Ft World Weekly

This week the FT's world news editor Shawn Donnan is joined by James Blitz, diplomatic editor and Abigail Fielding-Smith in Beirut to discuss the conflict in Syria. Violence in the capital Damascus and commercial centre Aleppo, the disclosure that the regime possesses chemical weapons, refugee flight and the risk of instability spreading into Lebanon – is there now a case for western intervention?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Tour de France enters its final stages, Shawn Donnan is joined by Jennifer Hughes and Hugh Carnegy to discuss the rise of Team Sky and Bradley "Wiggo" Wiggins, concerns over doping and the shadow it casts over the sport. Could a Brit ride up the Champs Elysées to glory for the first time?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The economic challenges and changes facing the young "ice age generation" in Japan, and the "post-1990" generation of Chinese youth.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The eurozone has dominated headlines for months, but what of the other key poles of the world economy, China and the United States? Growth has been slowing in China for months, and the US is also struggling. James Politi in Washington and Jamil Anderlini in Beijing join Gideon Rachman to discuss the prospects of the world's two largest economies.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the European football championship reaching its climax this week, we look at how Poland and Ukraine have fared by hosting the tournament. Neil Buckley, east Europe editor, Jan Cienski, Warsaw correspondent and Simon Kuper, the FT columnist covering the tournament, join Gideon Rachman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the announcement of the winner of Egypt’s presidential election delayed, and the ruling military’s move to dissolve the democratically-elected parliament, David Gardner, international affairs editor, and Borzou Daragahi in Cairo join Gideon Rachman to discuss whether the gains of the Egyptian revolution area being rolled back.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Spain reluctantly accepted a bailout for its struggling banks last weekend but it has not restored market confidence - the government's borrowing costs have soared to their highest level since the birth of the euro. Meanwhile Greece is holding a general election this weekend. No party is likely to win an overall majority, the country's exit from the eurozone is a distinct possibility and as much as €500 million is leaving its banks each day. Gideon Rachman is joined by Victor Mallet in Madrid, Kerin Hope in Athens and Chris Giles in the studio to discuss the crisis.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As Vladimir Putin settles back into the Kremlin, we focus on his vision for Russia‘s domestic politics and its relationship with China and the west. Charles Clover, Moscow bureau chief, and Neil Buckley, eastern Europe editor, join Gideon Rachman to discuss.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of fragile banks, economic contraction, and a yawning budget deficit, Spain's government is now under criticism fror its handling of the crisis at Bankia, the country's third-largest lender. So is Spain the new front line in the eurozone sovereign debt crisis? FT correspondents Miles Johnson in Madrid and Peter Spiegel in Brussels join Ben Hall to discuss.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Egyptians are voting in the first democratic presidential election in their nation's history this week, but with the powers of the office that the winner will hold still unclear and the economy in tatters, many questions remain. Heba Saleh and Borzou Daragahi, FT correspondents in Egypt, and Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor, join Shawn Donnan to discuss.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With Greece in political limbo ahead of a new election in June, what is the the economic and political future of that country and the eurozone? How feasible is for Greece to leave the euro, and how are other European countries managing the increasingly anti-bailout mood in Athens? Gideon Rachman is joined by Kerin Hope, the FT's Athens correspondent; Chris Giles, the FT's economics editor, and Tony Barber, the FT's Europe editor.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The growth vs austerity debate has been a focal point of eurozone politics over the past weeks. With voters in France and Greece appearing to reject austerity in this weekend's elections, are we beginning to see a shift in policy from austerity towards spurring growth? Ralph Atkins, Hugh Carnegy, Chris Giles and Ben Hall join Shawn Donnan to discuss.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman is joined by Geoff Dyer, Kathrin Hille and James Kynge to discuss the consequences of the case of Chen Guangcheng, the blind legal activist who has left the US embassy in Beijing following a deal between the US and China.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Dutch government falls, a socialist wins the first round of the French presidential election, and the UK slides back into recession, Brussels bureau chief Peter Spiegel and Europe editor Ben Hall discuss the backlash against Europe's austerity politics. Michael Peel reports from Syria on the progress of UN monitors in the country, and diplomatic editor James Blitz looks at how the West's intervention could be made more effective.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the first round of the French presidential election upon us and the second round just around the corner, the FT's Hugh Carnegy, Ben Hall and John Thornhill join Shawn Donnan to discuss the legacy of president Nicolas Sarkozy and his chances of reelection.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Governments in Seoul, Tokyo and Washington reacted angrily to the announcement last month of North Korea's impending rocket launch. But what are they really concerned about? Geoff Dyer, US diplomatic correspondent, and Christian Oliver, Seoul correspondent join Shawn Donnan to discuss Pyongyang's missile politics.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alan Beattie, Xan Rice, Michael Peel and Guy Chazan join Gideon Rachman to discuss the battle for the presidency of the World Bank and the state of Iraq and its impact on the global oil market.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gideon Rachman is joined by FT correspondents to discuss the great expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi in the upcoming by-election in Myanmar. They also examine the US Supreme Court case that will determine the fate of the Obama administration’s healthcare reform. Presented by Gideon Rachman, with Gwen Robinson and Alan Rappeport Produced by Amie Tsang and Serena Tarling  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With the first round of France’s presidential election a month away, how has the shock of the terrorist attacks changed the political climate? Paris bureau chief Hugh Carnegy and former Paris bureau chief Peggy Hollinger join Gideon Rachman.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jamil Anderlini joins Gideon Rachman to explain how the dismissal of Bo Xilai fits into the ongoing power struggle at the apex of the Chinese Communist Party. In Washington, where President Obama and British prime minister David Cameron are meeting this week, there is growing anxiety about Afghanistan, Geoff Dyer reports. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan itself, there is concern about what will happen to women’s rights once Nato leaves the country, Matthew Green reports from Kabul.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.