Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Did Trump's cuts to the National Weather Service contribute to the death toll in the tragic floods in Texas? And how many lives will needlessly be lost because of the President and his former adviser Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to foreign aid? This week, Christiane and Jamie look at the real-life impact of the swingeing cuts Trump has made since returning to the White House, and examine the fatal consequences of these decisions.They also tell personal stories to explain the impact USAID has had in the past, from fighting AIDS in Africa, to ending famine in Somalia and successfully combating Russian disinformation across the globe - and question what the real motivation is behind the President's bid to cut foreign aid spending. Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: 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 bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie are answering on whether the UN is 'toothless', and what Iranian and Israeli civilians misunderstand most about each other. They also discuss what the international community is really doing to support Afghan women - is there any way to pressure the Taliban to uphold basic human rights?Christiane and Jamie also reflect on the early mentors who shaped their careers and the surprising ways those influences still guide them today. Plus, Christiane recounts one of the most outrageous (and risky) requests she ever made to Colin Powell during her coverage of the Bosnian war. And for Gilmore Girls fans: she talks about being Rory’s idol and the story behind her memorable cameo.

As Iran continues to dominate the headlines, we’re turning back the clock to explore what the country was like before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Christiane shares personal memories of growing up in pre-revolutionary Tehran and during the uprising. What was life really like before and how did life start to change?We also dive into the complex world of nuclear weapons. We explain why some countries are allowed to have them while others are denied. In the wake of recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, we explain why Israel has the bomb, but Iran doesn’t. And with only nine countries possessing nuclear weapons today, how did North Korea manage to become one of them?

In this week’s bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie dive into some of the toughest questions shaping global politics today. They explore what might happen if Israel and the U.S. bring the war with Iran to a close, and whether Pakistan could emerge as an unexpected diplomatic player.They also discuss Ukraine, with a frank discussion on whether the American public truly grasps the broader risks of Russia’s invasion. Plus they debate Europe’s defence strategy: Should nations keep relying on U.S. weapons, or prioritise building their own military capabilities? Plus they consider what they’d ask Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if given the chance.Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Just after we finished recording yesterday’s episode, Iran launched missiles at a U.S. airbase in Qatar. This morning, President Trump and Qatari leaders brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran - though tensions remain high, with Israel accusing Iran of violations.Despite these developments, today’s conversation remains just as vital. We explore whether Tehran will now accelerate its pursuit of a nuclear weapon after US strikes on its nuclear facilities.With President Trump hinting at regime change, can Iran’s leadership survive this crisis - and should it? And given America’s track record in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, is this the right policy?And after Iran was deliberately misled by both the U.S. and Israel, is diplomacy still a realistic path to ending the war?

Christiane and Jamie tackle more of your questions in this week's bonus episode, including Trump's stance on immigration and whether there needs to be more investigations into allegations of corruption within the Trump administration.Christiane explains why the US risks losing credibility with the rest of the world as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues in the Middle East, and Jamie also give his views on the Democrats' chances of success in next year's midterm elections, Plus they try to finish on a more positive note and discuss whether looking back on the past gives them hope for the future. Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

As missiles fly between Israel and Iran, Christiane and Jamie tackle the big questions: is Israel pushing for regime change in Tehran? Was Israel justified in starting this war in the first place? Will Iran decide to go for nuclear weapons as a result of this conflict? And just how far is President Trump prepared to go in backing Israel? With exclusive insights from Christiane’s personal contacts inside Iran and Jamie’s firsthand knowledge of U.S. intelligence, they pull back the curtain on the reality of this war, and what's likely to happen next.Plus - for the first time - they tell the story of when Jamie was approached by senior figures in the Iranian regime to broker diplomatic talks with Hillary Clinton during her first Presidential campaign. Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Christiane and Jamie tackle more of your questions in this week's bonus episode, including Georgina's about whether it will be safe for foreigners to travel to the US for the 2026 Football World Cup given the hostile atmosphere Trump is creating with his crackdown on immigration. Christiane also gives her view on the latest events in the Middle East, and Jamie doesn't hold back when asked whether the Israeli military is now committing war crimes in Gaza. They're also asked about Russia's growing influence across Eastern Europe in light of Jamie's recent trip to Bulgaria.Plus the pair reveal what they enjoy reading and watching in their free time, and what career they'd have pursued if they hadn't been reporters, diplomats, or podcasters! Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Is President Trump trying to start a political civil war over immigration? That's what Christiane and Jamie discuss on this week's episode in light of Trump deploying the National Guard and Marines to California to deal with protesters.They also look at the President's fallout with former First Buddy Elon Musk and ask: who stands to lose the most from this breakdown in their relationship? Plus Christiane and Jamie explain why it won't be long before China becomes the world's biggest superpower if Trump continues with his America First approach to trade, tariffs, and diplomacy. The pair also reveal what they learned from their visits to China - Christiane in the 1970s just after Mao's death, and Jamie with a government delegation led by First Lady Hilary Clinton in the 1990s, when they quickly realised they were being spied on in their hotel rooms. Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: 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 bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie tackle your questions: could the U.S. really slide into dictatorship? And why didn’t Biden and Harris tell the US about his Gaza peace deal during the election campaign? Plus Christiane and Jamie reveal whether he ever wanted to run for president (and what Christiane might have made of that…).Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social