Ft World Weekly

How bleak is the outlook for Ukraine? The Prime Minister has resigned, the President is implicated in the Panama papers and the Dutch have rejected an EU-Ukraine trade deal. Gideon Rachman puts the question to the FT Ukraine correspondent Roman Olearchyk and the FT's Eastern Europe Editor, Neil Buckley.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The EU this week began expelling migrants from Greece and sending them back to Turkey - a controversial policy that has been criticised as a possible violation of the Geneva Convention and caused rioting in Greek refugee camps. However, there are signs that the influx into Greece is slowing. Can the system work? Peter Spiegel put the question to Alex Barker in Brussels and Stefan Wagstyl in Berlin.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last week's attacks in the Belgian capital have raised fresh questions about the extent of Isis operations in Europe and whether security services and law enforcement agencies are capable of containing the threat. Ben Hall discusses the attacks and their ramifications with Peter Spiegel, the FT's Brussels bureau chief and Sam Jones. defence and security editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A political crisis is threatening to cut short the presidency of Dilma Rousseff in Brazil. Gideon Rachman is joined by John Paul Rathbone and Samantha Pearson to discuss the Petrobras scandal, the impeachment process and the economic meltdown that have all contributed to the crisis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats suffered a setback in regional elections last weekend. How wounded is the chancellor and have German politics changed fundamentally under the pressure of the refugee crisis? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Fred Studemann and Stefan Wagstyl.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

European leaders have negotiated a deal with Turkey aimed at stemming the flow of refugees into the European Union. But can it work? Gideon Rachman puts the question to Alex Barker, the FT's European diplomatic editor, and Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump now looks highly likely to secure the Republican nomination for the US presidency. Gideon Rachman discusses what this means for US democracy and the rest of the world with FT columnists Edward Luce and Martin Wolf.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Russian air power has changed the course of the civil war in Syria and its annexation of Crimea remains largely unchallenged. Gideon Rachman talks to Neil Buckley, FT East Europe editor, and Sam Jones, defence and security editor, about Russia's renewed confidence on the global stage and whether this is justified.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How influential was Antonin Scalia as the longest serving Justice on the US Supreme Court? Martin Sandbu discusses his legacy and the political repercussions of his demise with FT Washington correspondents Barney Jopson and Geoff Dyer.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Syrian government forces backed by Russian air power are on the brink of encircling the northern city of Aleppo, a stronghold of the moderate rebels in what could prove to be a decisive moment in Syria's murderous civil war. Ben Hall discusses the implications with Erika Solomon, FT Middle East correspondent, and Geoff Dyer, FT US diplomatic correspondent.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David Cameron, Britain's prime minister, announced the details of Britain's draft deal to renegotiate its relationship with the EU - but where does that leave the debate? Gideon Rachman discusses with George Parker, UK political editor and Alex Barker, Brussels Correspondent  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After months of build-up, the Iowa caucus will offers US presidential candidates their first chance to get ahead. Gideon Rachman reviews the chances of the Republican and Democratic rivals with Courtney Weaver and Edward Luce.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The lifting of UN sanctions on Iran reconnects a potentially vibrant emerging economy to world markets, with the allure of a bonanza for international and local investors and a brighter future for a restive young population. The FT's Siona Jenkins asks Najmeh Bozorgmehr, Tehran correspondent, Martin Arnold, banking editor, and Anjli Raval, oil correspondent, what obstacles remain and how soon the country is likely to see results.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Poland's conservative government has taken decisions about the courts and media that are causing concern across Europe, prompting the European Commission to launch an investigation into the rule of law in Poland. Gideon Rachman discusses the unprecedented move with Henry Foy, FT correspondent in Warsaw, and Neil Buckley, East Europe editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The year has begun with a sharp deterioration in the relationship between the two major powers in the Gulf region: Iran and Saudi Arabia. Gideon Rachman is joined by Roula Khalaf, foreign editor, and Geoff Dyer, Washington correspondent, to discuss the regional implications of the dispute.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

France's far-right National Front failed to win control of any regions in this weekend's elections, but its performance was strong enough to shock the mainstream parties. Gideon Rachman asks Anne-Sylvaine Chassany and Hugh Carnegy how worried they should be about 2017's presidential elections.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brazil's economy is shrinking, President Dilma Rousseff's popularity is at an all time low and now opposition politicians have begun impeachment proceedings against her. Gideon Rachman asks John Paul Rathbone and Joe Leahy what this means for the country and whether things can get any worse?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How much progress is likely at this week's global talks on combating climate change? Gideon Rachman discusses the prospects for agreement on reducing carbon emissions with Michael Stothard and Martin Sandbu.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

France has been courting US and Russian support for a war on Isis in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. But while Russia and Turkey, a Nato member, claim to be fighting the same foe, they themselves saw armed combat this week when Turkey shot down a Russian jet on its border with Syria. Mark Vandevelde asks Gideon Rachman and Geoff Dyer whether world powers are capable of making common cause against Isis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Paris terror attacks have exposed Europe's security and intelligence shortcomings and fulfilled officials' worst fears about blow back from Syria's bloody civil war. Ben Hall discusses the attacks and their implications with Sam Jones, defence and security editor, and Roula Khalaf, foreign editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.