Amanpour

For our first story today, Christiane speaks to former presidential advisor Gary Sick for a historical perspective on the hostilities between the US and Iran and where he sees this current conflict heading. Also on today's show: Actor Adrien Brody and playwright Lindsey Florentino discuss "The Fear of 13"; Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins on his story, "Sucker: My Year as a Degenerate Gambler" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the war rages on, the question is - what does victory look like for everyone involved? We begin with the Iranian view with former nuclear negotiator and diplomat Seyed Hossein Mousavian. Then, from the U.S., the Pentagon senior advisor turned whistleblower who is warning of a dangerous disregard for civilian casualties in Iran. Correspondent Jomana Karadsheh then takes us to the people on the ground, to hear from the Iranians caught between foreign bombs and a repressive regime. Then, Christiane speaks to former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett about Israel's endgame in a war boosting Benjamin Netanyahu's popularity. From the archives, recalling the time Saddam Hussein miscalculated Iran's reaction to invasion and how the war forged the strategic mindset of the Islamic Republic. And finally, Iranians around the world mark Nowruz as war casts a dark shadow over celebrations. Air date: March 21, 2026 Guests: Seyed Hossein Mousavian Wes Bryant Naftali Bennett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Not our war" is the message from America's top allies this week, after President Trump asked them to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Many NATO allies view his war on Iran as illegal, and, coming from a President who just two months ago was threatening Greenland, the request fell on deaf ears. Meanwhile, America's enemies may see a the situation as an opportunity. As US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns witnessed Beijing's push for power up close, and he understands the complexity of America's diplomatic relations all too well. He was also US Ambassador to NATO, and he joined Christiane in London. Also on today's show: former Pentagon analyst Wes J. Bryant; Michael Lynton & Joshua Steiner, authors of "From Mistakes to Meaning" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arab and Islamic states are calling on Iran to cease attacks, while affirming their right to defend themselves under international law. This comes as the war in the Middle East becomes a war on energy, precipitated by Israel's attack on Iran's South Pars gas field on Wednesday, which is a crucial supply for the country. Oman's Foreign Minister, who brokered the recent nuclear talks, called this an "unlawful war" and the Trump administration's "greatest miscalculation," while US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says they're "on plan." Chuck Hagel was a Republican senator who served as US Defense Secretary under President Obama, and is also a decorated army veteran who fought in the Vietnam War. He joins the show from Washington. Also on today's show: Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director, International Crisis Group; Sam Adler-Bell, Contributor, New York Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran has vowed revenge for the killing of top security official Ali Larijani, who was taken out in an Israeli airstrike. Tehran has been ramping up attacks on Israel, with two pensioners killed in strikes on central Israel and almost 200 people hospitalized in 24 hours. Naftali Bennett served as Israel's Prime Minister until 2022 and joins the show to discuss what Israel's long term goal is. Also on today’s show: Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Former Iranian diplomat/ Former Iranian nuclear negotiator; Edward Fishman, Author, “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran's top security official has been "eliminated." That's according to Israel’s defense minister, who says Ali Larijani was killed in a targeted IDF strike. Larijani was one of Iran’s top decision makers, some calling him the de facto leader since the assassination of his former boss, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Larijani’s killing, if confirmed, plunges the nation, and its future, into even more uncertainty. Correspondent Jomana Karadsheh reports on the people caught between foreign bombs and a repressive regime. Also on today's show: Karim Sadjadpour, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; former Afghan lawmaker Fawzia Koofi; Heidy Khlaaf, Chief AI Scientist, AI Now Institute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A growing energy crisis is sending oil prices soaring around the world. President Trump has been calling on US allies to assist in unblocking the Strait of Hormuz, but no countries have agreed to help. To assess the NATO response and the prospects of a military solution to unblocking the Strait, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Richard Shirreff, joins the show. Also on today's show: Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser, Allianz / Professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; Andriy Zagorodnyuk, Former Ukrainian Defense Minister; Kenneth Vogel, Reporter, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Starting a war is easier than ending it, as they say, so two weeks after the US and Israel struck Iran, what is the exit strategy? Christiane Amanpour asks Elliott Abrams, Trump's former special representative for Iran. And as the war spills across the Middle East, Lebanon's Justice Minister Adel Nassar joins the program on his difficult mission to rein in the powerful militia group Hezbollah. Then, a report on the Iranian cluster missile attacks that are shaking Israelis. Plus, a look at the inner workings of the Iranian regime with experts Maryam Alemzadeh and Mostafa Daneshgar. And from the archives, we bring you exclusive footage acquired by CNN in the 1980s, and the story of a 17-year-old boy recruited by Iran's paramilitary group the Basij to act as a human minesweeper. Air date: March 14, 2026 Guests: Elliott Abrams Adel NassarMaryam Alemzadeh & Mostafa Daneshgar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The war in the Middle East is about to enter its third week with the US and Israel continuing major airstrikes across Iran, Tehran retaliating with asymmetric warfare, and a major situation developing in the Strait of Hormuz. Elliott Abrams was President Trump's point person on Iran during his first term, and he joins the show from Washington DC. Also on today's show: author Reza Aslan, “An American Martyr in Persia”; Atlantic staff writer Caitlin Dickerson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a statement attributed to him and read by Iranian state TV, Iran's new supreme leader vows revenge, and pledges retribution for the death of his family. He also said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, and called for US bases in the Middle East to be shuttered. Iran is escalating its attacks on global energy supplies and its Gulf neighbors, while President Trump is insisting the US has already won the war. New York Times Magazine staff writer Ronen Bergman joins the show to try and make sense of all this. Also on today's show: Jeffrey DeLaurentis, former acting US ambassador to Cuba; former Golman Sachs Chairman/CEO Lloyd Blankfein Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US-Israel war on Iran is expanding, and regional leaders and aid agencies are warning that a humanitarian disaster is looming. In Lebanon, Israel is pounding southern Beirut, going after what it is describing as Hezbollah targets. It's a resounding message from Iran that, in this asymmetrical war, attacks will not go unanswered. Adel Nassar is Lebanon's justice minister and he joins the show from Beirut. Also on today's show: Mostafa Daneshgar, Iranian political analyst & Maryam Alemzadeh, associate professor in history & politics of Iran university of Oxford; Vivian Salama, staff writer, the Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is day 11 of the US-Israeli war with Iran and there is still no clear off-ramp. President Trump claims it will be over "very soon," but he continues to make contradictory statements. In contrast, Iran is clear on its goals and says it is prepared for a long war. Correspondent Fred Pleitgen has seen first hand the human impact of this war and reports from Tehran amid ongoing strikes. Also on today’s show: General Joseph Votel, Forner CENTCOM Commander; Lilian Tintori, Venezuelan Human Rights Activist; US Democratic Senator Andy Kim Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Advisers; Debbie Wei Mullin, Founder, Copper Cow Coffee & Sarah LaFleur, Founder and CEO, M.M. LaFleur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 recently, a political prisoner of the regime. And with the Gulf region under fire, Christiane speaks to Saudi Arabia's Prince Turki al-Faisal, the country's former director of intelligence. Plus with America's allies increasingly walking a tightrope, Christiane hears from Britain's former spymaster, John Sawers, after President Trump criticised Prime Minister Starmer's initial response. And, with many Americans hearing echoes of Iraq, a lookback at Christiane's reporting from Baghdad just after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Air date: March 7, 2026 Guests: Senator Chris Murphy Former Saudi Intelligence Chief, Prince Turki al-Faisal Former MI6 Chief, John Sawers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 show: Mehdi Mahmoudian, Iranian Human Rights Activist; Dan Shapiro, Former US Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary; David Frum, Staff writer, The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 of the Senate vote on whether to authorize this war. Also on today's show: Former Saudi intelligence chief Turki al-Faisal; Former MI6 Chief John Sawers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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, Defense Analyst, Haaretz; Chrystia Freeland, Economic Advisor to President Zelensky / Former Canadian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices