Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files
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Why is Gaza still starving?
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 the UK still holds any sway over America when it comes to Middle East policy.
Plus Christiane reports on the chances of a new nuclear deal with Iran after the Iranians returned to the negotiating table last week, and explains why Nato allies - including President Trump - appear to be finally running out of patience with Putin over the war in Ukraine.
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Q&A: What's the one question you'd ask Trump?
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 episode? Send it to [email protected]!
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Trump, Epstein and conspiracy theories: how damaging is this for America?
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 criticised by the same supporters who have gladly peddled his conspiracies for the last few years. Plus Christiane and Jamie trace the history of these theories in the US, right back to the 1960s and conspiracies around JFK's assassination and the CIA.
They also react to Trump's recent decision to sell more US weapons to Ukraine, and Christiane issues her strongest call yet for an end to the Gaza War, and the slaughter of innocent civilians, plus the return of the hostages.
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Q&A: Is the US becoming McCarthyite under President Trump?
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 America's strikes on Iran can be justified, now we have a better understanding of how much damage was done to Iran's nuclear facilities.
Have a question for a future bonus episode? Send it to [email protected]!
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Antony Blinken defends his record on Gaza and Ukraine
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 crimes in Gaza, and on how likely it is that a ceasefire could be close. Plus Tony Blinken exclusively reveals how close Iran was to signing a new nuclear deal before Israel and America's attacks last month.
Plus, Jamie and his former boss talk about what an ageing President Biden was like to work for, and discuss whether the current administration will give Ukraine the weapons it needs to defend itself properly against Vladimir Putin and Russia's invasion.
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Q&A: Why is Israel allowed to have nuclear weapons?
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 Aleksandar Vu?i? is a threat to liberal democracy in the Balkans.
And finally - have you ever wondered why Jamie calls Christiane 'madam'? Listen to the end if you want to find out!
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The Ugly American: the real cost of Trump and Musk's aid cuts
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 in the past, from fighting AIDS in Africa, to ending famine in Somalia and successfully combating Russian disinformation across the globe - and question what the real motivation is behind the President's bid to cut foreign aid spending.
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Q&A: Does the UN have any real power?
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 recounts one of the most outrageous (and risky) requests she ever made to Colin Powell during her coverage of the Bosnian war. And for Gilmore Girls fans: she talks about being Rory?s idol and the story behind her memorable cameo.
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Who gets a bomb? The Middle East?s nuclear race
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 facilities, we explain why Israel has the bomb, but Iran doesn?t. And with only nine countries possessing nuclear weapons today, how did North Korea manage to become one of them?
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Q&A: Why is Netanyahu refusing a peace deal with Gaza?
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. weapons, or prioritise building their own military capabilities? Plus they consider what they?d ask Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if given the chance.
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Will Iran play ball or build a bomb?
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 regime change, can Iran?s leadership survive this crisis - and should it? And given America?s track record in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, is this the right policy?
And after Iran was deliberately misled by both the U.S. and Israel, is diplomacy still a realistic path to ending the war?
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Q&A: Why has Trump created such a hostile environment for immigrants?
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 try to finish on a more positive note and discuss whether looking back on the past gives them hope for the future.
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Was Israel justified in starting its war with Iran?
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 reality of this war, and what's likely to happen next.
Plus - for the first time - they tell the story of when Jamie was approached by senior figures in the Iranian regime to broker diplomatic talks with Hillary Clinton during her first Presidential campaign.
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Q&A: Will it be safe to travel to America for next year's World Cup?
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 influence across Eastern Europe in light of Jamie's recent trip to Bulgaria.
Plus the pair reveal what they enjoy reading and watching in their free time, and what career they'd have pursued if they hadn't been reporters, diplomats, or podcasters!
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LA Protests: Trump weaponises his immigration agenda
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 if Trump continues with his America First approach to trade, tariffs, and diplomacy.
The pair also reveal what they learned from their visits to China - Christiane in the 1970s just after Mao's death, and Jamie with a government delegation led by First Lady Hilary Clinton in the 1990s, when they quickly realised they were being spied on in their hotel rooms.
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Q&A: Could the US really become a dictatorship?
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?).
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Are allies at tipping point over Israel's Gaza war?
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 any merit - or are just political theatre.
Jamie also reveals the contents of a confidential email from Secretary of State Rubio that?s been circulating through U.S. embassies. What does it signal about a broader crackdown on academic institutions, and what could the long-term fallout be?
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Q&A: Will Trump destroy democracy in the US?
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 episode? Send it in on social media @amanpourpod or email [email protected]
Contact us at: [email protected]
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From allies to insults: who wins from Trump's personality-driven diplomacy?
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 private about Trump's foreign policy.
Christiane also shares the story of when she very nearly interviewed Nelson Mandela, and she and Jamie reflect on who stands to gain most if the US abandons its allies.
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Q&A: Would the US ever stop arming Israel?
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 question you?d like Christiane and Jamie to answer on the next bonus episode? Send it in on social media @amanpourpod or email [email protected]
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Negotiating with a dictator: What will end Putin's war in Ukraine?
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 were still in the Oval Office.
Christiane shares behind-the-scenes stories from her documentary Tsar Putin, produced long before the world grasped the full scope of his ambitions - and explains why its warnings now feel chillingly prophetic. And Jamie reveals what it was like to sit across the table from Putin when he was part of the first US delegation to meet him.
Christiane and Jamie also react to the news of Biden's cancer diagnosis, and question whether there was really a 'cover-up' of his failing mental faculties by White House officials. They share stories of their personal relationships with the former President, and disagree strongly over whether he could and should have done more to support Ukraine while he was still in office.
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Q&A: Could we get away with our marriage today?
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 foreign policy decisions he was involved in, and which politician he most admired during his long career.
Next week, they?ll be answering your questions! Email them in to [email protected] or to ask them on social media @amanpourpod on all major platforms.
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Trump, the Middle East, and the peace deal you never heard about
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 broker peace between Israel and Hamas?
We take a look back at Oslo?s shredded promise, America?s failures that led to Hamas? election victory, and Jamie?s secret wrangling at the heart of the Middle East peace process. Christiane asks, could Trump?s unpredictability bring peace, or deepen the divide? What?s at stake for civilians, and is lasting peace still possible?
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Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files (Trailer)
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 unpack one of today?s defining global crises, drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones, and grilling world leaders, to explain how we ended up where we are.
With searing honesty, jaw-dropping stories, and candid humour, this is the foreign policy podcast for our fractured age. They?re no longer married, but when it comes to foreign policy, Christiane and Jamie still finish each other?s sentences.
The first episode launches May 13th, with new episodes every Tuesday and bonus Q&A episodes on Thursdays. Available on Global Player or wherever you get your podcasts.
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