From abroad, the chaos in Washington resonates far and wide, as the U.S. government shuts down, with Democrats going to the mat for American's healthcare. Just as the shutdown took place, Christiane spoke with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen who has worked towards bipartisan consensus for more than thirty years but also believes it's time to mount an effective opposition to some of Trump's policies. Then, director Benny Safdie talks to Christiane about making his new film, "The Smashing Machin...
Oct 04, 2025•41 min
For years, Washington and Beijing have gone head-to-head for economic, military and technological superiority. At the United Nations General Assembly, China sent a clear message that it was ready to step in as the world's superpower - making pledges on everything from trade to climate. As US Ambassador to Beijing, Nicholas Burns witnessed China's push for power up close - from cyber attacks on America to designs on Taiwan, and he joins the show from New York to explain what he saw and what's ahe...
Oct 03, 2025•56 min
Ukraine President Zelensky is in Copenhagen meeting European leaders as they pledge to again boost support for his country's defense. Arseniy Yatsenyuk, who served twice as Ukraine's prime minister and was a leading figure during the pro-Western 2014 Maidan Revolution, joins Christiane in London. Also on today's show: actor/activist Jane Fonda & SHINE Collab Director Mela Chiponda; Task Force on Nuclear Proliferation and US National Security co-chairs Meghan O'Sullivan and Ernest Moniz Learn...
Oct 02, 2025•56 min
For the first time in six years, the US government has shut down. While government shutdowns are not unprecedented, this one carries unique and potentially far-reaching implications. Speculation is growing that the administration may use the shutdown as an opportunity to enact sweeping changes, including mass firings. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen joins Christiane to explore why this shutdown may be unlike any before, and what the administration’s recent rhetoric and actions could signal for...
Oct 01, 2025•56 min
A government shutdown is looming in the US, with little hope of a last-minute deal to avoid it. Jared Bernstein, the former head of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, joins Bianna to discuss how we got here, and what the impact of a shutdown might be. Also on today's show: Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondent for The Economist; Kori Schake, former US defense department official; Dake Kang, investigative reporter for the Associated Press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...
Sep 30, 2025•56 min
Following President Trump's tirade against the UN and American allies this week, Christine speaks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the sidelines of the UNGA. The two discuss how Spain has stood up against some of Trump's demands on immigration, climate, Gaza and NATO, and why it was ahead of most of Europe in recognizing a Palestinian state. Then, legendary Hollywood star Jane Fonda joins the program alongside Zimbabwean human rights defender Mela Chiponda. They talk to Christiane ab...
Sep 27, 2025•41 min
Even after Jimmy Kimmel returned to air, President Trump spoke of launching new legal action against ABC. Former CNN President Tom Johnson helped shape the legacy media landscape and had a front-row seat to many defining moments of the late twentieth century. He speaks to Christiane about his new book "Driven: A Life in Public Service and Journalism from LBJ to CNN" and the state of media today. Also on today's show: painter Adam Cvijanovic; author Fara Dabhoiwala ("What Is Free Speech?") Learn ...
Sep 26, 2025•56 min
As world leaders meet at the UN this week, the people of Ukraine are terrorized, many of them now living under constant Russian bombardment. Meanwhile, Putin continues to provoke NATO allies, with repeated incursions by drones and jets into NATO airspace. So what can NATO do? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte joins Christiane at the UN. Also on today's show: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul; Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez; former federal prosecutor Brendan Ballou Learn more about yo...
Sep 25, 2025•56 min
In a Truth Social post, President Trump unexpectedly reversed his stance on Russia's war in Ukraine, saying for the first time, "I think Ukraine ... is in a position to fight and win all of Ukraine back in its original form." He called Russia a "paper tiger" and told reporters that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircrafts that violate their airspace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Trump's post a "game changer," but issued a warning to world leaders at the UN today. Ursul...
Sep 25, 2025•56 min
Tradition dictates that the first country to address the UN GA every year is Brazil, which is at loggerheads with the US over the prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro - a staunch ally of Donald Trump. While the US president made some positive remarks about his new Brazilian counterpart, he criticized the country, saying it was doing "poorly." Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira joins the show. Also on today's show: Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon; Columbia University histor...
Sep 23, 2025•56 min
As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, the future of Israel's war in Gaza tops the agenda. The UK, Australia, Canada and Portugal have led the latest push to formally recognize a Palestinian state, with France set to join them today. Joining the show to discuss is former French Prime Minister Dominique De Villepin. Also on today's show: Hussein Agha, former adviser to Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas; Robert Malley, former US Middle East peace negotiator; NYT staff write...
Sep 22, 2025•56 min
A royal welcome for President Trump on his historic second state visit to the United Kingdom. Christiane speaks to Britain's former ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott from Windsor. Then, with world leaders gathering for next week's annual UN General Assembly in New York, UNGA's new president, former German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock speaks to Christiane about the pressing global challenges ahead, as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza continue to rage. Plus, CNN's Rafael Romo sha...
Sep 20, 2025•41 min
Prior to embarking on his UK state visit, President Trump alarmed many allies after he again asserted that Ukraine President Zelensky is "going to have to make a deal" with Russia. Leading those negotiations is Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov. He joins Christiane for an exclusive interview from Kyiv. Also on today's show: UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock; media analyst Brian Stelter; US House Democrat Sara Jacobs Learn more about your ad ...
Sep 18, 2025•56 min
Britain is throwing all the royal pageantry that it can muster for President Trump's unprecedented second state visit. The President and the First Lady were greeted earlier by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. Meanwhile, some took to the streets in London to protest the US leader's visit. Royal correspondent Max Foster joins the show from Windsor Castle. Also on today's show: Former US Ambassador to EU Gordon Sondland; Former UK Ambassador to US Peter Westmacott; World Wide W...
Sep 17, 2025•56 min
Israel's ground offensive into Gaza City has begun. It comes as a United Nations independent inquiry has concluded for the first time that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The Israeli government rejects the findings, maintaining that it's acting in self-defense against Hamas. To discuss this all, Professor at Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Nadav Eyal joins the show from New York. Also on today's show: Firas Maksad, Managing Director of the Middle E...
Sep 16, 2025•56 min
With Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the shooting of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, due to appear in court Tuesday, investigators are pointing to “dark internet” culture as a factor that potentially radicalized him. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and his supporters are calling for a crackdown on political opposition. David Frum was a speechwriter for George W. Bush, who now analyzes politics and culture as a staff writer at The Atlantic. He joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: J...
Sep 15, 2025•56 min
Following the murder of Trump ally Charlie Kirk, Christiane speaks with human rights activist Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of the late civil rights icon. The two discuss the rising political violence in America and the need to seek civility. Then, Michigan's Democratic Senator, Elissa Slotkin, speaks with Christiane about what America's foreign policy should look like, following Israel striking inside Qatar and Russian drones entering Polish airspace. Plus, freed Israeli hostage Liat B...
Sep 13, 2025•41 min
This week, an Israeli strike targeted Hamas leaders in Qatar as they discussed the latest proposal to end the war in Gaza. As Israel pursues a full-scale invasion of Gaza City, those covering it on the ground face ever greater danger. Since October 7th, the CPJ counts at least 189 Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza. Wael al-Dahdouh is Al Jazeera's Gaza Bureau Chief and he joins the show from London. Also on today's show: Liat Beinin Atzili, former hostage held in Gaza & Brandon Kramer, D...
Sep 12, 2025•56 min
America is reeling and the world is shocked after conservative youth activist - and staunch Trump ally - Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Acts of violence such as these are not isolated, or unique to one side of the political aisle. Martin Luther King III has experienced this violence firsthand as the son of the civil rights icon who was assassinated in 1968. He joins the show from Atlanta. Also on today's show: Cynthia Miller-Idriss, Founding Director, Polarization and Extremism Research Innovati...
Sep 11, 2025•56 min
The Polish prime minister says his country is the closest it's been to open coflict since World War II, after NATO fighter jets were forced to take out Russian drones fired into its airspace. Nick Paton Walsh is following the story and shares his report. Also on today's show: US Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin; historiand/author Jill Lepore; NYT reporter Matthew Cole Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Sep 10, 2025•56 min
Israel has carried out an attack targeting senior Hamas leaders in Qatar's capital Doha. It is the first Israeli strike in the Gulf state and marks a significant escalation of its tactics against the militant group. Qatar is calling the attack a "blatant violation of international law." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his country "accepts responsibility" for the operation, which he claims was justified after a mass shooting in Jerusalem on Monday. For more on this, we are joined b...
Sep 09, 2025•56 min
Russia launched the largest air attack of the war so far, damaging a government building for the first time, and killing more Ukrainian civilians. While President Trump says he is now ready to move to a "second phase" of sanctions on Moscow, despite the Kremlin claiming that sanctions could never force them to change course in the war. Michael Kofman, a senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, joins the show to tell us where things stand ...
Sep 08, 2025•58 min
This week, as China's president Xi Jinping raises an “axis of upheaval," Christiane speaks with Kurt Campbell and Matthew Bartlett, two former State Department officials under Biden and Trump 1.0, about the fallout of the historic show of force in Beijing. Then, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Yossi Beilin and Hiba Husseini join Christiane to discuss their bold plan for peace, "The Holy Land Confederation" and how it differs from past proposals for a two-state solution. Plus, CNN's Mike Vale...
Sep 06, 2025•41 min
Few countries are more aware of the fragility of democracy than Poland. 45 years ago, Lech Walesa started Poland's Solidarity Movement, stared down the Soviet Union, and became his country's first democratically elected president. He joins the show from Phoenix, Arizona to discuss today's dangers and his own extraordinary personal and political story. Also on today's show: author Elizabeth A. Hanks, daughter of Tom Hanks, discusses her new autobiography, "The Ten"; FEMA veterans Katherine Lander...
Sep 05, 2025•57 min
As the IDF is preparing the enter Gaza City, the future is increasingly uncertain for Palestinians. But even in the middle of this war, there are those who have never given up on the possibility of two states. Yossi Belin served as Justice Minister in Israel and was a key peace negotiator, while Hiba Husseini is a longtime Palestinian peace negotiator. They have been working together to create a plan for a two-state solution. They both join Christiane to discuss this plan. Also on today's show: ...
Sep 04, 2025•56 min
Xi Jinping put China's full military might on display in Beijing, joined by the leaders of Russia and North Korea. And those striking images of Xi, Putin and Kim standing side by side certainly caught the attention of Donald Trump, who accused the Chinese leader of "conspiring" against his country. Kurt Campbell served as deputy Secretary of State and architect of the Biden administration's China policy. Matthew Bartlett served in the State Department during President Trump's first term. They jo...
Sep 03, 2025•57 min
As the world marks the 80th anniversary since World War II came to an end, a strengthening alliance between Russia, China, and North Korea is casting doubt on whether the post-1945 world order is crumbling. As Beijing hosts two of America's biggest adversaries in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, striking a deal with Vladimir Putin for a new natural gas pipeline, the US is increasingly becoming more isolationist and transactional. Correspondent Ivan Watson breaks down the results of ...
Sep 02, 2025•56 min
China's security summit, which is wrapping up its second day, is being presented as an alternative alliance to the American and European-led world order. A key talking point of the meeting is the relationship between China's leader Xi and Russia's leader Putin. CNN Correspondent Mark Stewart joins the show with the latest from the Beijing. Also on today's show: Chatham House CEO Bronwen Maddox; IRC Afghanistan Country Director Sherine Ibrahim; Caitlin Howarth, Director of Conflict Analytics, Yal...
Sep 01, 2025•56 min
As Summer comes to a close, we're celebrating some of the most widely acclaimed voices who shaped this past year, from film to theater, to cooking and the written word. First, one of the year's defining writers, Pullitzer Prize-winning Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha speaks to Christiane about his award-winning poems and the dire conditions his family members continue to face in Gaza since he managed to escape. Then breakout star and Oscar winner Mikey Madison talks about playing a Brooklyn sex ...
Aug 30, 2025•41 min
President Trump is ramping up his anti-crime agenda, with armed troops on the streets of Washington DC and threats that more cities will soon follow. Immigration raids are ramping up across the country, and deportations are surging. So where does this leave the United States' democratic values? Journalist and historian Garrett Graff says that the country has already slipped into fascism, and he joins the show from Vermont. Also on today's show: musician Jon Batiste; writer/director John Ridley L...
Aug 29, 2025•56 min
