Amanpour

From the very start of his war with Iran, Donald Trump never laid out a coherent exit strategy. The regional implications have been massive: a complete upheaval all over the Middle East with Gulf allies of the US dragged into a war they wanted no part in. Retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and before that, as Special Forces Commander in Iraq he led the mission to kill Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi. McChrystal joins Christiane from Washington. Also on today's show: Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah & Israeli Maoz Inon on their new book, "The Future is Peace"; author Michael Pollan on his new book, "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The public dispute between Donald Trump and Pope Leo continues. For perspective on this unexpected development, we turn today to one of America's most influential cardinals -- and the pope's staunch ally -Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich. Also on today's show: author Nicholas Enrich ("Into the Woodchipper"); journalist/author Joanne Lipman ("That's What She Said"); Ukrainian journalist Alyona Synenko Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world energy supply continues to be choked by both Iran and America's blockades on the Strait of Hormuz. Americans are feeling the economic pinch, and the polls are looking less favorable for President Trump. What's more, this war is draining support from his MAGA base. One of the most vocal in her disappointment is former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. She is now calling for the president's removal and joins the show from Georgia. Also on today's show: Muhammad Saeed, Fmr. Chief of General Staff, Pakistani Army; Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel and Lebanon are meeting in Washington in their highest-level direct talks in more than 40 years. But the gaps of disagreement are wide, and any progress could be dashed by the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, which says it won't abide by any agreement in the meeting. For the Lebanese people grappling with loss and displacement, there's little hope negotiations will herald change. Health care workers have also been victims in this war - since early March, dozens of medics have been killed in Israeli strikes. MSF volunteers have been working across three major hospitals in Lebanon, and their emergency coordinator Christopher Stokes joins the show from Beirut. Also on today's show: Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel; Sudanese entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim; actor Andrew McCarthy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Putting the blame on failed peace talks squarely on Iran, President Trump ordered the US Navy to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, threatening to sink any Iranian ships that come near them. This move is intended to deal a devastating blow to Iran's already frail economy, but the country's top negotiator shrugged it off and warned American consumers they'd soon be "nostalgic" for lower gas prices. Joining the show to discuss all this is Danny Citrinowicz, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch of Israeli military intelligence. Also on today's show: Former US House Republican Adam Kinzinger; Former US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman; author A. Mechele Dickerson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A measured sigh of relief spread across the world this week after a ceasefire was announced in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Still, the prospect of a sustained peace feels elusive. Christiane gets the view from a close European neighbour, Greece, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Then, as Iran and the U.S. prepare for negotiations in Pakistan, is America's strategy in the war working? Christiane hears from Iran experts Ray Takeyh and Suzanne Maloney. Plus, Professor of Global Studies at the University of Tehran Sasan Karimi give Christiane the view from inside Iran. Then, a portrait of American injustice takes center stage in Broadway with "The Fear of 13", dramatizing the life of Nick Yarris who served two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. Christiane speaks to lead actor Adrien Brody and playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. Plus, as the U.S. embargo on Cuba grinds life in the island to a halt, Christiane's 1998 report from Havana on how decades of sanctions have impacted the most vulnerable there. And finally, as the Artemis II crew make their way back to Earth, a look back at Christiane's conversation with astronaut Michael Collins on his own journey to the moon.Air date: April 11, 2026Guests:Kyriakos MitsotakisSuzanne Maloney & Ray TakeyhSasan KarimiAdrien Brody & Lindsey Ferrentino Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After an eleventh hour move by the US and Iran to secure a two-week ceasefire, Israel unleashed a heavy bombing raid on Lebanon. After five weeks of deadly war, are the US and Iran effectively back to square one? Historian Peter Frankopan joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: Bryan Stevenson, Founder & Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative; Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Astronaut (from the archive) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran holds for now, but in Lebanon the scene is dire after Israel unleashed the most deadly strikes of the war. More than a thousand people were killed and wounded in just a single day. Correspondent Nada Bashir joins the show from Beirut. Also on today's show: Jason Rezaian, Global Opinions Writer, Washington Post; Yuli Novak, Executive Director, B'Tselem & Suhad Bishara, Legal Director, Adalah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A two-week ceasefire has been announced between the US and Iran. Sasan Karimi is a Professor of Global Studies at Tehran University and previously served as Vice President for Strategic Affairs. He joins the show to give us an inside view from Tehran. Also on today’s show: Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis; foreign policy experts Suzanne Maloney & Ray Takeyh; IRC CEO David Miliband Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US has begun attacking military targets on Kharg Island, from which almost all of Iran’s oil is exported. It comes as President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is fast approaching. If Tehran does not back down, Trump says the US will unleash a wave of strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges. To take stock of where we're at ahead of Trump's self-imposed 8pm ET deadline, Executive Director of the Soufan Group Colin Clarke and retired US Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling join the show. Also on today’s show: CNN Correspondent Melissa Bell; Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum; Tristan Harris, Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five weeks into the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump's first address to the nation left lots of questioned unanswered, including how the U.S. plans to end the conflict. Retired Admiral John Kirby held top communications roles at the Pentagon, National SecurityCouncil and White House and he joins the show to discuss where the war goes next. Meantime, Russia's war on Ukraine grinds on, amid mounting fears that weapons Ukraine badly needs are being diverted to the Middle East. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks to Christiane about the impact of that, and of President Trump's falling out with NATO powers. Then, the energy crisis in Cuba is growing more severe with every passing day, as the country struggles under the Trump administration's oil blockade. CNN's Patrick Oppmann speaks exclusively with the grandson of the late Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, who believes Havana needs to make a deal with Trump. Plus, Christiane's conversation with former White House Iran aide Gary Sick, who served in the U.S. National Security Council under Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan. He tells Christiane why he sees Trump as a deal maker, not a history maker. And from the archive, a look back at the long fight for change in Iran. An excerpt from Christiane’s report from Tehran in 2000, when the reform phase was at its height. And finally, a sneak peek at Christiane's conversation with award-winning actor Adrien Brody. He joins Christiane alongside playwright Lindsey Ferrentino to discuss their new Broadway play "The Fear of 13." Air date: April 04, 2026 Guests: John Kirby Dmytro Kuleba Gary Sick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For our first story today, Christiane speaks to former presidential advisor Gary Sick for a historical perspective on the hostilities between the US and Iran and where he sees this current conflict heading. Also on today's show: Actor Adrien Brody and playwright Lindsey Florentino discuss "The Fear of 13"; Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins on his story, "Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.” That quote is courtesy of Donald Trump, who shared it during last night’s national address on the war against Iran. Oil traders were clearly hoping for a plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. They didn't get one. John Kirby is a former US Navy Rear Admiral and has served as Pentagon spokesperson, State Department spokesperson and National Security Communications Advisor. He joins the show from Chicago. Also on today’s show: Vali Nasr, Former U.S. State Department Adviser; Edward Wong, Diplomatic Correspondent, New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump says the Iranian president is asking for a ceasefire and he claims the nuclear threat from Iran has been dealt with. He is also telling allies its up to them to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and he suggested to a British newspaper that he is considering leaving NATO. Former State Department official Jon Alterman joins the show from DC to discuss what happens next. Also on today's show: Dmytro Kuleba, Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister; Brian Goldstone, Author, "There Is No Place For Us"; Hoda Sobhani, Director, "That Night" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

European countries struggling with the energy crisis caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran are getting zero sympathy from Donald Trump. This morning, the US president vented his frustration, posting on Truth Social, "You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us." Julianne Smith, who served as Ambassador to NATO under President Biden, joins Bianna to discuss. Also on today’s show: Lynn Harfoush, Executive Committee member, Lebanese National Bloc; Nicholas Lemann, Author, “Return­ing” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More mixed messages on the Iran war, as President Trump hints at diplomatic progress, while thousands of US troops gather in the region. Trump claims Iran agreed to "most of" America's 15-point plan to end the war; Iran contradicts him, saying the plan contains "excessive" and "unreasonable" demands. So, is continued escalation inevitable? Or could there be a negotiated settlement? Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta joins to discuss. Also on today's show: Jon Lee Anderson, staff writer, The New Yorker; Susan MacManus, Professor Emerita, University of South Florida Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One month into America and Israel’s war on Iran, the global economic fallout is deepening with civilians killed, displaced, and caught in the crossfire. Christiane speaks with U.N. relief chief Tom Fletcher about the human toll of the conflict and what help is reaching those most in need. Then, transatlantic fractures emerge as Europe pushes back against President Trump’s war. What are the consequences for the alliance? Christiane asks Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. And Asia bearing the brunt, as the energy crisis hits poorer countries hardest. Christiane speaks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro about declaring an energy emergency and how the country is managing soaring prices and dwindling supply. Plus, is this the moment to accelerate the shift to renewable energy? Renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben makes his case. And from the archives, how Iran’s Islamic Revolution used education as a tool of indoctrination from the very start. Air date: March 28, 2026 Guests: UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher Norway Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide Philippine Foreign Secretary, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro Environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Iran war triggers a global energy crisis, the climate consequences are already mounting. The International Energy Agency warns this crisis could surpass the oil shocks of the 1970s. Yet, even as some countries accelerate the shift to renewables, the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, scrapping wind projects and expanding drilling. Bill McKibben is a leading environmentalist who argues this war underscores the urgent need to transition away from oil, and he joins the program from Vermont. Also on today's show: Hamidreza Mohammadi, brother of imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi; cultural critic Chuck Klosterman, author of "Football" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The economic fallout of the war with Iran is hitting countries all around the world. This week, the Philippines became the first country to declare a state of national energy emergency, and a Filipino refinery received a shipment of Russian oil today after the US waived sanctions allowing purchase of crude. Maria Theresa Lazaro is the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and she joined the show from Manila. Also on today's show: Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; US House Democrat Yassamin Ansari; author Kim Ghattas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump took the United States to war, and now he's trying to find a way out of it. That leaves Europe in a quandary, wanting to support its most powerful ally while keeping out of a war they reject. While NATO's secretary general says Trump is acting to keep the world safe, Spain's prime minister is speaking out loudly against the war, and Germany and Norway also have grave concerns. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide joins from Oslo. Also on today's show: Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK; Robert Pape, Political Science Professor, University of Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices