Amanpour

The United States is intensifying its focus on Cuba, after removing its ally Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Can Havana withstand the pressure? Bianna Golodryga speaks to Cuba's deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio in a rare interview from Havana. And, the Brazilian film dazzling critics: "The Secret Agent." Oscar-nominated Wagner Moura and director Kleber Mendonca Filho join the program from New York. Then, a troubling report on the African men Russia is funneling to the frontlines in Ukraine. Plus, "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"...the Oscar-nominated documentary about a Russian teacher who caught on video the Kremlin propaganda aimed at children. And from the archives, Christiane's 1988 trip to meet the singers vying to perform at the Calgary Opening Ceremonies. Air date: February 7, 2026 Guests: Carlos Fernández de Cossío David Borenstein Wagner Moura & Kleber Mendonça Filho Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conflict is raging in more than 30 countries around the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. Each conflict is creating a dire humanitarian situation for innocent civilians, but many aid organizations now call Sudan the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Volker Türk is the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. He just visited Sudan and joined the show to tell us what he saw there. Also on today's show: Director/writer Kleber Mendonça Filho and actor Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"; Jodi Kantor, Investigative Reporter, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cuba only has only 15-20 days of oil left, according to the Financial Times. With the US blocking deliveries from Venezuela, the Trump Administration is choking off the Cuban economy one gas tank at a time. Could talks with Washington give Cuba an off-ramp? Carlos Fernandez de Cossio is Cuba’s deputy foreign minister and top diplomat for US affairs. He says Havana is, even now, exchanging messages with Washington, and is ready for "meaningful dialog." Also on today's show: Amos Harel, Defense Analyst, Haaretz; Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former US Ambassador to NATO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the world focuses on diplomatic efforts in Russia's war against Ukraine, "New START," the only remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expires this Thursday. Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy Secretary General of NATO, was America's chief negotiator on "New START." She joins the show from Capitol Hill, where she was briefing US senators on the agreement. Also on today's show: Julie K. Brown, author, "Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story"; Elliot Williams, former federal prosecutor, author of "Five Bullets" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the US strike Iran or make a deal? That is the key question as the US continues to build up its military presence in the region. Meanwhile, the brutal crackdown that killed thousands of protestors last month appears to be almost forgotten. Abbas Milani is an Iranian-American historian and author of a landmark biography of the former Shah. He joins the show to discuss this all. Also on today's show: Michael J. Bustamante, Chair, Cuban Studies, University of Miami; Charles Duhigg, Writer, The New Yorker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are America’s closest allies getting cold feet about a friendship that’s lasted since World War II? Christiane speaks to Michael Ignatieff, former leader of Canada’s Liberal Party, about growing unease with Washington. Then, a true story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space. Forty years after the U.S. space shuttle Challenger exploded, shocking America and the world, best-selling author Adam Higginbotham speaks about his minute-by-minute account of the tragedy and the decisions that led to catastrophe. Plus, hopes of progress in Gaza, but in the occupied West Bank, Israeli settler violence continues to devastate Palestinian villages. Jeremy Diamond reports. Also ahead, Christiane’s conversation with a Holocaust survivor and legal titan. At 95 years old, Judge Theodor Meron reflects on a lifetime devoted to pursuing justice and accountability. And as the world marks Holocaust Remembrance Day this week, from Christiane’s archive: how the Nazis’ slaughter of six million Jews shocked the international community into outlawing genocide. Air date: January 31, 2026 Guests: Michael Ignatieff Adam Higginbotham Judge Theodor Meron Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As global power dynamics tilt eastward, Beijing is pressing its advantage, economically, diplomatically, and strategically, just as US foreign policy enters a period of upheaval. Elizabeth Economy, a former senior China adviser in the Biden administration and author of The World According to China, joins Bianna to unpack what she sees as Beijing’s strategy to dominate the next frontiers of power, and what it means for the future of the global order. Also on today's show: Adam Higginbotham, Author, “Challenger”; Rebecca Newberger Goldstein, Author, "The Mattering Instinct" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump has sent a clear message to Iran: Agree to a deal that results in "no nuclear weapons," or America will take military action. In response, Iran says its armed forces ready "with their fingers on the trigger." Vice Admiral Kevin Donegan is a veteran military planner who served as a Director of Operations for US Central Command, which includes the Middle East. He joins the show to breakdown the options on Trump's table. Also on today's show: Karim Sadjadpour, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; David Borenstein, Co-director, Mr Nobody Against Putin; Stephen Vladeck, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The whole world is watching what is happening in Minnesota, the state at the center of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey says local police won't enforce federal immigration policy. Some Republicans are now speaking out after the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, with Senator Thom Tillis railing against both Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem and top White House adviser Stephen Miller. Trump responded by calling Tillis a "loser" and a frequent target of Trump, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, was attacked last night in Minneapolis. A man ran at Omar spraying an unknown substance, before he was tackled and taken away. To discuss this all, reporter Kevin Liptak joins the show. Also on today's show: Brian A. Nichols, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; Milo Rau, Director and playwright, Hate Radio; Joseph Cox, Reporter and Co-Founder, 404 Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A spate of new trade agreements shows how America’s global partners are hedging their bets against Trump's volatile tariff policy. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney saw all this coming. Speaking in Davos, he called for 'middle powers' to prepare for the end of the rules-based international order, warning, "if we're not at the table, we're on the menu." Historian Michael Ignatieff, who preceded Carney as head of Canada's Liberal Party, joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: Director Tamara Kotevska; NYT columnist Thomas Friedman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Minneapolis, outrage is deepening and protests have intensified after the deadly shooting of 37-year-old registered nurse Alex Pretti. As tensions rise, local police fear the city may be heading down the same spiral that began in 2020, after the murder of George Floyd. The city's former chief of police, Medaria Arradondo, joins the show. Also on today's show: David Bier, Director of Immigration Studies, Cato Institute; CNN Jerusalem Correspondent Jeremy Diamond; former Columbia University President Lee Bollinger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump continues to lash out at the press and its coverage of his second term. The FBI raided the home of a Washington Post reporter and confiscated her devices. Authorities say it was part of an investigation into classified documents, but federal regulations to preserve press freedom and protect sources traditionally prevent such invasive action. Former Washington Post Executive Editor Marty Baron joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show: Mahmood Mamdani, father of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani; National Geographic Fellow Paul Salopek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the threat of war among allies over Greenland has abated, with Donald Trump announcing he's agreed on a security plan with the head of NATO, the details are still unclear. Tonight, EU leaders will gather in Brussels for an emergency summit. Former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt joins Christiane to discuss. Also on today's show: Siamak Namazi, an Iranian-American businessman who was imprisoned in Iran for eight years; A. Rob Hirschfeld, Bishop, Episcopal Church of New Hampshire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump flew to Davos this morning, where he dissed Europe, before he embraced it, called NATO deadbeat before saying he was 100% behind it, and doubled down on his push to take Greenland. But to a collective sigh of relief, the US president said he would not use force to get it. Finland's President Alexander Stubb was in the front row for Trump's speech. Also on today's show: Former White House Trade Adviser Kelly Ann Shaw; Atlantic Staff Writer Charlie Warzel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today marks one year since President Trump began his second term. In just one year, we've seen seismic shifts in America's foreign policy, such as his relentless bid for Greenland. Plus, he's now threatening an additional 200% tariffs on French wine if Macron refuses to join his Gaza Board of Peace. Democratic Senator Chris Coons wants to de-escalate tensions and has just finished a bipartisan congressional visit to Denmark. He joins the show from Davos. Also on today's show: CNN Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond; NYT columnist Lydia Polgreen; Noubar Afeyan, Co-founder, Moderna Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump is doubling down on his threats to annex Greenland and has said he will impose tariffs on European countries who do not support his ambitions. Europe is weighing its options, including a so-called "Trade Bazooka," which would block some US access to EU markets and impose export controls. So what do Greenlanders think about all this? International reporter Nic Robertson joins the show from Nuuk with the details. Also on today's show: Heather Conley, Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State; Sir Peter Westmacott, Former UK Ambassador to the US; Kimberlé Crenshaw, Professor of Law, UCLA & Columbia University / Executive Director, African American Policy Forum; former January 6th Capitol riot senior prosecutor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After weeks of violent uprisings in Iran, the question is - what comes next? Iranian lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi reflects on her nation’s history to consider what’s best for the future. Air date: January 17, 2026 Guests: Shirin EbadiElliott Abrams Kaouther Ben Hania Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Iranian peoples' call for freedom was heard all over the world, but has a bloody crackdown crushed the uprising? Shirin Ebadi was Iran's first female judge, but was demoted following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. But she kept advocating for women and human rights, and in 2003, became Iran's first Nobel Peace Prize winner. Shirin Ebadi joins the show from London. Also on today's show: author Theodor Meron; author Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After days of urging the people of Iran to continue to protest, President Trump suddenly appeared to back down last night — noting to reporters that Iranian sources told him that the killing of protesters was over and planned executions will not go ahead. But even as the crackdown on protesters has proven deadly, with thousands reported killed, some are still staunch defenders of the regime. Christiane speaks to one of those voices — Mohammad Marandi is a Professor at the University of Tehran and joins the show from Tehran, Iran. Also on today's show: Nazenin Ansari, Journalist /Managing Editor of Kayhan London; Phil Gunson, Andes Project Senior Analyst, International Crisis Group; NYT columnist and author Andrew Ross Sorkin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump promises help is coming for Iranian protestors, with reports that executions will begin soon and the regime promising to swiftly punish demonstrators. This is a critical moment for the regime, caught between threats from the United States and from its own people. Correspondent Jomana Karadsheh has this exclusive report piecing together what's happening inside Iran, with testimony from a doctor treating those wounded protestors. Also on today's show: Elliott Abrams, Former US Special Representative for Iran; Kaouther Ben Hania, Director and writer, The Voice of Hind Rajab; Mike Fox, Legal Fellow, Cato Institute Project on Criminal Justice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices