Australia's tight-knit Jewish community is reeling in the aftermath of a mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach. Australia's Jewish leaders have been warning Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government about rising antisemitism for several years now. As the Hanukkah holiday continues, with its celebration of light and resistance, Bianna speaks with Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann from Melbourne. Also on today's show: British Conservative MP Alicia Kearns; Director Park...
Dec 15, 2025•56 min
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 spe...
Dec 13, 2025•43 min
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,...
Dec 12, 2025•56 min
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 H...
Dec 11, 2025•56 min
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...
Dec 10, 2025•56 min
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...
Dec 10, 2025•56 min
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 rem...
Dec 08, 2025•56 min
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 betwee...
Dec 06, 2025•43 min
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 Nor...
Dec 05, 2025•56 min
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...
Dec 04, 2025•56 min
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...
Dec 03, 2025•56 min
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 ...
Dec 02, 2025•56 min
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 s...
Dec 01, 2025•56 min
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'...
Nov 29, 2025•42 min
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
Nov 28, 2025•56 min
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 e...
Nov 26, 2025•58 min
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...
Nov 25, 2025•56 min
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 Eas...
Nov 24, 2025•56 min
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 h...
Nov 22, 2025•46 min
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 agre...
Nov 21, 2025•56 min
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 sh...
Nov 20, 2025•56 min
The G20 is preparing to kick off in South Africa this weekend. It's supposed to be when the world's major powers come together to tackle the biggest global challenges, from economic stability to climate change. But this year's summit in Johannesburg begins with something extraordinary: virtually no senior US presence. All of it unfolds as South Africa confronts another unexpected crisis: mystery flights carrying Palestinians from Gaza into the country, which officials fear could signal an effort...
Nov 19, 2025•56 min
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince walked into the White House today, just years after being labelled an international pariah. President Trump welcomed Mohammed Bin Salman, the man increasingly seen as the Kingdom's most consequential leader in recent history. Few Americans know and understand MBS better than Princeton scholar Bernard Haykel. Haykel has interviewed the Crown Prince more than 20 times for his forthcoming book "The Realm" and he joins Christiane from Washington. Also on today's show: int...
Nov 18, 2025•56 min
On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council moved to investigate mass killings in Sudan. That comes after stark new evidence of atrocities in El Fasher, in the Darfur region. The UN’s top aid official, Tom Fletcher, has just returned from Tawila in northern Darfur. While in Sudan, Fletcher also met with the Sudanese army chief, as well as the opposition paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Also on today's show: political reporter Stephen Collinson; singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan; MTV co-...
Nov 17, 2025•56 min
Former U.S. Vice President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore joins Christiane to discuss the COP30 climate summit and U.S. politics. Then, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter talk about their reunion, this time for a bold new Broadway production of “Waiting for Godot.” In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians have surged, CNN brings a special report from the ground. Plus, a taste of Ukrainian soft power as a London chef who once fought on the frontlines brings his country’s...
Nov 15, 2025•44 min
As many Americans gathered to celebrate Veterans Day, they did so at a time of political upheaval and division. From the nation's capital to cities like Chicago and Portland, soldiers police their own streets, their own people. Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré, who served his country for more than 37 years, says, "never before have I been as concerned for our democracy -- we are being tested, and this is a test we cannot afford to fail." He joins the show from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Also on ...
Nov 14, 2025•56 min
Thousands of emails to and from Jeffery Epstein have been released by the House Oversight committee, exposing a web of connections to the disgraced businessman and convicted sex offender, who was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. Of course, all everyone wants to know about is how President Donald Trump is connected to it all. CNN Chief US National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: Zack Polanski, Leader, The Green Party of England and Wales; act...
Nov 13, 2025•56 min
Indigenous protesters against deforestation are making their voices heard in Belem, Brazil, the site of the UN's major climate summit. But the world's most powerful people aren't even at the conference: Presidents Trump and Xi are no-shows, and so is India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all big polluters. One well-known American trying to fill the leadership gap is former US Vice President Al Gore. One of the earliest politicians to sound the alarm on climate change, he won the Nobel Peace Priz...
Nov 12, 2025•56 min
First: As Russia advances on Ukraine, G7 leaders meet in Canada with this war high on their agenda. So, what's at stake, and how long can Ukraine hold out? Next: "The President's Cake" is the award-winning film exploring the realities of Saddam Hussein's rule in 1990s Iraq. We speak with writer/director Hassan Hadi. Then: On Veterans Day, Hari Sreenivasan speaks with former Navy Seal Marcus Capone and Bonni Cohen, director of "In Waves and War," a film about controversial psychedelic therapy tha...
Nov 11, 2025•56 min
The longest US government shutdown ever recorded could be coming to an end soon after eight Democratic senators voted with Republicans to advance a measure to reopen the government. Angus King, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats, was one of those senators who broke ranks. He joins the show to discuss that decision and what happens next. Also on today's show: Reem Turkmani, Director, Syria Conflict Research Program at the London School of Economics & Charles Lister, Syria Program ...
Nov 10, 2025•56 min
