Ft World Weekly

Economic ties between Europe and the US took a knock this week when the EU slapped huge back taxes on Apple and several European politicians declared transatlantic trade talks to be effectively dead. Gideon Rachman asks Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor, and Shawn Donnan, the FT's world trade editor, what hopes remain for a successful conclusion to the TTIP talks.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Turkey sent tanks into Syria on Wednesday, as part of a major offensive ostensibly against Isis - but also to contain Syrian Kurds. The move follows a recent coup attempt against President Erdogan and a deadly terrorist attack in the southern Turkish town of Gaziantep. Andrew England, the FT's Middle East editor, speaks with Turkey correspondent Mehul Srivastava and former Turkey correspondent Daniel Dombey.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Russia has been back in the spotlight recently, after President Putin replaced his long-standing chief of staff Sergei Ivanov. Meanwhile, tensions have mounted in eastern Ukraine, prompting fears of a new Russian offensive. Russia is still heavily involved in Syria. Is a new crisis building? Gideon Rachman speaks with Kathrin Hille, the FT's Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, Eastern Europe editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, Donald Trump gave a major speech on the economy and Hillary Clinton fired back. While Trump attempted to appeal to a more traditional Republican base with many of his proposed policies, how is his trade protectionism being received? And is Clinton tacking to the left or heading for the centre ground? Gideon Rachman puts the questions to Shawn Donnan, the FT's World Trade editor and Sam Fleming, US economics editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The battle for Syria's second city is both a grave humanitarian crisis and a potential turning point in the country's long civil war. The FT's Erika Solomon and David Gardner join Gideon Rachman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia got off to a turbulent start this week, revealing deep divisions between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. The FT's World News editor Ben Hall discusses what this means for Clinton's campaign for the White House with Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo and Gideon Rachmann, the FT's chief foreign affairs commentator.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Following a failed military coup in Turkey, President Erdogan has launched a sweeping crackdown on alleged plot sympathisers. Who was responsible for the uprising? And how have Ankara's western allies responded? The FT's World News editor Ben Hall speaks to Mehul Srivastava, the FT's correspondent in Turkey, and former Turkey correspondent Daniel Dombey.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Italy's banking system is struggling in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union and ahead of stress tests this month. What does this mean for the future of Matteo Renzi, Italy's prime minister, and for Europe's wider economic prospects? Daniel Dombey puts the question to the FT's Alex Barker and James Politi.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's Chilcot report delivered a damning verdict on Britain’s decision to go to war in Iraq in 2003. The UK's political, military and intelligence establishments were all implicated, but particular criticism was reserved for Tony Blair, the former prime minister. Daniel Dombey discusses the report's findings with the FT's James Blitz and Roula Khalaf  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How far will Frankfurt and Paris go to claim the business of the City of London once the UK has left the European Union? Which other cities are in the running and how many jobs does London stand to lose? Gideon Rachman puts these questions to Michael Stothard, the FT's Paris correspondent and James Shotter, Frankfurt correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Indian government announced welcome reforms to attract foreign investors this week. But India-watchers were distracted by the resignation of the much-respected head of the country's central bank, Raghuram Rajan. Gideon Rachman discusses the future of prime minister Narendra Modi's reform programme with the FT's South Asia bureau chief Amy Kazmin and former Mumbai correspondent James Crabtree.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beset by strikes and deepening terrorism worries, France is struggling to cope as it hosts a major football championship, the Euro 2016 games. Gideon Rachman discusses the country's security problems and political strife with World News editor Ben Hall and Anne-Sylvaine Chassany, the FT's Paris bureau chief.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China and the US clashed over the South China Sea at a defence forum last weekend, amid island-building by Beijing and increased naval and air patrols by the US. Gideon Rachman discusses the escalating tensions with Geoff Dyer, the FT's Washington correspondent and former Beijing bureau chief, and James Crabtree, contributing editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Life in Venezuela is becoming increasingly difficult, with soaring crime, widespread food shortages, rampant corruption and a political stalemate that thwarts all attempts at change. Gideon Rachman discusses whether the country is becoming a failed state with the FT's Latin America editor John Paul Rathbone and Andes correspondent, Andres Schipani.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Austria came within a whisker of electing a far-right candidate as its head of state this week. As EU leaders breath a collective sigh of relief, World News editor Ben Hall discusses the ramifications of the election with the FT's Austria correspondent Ralph Atkins and Brussels bureau chief Alex Barker.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Philippines has taken a radical change of political direction with the election of Rodrigo Duterte as president. Gideon Rachman discusses why outsiders and investors are so taken aback by the development with Avantika Chilkoti and Tony Tassell.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Saudi Arabia's deputy crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has shaken up expectations about the world's biggest oil exporter. MbS, as he's known, plans to wean the kingdom off oil and boost the private sector, slashing unemployment along the way. Ben Hall discusses the kingdom's ambitious reform plans with Anjli Raval and Simeon Kerr.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Iraq and Syria are coming apart, divided into warring factions that seem unable to reach an accommodation. Gideon Rachman talks to FT Middle East experts David Gardner and Erika Solomon about fading hopes for peace and what this means for the fight against Isis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The latest round of the US presidential election has seen big victories for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. So is it now all-but-certain that we are looking at a Trump-Clinton contest in November? The FT's digital comment editor Sebastian Payne puts the question to Gideon Rachman and Washington bureau chief Demetri Sevastopulo​.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are the origins of Eurasianism in Russia and how has it come to occupy a central place in Kremlin thinking today? Charles Clover, FT China correspondent and former Moscow bureau chief discusses his new book, Black Wind, White Snow: The Rise of Russia's New Nationalism with Gideon Rachman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.