Amanpour

Latest Episodes:

Trump to Send Iran ‘Back to the Stone Ages’ Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

“We're going to hit them extremely hard over the next two to three weeks. We're going to bring them back to the Stone Ages where they belong.” That quote is courtesy of Donald Trump, who shared it during last night’s national address on the war against Iran. Oil traders were clearly hoping for a plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. They didn't get one. John Kirby is a former US Navy Rear Admiral and has served as Pentagon spokesperson, State Department spokesperson and National Security Communications Advisor. He joins the show from Chicago.

Also on today’s show: Vali Nasr, Former U.S. State Department Adviser; Edward Wong, Diplomatic Correspondent, New York Times

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Deciphering Trump on War, NATO Apr 01, 2026

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President Donald Trump says the Iranian president is asking for a ceasefire and he claims the nuclear threat from Iran has been dealt with. He is also telling allies its up to them to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and he suggested to a British newspaper that he is considering leaving NATO. Former State Department official Jon Alterman joins the show from DC to discuss what happens next.

Also on today's show: Dmytro Kuleba, Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister; Brian Goldstone, Author, "There Is No Place For Us"; Hoda Sobhani, Director, "That Night"

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Former US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith Mar 31, 2026

Show notes

European countries struggling with the energy crisis caused by the US-Israeli war against Iran are getting zero sympathy from Donald Trump. This morning, the US president vented his frustration, posting on Truth Social, "You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us." Julianne Smith, who served as Ambassador to NATO under President Biden, joins Bianna to discuss.

Also on today’s show: Lynn Harfoush, Executive Committee member, Lebanese National Bloc; Nicholas Lemann, Author, “Returning”

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Former US Defense Expert on Iran War Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

More mixed messages on the Iran war, as President Trump hints at diplomatic progress, while thousands of US troops gather in the region. Trump claims Iran agreed to "most of" America's 15-point plan to end the war; Iran contradicts him, saying the plan contains "excessive" and "unreasonable" demands. So, is continued escalation inevitable? Or could there be a negotiated settlement? Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta joins to discuss.

Also on today's show: Jon Lee Anderson, staff writer, The New Yorker; Susan MacManus, Professor Emerita, University of South Florida

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War on Iran: Negotiate or Escalate? Mar 28, 2026

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One month into America and Israel’s war on Iran, the global economic fallout is deepening with civilians killed, displaced, and caught in the crossfire. Christiane speaks with U.N. relief chief Tom Fletcher about the human toll of the conflict and what help is reaching those most in need. Then, transatlantic fractures emerge as Europe pushes back against President Trump’s war. What are the consequences for the alliance? Christiane asks Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. And Asia bearing the brunt, as the energy crisis hits poorer countries hardest. Christiane speaks with Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro about declaring an energy emergency and how the country is managing soaring prices and dwindling supply. Plus, is this the moment to accelerate the shift to renewable energy? Renowned environmentalist Bill McKibben makes his case. And from the archives, how Iran’s Islamic Revolution used education as a tool of indoctrination from the very start.

Air date: March 28, 2026

Guests:

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher

Norway Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide

Philippine Foreign Secretary, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro

Environmentalist and author, Bill McKibben

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Iran War Exacerbates Energy Crisis Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

As the Iran war triggers a global energy crisis, the climate consequences are already mounting. The International Energy Agency warns this crisis could surpass the oil shocks of the 1970s. Yet, even as some countries accelerate the shift to renewables, the Trump administration is doubling down on fossil fuels, scrapping wind projects and expanding drilling. Bill McKibben is a leading environmentalist who argues this war underscores the urgent need to transition away from oil, and he joins the program from Vermont.

Also on today's show: Hamidreza Mohammadi, brother of imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi; cultural critic Chuck Klosterman, author of "Football"

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Energy Emergency Hits Philippines Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

The economic fallout of the war with Iran is hitting countries all around the world. This week, the Philippines became the first country to declare a state of national energy emergency, and a Filipino refinery received a shipment of Russian oil today after the US waived sanctions allowing purchase of crude. Maria Theresa Lazaro is the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and she joined the show from Manila.

Also on today's show: Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; US House Democrat Yassamin Ansari; author Kim Ghattas

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Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

Donald Trump took the United States to war, and now he's trying to find a way out of it. That leaves Europe in a quandary, wanting to support its most powerful ally while keeping out of a war they reject. While NATO's secretary general says Trump is acting to keep the world safe, Spain's prime minister is speaking out loudly against the war, and Germany and Norway also have grave concerns. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide joins from Oslo.

Also on today's show: Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK; Robert Pape, Political Science Professor, University of Chicago

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When Will Global Oil Prices Stabilize? Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

While President Trump says he is "in the throes of a real possibility of making a deal" with Iran, leading indicators point to more war. Meanwhile, global oil prices are back above $100 a barrel, as the market sees no quick end to the conflict. Mehran Kamrava, Professor of Government at Georgetown University in Qatar, and Karen Young, senior research scholar at the Centre of Global Energy at Columbia, join the show to discuss.

Also on today's show: Mark Entwistle, Former Canadian Ambassador to Cuba; Jason Furman, Former Chairman, White House Council of Economic Advisers

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Iran Denies Talking with Trump Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

President Trump has posted that the US and Iran have had talks regarding a "complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East" and is postponing military action against Iran's energy facilities for the next five days. Tehran denies any dialogue with Washington, dismissing Trump's claims as an attempt to lower energy prices. Marc Short served as Director of Legislative Affairs at the White House during Trump's first term and he joins the show to make sense of the US strategy in this war.

Also on today's show: Wolfgang Ischinger, Former German Ambassador to the US / Chairman, Munich Security Conference; Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Author & Professor, Princeton University

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