also struggling. James Politi in Washington and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing join Gideon Rachman to discuss the prospects of the world's two largest economies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the European football championship reaching its climax this week, we look at how Poland and Ukraine have fared by hosting the tournament. Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, Jan Cienski, Warsaw correspondent and Simon Kuper, the FT columnist covering the tournament, join Gideon Rachman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the announcement of the winner of Egypt’s presidential election delayed, and the ruling military’s move to dissolve the democratically-elected parliament, David Gardner, international affairs editor, and Borzou Daragahi in Cairo join Gideon Rachman to discuss whether the gains of the Egyptian revolution area being rolled back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain reluctantly accepted a bailout for its struggling banks last weekend but it has not restored market confidence - the government's borrowing costs have soared to their highest level since the birth of the euro. Meanwhile Greece is holding a general election this weekend. No party is likely to win an overall majority, the country's exit from the eurozone is a distinct possibility and as much as €500 million is leaving its banks each day. Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet in Madrid, Kerin Hope in Athens and Chris Giles in the studio to discuss the crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Vladimir Putin settles back into the Kremlin, we focus on his vision for Russia‘s domestic politics and its relationship with China and the west. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, eastern Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of fragile banks, economic contraction, and a yawning budget deficit, Spain's government is now under criticism fror its handling of the crisis at Bankia, the country's third-largest lender. So is Spain the new front line in the eurozone sovereign debt crisis? FT correspondents Miles Johnson in Madrid and Peter Spiegel in Brussels join Ben Hall to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Egyptians are voting in the first democratic presidential election in their nation's history this week, but with the powers of the office that the winner will hold still unclear and the economy in tatters, many questions remain. Heba Saleh and Borzou Daragahi, FT correspondents in Egypt, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.