Amanpour

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Who Really Holds the Winning Cards In US-Iran Stalemate? Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

A diplomatic stand-off continues between the US and Iran after President Donald Trump called off his negotiating team's trip to Pakistan to meet with the Iranian delegation. The President has said Iran "can call" if they want but said the war could end soon. In turn, Iran has floated an initial deal that would require Washington to permanently end the war in exchange for the reopening of Hormuz. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House joins Bianna Golodryga to break down who is really holding the cards as diplomacy reaches a stalemate between Tehran and Washington. She joins the show from London.

Also on today's show: author Rachel Goldberg-Polin; law professor/author Khiara Bridges

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Is the Iran crisis distracting the world from Ukraine's fight for survival? Apr 25, 2026

Show notes

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to go to war with Iran has sucked up global attention and resources. Meanwhile, Ukraine's fight for survival against Russia is grinding on, with no end in sight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells Christiane Amanpour efforts toward a ceasefire with Russia are unlikely as the United States shifts its focus to the Middle East. Then, as the Iran conflict drags on, former US negotiator Nate Swanson says time is on Tehran's side. Also, a daring escape from North Korea. We hear from a South Korean man who risked it all for a new life. Plus, united in grief, and in hope...Israeli Maoz Inon and Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah join on their unlikely friendship, and their new book "The Future is Peace." And from the archives, the tourists determined to see Iran with their own eyes.

Air date: April 25, 2026

Guests:

Volodymyr Zelensky

Nate SwansonMaoz Inon & Aziz Abu Sarah

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Former Israeli Lawmaker/Diplomat Colette Avital Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

From Iran to Lebanon, to Israel and the occupied West Bank, the Middle East is truly in flames. In Lebanon, Israel continues to pound Hezbollah in the south, despite a so-called ceasefire and ongoing talks with the Lebanese government. Meantime, Israeli settlers are ramping up their violence against Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, often with the security forces looking on, and even participating. Inside Israel, many Israelis support all this war, especially since October 7th. But not all, one key voice of resistance belongs to 86-year-old Colette Avital. She is a former Israeli diplomat, Knesset member and Holocaust survivor. She joins the show from Tel Aviv.

Also on today's show: CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir; author Rebecca Solnit; House Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Teresa Leger (D-NM)

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NSC Warned This Would Happen Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

While President Trump argues the new Iranian regime is diminished, experts claim that a more hardline generation of leaders is now calling the shots. Nate Swanson served as the National Security Council's Iran director. Days before the US and Israel launched their war, he warned that Iran would respond exactly as it has done. He joins the show to discuss this all.

Also on today's show: Ricardo Zúñiga, who led negotiations with the Cuban government during the second Obama administration; Jen Fifield, Reporter, ProPublica

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

After four years of virtual stalemate in Ukraine, both Kyiv and the Kremlin are trying to use the war in Iran to their own advantage. President Zelensky visited the Middle East, offering battle-tested expertise on fending off Iran's done attacks, while Russia reportedly backs Iran with critical intelligence and weapons support, and for now, gains from soaring global oil prices. Zelensky joined Christiane from Kyiv.

Also on today's show: historian Timothy Snyder; Mercy Corps CEO Tjada D'Oyen McKenna

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Mistrust, Confusion Cloud US-Iran Talks Apr 21, 2026

Show notes

The clock is ticking on President Trump's Iran ceasefire deadline. Despite expectations that Vice President JD Vance would travel to Pakistan for round two of negotiations, he remains in Washington. Even if Vance heads to Islamabad, it's uncertain if Iran will turn up. CNN International Diplomatic Editor Nic Robertson joins the show from Islamabad.

Also on today's show: Matt Smith, Director of Commodity Research, Kpler; Ukrainian journalist Olga Rudenko; former US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer

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Confusion Reigns As Ceasefire Countdown Ticks Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

The clock is ticking down to the end of the two-week Iran ceasefire and confusion reigns. Every day there seems to be a different answer to the critical questions. Meanwhile, Iran says it will retaliate after the US Navy fired on and seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that tried to bypass its blockade in the Gulf of Oman. Ellie Geranmayeh is a senior policy fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations and joins the show to discuss the situation.

Also on today's show: Former Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani; former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

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Confronting Divisions: The Pope, Trump, and Global Tensions Apr 18, 2026

Show notes

From the moral implications of war to the surprising recruitment tactics in Russia, this episode is packed with compelling conversations and bold revelations. Tune in for an in-depth analysis of today's pressing issues!

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General McChrystal on Middle East Situation Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

From the very start of his war with Iran, Donald Trump never laid out a coherent exit strategy. The regional implications have been massive: a complete upheaval all over the Middle East with Gulf allies of the US dragged into a war they wanted no part in. Retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and before that, as Special Forces Commander in Iraq he led the mission to kill Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi. McChrystal joins Christiane from Washington.

Also on today's show: Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah & Israeli Maoz Inon on their new book, "The Future is Peace"; author Michael Pollan on his new book, "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness"

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Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

The public dispute between Donald Trump and Pope Leo continues. For perspective on this unexpected development, we turn today to one of America's most influential cardinals -- and the pope's staunch ally -Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich.

Also on today's show: author Nicholas Enrich ("Into the Woodchipper"); journalist/author Joanne Lipman ("That's What She Said"); Ukrainian journalist Alyona Synenko

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