Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

A rapid-fire Q&A about how the Iran war reshapes Republican foreign policy bets and which politicians stand to gain or lose. A close look at contradictions in recent U.S. sanction moves and their unintended geopolitical effects. Examination of why Russia seems to benefit as U.S. influence frays and why key allies are stepping back from Washington.

They unpack whether talks between Washington and Tehran are real or just performative. They weigh the realism and scale of a possible US ground invasion and the risks of a prolonged war. They explore Iran’s regional leverage, control of shipping lanes, and how global supply and ammunition strains shape strategy. They also examine political fallout at home and wider geopolitical consequences.

Listeners probe whether Trump's Iran moves could be a cynical geopolitical play benefiting oil interests and aligning with Russian aims. They weigh the risks of Israel's expanding bombardment in Lebanon and the danger of a wider invasion. They question why the US still leans on NATO capabilities even as its leader publicly alienates allies.

They debate whether recent US statements signal real talks with Iran or a setup for strikes on power plants. They raise the risk that attacks on civilian infrastructure could be war crimes and describe life in a blackout. They examine how market shocks and fractured NATO trust shape responses and consider the wider regional and nuclear fallout of further escalation.

In this week's Q&A, Christiane and Jamie tackle pressing questions about the Iran-U.S. tensions. They explore why President Trump is urging other nations to patrol the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. having the largest navy, and why NATO is involved instead of Gulf states.They're also asked about the mystery surrounding the new Ayatollah's absence from public view, addressing claims of possible injury or disfigurement. Additionally, Christiane discusses her personal connection to Iran, responding to whether she is officially banned from visiting the country after referring to herself as an 'exile.'Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

This week, Christiane is again joined by the legendary Tina Brown, author of the 'Fresh Hell' Substack, to dissect the countless mistakes and miscalculations made by Trump & Netanyahu in their Iran War so far.They discuss why the Trump administration appears to have been surprised by the conflict's impact on the global economy and whether the Iranian regime is any closer to falling than it was three weeks ago.Later, Christiane & Tina discuss Trump's other war: his continued assault on the free press, from giving daily micro-interviews to his notorious distraction techniques. And Tina explains why the Epstein Files are the one story that the President hasn't been able to make go away.Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

On this week’s Q&A, the war in Iran takes centre stage once again. Christiane and Jamie are asked whether Iran has ever really been an existential threat to US national security, or if the regime’s threats of “Death to America” ring hollow.Then, looking to the other major conflict of our times, they’re asked whether the continued erosion of international norms around conflicts affects Ukraine, particularly given Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s dynamic. Will Ukraine be pressured to concede territory, or even to step aside?Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this week's episode, Christiane and Jamie look at the unintended consequences of Trump's Iran War, and the damage the conflict is doing to the world order and global economy. Christiane questions whether Trump and his team had any understanding of the nature of the Iranian regime before starting this war - and whether the President has any clear plan for how it will end.They discuss the knock-on effect the war is having on countries like Russia & China, and explain why the ongoing conflict is a 'mixed bag' for the likes of Presidents Putin & Xi. Christiane also has an update on the airstrike which killed over 100 Iranian schoolgirls at the start of the war, and gives her personal reaction to the ongoing destruction & violence in Iran.Plus Christiane reveals what she's been told about the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and she and Jamie discuss whether he will be any more open to dealing with Trump than his father was.Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

This week's Q&A episode is a special all about the ongoing war in the Middle East: Christiane & Jamie tackle your questions on everything from who is likely to succeed the late Ayatollah Khamenei as the leader of Iran, to whether Trump might have started this conflict to distract from his domestic struggles and scandals.Later, Christiane explains whether there is more support for regime change among the older or younger generations inside Iran, and why Trump has misjudged his approach towards the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.Meanwhile, Jamie breaks down why Hamas' October 7th attacks on Israel were the turning point that led to this war breaking out.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it by email to amanpourpod@global.comFollow us on social media: @amanpourpod

In this special episode, Christiane gives her personal reaction to the killing of Ayatollah Khamanei and the dramatic events of the past few days, as she and Jamie try to make sense of America and Israel's war on Iran.How long will the airstrikes last? Can this military intervention actually lead to regime change? And how many other countries might get involved before the conflict ends? These are some of the questions they try to answer as the world waits to see what happens next.Christiane also asks whether Trump's actions might encourage Putin to attempt a similar strike on Zelensky, and reveals what she's hearing from sources inside Iran about who might be involved if America does try to implement regime change.Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social