Ft World Weekly

Life in Europe's coronavirus hotspots: Foreign affairs columnist Gideon Rachman discusses how the coronavirus epidemic has been handled in Italy and Spain with the local FT correspondents, Miles Johnson in Rome and Daniel Dombey in Madrid. How are citizens reacting to the lockdown and what will be the long-term political and economic impact?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special episode from Hong Kong, Gideon Rachman talks to Regina Ip, a member of the territory's Executive Council and Legislative Council, and to student activist Joshua Wong about the continuing protests and what happens next.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are the factors Britain and its allies need to consider as they weigh their response to Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz? Barney Jopson discusses the difficult waters Iran and the west must navigate to avoid a further escalation with Andrew England and Najmeh Bozorgmehr  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The judicial inquiry into alleged graft under the presidency of Jacob Zuma is laying bare the divisions of the ruling ANC. Gideon Rachman discusses Mr Zuma's testimony with Joseph Cotterill in Johannesburg and David Pilling, Africa editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman discusses the crisis in Britain's relations with the US following the unscheduled departure of Kim Darroch as ambassador to Washington, with Ed Luce and Geoff Dyer.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman discusses the fraught process of selecting a new leadership team in Europe and the impact these choices will have on integration, Eastern Europe and the Brexit negotiations, with Jim Brunsden and Ben Hall  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Martin Sandbu discusses the prospects that leaders attending this year's G20 summit in Osaka will be able to patch up their differences on trade and climate with Chris Giles and Leslie Hook.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

EU foreign ministers this week postponed a decision on whether to open membership negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia until October, prompting a warning from the two countries' leaders that the delay could strengthen the hand of nationalist forces. Gideon Rachmans discusses the EU's dilemma on the Balkans with Ben Hall and Valerie Hopkins.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Protesters fought pitched battles with police in central Hong Kong in an eruption of public anger against an extradition bill that critics see as a fundamental threat to the territory’s civic freedoms and rule of law. Gideon Rachman discusses the protests and the government's harsh response with James Kynge and Sue-Lin Wong  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The US has threatened to impose levies of 5 per cent starting on June 10 on all Mexican products unless Mexico takes action to contain migration, increasing to 25 per cent by October if there is no progress. Gideon Rachman discusses the impact of this move on Mexico and on global trade with Jude Webber and Alan Beattie.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's president, took office six months ago with a pledge to fight crime, revive economic growth and open the Amazon to development. Gideon Rachman discusses what he has achieved so far with Andres Schipani and Michael Stott.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sebastian Kurz’s ruling coalition has been blown apart after an incriminating video was published in which Heinz Christian Strache, former vice-chancellor and far-right Freedom party leader, was seen promising lucrative government contracts in exchange for political patronage. Gideon Rachman discusses the fallout for Mr Kurz and for far-right parties across Europe with Ben Hall and Sam Jones.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anne Sylvaine-Chassany discusses the sharp deterioration in relations between Europe and the US against the backdrop of growing tensions in the Middle East with Guy Chazan in Berlin and Demetri Sevastopulo in Washington.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The decision to order a re-run of the Istanbul mayoral election which an opposition candidate won by a small margin is testing the faith of those who believe Turkish democracy can survive under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Barney Jopson discusses the ramifications with Ayla Jean Yackley and Daniel Dombey.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ruling African National Congress is expected to fend off all challenges in South Africa's forthcoming elections - the country's sixth since the end of apartheid. But the party has a severely tarnished legacy amid corruption scandals and failing infrastructure. Fergus Ryan discusses the options facing the country's divided electorate with Joseph Cotterill and David Pilling.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ukraine's new president Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no political experience, has promised to crack down on corruption and try to bring peace to the war-torn Donbass region. Gideon Rachman discusses how his leadership is likely to affect the country's relations with Russia and the west with Roman Olearchyk and Ben Hall.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman discusses the emotional, cultural and political impact of the fire that devastated France's Notre Dame cathedral this week with Victor Mallet and Edwin Heathcote  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Italy's Matteo Salvini is seeking to upend the traditional balance of power in Brussels by forming an alliance of anti-immigration European populist parties. James Wilson discusses whether he can succeed with Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Miles Johnson.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The crucial local elections delivered a rare political disappointment for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. What do the polls say about the state of democracy in the country, and what do they mean for the economy? Gideon Rachman discusses the way forward for Turkey with Laura Pitel and Dan Dombey  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Can Israel's long serving prime minister overcome allegations of corruption and renewed violence from Gaza to win a fifth term in office? Gideon Rachman discusses his prospects with Andrew England and Mehul Srivastava  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.