Best RFI English Podcasts (2025)

1
Israel talks defence with Greece and Cyprus, as Turkey issues Netanyahu warrant 5:45

Play Pause

3d ago5:45

5:45

Israeli-Turkish relations were dealt another blow when a Turkish court issued an arrest warrant on genocide charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, a move strongly condemned by Israel. As bilateral relations deteriorate, Israel is stepping up defence cooperation with Turkey's rivals, Greece and the Repu…

1
A special interview today! 19:22

35m ago19:22

19:22

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear an interview with Lisa Waller Rogers about her new book When People Were Things: Harriet Beecher Stowe, Abraham Lincoln, and the Emancipation Proclamation, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday here on our website,…

1
Europe’s defence dilemma: autonomy or dependence? 7:49

7d ago7:49

7:49

Europe’s pursuit of “strategic autonomy” has become more urgent than ever. In this edition of The International Report, Jan van der Made examines how the continent’s defence ambitions continue to be both shaped and constrained by reliance on the United States. With insights from experts Bart van den Berg and Guntram Wolff, the programme considers w…

1
Montenegro protests expose fragile balance in Serbia-Turkey relations 6:12

9d ago6:12

6:12

Anti-Turk protests in Montenegro have added to rising tensions between Serbia and Turkey. The unrest was set off by anger over Ankara’s sale of weapons to Kosovo, and growing fears of Turkish influence in the Balkans. “Turks out!” shouted protesters as they marched through Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital. Several Turkish-owned businesses, among …

1
Nobel committee honors right-leaning Venezuelan politician 32:51

11d ago32:51

32:51

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. There are your answers to the bonus question on “The Listeners Corner” with Paul Myers, and a tasty musical dessert from Erwan Rome on “Music from Erwan”. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Play” button above and en…

1
Podcast: Brigitte Macron, lauding open-air markets, France's Brazilian colony 31:58

13d ago31:58

31:58

How French media silence helped false stories claiming First Lady Brigitte Macron is a man to go viral. The unsung praises of France's street markets, which bring people together around buying and selling food. And France's short-lived colonial foray into Brazil. False claims that President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte is transgender first emerg…

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Criminalising identity: Turkey’s LGBTQI+ community under threat 6:07

15d ago6:07

6:07

International human rights groups are calling for the withdrawal of proposed legislation against Turkey’s LGBTQI+ community, who warn that the law could effectively criminalise their community, which is already facing a growing legal crackdown. This week, the New York-based Human Rights Watch called on the Turkish government to drop a proposed law …

1
Moldovans at the polls 1:25:13

11d ago1:25:13

1:25:13

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about Moldova’s political players. There are your answers to the bonus question on “The Listeners Corner” with Paul Myers, Ollia Horton’s “Happy Moment”, and a tasty musical dessert from Erwan Rome on “Music from Erwan”. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so clic…

1
Turkish Cypriot vote could force shift in Erdogan’s approach to divided island 5:38

25d ago5:38

5:38

The landslide defeat of Turkey's ally in the Turkish Cypriot elections could now force President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to drop his push for a permanent partition of Cyprus and boost efforts to reset ties with the European Union. Securing 63 percent of the vote, Tufan Erhurman’s victory in last weekend's election took Erdogan by surprise. “The defeat…

1
Who is the best European striker? 24:09

25d ago24:09

24:09

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about the French Ballon d’Or Awards. There’s a story from listener Jayanta Chakrabarty, your answers to the bonus question on “The Listeners Corner”, and a tasty musical dessert from today’s mixer, Vincent Pora. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Pl…

1
France and the EU deficit limit 32:54

19d ago32:54

32:54

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about France’s budget deficit. There’s a lovely French poem, your answers to the bonus question on “The Listener’s Corner” with Paul Myers, and a perfect musical dessert from Erwan Rome on “Music from Erwan”. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Play”…

1
Turkey ready to help rebuild Gaza, but tensions with Israel could be a barrier 5:51

1M ago5:51

5:51

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey wants to take part in rebuilding Gaza and is ready to join a peacekeeping force once the fighting ends, however analysts warn strained relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv could stand in the way. Turkey responded to a call from Hamas for assistance with locating the bodies of Israeli hostages stil…

1
Czech voters re-elect populist and move the EU further to the right 5:31

1M ago5:31

5:31

In this edition of International Report, RFI talks with David Ondracka, former president of Transparency International Czech Republic, about the country’s recent parliamentary elections. Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš has swept back into power after voters, frustrated by unfulfilled promises and a stagnant quality of life, turned their backs on …

1
Trump tests Turkey's energy dependence on Russia with lure of US power 6:16

1M ago6:16

6:16

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing growing pressure from Washington to cut Turkey’s heavy dependence on Russian oil and gas – and end his long-standing balancing act between Moscow and the West. Erdogan said this week that Turkey would work with the United States on civil nuclear energy, in a new signal to Washington that Ankara is looking we…

1
France and the push for Palestinian statehood 35:01

1M ago35:01

35:01

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about the UN conference in July about a Palestine/Israel two-state solution. You’ll hear from the eminent primatologist Jane Goodall, there are your answers to the bonus question on “The Listener’s Corner”, and a lovely musical dessert from Erwan Rome on “Music from Erwan”. All …

1
Podcast: Taxing the ultra-rich, last paperboy in Paris, end of the death penalty 28:38

1M ago28:38

28:38

The proposal to tax the ultra-rich that could address some of France's budget woes. The last paperboy in Paris, who has been hawking newspapers for nearly 50 years, tells of challenges and successes from Pakistan to Paris. And the man who ended the death penalty in France enters the Panthéon. As French politicians remain deeply divided over how to …

1
Turkey and Egypt's joint naval drill signals shifting Eastern Med alliances 6:06

2M ago6:06

6:06

As efforts continue to resolve Israel’s war in Gaza, the conflict is threatening to destabilise the wider region. A rare joint naval exercise between once-rivals Turkey and Egypt is being seen as a warning to Israel, as long-standing alliances shift and new rival partnerships take shape across the Eastern Mediterranean. After a 13-year break, Turki…

1
The EU, France, and pesticides 34:36

2M ago34:36

34:36

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about the Duplomb law. There’s “On This Day”, “The Listener’s Corner” with Paul Myers, Ollia Horton’s “Happy Moment”, and a lovely musical dessert to finish it all off. All that and the new quiz and bonus questions too, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone!…

1
Europe’s 'Truman Show' moment: is it time to walk off Trump’s set? 15:25

2M ago15:25

15:25

When Truman Burbank finally realises that his life is a television show – every neighbour an actor, every event scripted – he faces a terrifying choice: walk through the exit door into the unknown, or carry on in a comfortable illusion. Is this is the predicament Europe is facing under Donald Trump’s second term? In his report for the European Sent…

1
Erdogan’s Washington visit exposes limits of his rapport with Trump 6:23

2M ago6:23

6:23

Turkey has hailed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s first White House visit in six years as a diplomatic win, though tensions over Donald Trump’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza still cast a shadow. Ankara is celebrating a diplomatic win after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was hosted by US President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday. …

1
Anyone else out there? 23:57

2M ago23:57

23:57

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about exoplanets. There’s “The Listener’s Corner” with Paul Myers, the new quiz and bonus questions, and a lovely musical dessert to finish it all off, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturd…

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Podcast: Gazans in France, saving and spending habits, the Republican calendar 32:10

2M ago32:10

32:10

France recognises Palestinian statehood but evacuations from Gaza are still suspended. French savings are at an all-time high, reflecting uncertainty about the future. And the story of the ten-day week put in place after the French Revolution. Evacuations from Gaza to France were suspended on 1 August after a Gazan student in Paris was found to hav…

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There’s Music in the Kitchen, No 42 24:08

2M ago24:08

24:08

This week on The Sound Kitchen, a special treat: Musical choices from The Sound Kitchen team! Just click on the “Play” button above and enjoy. Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday. This week, you’ll hear musical requests from Erwan, Paul, and me. Be sure you send in your music requests. Write to me a…

1
Turkey opposition faces wave of arrests and court fight over leadership 6:57

2M ago6:57

6:57

The legal noose is tightening around Turkey’s main opposition party, with waves of arrests targeting mayors and local officials. But the troubles of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) could deepen further, as a court case threatens the removal of its leadership. "We are fighting for the future of Turkey's democracy," said party leader Ozgur Ozel t…

1
There’s Music in the Kitchen, No 41 15:05

2M ago15:05

15:05

This week on The Sound Kitchen, a special treat: RFI English listener’s musical requests. Just click on the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday. This week, you’ll hear musical requests from your fellow listeners Ali Shahzad, Jocelyne D’Errico, and a composition by B. T…

1
Macron and Erdogan find fragile common ground amid battle for influence 5:07

2M ago5:07

5:07

Following years of tension, the presidents of Turkey and France are finding new areas of cooperation. Ukraine is at the centre of this shift, but the Palestinian territories, the Caucasus and Africa are also emerging as shared priorities. However, analysts warn that serious differences remain, making for an uneasy partnership. French President Emma…

1
Podcast: PM woes, tourists 'overtake' Montmartre, when Martinique became French 29:55

2M ago29:55

29:55

As France gets its fifth prime minister in three years, demonstrators who responded to a call to block the country talk about feeling ignored by the government. Residents and business owners in Paris' picturesque Montmartre neighbourhood hit out at overtourism. And the brutal history of France's colonisation of the Caribbean island of Martinique, o…

1
Druzhba pipeline: dependence, diplomacy and the end of Russian leverage in Europe 7:05

2M ago7:05

7:05

The bombing of the Druzhba pipeline has disrupted oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia and exposed new political rifts in Central Europe. RFI spoke with Andreas Goldthau of the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy about the wider implications for regional energy security and the shifting dynamics between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. The …

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There’s Music in the Kitchen, No 40 18:51

2M ago18:51

18:51

This week on The Sound Kitchen, a special treat: RFI English listener’s musical requests. Just click on the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published every Saturday. This week, you’ll hear musical requests from your fellow listeners Eric Mbotji, Hossen Abed Ali, and Jayanta Chakrabarty. Be…

1
Turkey warns Kurdish-led fighters in Syria to join new regime or face attack 8:18

3M ago8:18

8:18

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned of military action against the Syrian Democratic Forces over its failure to honour an agreement to merge its military with the new regime in Damascus. In a move steeped in symbolism, Turkey’s leader chose recent celebrations marking the Ottoman Turks' defeat of the Byzantine Christians at the Battl…

1
Income inequality 39:42

2M ago39:42

39:42

This week on The Sound Kitchen, you’ll hear the answer to the question about France’s proposed wealth tax. There’s “The Listener’s Corner” with Paul Myers, Erwan Rome’s “Music from Erwan, and of course, the new quiz and bonus question, so click the “Play” button above and enjoy! Hello everyone! Welcome to The Sound Kitchen weekly podcast, published…