Top Iranian clerics have picked Mojtaba Khamenei as the country's next Supreme Leader. He is the son of slain leader Ayotallah Ali Khameni and is known for sharing his father's hardline stance. It is a choice that both the US and Israel have said they won't accept. Gideon Sa'ar is Israel's Foreign Minister and he joined the show to react. Also on today's show: CNN's Fred Pleitgen interviews former Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi; Jason Furman, Former Chairman of the Council of Economic Ad...
Mar 09, 2026•56 min
As America and Israel's conflict with Iran spills out into the region and beyond, Christiane gets perspective from around the world with a range of guests. U.S. Democratic Senator, Chris Murphy, who sits on the foreign relations committee is up first with a furious response to the roll out of this war and the lack of clear objectives. Then from inside Iran, Christiane hears from human rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-write the Oscar-nominated drama 'It Was Just an Accident' and was until...
Mar 07, 2026•43 min
It is day seven of Israel and America's war on Iran, after the heaviest night of bombardment so far. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his photojournalist and producer, Claudia Otto, are in Tehran - the first US team in the country since the start of the war. They are operating there only with the permission of the Iranian government. While anti-government protesters are off the streets, trying to avoid retribution, the government is allowing us to see crowds of its supporters. Also on today's sho...
Mar 06, 2026•56 min
Today's show begins with a special report from CNN Senior International Correspondent Fred Pleitgen and his team. It's the first time a reporter from a US network has been allowed into the country since the start of the war. Also on today's show: Admiral Mike Mullen (Ret.), Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Abbas Milani, Director of Iranian Studies, Stanford University & Scott Anderson, Author, "King of Kings"; Noah Feldman, Professor, Harvard Law School Learn more about your ad ...
Mar 05, 2026•56 min
Israel is conducting yet another wave of strikes across Iran and Lebanon, while the US says its heaviest attacks are still to come. Five days in, the Trump administration is trying to project a clear and unified message after failing to answer basic questions about its mission. Democratic Senator Chris Murphy is on the Foreign Relations Committee, and he was among a group of senators briefed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday evening. He joined Christiane from Capitol Hill just ahead o...
Mar 04, 2026•1 hr 1 min
Israel bombed Iran's Assembly of Experts compound in the holy city of Qom today while its members were voting to elect the country's next supreme leader. In Beirut, the Israeli air force is striking Hezbollah targets as their forces seize ground in Southern Lebanon. And in Saudi Arabia, the US warns there is a threat of imminent attacks, after its embassy was struck by suspected Iranian drones. To discuss all this we turn to former CIA Director David Petraeus. Also on today's show: Amos Harel, D...
Mar 03, 2026•56 min
War is spreading across the Middle East, as more countries are feeling the impact of the conflict launched by the US and Israel against Iran. Jon Finer was Deputy National Security Advisor under President Biden and he joins the show to discuss whether there is a path to de-escalation. Also on today's show: Ellie Geranmayeh, Deputy Director, MENA Program, European Council on Foreign Relations; Col. Cedric Leighton, US Air Force (Retired); NPR political reporter Stephen Fowler Learn more about you...
Mar 02, 2026•56 min
Environmental and health groups have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency after the Trump administration moved to rescind the "endangerment finding," a 2009 determination that established that greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. That simple conclusion became the foundation for nearly ever rule limiting pollution for the last seventeen years. Former Democratic Governor of Washington Jay Inslee, a national leader on climate action, joins the show from Portla...
Feb 27, 2026•56 min
Nuclear talks between the US and Iran in Geneva have been "intense" and "serious," according to an Iranian official. The world is still waiting to see if a diplomatic off-ramp can be found, or if the enormous buildup of US military assets in the region will be deployed. Meanwhile, details are still coming to light about the regime's bloody January crackdown on protesters. Jomana Karadsheh brings you a chilling report, including testimony from victims' families who say they were forced to lie abo...
Feb 26, 2026•56 min
Donald Trump beat his own record Tuesday night, delivering the longest State of the Union speech in American history. The president boasted about his accomplishments while slamming Democrats for "destroying the country." Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger gave the rebuttal, focused squarely on what her party considers Trump's weakness right now: kitchen table issues. Joining the program to discuss is Gregg Nunziata, Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law, and Susan Glasser, a lo...
Feb 25, 2026•56 min
A moment of silence in Kyiv today as Ukrainians mark a grim milestone: four years of war, with hundreds of thousands killed and many more wounded. Now, President Zelensky is doing everything in his power to convince his allies to stick with Ukraine. Journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk joins the show from Kyiv where she's been asking people how they feel about the war, four years on. Also on today's show: Michael Kofman, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Craig Renaud, director o...
Feb 24, 2026•56 min
Gang members in Mexico are retaliating against the killing of most-wanted cartel boss "El Mencho," torching buses and businesses, clashing with security forces, and setting hundreds of blockades across 20 Mexican states. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum told the country this morning that peace and security is "being maintained" and stressed the key role Mexico's military played in the operation. Mexican scholar Viri Rios joins the show from Mexico City. Also on today's show: CNN Internationa...
Feb 23, 2026•56 min
Dive into powerful stories this week, from Cardinal Tobin’s stance on immigration to the groundbreaking arrest of ex-Prince Andrew. Plus, don’t miss our segment from the past on Ukraine’s drone innovation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 21, 2026•43 min
Next week, Ukraine will mark a violent anniversary: four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The war has already reshaped Europe’s security order, strained Western unity, and tested the limits of diplomacy. It’s a conflict that historian Serhii Plokhy explores in his new book "David and Goliath: Commentaries on the Russo-Ukrainian War." He joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: actors Billy Crudup and Denise Gough; author Emily Galvin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Feb 20, 2026•56 min
For the first time since King Charles I in 1647, a senior British royal has been arrested. Today, police took Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Prince Andrew, into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Andrew's fall from grace began in 2019, when journalist Emily Maitlis sat down with him inside Buckingham Palace for a notorious, hour-long interview about his relationship with Epstein. Mattis joins Christiane in London to discuss this latest development. Also on today's show:...
Feb 19, 2026•57 min
US-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine wrapped up in Geneva today after just about two hours. Both sides say there is progress. Still, Moscow launched a wave of aerial attacks just hours before this round of talks began. Barham Salih has just been appointed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, having previously served as president of Iraq. He joins from Ukraine. Also on today's show: Joachim Trier, Director & Co-writer, “Sentimental Value”; CNN Chief Medical Corresp...
Feb 18, 2026•56 min
It's a day of dual diplomacy in the Geneva area, as President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner attempt to negotiate with Iran to avert a wider war. Also on the agenda, attempting to end Russia’s war on Ukraine as it approaches its fifth year. Wendy Sherman is a former US Deputy Secretary Of State, who negotiated the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran. She joins to discuss these two critical negotiations. Also on today's show: European Commission President Ursula von ...
Feb 17, 2026•56 min
It's been almost four years since Russia's brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Now, Ukrainian negotiators are headed to Geneva to meet with Russia and the United States for the next round of talks, hoping to hammer out a ceasefire agreement. In Munich, Christiane sat down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and US Republican Senator Roger Wicker. Also on today's show: Jesús Armas, Free...
Feb 16, 2026•56 min
A transatlantic turning point from the Munich Security Conference! Dive deep into the future of Iran, as we sit down with key leaders and voices from across the globe. Don't miss our in-depth analysis and conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 14, 2026•43 min
According to the latest annual report by Human Rights Watch, President Donald Trump is pushing America towards authoritarian rule. It says nearly three-quarters of the global population now live under autocratic rulers - putting democracy at its lowest point in forty years. It's a bleak reality that our first guest saw coming. Writer and activist Ece Temelkuran left Turkey ten years ago after learning she might be arrested for criticizing President Erdogan. Temelkuran joins the show to discuss h...
Feb 13, 2026•56 min
Eighty years of peaceful world order are under unprecedented harm, thanks to the "wrecking-ball politics" led by US President Donald Trump. That's the assessment of European security experts who are getting set to host world leaders and diplomats at the pivotal Munich Security Conference starting tomorrow. Robert Kagan is a traditional conservative foreign policy scholar, he calls himself a "former Republican" and his latest piece for the Atlantic is about America and the world. He joins the sho...
Feb 12, 2026•56 min
47 years ago today, Iran was declared an Islamic republic, after a year-long revolution that toppled a Shah and sent shockwaves throughout the world. And this anniversary sees the regime in its fiercest fight for survival yet. Last month, hundreds of thousands of Iranians rose up in protest, demanding change, before authorities brutally cracked down. The government itself admits to more than 3,000 deaths, but the real number could be in the tens of thousands, according to human rights groups. Th...
Feb 11, 2026•54 min
Amidst tension in the Middle East, nuclear diplomacy progresses. Inside Iran, it's now more than a month since the brutal crackdown on political dissent began. Hadi Ghaemi Is Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, researching and documenting rights violations there. He joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: NPR Correspondent Brian Mann from the Olympics; Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureated Maria Ressa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
Feb 10, 2026•56 min
The children of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai are speaking out after their 78-year old father was sentenced to 20 years in jail for violating national security laws. Lai, who is a British citizen, denies all charges, saying he's a political prisoner, the target of persecution from Beijing. Correspondent Kristie Lu Stout reports from Hong Kong. Also on today's show: Rush Doshi, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Tom Tugendhat, British Conservative MP; Dara Massicot, senior fell...
Feb 09, 2026•56 min
The United States is intensifying its focus on Cuba, after removing its ally Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Can Havana withstand the pressure? Bianna Golodryga speaks to Cuba's deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio in a rare interview from Havana. And, the Brazilian film dazzling critics: "The Secret Agent." Oscar-nominated Wagner Moura and director Kleber Mendonca Filho join the program from New York. Then, a troubling report on the African men Russia is funneling to the frontlines...
Feb 07, 2026•43 min
Conflict is raging in more than 30 countries around the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. Each conflict is creating a dire humanitarian situation for innocent civilians, but many aid organizations now call Sudan the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Volker Türk is the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. He just visited Sudan and joined the show to tell us what he saw there. Also on today's show: Director/writer Kleber Mendonça Filho and actor Wagner Moura, "The Sec...
Feb 06, 2026•56 min
Cuba only has only 15-20 days of oil left, according to the Financial Times. With the US blocking deliveries from Venezuela, the Trump Administration is choking off the Cuban economy one gas tank at a time. Could talks with Washington give Cuba an off-ramp? Carlos Fernandez de Cossio is Cuba’s deputy foreign minister and top diplomat for US affairs. He says Havana is, even now, exchanging messages with Washington, and is ready for "meaningful dialog." Also on today's show: Amos Harel, Defense An...
Feb 04, 2026•56 min
While the world focuses on diplomatic efforts in Russia's war against Ukraine, "New START," the only remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expires this Thursday. Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy Secretary General of NATO, was America's chief negotiator on "New START." She joins the show from Capitol Hill, where she was briefing US senators on the agreement. Also on today's show: Julie K. Brown, author, "Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story"; E...
Feb 03, 2026•56 min
Will the US strike Iran or make a deal? That is the key question as the US continues to build up its military presence in the region. Meanwhile, the brutal crackdown that killed thousands of protestors last month appears to be almost forgotten. Abbas Milani is an Iranian-American historian and author of a landmark biography of the former Shah. He joins the show to discuss this all. Also on today's show: Michael J. Bustamante, Chair, Cuban Studies, University of Miami; Charles Duhigg, Writer, The...
Feb 02, 2026•56 min
Are America’s closest allies getting cold feet about a friendship that’s lasted since World War II? Christiane speaks to Michael Ignatieff, former leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, about growing unease with Washington. Then, a true story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space. Forty years after the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded, shocking America and the world, best-selling author Adam Higginbotham speaks about his minute-by-minute account of the tragedy and the decisions that led ...
Jan 31, 2026•43 min
