Gideon Rachman
@gideonrachman.bsky.social
FT columnist. Also have podcast. Author of three and a half books. Four kids. Two cats. One wife. Numerous friends. Fulham fan.
Pinned
My new book; out on October 22nd
September 16, 2026 at 9:36 AM
My new book; out on October 22nd
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
superb trolling, no notes
Greek finance minister Pierrakakis encourages Germany to undertake reforms. The country had „enormous potential“.
🧑🍳💋 www.handelsblatt.com/cmsid/100253...
🧑🍳💋 www.handelsblatt.com/cmsid/100253...
Handelsblatt
www.handelsblatt.com
September 16, 2026 at 8:54 AM
superb trolling, no notes
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
America’s ultra-rich are overwhelmingly backing Donald Trump’s Republicans in this year’s midterms, with 16 of the country’s 20 biggest donors ploughing the best part of $1bn into the campaign. These elites “have an outsized effect”, said an analyst.
Read the story on #FTEdit 👉 ft.trib.al/obGUcrq
Read the story on #FTEdit 👉 ft.trib.al/obGUcrq
September 16, 2026 at 9:22 AM
America’s ultra-rich are overwhelmingly backing Donald Trump’s Republicans in this year’s midterms, with 16 of the country’s 20 biggest donors ploughing the best part of $1bn into the campaign. These elites “have an outsized effect”, said an analyst.
Read the story on #FTEdit 👉 ft.trib.al/obGUcrq
Read the story on #FTEdit 👉 ft.trib.al/obGUcrq
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Who better to evaluate international football than the Financial Times Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator @gideonrachman.bsky.social ? On @LifeGoalsTD we pay tribute to the precocious talent of Jude Bellingham who features on Gideon’s excellent goal list. Out now! theodelaney.com/life-goals-lin…
August 19, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Who better to evaluate international football than the Financial Times Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator @gideonrachman.bsky.social ? On @LifeGoalsTD we pay tribute to the precocious talent of Jude Bellingham who features on Gideon’s excellent goal list. Out now! theodelaney.com/life-goals-lin…
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
@gideonrachman.bsky.social:
"Rampant crime, poverty and weak institutions make Latin America susceptible to Trumpism. But in the more prosperous and established democracies of Europe, the Maga message is falling flat"
www.ft.com/content/2304...
"Rampant crime, poverty and weak institutions make Latin America susceptible to Trumpism. But in the more prosperous and established democracies of Europe, the Maga message is falling flat"
www.ft.com/content/2304...
Trump’s plan for Europe is falling apart
The US president has a genius for alienating existing and potential allies
www.ft.com
July 13, 2026 at 1:25 PM
@gideonrachman.bsky.social:
"Rampant crime, poverty and weak institutions make Latin America susceptible to Trumpism. But in the more prosperous and established democracies of Europe, the Maga message is falling flat"
www.ft.com/content/2304...
"Rampant crime, poverty and weak institutions make Latin America susceptible to Trumpism. But in the more prosperous and established democracies of Europe, the Maga message is falling flat"
www.ft.com/content/2304...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Trump and the failure of the Fafo doctrine
The president’s flawed decision-making is finally catching up with him. @gideonrachman.bsky.social
The president’s flawed decision-making is finally catching up with him. @gideonrachman.bsky.social
Trump and the failure of the Fafo doctrine
The president’s flawed decision-making is finally catching up with him
www.ft.com
August 10, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Trump and the failure of the Fafo doctrine
The president’s flawed decision-making is finally catching up with him. @gideonrachman.bsky.social
The president’s flawed decision-making is finally catching up with him. @gideonrachman.bsky.social
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
@gideonrachman.bsky.social:
"A healthy country needs strong institutions, not a strongman leader"
www.ft.com/content/a1f9...
"A healthy country needs strong institutions, not a strongman leader"
www.ft.com/content/a1f9...
Donald Trump and how strongman leaders fall
The downfalls of would-be autocrats in Hungary, Brazil and the Philippines hold lessons for America
www.ft.com
June 29, 2026 at 3:09 PM
@gideonrachman.bsky.social:
"A healthy country needs strong institutions, not a strongman leader"
www.ft.com/content/a1f9...
"A healthy country needs strong institutions, not a strongman leader"
www.ft.com/content/a1f9...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
"The deal that he has now struck reflects the failure of the military option.” @gideonrachman.bsky.social
A fragile Iran peace follows a war without victors
Trump’s deal reflects the failure of the military option in Iran
giftarticle.ft.com
June 15, 2026 at 12:58 PM
"The deal that he has now struck reflects the failure of the military option.” @gideonrachman.bsky.social
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Very interesting by @gideonrachman.bsky.social. Drone warfare gives the defender an edge -- all the more so for Taiwan, an island protected by 100 miles of water. Drones also make it difficult to enforce a blockade. China risks making Putin's mistake: assuming away the agency of a smaller neighbour.
Trump and Xi will not determine Taiwan’s fate
China assumes that the island would be helpless without American support — that is a dangerous mistake
www.ft.com
May 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Very interesting by @gideonrachman.bsky.social. Drone warfare gives the defender an edge -- all the more so for Taiwan, an island protected by 100 miles of water. Drones also make it difficult to enforce a blockade. China risks making Putin's mistake: assuming away the agency of a smaller neighbour.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
as.ft.com/r/26bbed23-1... Nigel Farage’s accounts challenge claim that he paid for £1.4mn house with TV fee
May 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM
as.ft.com/r/26bbed23-1... Nigel Farage’s accounts challenge claim that he paid for £1.4mn house with TV fee
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
I have definitely experienced the rise of grievance politics over the last decade as residents stop talking to their geographical neighbours and retreat into social media communities who reinforced their views.
Sobering stuff from David Blunkett in the @financialtimes.com
May 17, 2026 at 6:57 AM
I have definitely experienced the rise of grievance politics over the last decade as residents stop talking to their geographical neighbours and retreat into social media communities who reinforced their views.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
As @gideonrachman.bsky.social points out a weakened Trump has fewer bargaining chips at this summit, which spells danger for Taiwan as Xi would welcome the US signalling that it opposes Taiwanese independence
www.ft.com/content/b2db...
www.ft.com/content/b2db...
A weakened Trump arrives at Xi’s court
China holds the cards — and might settle for flashy but empty announcements while playing a long game
www.ft.com
May 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM
As @gideonrachman.bsky.social points out a weakened Trump has fewer bargaining chips at this summit, which spells danger for Taiwan as Xi would welcome the US signalling that it opposes Taiwanese independence
www.ft.com/content/b2db...
www.ft.com/content/b2db...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
100 per cent this. It’s really not that difficult.
Meanwhile, I'm still reeling from the fact that Richard Tice can't find it in him to condemn someone for saying that Nigerians should be melted down to fill potholes.
May 10, 2026 at 1:28 PM
100 per cent this. It’s really not that difficult.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
A guess a lot people will be spending a lot of today checking some slowly changing numbers on a BBC webpage.
If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?
If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?
May 8, 2026 at 9:12 AM
A guess a lot people will be spending a lot of today checking some slowly changing numbers on a BBC webpage.
If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?
If you enjoy that sort of thing and want it to be a more than annual occurrence - can I recommend getting into county cricket?
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
“Where we cannot match Russia in terms of manpower, we come up with technical solutions. A drone cannot replace an infantryman, but it can save an infantryman’s life. And it can kill more Russian infantrymen.”
Dmytro Kuleba on @gideonrachman.bsky.social Review
www.ft.com/content/9675...
Dmytro Kuleba on @gideonrachman.bsky.social Review
www.ft.com/content/9675...
Ukraine’s ‘existential’ battle with Russia
The Iran war has empowered Putin but Kyiv is fighting back
www.ft.com
May 6, 2026 at 12:53 PM
“Where we cannot match Russia in terms of manpower, we come up with technical solutions. A drone cannot replace an infantryman, but it can save an infantryman’s life. And it can kill more Russian infantrymen.”
Dmytro Kuleba on @gideonrachman.bsky.social Review
www.ft.com/content/9675...
Dmytro Kuleba on @gideonrachman.bsky.social Review
www.ft.com/content/9675...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
To add another reason the Iran war was such a strategic blunder, the reconstruction of Syria (and Gaza) was predicated on Gulf money. That was ambitious prior to the war given how overstretched Gulf budgets already were. Now there's less money and a need for it at home.
Major regional implications.
Major regional implications.
May 5, 2026 at 8:39 AM
To add another reason the Iran war was such a strategic blunder, the reconstruction of Syria (and Gaza) was predicated on Gulf money. That was ambitious prior to the war given how overstretched Gulf budgets already were. Now there's less money and a need for it at home.
Major regional implications.
Major regional implications.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Excellent interview by @gideonrachman.bsky.social with former 🇺🇦Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on “The Rachman Review”
4/4
podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/t...
4/4
podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/t...
Ukraine’s ‘existential’ battle with Russia
Podkastepisode · The Rachman Review · 30. april · 27 min
podcasts.apple.com
May 1, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Excellent interview by @gideonrachman.bsky.social with former 🇺🇦Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on “The Rachman Review”
4/4
podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/t...
4/4
podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/t...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
This poem that I wrote aged 15 in 1970 was published in my school magazine. I was thrilled when a TV producer picked it up and made a short film of it (on BBC Look North, I think).
April 28, 2026 at 7:25 AM
This poem that I wrote aged 15 in 1970 was published in my school magazine. I was thrilled when a TV producer picked it up and made a short film of it (on BBC Look North, I think).
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Are Europe and America headed for divorce? ft.trib.al/edGetn6 | opinion
Are Europe and America headed for divorce?
The US military commitment to Europe is fraying — but the two sides remain locked in an unhappy marriage for now
ft.trib.al
April 27, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Striking listening to this @gideonrachman.bsky.social interview with two US policy people from ‘normal’ times how naive they both are about how the world now sees America. As if Trump were just a hiccup rather than a malodorous belch that clears the room for good.
open.spotify.com/episode/1AEZ...
open.spotify.com/episode/1AEZ...
Trump finds it’s easier to start a war than to end one
open.spotify.com
April 23, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Striking listening to this @gideonrachman.bsky.social interview with two US policy people from ‘normal’ times how naive they both are about how the world now sees America. As if Trump were just a hiccup rather than a malodorous belch that clears the room for good.
open.spotify.com/episode/1AEZ...
open.spotify.com/episode/1AEZ...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Interesting i/v by @gideonrachman.bsky.social about how to end the US-Iran war.
Critical note: telling detail that Trump’s global toxicity hence political dangers for allies for being associated with T’s war is not valued by the Americans.
USfirst => USalone
podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/t...
Critical note: telling detail that Trump’s global toxicity hence political dangers for allies for being associated with T’s war is not valued by the Americans.
USfirst => USalone
podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/t...
Trump finds it’s easier to start a war than to end one
Podcastaflevering · The Rachman Review · 22 april · 31 min.
podcasts.apple.com
April 22, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Interesting i/v by @gideonrachman.bsky.social about how to end the US-Iran war.
Critical note: telling detail that Trump’s global toxicity hence political dangers for allies for being associated with T’s war is not valued by the Americans.
USfirst => USalone
podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/t...
Critical note: telling detail that Trump’s global toxicity hence political dangers for allies for being associated with T’s war is not valued by the Americans.
USfirst => USalone
podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/t...
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Would love to play that one for the jury in the defamation case.
REPORTER: Can you say definitively that you have not been intoxicated or absent during your tenure as FBI director?
PATEL: I can say unequivocally I never listen to the fake news mafia. This director has been on the job twice as many days as every one before me. I've taken half as many days off.
PATEL: I can say unequivocally I never listen to the fake news mafia. This director has been on the job twice as many days as every one before me. I've taken half as many days off.
April 22, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Would love to play that one for the jury in the defamation case.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
Across the world, regardless of skin colour, the successful playbook is IMV always 'I'm awesome! You're awesome! This is an awesome country! I will avoid where possible talking about racism!' and not....this.
April 21, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Across the world, regardless of skin colour, the successful playbook is IMV always 'I'm awesome! You're awesome! This is an awesome country! I will avoid where possible talking about racism!' and not....this.
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
"Financial markets ended last week on an upswing — apparently convinced that the worst of the crisis is over. That assumption looks complacent." @gideonrachman.bsky.social @financialtimes.com
Gideon Rachman: Don't fall for the White House hype. The progenitors of the Iran War are now in the escalation trap, with no viable off ramp. This war is likely to continue for many months, with outcomes that are steadily worse for Trump. www.ft.com/content/8456...
The Iran crisis has not yet peaked
The war is currently more likely to escalate than to be resolved by negotiation
www.ft.com
April 20, 2026 at 3:37 PM
"Financial markets ended last week on an upswing — apparently convinced that the worst of the crisis is over. That assumption looks complacent." @gideonrachman.bsky.social @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Gideon Rachman
If this actually happens, it may rank as the single most corrupt act in the history of American politics. I cannot believe this is even under discussion.
BREAKING: IRS confirms it's negotiating with Trump family to pay a "settlement" in the wildly defective lawsuit over the leak of his tax returns.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 17, 2026 at 9:45 PM
If this actually happens, it may rank as the single most corrupt act in the history of American politics. I cannot believe this is even under discussion.