Few challenges in international diplomacy are as fraught - or as urgent - as negotiating the freedom of hostages and political prisoners. In this episode, Christiane and Jamie take us inside two high-profile deals they were personally involved in: the release of Siamak Namazi from the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, and of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich from Moscow. They reveal the roles they played in bringing these men home, and the keys to negotiating with dictators and author...
Aug 19, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this week’s Q&A bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie are asked what the elusive two-state solution could actually look like in Israel-Palestine, in terms of government, voting, policing and representation. They’re also asked what ordinary people can do to help end the war, leading Christiane to reflect on the fluctuating power of public protest in Trump's America. They’re also probed on whether they’d like to have done each other’s high profile jobs, and if so, what they’d have done better...
Aug 13, 2025•27 min
As Donald Trump heads to a high-stakes summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Ukraine’s future hangs in the balance. Could a deal be struck without President Zelensky in the room - and might Trump trade away Ukrainian territory to boast that he’s ended one of the world’s most dangerous conflicts? That's what Christiane and Jamie unpack this week, as they discuss whether diplomacy or capitulation will be the theme of this week's summit. The conversation also turns to Israel’s escalating plans for ...
Aug 12, 2025•49 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In this week's Q&A bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie are asked whether President Donald Trump's MAGA movement and Nigel Farage's Reform UK - two populist political powerhouses - benefit from a disproportionate level of coverage in the media. They also address why more Republicans don't stand up to Trump - and Christiane explains the challenge journalists face when reporting on controversial topics in the news, from Trump, to Jeffrey Epstein, to the Middle East. Christiane and Jamie also an...
Aug 06, 2025•32 min
From Northern Ireland to Bosnia, and from Camp David to Wye River, Christiane and Jamie have covered countless conflicts and helped to negotiate many peace deals. But how were these wars really ended? And what can today's world leaders learn from the successes of the past? In this episode, Christiane and Jamie look at whether Trump and his Special Envoy Steve Witkoff really understand what it takes to bring peace to the world's conflicts. After all, Trump promised he would end the war in Ukraine...
Aug 05, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 13
In this week's Q&A bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie return to the crisis President Trump is facing over the Epstein Files. In response to your questions, they address the idea that the President might pardon Jeffrey Epstein’s ex-girlfriend and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell - something he has left the door open to in the past. They also debate how damaging this crisis could be for Trump in the long-term, while Christiane gives her thoughts on why so many modern journalists fail to subscrib...
Jul 30, 2025•24 min
What can end the famine in Gaza? Can President Trump get through to Benjamin Netanyahu? And an unprecedented Israeli report accuses Netanyahu's government of committing genocide in the Palestinian territory. They're just a few of the topics Christiane and Jamie discuss on this week's episode, as Trump's visit to the UK comes to an end and the starvation continues in Gaza. They also look at the state of the 'special relationship' between Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and debate whether t...
Jul 29, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 12
In this week's Q&A bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie discuss why American voters elected Donald Trump to the White House instead of Kamala Harris - and what they’d ask if they were to interview the president themselves. They also answer your questions on why third party Middle Eastern nations seem to do so little to help resolve the war in Gaza, what those countries could do to constructively support peace, and why the Palestinian cause cannot be ignored. Have a question for a future bonus...
Jul 23, 2025•21 min
The row over The Epstein Files is one that President Trump is still struggling to shake off. But just how damaging is it for his credibility, and where does his disappointed MAGA base turn next? Christiane and Jamie analyse whether Trump is going to suffer long-term damage from this scandal, and wonder whether the Files will ever be released in full. Christiane also points out the irony of Trump - one of the most prominent purveyors of conspiracy theories in the last decade - now being criticise...
Jul 22, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this week's Q&A bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie discuss whether America is going back to the era of Senator Joe McCarthy's witch-hunts under President Trump - and whether the current President will be the author of his own downfall in the way the controversial Republican Senator was in the 1950s. They also answer your questions on the chances of a peace deal in the Middle East, whether the ICC - International Criminal Court - has any authority in 2025, and on whether Israel and Americ...
Jul 17, 2025•27 min
In this special episode, Christiane and Jamie welcome their first guest to the podcast: former US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken. In an extended conversation, Joe Biden's top diplomat speaks candidly about Gaza, Iran, and Ukraine, giving his views on how each of those issues were handled by his administration, and what mistakes have been made since President Trump returned to the White House six months ago. Christiane presses Secretary Blinken on whether Israel is guilty of committing war cr...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 10
In this week’s bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie explain why Israel has been allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons - even though it won't admit to it - but other Middle Eastern countries aren't. They also discuss whether cultural differences between Iran and the West are contributing to the current tensions in the region. Plus, Christiane and Jamie both offer personal insights into the former Palestinian leader, the late Yasser Arafat, and Christiane explains why Serbian President Aleksan...
Jul 09, 2025•23 min
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...
Jul 08, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
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...
Jul 03, 2025•32 min
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...
Jul 01, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 8
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. we...
Jun 25, 2025•21 min
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 reg...
Jun 24, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 7
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 t...
Jun 18, 2025•22 min
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 ...
Jun 17, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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...
Jun 12, 2025•24 min
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 ...
Jun 10, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram....
Jun 04, 2025•22 min
There's mounting opposition within Israel to the ongoing offensive in Gaza. Are Israel's international allies approaching a tipping point? Plus, in recent weeks, Harvard has become the focal point of Donald Trump’s escalating attacks on elite institutions. What’s it actually like on campus amid the political firestorm? Christiane shares the precautions she took for her visit to Harvard last week - including taking a burner phone - and she and Jamie unpack whether the President’s criticisms have ...
Jun 03, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this week’s bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie tackle your questions - from whether Trump poses a real threat to American democracy, to the media’s impact on elections, and whether they’ve ever had to back a message they personally disagreed with. They also share the story of how they first met and began dating - plus, the surprising twist that led to Christiane being forcibly removed by Serbian bodyguards. Do you have a question you’d like Christiane and Jamie to answer on the next bonus ep...
May 29, 2025•24 min
Another week, another tense Oval Office meeting between President Trump and a fellow world leader. Christiane and Jamie react to the jaw-dropping scenes from Trump's meeting with South Africa's President, where Cyril Ramaphosa was told he was allowing a genocide of white farmers to carry on unchecked. Christiane compares the encounter to when President Zelensky was ambushed by Trump and Vice President JD Vance back in February, and Jamie reveals what senior Republicans have said to him in privat...
May 27, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this week’s bonus episode, Christiane and Jamie answer listener questions for the first time! They respond to your questions about the latest in the Middle East, as Israel’s allies continue to criticise the country over its latest offensive in Gaza. Plus Christiane and Jamie reveal more about the challenges of balancing their high pressure jobs and their relationship while they were married, and Jamie identifies President Trump’s most likely route to a Nobel Peace Prize. Do you have a questio...
May 21, 2025•27 min
After Vladimir Putin's theatrical no-show at last week's peace summit in Istanbul, Christiane and Jamie try to answer the question which is giving world leaders and diplomats sleepless nights: what will it take for the Russian leader to end his invasion of Ukraine? They debate whether a meeting between Putin and President Trump could really open the door to peace, or whether it would simply play into the Kremlin's hands. And they ask whether the war would be any closer to ending if Joe Biden wer...
May 20, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 2
In this first bonus Q&A episode, Christiane and Jamie ask each other questions they’ve always wanted to know the answers to! Hear about why their marriage was so controversial when they first got together, and whether they think they could ‘get away with it’ now. Christiane talks about her first experiences of reporting from a warzone, and opens up about the rare occasions when she’s lost her composure during a high-profile interview. Meanwhile, Jamie reveals some of his regrets over US fore...
May 15, 2025•33 min
There was once hope in the Middle East, but does it now feel further away than ever? In this first episode, unparalleled insight into groundbreaking peace deals left dangling, a recent covert negotiation effort in the West Bank, revealed for the first time… and what it's like having Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat hang up on you live on air. As President Donald Trump lands in the Middle East – for the first major trip of his second term – Christiane and Jamie ask: could he be the person to brok...
May 13, 2025•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Christiane Amanpour launches her first ever podcast! The world-renowned journalist presents 'The Ex Files' alongside her ex-husband Jamie Rubin, a former US State Department official under Presidents Clinton and Biden. From Trump and Putin to the war in Ukraine, from the rise of China as a global superpower to chaos in the Middle East, geopolitics has never been more dangerous or unpredictable. This isn't a new world order - right now, there is no world order. Each week, Christiane and Jamie unp...
May 04, 2025•3 min
