Ft World Weekly

As Britain and the EU finally begin formal Brexit negotiations on Monday, Gideon Rachman discusses what to expect in the weeks ahead with Alex Barker, the FT's Brussels bureau chief, and Whitehall editor James Blitz.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman discusses what's behind the siege of super rich Gulf state Qatar by its neighbours Saudi Arabia and the UAE with the FT's Simeon Kerr and Erika Solomon  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Germany's Angela Merkel says Europe can no longer count on the US as a reliable partner, reflecting a widening rift with US president Donald Trump. Gideon Rachman discusses this deterioration in relations with FT Berlin correspondent Guy Chazan and Geoff Dyer, former Washington correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump reset US relations with the Sunni Arab world during a foreign trip that included visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel. But how much has the substance of US policy towards the Middle East changed? The FT's Ben Hall discusses the issue with deputy editor Roula Khalaf, Gulf correspondent Simeon Kerr and Jerusalem bureau chief John Reed.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Venezuela has become trapped in a downward spiral of economic decline, social turmoil and political unrest. Gideon Rachman discusses the worsening situation with Latin America editor John Paul Rathbone and Andes correspondent Gideon Long.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There are big expectations for France's new 'rock star' president, who has promised to overhaul politics in the country. Gideon Rachman asks Ben Hall and Anne-Sylvaine Chassany what his first priorities will be.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's been a tempestuous week in the world of Brexit. British prime minister Theresa May angrily denounced the EU for "meddling" in the British election, just days after reports were leaked of her acrimonious dinner with Brussels officials. Jonathan Derbyshire joins the FT's Gideon Rachman and Daniel Dombey to discuss the future of the UK-EU relationship.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Polls predict an easy victory for Emmanuel Macron in the second round of France's presidential elections, but a lot can happen in the final two weeks of campaigning. Gideon Rachman discusses the independent centrist and his prospects with the FT's Tony Barber and Michael Stothard  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

By winning last week's constitutional referendum, albeit narrowly, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has achieved his long-held ambition of taming the country's institutions. Daniel Dombey discusses how he is likely to use his new powers with Delphine Strauss and Mehul Srivastava.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump's decision to order a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airbase in response to the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons has raised hopes that the world’s policeman is back on the beat. But does the move signal a genuine change of strategy? Ben Hall puts the question to the FT's Gideon Rachman and Geoff Dyer.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump is welcoming Chinese president Xi Jinping to his Florida resort this week for their first ever face-to-face meeting, with discussions expected on centre on trade relations and the North Korean nuclear crisis. Geoff Dyer discusses the US-China relationship with FT Beijing bureau chief Tom Mitchell, and Demetri Sevastopulo, Washington bureau chief.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tensions between North Korea and the US have escalated this month over Pyongyang’s fast-developing nuclear weapons programme. How is the Trump administration going to manage the reclusive state? Gideon Rachman puts the question to the FT's Seoul bureau chief Bryan Harris and Geoff Dyer, a former FT foreign affairs correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The FT's deputy editor Roula Khalaf chairs a panel discussion on the rise of the right in Europe, with the FT's Gideon Rachman and Simon Kuper and with Catherine Fieschi, a political consultant and longtime observer of the far right in France.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Gideon Rachman talks to two leading pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong about the city's "one country, two systems" agreement with China. Both Joshua Wong, 20, and Nathan Law, 23, played prominent roles in the Umbrella Movement in 2014 that took to streets to demand democratic elections for Hong Kong chief executive in 2014. Mr Law is the youngest elected member of the Hong Kong legislative council to date - but could be disbarred from office for his views.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Benjamin Netanyahu should be feeling on top of the world after a high profile visit to the White House last month. But at home, the Israeli prime minister faces three police investigations that are testing his reputation for political invincibility. Gideon Rachman discusses what this could mean for Israel with the FT's Jerusalem bureau chief John Reed and FT International affairs editor David Gardner.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

French presidential hopeful François Fillon has slumped in the polls after being placed under formal investigation over an alleged fake jobs scandal. But the one-time frontrunner has vowed to stay in the race. What does this mean for France - and for Marine Le Pen's chances for taking the Élysée? FT world news editor Ben Hall discusses the question with Gideon Rachman, the FT's chief international commentator, and Paris correspondent Michael Stothard.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Martin Schulz, the new face of Germany's Social Democratic Party, has surged in the polls to become a surprise challenger to chancellor Angela Merkel in September's elections. Gideon Rachman discusses what this could mean for Germany with the FT's Stefan Wagstyl and Guy Chazan in Berlin.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This year, the African National Congress - which has governed South Africa since the end of apartheid - picks a new leader. But their embattled president, Jacob Zuma, will leave a legacy of scandal, corruption allegations and a sluggish economy. Gideon Rachman discusses the future of Africa's largest economy with the FT's Africa editor David Pilling, and South Africa correspondent Joseph Cotterill.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With economic growth reviving in the eurozone, is the euro crisis now over, or is this just a lull before another euro storm? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Claire Jones, FT correspondent in Frankfurt, and Martin Sandbu, economics commentator.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump's controversial visa ban has led to chaos at airports and condemnation from abroad. What are the consequences - at home and overseas - of this unprecedented move by the new president? Daniel Dombey, the FT's deputy world news editor, discusses the question with Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo and Erika Solomon, Middle East correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.