Amanpour

It’s been a tough week for Europe after President Trump described the continent as "weak" and "decaying". Can US-Europe relations recover? Christiane gets the view from both sides of the pond, with former US Defense Department official Celeste Wallander and Oxford historian Peter Frankopan. A year since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, the country’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa talks to Christiane about Syria’s future following a decade of civil war. Plus, who are the “Pink Ladies”? A special report on Britain's new protest movement which is echoing far right rhetoric. Then, into the past with author Jonathan Freedland, who reveals the hidden history of the millions of Germans who resisted Nazi rule. From the archives, how one man from Harlem trekked to the North Pole to inspire New York's schoolchildren. And finally, Nobel Peace Laureate Maria Corina Machado makes a daring journey to Oslo, telling the world what the award means to her. Air date: December 13, 2025 Guests: Celeste Wallander & Peter Frankopan Ahmed al-Sharaa Jonathan Freedland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Syrians are celebrating one year of freedom from the Assad regime, but there are many wounds still to be healed, and the work of transitional justice must now take place. It's a process that links Syria to the US, South Africa and many other countries in between. Ruti Teitel, professor of law at New York Law School and author of "Presidential Visions of Transitional Justice" and Aria Florant, co-founder and CEO of Liberation Ventures, an organization advocating for slavery reparations in the US, join the show. Also on today's show: Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland; law school professor Kate Shaw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After nearly a year in hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado snuck out of her country and appeared in public after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The 58-year-old dedicated her prize in part to President Trump, who is taking an aggressive strategy against the Maduro regime. Contributor Stefano Pozzebon has been following this story closely, and joins the show from Caracas. Also on today's show: Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo López; Marshall Prject staff writer Shannon Heffernan & Futuro Media reporter Julieta Martinelli; New Yorer staff writer Susan Glasser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been a year like no other for two of Britain's best-known institutions. The BBC, the country's independent public broadcaster, has found its editorial integrity in question, and has been forced to defend its practices on multiple occasions. The British monarchy too, is under greater scrutiny than perhaps ever before. David Dimbleby is a veteran journalist who knows both institutions well. "What's the Monarchy For?" is his latest project airing on the BBC now. He joins the show from London. Also on today's show: author Kiran Desai ("The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny"); Minnesota State Senator Zaynab Mohamed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The just-published Trump 2.0 national security strategy is causing a mix of fury, resignation, and even accusations of ignorance. Moscow has welcomed the plan, saying it aligns with Putin's vision, while former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt posted that it's "to the right of the extreme right of Europe." Celeste Wallander served as an assistant secretary of defense under President Biden, and Peter Frankopan is a professor of global history at Oxford University. They join Christiane to discuss. Also on today's show: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas; Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares; Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; New Yorker Editor David Remnick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One year ago today, Syria's fallen President Bashar al-Assad fled the country. The man who replaced him, opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, is certainly an international darling, welcomed all the way to the White House. According to a new poll by Arab Barometer, he has the approval of 81% of the Syrian people. But these numbers aren't universal: among minorities, including Alawites and Druze, support for him falls below 50%. Moreover, a United Nations commission warns that Syria's transition remains fragile amid continuing insecurity and sporadic violence. Christiane put crucial questions to him at this weekend's Doha forum. Also on today's show: correspondent Clare Sebastian; former CDC official Demetre Daskalakis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is time running out for Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro? Christiane asks Colombia's former president Ivan Duque why he supports Trump's aggressive stance against the country next door. And while the U.S. president has his eye on Latin America, the White House is snubbing Europe again, opting not to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio to a NATO foreign minister meeting. Julianne Smith, former US Ambassador to NATO, speaks to Christiane about transatlantic tension, and those marathon peace talks between Trump's team and Putin that appeared to produce nothing. Plus, Oedipus on Broadway! Christiane speaks to stars Lesley Manville and Mark Strong about modernizing the 2,5000-year-old Greek tragedy, and playing a mother and son in love. From the archives, we revisit a 1988 mutiny in a New Jersey monastery, and remember legendary playwright Tom Stoppard. Air date: December 6, 2025 Guests: Ivan Duque Julianne Smith Lesley Manville & Mark Strong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A week of intensive US diplomacy is wrapping up, with no Ukraine deal in sight, and escalating threats from Moscow. 30 years ago, the Dayton Agreement brought an end to the savage war in Bosnia, where, like Putin's dream of a greater Russia today, Serbia wanted more land and control, not an independent Bosnia. Rupert Smith was commander of the United Nations peacekeeping forces at the end of that conflict. Through his four decades in the military, he also led troops in the first Gulf war and Northern Ireland. He joins the program from London. Also on today's show: photographer Annie Leibovitz; Bulwark reporter Will Sommer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In recent months, the Trump administration has hit 21 boats suspected of smuggling on behalf of drug cartels, as part of their self-declared war on narcoterrorism. It's all part of a wider campaign aimed at Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro. Former President of Colombia Ivan Duque joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show NYT journalist Farnaz Fassihi; New Yorker contributing writer Joshua Yaffa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite five hours of talks between Russia and the US, they failed to reach an agreement for ending the war in Ukraine. Both President Zelensky and NATO officials say that Putin shows no sign of making "meaningful concessions. Julianne Smith was Ambassador to NATO under President Biden, including during Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. She joins the show from Washington DC. Also on today's show: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; Republican Senator Bill Cassidy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the sixth time this year, President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is meeting with President Putin in Moscow, presenting a revamped proposal agreed upon by both the White House and Ukraine. Meanwhile, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal alleges the White House may be prioritizing business interests with Russia over a just peace for Ukraine. The newspaper's chief foreign affairs correspondent, Yaroslav Trofimov, joins the show from DC. Also on today's show: Andrey Kurkov, author, "Three Years on Fire: The Destruction of Ukraine"; CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman; Iranian women's rights activist Mahnaz Afkhami Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Outrage is mounting in Washington over the Trump administration's latest moves in its pressure campaign against Venezuela and the Maduro regime. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling for an investigation into a so-called "double tap" strike by the US military, targeting survivors from an alleged drug trafficking vessel. President Trump is denying knowledge of the strike, and backing his Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who insists the strikes are legal. Reporter Stephen Collinson joins the show to discuss. Also on today’s show: Brian Winter, Editor-in-chief, "Americas Quarterly"; former US Secretary of State John Kerry; Pastor Tim Johnson, founder, Fatherless No More Initiative; Andrew Rice, features Writer, New York Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry joins Christiane to discuss the leaked phone call which appears to show Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff coaching a Putin aide. They also discuss the administration's 28-point peace plan that would see Ukraine surrender territory to Russia, and Kerry weighs in on Trump's case against military veteran and Democratic Senator, Mark Kelly. Then, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba gives Kyiv's perspective on the Witkoff call controversy. CNN's Hanako Montgomery reports on the mass grave site unearthed in the north of Sri Lanka, reopening painful wounds of a decades long civil war. Plus, renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz on her new book "Women", liberating Michelle Obama, the final photo of John Lennon and her Vogue cover of Timothée Chalamet. And as many celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we look at Christiane's archive piece from 1988, where she joined the charity "God's Love, We Deliver" on their meal train for those in need. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The leaked US plan has spurred frantic efforts to prevent it from being advanced. Joining us to discuss is former US Secretary of State and veteran negotiator John Kerry. Also on today's show: Legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz; award-winning director Wes Anderson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As peace talks for Ukraine continue, a leaked transcript released by Bloomberg has shocked many observers: It documents a phone call between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin's main peace negotiator, where Witkoff appears to offer advice on how the Russian leader can get the most out of President Trump. Nonetheless, the president says Witkoff will travel to Moscow for more negotiations next week. Meanwhile, civilian casualties in Ukraine have spiked, as Russia intensifies its attacks on energy infrastructure. Dmytro Kuleba served as Ukraine's foreign minister until last year, and he joins the show from Kyiv. Also on today's show: actors Mark Strong and Lesley Manville ("Oedipus"); country superstar Kenny Chesney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A judge has dismissed cases against both former FBI chief James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James on the grounds that Donald Trump illegally appointed prosecutor Lindsey Halligan. This is yet another setback for the resident, who, in the face of the Epstein files and criticism from longtime political ally Marjorie Taylor Greene, is currently polling at an all-time low. CNN's Stephen Collinson joins the program to discuss how all this might impact the administration. Also on today's show: Dr. Atul Gawande, former Head of Global Health, USAID & Tom Jennings, Co-director, "Rovina's Choice"; author Susan Choi ("Flashlight"); David Herzberg, Professor of History, University at Buffalo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Geneva, US President Donald Trump has hinted at potential movement toward ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. His proposed 28-point peace plan, however, has raised alarm in Kyiv and among its allies due to the significant concessions it would require, ranging from major territorial losses to limits on Ukraine’s military. CNN's Matthew Chance joins the show to discuss the developments of the plan. Also on today's show: Tymofiy Mylovanov, President, Kyiv School of Economics; Nabih Bulos, Middle East Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times; filmmaker Jimmy Chin and photojournalist Lynsey Addario Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South Africa's Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola joins Christiane to discuss President Trump snubbing the G20 and the mysterious flights shuttling Palestinians from Gaza to South Africa. Then, retired Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré explains his fear for American democracy in the wake of the White House's immigration crackdown. From Mozambique, CNN's Nick Paton Walsh brings us a report on the sudden ISIS resurgence there in the wake of U.S.A.I.D withdrawal. Plus, movie star Tilda Swinton tells us about her new book "Ongoing" that traces her career and artistic collaborations. And from Christiane's archive, we mark the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials with Chief Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz, who witnessed the horrors of World War II and convicted dozens of Nazi leaders. Air date: November 22, 2025 Guests: Ronald Lamola Russel L. Honoré Tilda Swinton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today marks the signing of the historic 1995 Dayton Agreement, which brought over three years of brutal fighting in Bosnia to an end. The Agreement yields important lessons today about bridging deep divides and finding a path to peace even in the most improbable conditions. Two key architects of the Agreement, Carl Bildt, High Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995-97), and Christopher Hill, former US Ambassador to Serbia, join Christiane to reflect on the challenges of reaching the agreement and how it can help guide solutions for today's most pressing conflicts. Also on today's show: actor Tilda Swinton; sports journalist Joon Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite the ceasefire, the killing continues in Gaza, with at least 312 Palestinians confirmed dead since the deal between Israel and Hamas six weeks ago. Meanwhile in the occupied West Bank, the UN has logged 264 attacks in October alone, its highest monthly tally, as Israeli settlers attack farmers and burn olive trees. Senior Israeli officials are warning that the state is losing control there. CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson joins the show from Jerusalem. Also on today’s show: Israeli comedian Noam Shuster-Eliassi; author Jelani Cobb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices