Why has the Middle East been in turmoil for decades? Author Kim Ghattas argues that the contest for supremacy between the Saudis and the Iranians is key to understanding the region's troubles. In conversation with Gideon Rachman, she explains why the Saudi-Iran dispute is about much more than politics or even religion, and has transformed lives and whole societies across the region.
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How Saudi Arabia and Iran's rivalry is unravelling the Middle East

Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times chief foreign affairs columnist talks to the decision-makers and thinkers who are shaping world affairs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Gideon discusses Iran’s attack on Israel with Emile Hokayem, senior fellow for Middle East security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. What will the leaders of Israel and Iran be thinking about as they ponder their next move? And where does this leave the prospects for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza? Clip: ABC News 
Free links to read more on this topic:  Ukraine’s air defence struggle highlights risks to Israel US and EU prepare fresh sanctions against Iran after Israel attack The Biden dilemma on Israel Military briefing: Israel’s options to strike Iran
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 Breen Turner.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iran raises the stakes with attack on Israel

Gideon discusses the history of international humanitarian law since the first world war with Boyd van Dijk, a historian at Oxford university and author of a recent book, Preparing for War - The Making of the Geneva Conventions. They discuss current efforts to prevent war crimes and hold leaders engaged in conflict to account. Clip: The Fog of War, RadicalMedia and SenArt Films, distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, 2003
Free links to read more on this topic: Russia ‘prepared’ for nuclear war, warns Vladimir Putin Israel grapples with ‘Eichmann’ dilemma over Hamas attack trials Mexico and Chile ask ICC to investigate Israel-Hamas conflict S Africa accuses Israel of breaking international laws on genocide in Gaza
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 Breen Turner
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you define a war crime?

Japan has been celebrating the end of a near 20-year deflationary cycle. But the country’s shrinking population remains a serious cause for concern. Gideon talks to the FT’s Kana Inagaki and Leo Lewis about whether the new mood of optimism about Japan is justified. Clip: BBC 
Free links to read more on this topic:  Why good news for Japan may be bad news for hedge funds Japan relaxes defence export rules to allow sales of new fighter jet US and Japan plan biggest upgrade to security pact in over 60 years Marriage holds key to Japan’s falling births The professor vs the PM: a political funding probe shakes Japan’s government
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 Simon Panayi.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Japan at a turning point?

Gideon talks to Bastian Giegerich, chief executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, about the state of Europe's defences. The scramble to come to the aid of Ukraine and doubts about future US willingness to contribute have exposed significant vulnerabilities. How quickly can Europe’s armed forces be upgraded to meet the Russian threat? Clips: CBS News; France 24; Daily Telegraph
Free links to read more on this topic: Europe’s leaders have woken up to hard power EU looks to bypass treaty ban on buying arms to support Ukraine Wars in Ukraine and Middle East boost orders at German defence supplier Defence CEO calls for European version of Israel’s Iron Dome
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 Breen Turner
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Europe battle-ready?

Gideon talks to former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull about the prospect of a second Trump presidency. They discuss why Rupert Murdoch’s ‘anger-tainment’ industry has done less harm to Australia’s democracy than it has in the US, and why the recent referendum on Aboriginal rights in Australia failed.
Free links to read more on this topic: China urges Australian caution on ‘third-party’ disruption of relationship Donald Trump’s betrayal of Ukraine Democracy dies in Trumpian boredom
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 Breen Turner.
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How Saudi Arabia and Iran's rivalry is unravelling the Middle East

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