The world’s superpowers have become increasingly unpredictable. How should ‘middle powers’ such as Japan, Canada, Brazil and the UK react? Gideon speaks to Robin Niblett, warden of New College, Oxford, who is the former chief executive of Chatham House, and author of ‘After America: The End of the Old Order and the Rise of the Middle Powers'. They discuss how middle powers are co-ordinating on defence and trade, how necessity is drawing former rivals closer together, and why co-operation is worthwhile – even when it’s difficult. Clip: Face the Nation

Further reading:

Australia’s treasurer says middle powers should co-operate to avoid being hostage to geopolitics

Sorry Carney, the world does need a great power with better manners

Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The senior producer was Edwin Lane. Sound design is by Sean McGarrity and Samantha Giovinco.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Democrats secured control of both chambers of congress in a stunning victory for the party, and a sharp rejection of President Trump’s Republican Party. Democrats won closely-watched senate races in Michigan and Maine, as well as in conservative strongholds including Texas and Kansas. Now that the results are (mostly) in, what should we expect during the next two years of American politics? Gideon speaks to Edward Luce, the FT’s US national editor, about how Republicans and Democrats will position themselves in the last years of the Trump presidency, who might run in 2028, and how, if at all, losing control of congress could hamper Trump’s foreign policy agenda.

Clip: James Talarico

Further reading:

Democrats ready Trump probes and affordability measures

Republicans turn on each other after disastrous midterms

Stocks climb after Democrats’ midterms sweep

Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. The executive producer was Manuela Saragosa. Sound design is by Samantha Giovinco and Breen Turner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Benjamin Netanyahu emerged from this week’s Israeli elections with a slender lead over his closest rival, Gadi Eisenkot, but his far-right coalition fell short of an overall majority. The prime minister’s performance was better than pre-election polls had predicted, and sets up weeks (or even months) of political gridlock in the country. Host Gideon Rachman speaks to Dahlia Scheindlin, a political analyst and columnist for Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, about the role Arab parties could play in forming a government, what happens next, and Israel’s drift rightward. Clip: Sky News

Subscribe to Gideon’s show on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you listen.

Further reading:

The fear factor giving Benjamin Netanyahu the edge

How Israel’s opposition fell short against Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel's Arabs seek a slice of power

Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval. Manuela Saragosa is the executive producer. 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.