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We begin this hour with Putin’s political pawns, and the dangerous hostage diplomacy at play in the Kremlin. It’s now a year since the Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich became the first American journalist detained on espionage charges since the Cold War. Evgenia Kara-Murza, the wife of jailed Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza, discusses the fight to free Russia's political prisoners. In a significant sign of growing dissent inside the Biden camp over the Gaza crisis, US State Department staffer Annelle Sheline resigned in protest this week. She tells Christiane why her job to advocate for human rights had become impossible. Then, Zahiro-Shahar Mor, whose elderly uncle is still captive in Gaza, accuses the Israeli government of misleading the public, and failing the remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Starlink internet satellite system has become vital to Ukrainian troops, especially its drone pilots. But now it’s being used against them by Russian soldiers, who were never meant to have access to it. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh investigates how Russia appears to be bypassing US sanctions. From the Amanpour Archive this week, Christiane's 2015 interview with Gloria Steinem, whose tireless advocacy and undercover journalism made her a global feminist icon. And finally, after seeing his family's home destroyed in Gaza, and fleeing one bombing after another, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha eventually found refuge in Egypt with his wife and children. Christiane asks Mosab to read a poem inspired by the life and home he left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Wall Street Journal's front page is blank today, a huge void with a simple headline: "His Story Should Be Here." It marks one year since journalist Evan Gershkovich was arrested in Russia on espionage charges. Gershkovich’s parents campaign tirelessly for his release, and so do his colleagues and friends. Two of those friends, Polina Ivanova and Pjort Sauer, join the program live from Berlin to reflect on Evan, the year he missed out on, and their tireless campaign for his release. Also on today's show: David Frum, Staff Writer, The Atlantic; Rafael Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Abroad, alone, and locked away on trumped up charges, it's the stuff of nightmares. Yet for one year that has been the reality for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who is being held in a Russian prison on the charges of espionage. Charges he, and everyone who knows him, deny. Now, a Moscow court has extended his detention by three more months. At the same time in Gaza, more than a hundred hostages are still held captive after being taken during the brutal October 7th attack on Israel. Negotiations to release them -and build a ceasefire- have dragged on in Qatar for months. As the US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Roger Carstens is at the heart of both these crises, and he joins the program to talk about it. Also on today's show: correspondent Melissa Bell; Annelle Sheline, resigned in protest from US State Department; Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We start with the fallout from a brutal military coup in Myanmar, all but forgotten by the wider world, while atrocities playout in plain view. In a new investigation, correspondent Anna Coren examines videos that show two rebel PDF soldiers being tortured and killed, part of a pattern of horrific violence at the hands of the military, which they deny. Also on today's show: Noah Feldman, Author, "To Be A Jew Today"; Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General; Janti Soeripto, President, Save the Children US Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Donald Trump made history when he became the first US President to be impeached twice, and now he's making history again, becoming the first former president to be criminally prosecuted. Anthony Scaramucci was once a dedicated Trump supporter and spent a notorious 11 days as the White House communications director. Since 2019, he has opposed the former president’s re-election and joins Christiane to discuss. Also on today's show: actor Olivia Colman & director Thea Sharrock, "Wicked Little Letters"; author Charles Duhigg, "Supercommunicators" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We start tonight with terror and trauma around the globe. In Russia, four men from Tajikistan have been charged in the attack on the concert hall in Moscow which killed at least 137. Russia continues its assault on Ukraine with heavy missile attacks across the country. Meanwhile, in the Middle East the death toll in Gaza reaches over 32,000 amid fears of an Israeli offensive on Rafah. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel joins the program from Brussels to discuss the challenges ahead. Also on today's show: Peter Pomerantsev, Author, “How to Win an Information War”; Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General, Médecins Sans Frontières; actor Regina King, "Shirley" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
We begin this hour with the very latest on the Moscow terror attack, and the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis, from CNN's Fredrika Whitfield. Then, the pursuit of health and happiness, in an emotional conversation with America's highest-ranking doctor, Vivek Murthy. The US Surgeon General, who wears his heart on his sleeve talking about his own struggles with loneliness, was in London for the World Happiness Summit this week. He says unchecked social media is like driving without speed limits - and he’s worried young people are losing the muscle memory to make meaningful human connections in the real world. Meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he’s pressing ahead with plans to evacuate more than a million civilians from Gaza's southern city of Rafah, before ramping up his offensive on Hamas. Critics say it will only make the humanitarian catastrophe worse. This week the International Rescue Committee (IRC) called the imminent famine in Gaza "a profound failure of humanity," and "entirely preventable." IRC chief and former UK foreign secretary, David Miliband, joins the show. From the Amanpour Archive this week, the last Soviet leader’s lost legacy, and Russia’s path to dictatorship. We revisit Christiane’s 2012 conversation with Mikhail Gorbachev, and the legacy Putin has spent decades dismantling. And finally, the poison pen letter scandal that rocked Britain. Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman and director Thea Sharrock discuss their new movie Wicked Little Letters, and the satisfaction that get from swearing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Evelyn Farkas is a former official of the US Defense Department and head of the McCain Institute. She joins Bianna Golodryga from Kyiv, which was struck by Russian missile strikes for the first time in six weeks yesterday, to talk about the feeling on the ground among Ukrainians and the support of the United States. Also on today's show: Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations; Rodrigo García, Film Director / Son of Gabriel García Márquez; actor Ian McKellen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gabrielius Landsbergis is Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and one of Ukraine's fiercest allies. He has repeatedly chastised Western allies for doing far too little, too late for Kyiv. Landsbergis is currently in the United States to drum up urgent support for Ukraine and joins Christiane to discuss the current state of the war. Also on today's show: Rafael Grossi, Director General, International Atomic Energy Agency; Ryan Calais Cameron, Playwright, “For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Israeli military action continues to devastate the civilian population in Gaza. A three-day siege at Al-Shifa hospital is ongoing, though thousands are sheltering there. The IDF claims the site is being used by "senior Hamas terrorists," saying it's killed ninety of them. The bombardment is pushing Gaza towards a devastating humanitarian crisis: A UN-backed organization reports that half of Gaza, more than a million people, is on the brink of catastrophic hunger. David Miliband is President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee. He is a former British Foreign Secretary and is himself a child of holocaust refugees. Also on today's show: Israeli Knesset member Ofer Cassif Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today’s program, we examine wars the international community is failing to contain, and the man-made famines they are creating. First to Haiti, where gangs rule, and national security forces are low on ammunition and leadership. Correspondent David Culver reports from inside a Port-Au-Prince hospital. Also on today's show: Roberto Álvarez, Dominican Republic Foreign Minister; Raghad Jaraisy & Ofer Dagan, Co-Chief Executives, Sikkuy-Aufoq; Leslie Kaufman. Reporter, Bloomberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With a record of 87% of the vote, Vladimir Putin won a landslide election in Russia, solidifying his grip on power and securing a fifth term. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen looks at Putin’s re-election and what six more years of his leadership mean for Russia and the rest of the world. Also on today's show: Richard Haass, President Emeritus, Council on Foreign Relations; Andrew Weissmann; Former US Prosecutor & Co-Author, "The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary"; Eric Klinenberg, Author, "2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Russia this weekend, an election that's more of a rubber-stamp on Putin’s eternal presidency. Any real opposition to him or his war in Ukraine has been brutally crushed - both inside and outside the country. Christiane speaks to John Sullivan - America’s ambassador to Moscow under Presidents Trump and Biden. Meantime, with northern Gaza on the brink of famine, the first aid ship is arriving from Cyprus. And for the first time in weeks, a UN food convoy managed to reach Gaza city using a new military road. But experts say it's not nearly enough to stem the suffering. In a world exclusive interview, Queen Rania of Jordan tells Christiane how her country is helping get airdrops to starving people. Then, Christiane speaks to NASA administrator Bill Nelson just after the latest SpaceX rocket launch. It is a critical time for NASA. Its just had its budget cut. Its Artemis manned moon mission is behind schedule. And now China and Russia are talking about a nuclear power plant on the lunar surface. Nelson explains how the moon's untapped resources will help us get to Mars - plus its search for a new crop of wannabe Martians! From the Amanpour Archive this week: Christiane's report from 90s Haiti - and the country's unending cycle of violence and poverty - just before the US restored President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. And finally, in our Letter from London, it's the return of a smash hit play the Guardian calls "a moving meditation on Black masculinity and Black life in Britain." It’s called “For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue gets too heavy." It’s back in the West End after a sellout first run. That's where Christiane met playwright Ryan Calais Cameron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The majority of Israelis are in favor of early elections, according to Dahlia Scheindlin, a political analyst and pollster. As the government faces growing calls for change and international critics voice their concerns regarding Israeli leadership, the author of "The Crooked Timber of Democracy in Israel" joins Bianna Golodryga to discuss the future of Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli democracy. Also on today's show: singer/songwriter Paul Simon; author Cass R. Sunstein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Polls open this weekend in Russia for the presidential election, but the outcome isn’t in doubt. But Vladimir Putin is facing some resistance from his own people. Anti-Kremlin Russians based in Ukraine claim they’ve crossed into Russia and captured two villages. Matthew Chance reports. Also on today's show: John Sullivan, Former US Ambassador to Russia; Sayeeda Warsi and David Baddiel, cohosts, “A Muslim and a Jew Go There” podcast; misinformation experts Claire Wardle & Sam Gregory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
European partners are trying to get on the same page about how far they’ll go to help Ukraine and make up for the dire US shortfall. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is vastly out producing the west in ammunition and weapons production. Christiane speaks to defense expert Dara Massicot who says it’s a bad sign for Ukraine that Moscow is confident enough to accelerate its attacks ahead of the Russian election this weekend. And we take a look back at Christiane’s report for 60 Minutes from 1997, looking at the dire state of Russia’s army back then. Also on today's show: Rod Nordland, Author, “Waiting for the Monsoon”; Bill Kristol, Editor-at-Large, the Bulwark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gang violence has ripped through the lives of children in Haiti. Speaking to a rape victim, a girl shot while playing, and a teen forced to burn bodies, Correspondent David Culver uncovers the violent reality of what is happening on the ground. His report is followed by a discussion with Haitian Democracy Activist and Writer Monique Clesca and Former US Ambassador to Haiti Pamela White. Also on today's show: Dr. Cornelia Griggs, Author, "The Sky Was Falling"; Josh Tyrangiel, Artificial Intelligence Columnist, The Washington Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On Sunday, the United States and Jordan conducted another joint airdrop into northern Gaza. Jordan’s Queen Rania has been outspoken in defense of Gaza civilians and urging the United States and other Israeli allies to use all their leverage to end what she calls Israel’s “deliberate effort” to deprive those in need. Christiane speaks with Queen Rania exclusively from King Abdullah II Air Base in Jordan, just ahead of another airdrop. Plus: Steve Coll, Author, “The Achilles Trap”; former NBA All-Star Rex Chapman, author the new memoir, “It’s Hard for Me to Live with Me” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
With reproductive rights under attack in America, a world first as France makes abortion a constitutional right. CNN's Melissa Bell explains how US politics galvanized this history-making moment. Then, Christiane asks French President Emmanuel Macron’s former minister for gender equality Marlène Schiappa if America’s reputation has been damaged abroad by turning back the clock on the right to choose. Meantime, more than 110 Israeli hostages have been released from Hamas captivity since the war began. But 130 remain in Gaza - 99 of them believed still alive - but with no word of their condition. Chen Almog Goldstein lived to tell her harrowing story of survival in Hamas captivity. Her husband and eldest daughter were murdered in front of her, just before she and her three remaining children were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. She describes her torment, and tells Christiane why her captors wouldn’t let her cry. Then, the US and Jordan airdropped food into Gaza this week, as the UN warned that widespread famine was now “almost inevitable.” Now parents in Gaza tell CNN their children are dying of hunger and dehydration. CNN’s Nada Bashir has their story. It was a close call for the Ukrainian President this week, after a Russian missile exploded near his convoy. It was also a jolting reminder of just how dire the situation is. Nowhere is this war more real than on the frontlines, where Ukraine is rationing munitions while it waits for ammo and aid from the US. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh sees the struggle firsthand. From the Amanpour Archive this week: shock therapy and poverty in capitalist-curious Russia, and how moonlighting as a taxi driver fueled Vladimir Putin’s rise to power. And finally, ahead of the Academy Awards, Christiane revisits her interview with Mstyslav Chernov the director of 20 Days in Mariupol, which is odds-on favorite to win best documentary. If we don't report “the reality of war,” he tells Christiane, “it becomes acceptable.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After a week in which the election race was all but confirmed as a Biden-Trump rematch, pundits - and likely many voters - were listening and watching closely to the current president's State of the Union address. They were met with a fiery address, as Biden weaved between issues including the economy, the border, the Middle East, and even his own age. So, have Democratic fears been allayed? What does the address signal for the next 8 months of campaigning? Anat Shenker-Osorio is a political communication strategist, who joins the show from California. Also on today's show: Rachel Cockerell, Author, “Melting Point”; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Author, "Americanah"; Charan Ranganath, Author, “Why We Remember” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this day five months ago, Hamas stormed out of Gaza and into Israel. Israel says they murdered 1,200 people and took 240 others hostage. Across Israel, families are taking to the streets to demand that their government prioritizes their release – among them is Chen Almog-Golstein, who knows the plight of hostages better than almost anyone. Chen witnessed her husband and her eldest daughter’s murders in their home by Hamas on October 7th. She and her three youngest children were then kidnapped and held for 51 hellish days in Gaza. She joined Christiane to speak about that experience and the moral duty to do everything possible to bring home those still being held in Gaza. Also on today's show: Suzanne Nossel, CEO, PEN America Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In Gaza, the most vulnerable are paying the cost of Israel’s war to avenge the October 7th Hamas attack. Aid agencies say children are facing "extreme malnutrition" and dehydration. 15 have already died because of it, according to the ministry of health. Right now, parents are saying goodbye to their sons and daughters, as correspondent Nada Bashir reports. Also on today's show: Fania Oz-Salzberger, History Professor Emeritus, University of Haifa; Sophia Scott, Director, "Tomorrow's Freedom" & Arab Barghouthi, Son of Palestinian politician Marwan Barghouti; Mona Charen, Policy Editor, The Bulwark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After formally resigning as Palestinian Prime Minister last week, Mohammad Shtayyeh is staying on as caretaker until a permanent replacement is announced. He joins the show from Ramallah. Also on today's show: Dalia Hatuqa, Independent Journalist & Oren Persico, Staff Writer, The Seventh Eye; Marcela Valdes, Staff Writer, The New York Times Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Israel refuses to send a delegation to ceasefire talks in Cairo, where Egyptian, Qatari and US mediators are meeting. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been a prominent critic of the Israeli government’s handling of this war and recently called for early general elections in Israel. He joins the show from Tel Aviv. Also on today's show: Daiana Al-Bukhari, Displaced Palestinian living in Rafah; Susan Glasser, Staff Writer, The New Yorker; Reiko Hillyer, Author, “A Wall is Just a Wall” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The impact of the war in Gaza is ratcheting up on Israel, the US, and on the people of Gaza themselves. More than 30,000 are now dead - an unthinkable toll of Israel's offensive, since the October 7th Hamas attack. In an astonishing insight, UNRWA Chief Philippe Lazzarini tells Christiane the looming famine there is now so bad, that some people have been eating animal feed to survive. Now even that is running out. Then, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland tells Christiane that he is “shaken” by the “horrific conditions” he's seeing firsthand in Gaza. “We're really, really overstretched in this ocean of needs,” he says. Meantime, Donald Trump reportedly has an old friend in town next week - Hungary's far-right leader Viktor Orban. They will have plenty to agree on, like their affinity with Vladimir Putin who Orban has courted publicly, and Trump has praised for his “strong control” of Russia. How will authoritarianism and Trump's admiration for these so-called strong men play with voters in November? Mary Trump, the ex-president's niece and clinical psychologist, gives Christiane her diagnosis on Trump’s “strongman syndrome.” Then, CNN's Will Ripley sees firsthand the deadly game of cat and mouse playing out with China off Taiwan's coast. Also this hour, President Biden turned the hysteria about his age on its head this week, by attacking the advancing years of his political adversary, Donald Trump - who is only four years his junior. Media critic, columnist and academic Margaret Sullivan says enough is enough with the herd mentality coverage of Biden’s age, because this election is about much more than “chasing clicks”. In the Amanpour Archive, the moment Christiane witnessed people dodging sniper fire for the chance to find whatever fresh food they could during the 1990's siege of Sarajevo, which ended 28 years ago this week. And finally, in the week that saw U.S. presidents both past and present at the Texas border - where the immigration crisis is a top election issue - a brand new HBO documentary delves into the often-dark history of the Lone Star State. "God Save Texas" is an adaptation of the book by the same name from Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Lawrence Wright. He tells Christiane why Texas is so emblematic of the struggles at play in America ahead of the presidential election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Thousands of Russians lined the streets to honor opposition leader Alexey Navalny two weeks after his death. Mikhail Fishman is a Russian journalist who knew Navalny well. He anchored a popular news program on opposition station “TV Rain,” until he had to flee Russia two years ago. Mikhail Fishman spoke to Bianna Golodryga about Navalny’s death, and about his hopes for freedom in Russia. Also on today's show: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hisham Matar; Bao Nguyen, Director, “The Greatest Night in Pop” & Tom Bahler, Vocal Arranger, “We Are the World” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
More than one hundred people have been killed while gathered around food aid trucks in Gaza city, according to the Ministry of Health there. Despite disputed timelines, Israeli forces say they did open fire. This comes in the context of a dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the UN says over half a million people are "one step away from famine." Mark Regev is special adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and he joins the show from Tel Aviv. Also on today's show: Kara Swisher, Author, “Burn Book”; Marie Arana, Author, “Latinoland”; Josh Paul, Former US State Department Official Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
One of the key groups responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), whose leader is sounding the alarm about what he calls a “man-made disaster.” But UNRWA itself has come under intense criticism recently, after the Israeli government alleged that 12 of its staff in Gaza were involved in the October 7th attacks on Israel. As a result, over a dozen countries suspended funding, including the United States, its largest donor. Philippe Lazzarini is the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and he joins the show from Jerusalem. Also on today’s show: Lawrence Wright, Author & Executive Producer, “God Save Texas”; Dr. Jonathan Metzl, Author, “What We’ve Become” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
There are major disagreements about a possible agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The death toll in Gaza is fast approaching 30,000. And the U.N. warns of a looming famine as the World Food Program says it's suspended its aid deliveries amid a "collapse of civil order." Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, a major humanitarian organization, is in Gaza for the first time since the October 7th Hamas slaughter of Israelis. He joins the show from Rafah. Also on today's show: Christiane reports from Bucha; actor Jodie Foster; author Alexander Ward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Palestinian Authority Prime Minister and his entire government have handed in their resignations to President Mahmoud Abbas. It is a stunning shakeup that raises even more questions about the future of Gaza and what the Palestinian leadership could look like after the war. Axios journalist Barak Ravid joins the show to discuss what could be next for the Palestinian leadership. Also on today's show: Khaled Elgindy, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute / Author, "Blindspot: America and the Palestinians, from Balfour to Trump"; Nathalie Loiseau, MEP, Renew Europe Group / Chair of the Sub-committee on Security and Defense / Former French Minister for European Affairs; Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize winner; Michele Norris, Author, "Our Hidden Conversations" / Founder, The Race Card Project Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
