Advertise on podcast: Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

In this episode from Australia, Christiane reacts to the announcement of an imminent summit between the US and Iran in Istanbul, and gives her view on whether those talks are likely to achieve a meaningful breakthrough, and can help to avert a regional war in the Middle East. Christiane also reflects on Trump's suggestion of Republicans 'nationalising' elections, and speculates as to whether the upcoming Midterms will be free from Presidential interference. Later, she speaks to the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former foreign correspondent, Geraldine Brooks, about whether Trump is using ICE as a private militia, and what the US can learn from Australia, which is where Christiane is recording from this week. Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this episode, Christiane is joined by a special guest during her holiday in Australia: the legendary Billie Jean King. They discuss how Billie won her battle for equal prize money during her tennis career, how much progress has been made in the overall fight for equality in society over the past 50 years, and what more still needs to be done for real equality to be achieved. Billie also reveals how her famous 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Bobby Riggs in 1973 came about, what she made of the recent match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka which was controversially billed under the same title - and why more current of the current generation should seek advice from former players. Plus, BJK gives joins Christiane in giving a Recommendation! Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In today’s breaking Q&A special, Christiane and Jamie are asked about President Donald Trump's address to world leaders at the ongoing World Economic Forum in Davos. How will NATO states and “middle powers” such as Canada navigate what looks like a new world order? And, why don't the countries of the world do more to collectively push back against Trump's threats of invasion> They’re also asked whether the UK’s approval of China’s "mega-embassy" reflects strategic realism, or a dangerous underestimation of Beijing’s security and influence risks. For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

How far is Trump willing to go to make Greenland a part of America? And how much damage could the US President do to the West in the process? These are two of the key questions that Christiane and Jamie attempt to answer this week, as tensions continue to flare between Trump and his European allies over the Danish territory against the backdrop of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Christiane reveals what various European leaders and governments are telling her about what's going on behind the scenes as this saga plays out, while Jamie looks at how this compares to previous moments in history when there's been major tension between the US and the West. Later, Christiane gives her reaction to the latest on the protests in Iran, after reports emerged at the weekend suggesting over 16,000 protesters had been killed during the Islamic regime's recent crackdown. Jamie also explains which other world leader has 'blood on their hands' over these deaths. Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Christiane and Jamie are asked whether they believe the current anti-government demonstrations in Iran could successfully topple the government, and if they don’t, what the future of the state could look like. They’re also asked about the probability of NATO falling apart - if the alliance were to no longer include the US, what would be the repercussions strategically, geopolitically and economically for the world? For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

As Trump continues to threaten Iran with military action - and after he announced major tariffs on any countries doing business with the Islamic Republic - Christiane gives a personal, emotional reaction to the mass protests in her home country, and looks at what might happen next. Christiane also talks about the dangers and difficulties posed by the media and internet blackout in Iran - and speaks to two of her former camera crew colleagues, Maria Fleet and Cynde Strand - about the challenges of reporting from warzones and getting access to countries with hostile attitudes to journalists. Later, Christiane, Maria, and Cynde share some of their standout memories - good and bad - from their years working together in some of the world's most dangerous places. Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Christiane and Jamie are back answering your questions! In regards to Donald Trump's de-facto takeover of Venezuela, they're asked to what extent oil actually incentivised the capturing of Nicolás Maduro, whether the US will seize control of Greenland next, and what impact all this will have on potential peace in Ukraine. They also discuss whether the drip feed release of Epstein files to the public are doing victims more harm, than good. For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

After the New Year began with a coup that shook the world, Christiane and Jamie react to Trump's capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and ask whether the extraordinary events in Caracas over the weekend mean we're in for another turbulent twelve months in 2026. Christiane reveals how she first heard about the news - and questions what message this operation sends to America's adversaries, such as Russia and China. She also gives her reaction to the ongoing protests in Iran, and gives her view on whether Trump is likely to follow through on his threat to intervene if Iranian security forces start shooting protesters. Meanwhile, Jamie explains why overthrowing the Venezuelan government could backfire on the Trump administration, and speculates on how likely we are to see the US invade Greenland as its next move. Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

The legendary Tina Brown - ex-Editor of Vanity Fair and now the writer of the Substack "Fresh Hell" - joins Christiane for a look back on a year like no other. They unpick Trump's Chief of Staff describing the President as having an "alcoholic's personality" in a recent interview, discuss whether the Epstein Files have been a damp squib, and explain why more billionaires buying media companies is a dangerous trend for democracy. Tina also tells the story of the day Jeffrey Epstein forced his way into her office, predicts what 2026 might hold for the Royal Family, and joins Christiane in giving a final Recommendation of 2025! You can read Tina's Substack here. Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

With the first cracks in MAGA’s unity beginning to show, Christiane and Jamie are asked what the future of the movement looks like and whether the Democratic Party will be strong enough to take advantage of those cracks and build a lasting majority. Also on the agenda - the president has threatened to ban several nations from competing in the forthcoming US-hosted FIFA World Cup, as well as claiming he’ll move fixtures away from Democratic states to Republican ones. Is the FIFA Peace Prize that's been awarded to the President an attempt at appeasement? For more content, please follow us:   Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod  X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents  BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this special episode, Christiane and Jamie sum up the impact Trump has had on the world in 2025 - and discuss whether this was the year the rules-based world order was abandoned for good. They run the rule over a chaotic 12 months in foreign policy, examining Trump's impact on major stories from the war in Ukraine to the Middle East, and from the simmering conflict with Venezuela to how Trump managed to light a fuse under US relations with India. Christiane highlights how deal-making has influenced US policy-making like never before, and Jamie attempts to make sense of why European allies are being treated so harshly, as Trump seems determined to welcome Putin and Russia back into the fold. Later, Christiane and Jamie both have a festive recommendation! Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked whether the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance between the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand could be disbanded over questions of the legality of Trump's bombing of alleged drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean sea. They’re also asked, given the apparent lack of support for Europe against continued Russian aggression, whether it could be time for all US-European bases to be closed. Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to: [email protected]    For more content, please follow us:   Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod  X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod=  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents  BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

The Trump administration has finally published its National Security strategy - and it's left Christiane and Jamie baffled. This week, they discuss why, at a time of war in Ukraine, the President seems so keen to welcome Russia back into the fold, while criticising America's European allies. Plus, Christiane reflects on her recent exclusive interview with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and, one year on from the overthrow of the tyrannical Assad regime, asks how much hope Syrians can have for their future. Can the country's new leader unify a fragmented nation and rescue its dire economy? Christiane and Jamie also discuss what al-Sharaa has to say about his terrorist past, and explain why he's furious with Israel. Later, it's time for this week's Recommendations! Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked about Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to the Israeli president for a pardon from the long-running corruption trial he faces, for which he’s pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and fraud. Is a pardon really in the Israeli public interest, as he claims?  They’re also quizzed on the increasingly discussed possibility of another global financial crash. How likely is such a crash and what would its impact on global geopolitics be?  Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to: [email protected]   For more content, please follow us:   Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod  X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod=  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents  BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social 

With Congress now formally looking into accusations that the War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has asked US forces to carry out illegal orders in the Caribbean, Christiane and Jamie explain the background to the story and examine those allegations in detail. Why does the Trump administration seem so obsessed with launching a full-blown military campaign against Venezuela? And what are the consequences if Hegseth has been ordering his troops to commit war crimes? Christiane also gives her reaction to President Macron's controversial announcement that he is reintroducing military service in France. Decades after most Western nations ended conscription and compulsory national service, she and Jamie discuss whether this is a step that other nations, such as the US and the UK, should follow, given the ongoing threat posed by Russia. Jamie also reveals what Andriy Yermak - Zelensky's recently departed Chief of Staff - was like to work with, and he and Christiane assess whether we are any closer to reaching a genuine peace deal for Ukraine. And as always, they wrap up with this week's Recommendations! Contact us at: [email protected] For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social