Episodes

  • Nobel Winner Machado Appears in Oslo

    Nobel Winner Machado Appears in Oslo
    Dec 11 2025
    After nearly a year in hiding, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado snuck out of her country and appeared in public after winning the Nobel Peace Prize. The 58-year-old dedicated her prize in part to President Trump, who is taking an aggressive strategy against the Maduro regime. Contributor Stefano Pozzebon has been following this story closely, and joins the show from Caracas. Also on today's show: Venezuelan Opposition Leader Leopoldo López; Marshall Prject staff writer Shannon Heffernan & Futuro Media reporter Julieta Martinelli; New Yorer staff writer Susan Glasser Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Tough Year for the BBC, British Monarchy

    Tough Year for the BBC, British Monarchy
    Dec 10 2025
    It has been a year like no other for two of Britain's best-known institutions. The BBC, the country's independent public broadcaster, has found its editorial integrity in question, and has been forced to defend its practices on multiple occasions. The British monarchy too, is under greater scrutiny than perhaps ever before. David Dimbleby is a veteran journalist who knows both institutions well. "What's the Monarchy For?" is his latest project airing on the BBC now. He joins the show from London. Also on today's show: author Kiran Desai ("The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny"); Minnesota State Senator Zaynab Mohamed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Hostile to Europe, Warm to Russia

    Hostile to Europe, Warm to Russia
    Dec 10 2025
    The just-published Trump 2.0 national security strategy is causing a mix of fury, resignation, and even accusations of ignorance. Moscow has welcomed the plan, saying it aligns with Putin's vision, while former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt posted that it's "to the right of the extreme right of Europe." Celeste Wallander served as an assistant secretary of defense under President Biden, and Peter Frankopan is a professor of global history at Oxford University. They join Christiane to discuss. Also on today's show: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas; Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares; Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan; New Yorker Editor David Remnick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa

    Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa
    Dec 8 2025
    One year ago today, Syria's fallen President Bashar al-Assad fled the country. The man who replaced him, opposition leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, is certainly an international darling, welcomed all the way to the White House. According to a new poll by Arab Barometer, he has the approval of 81% of the Syrian people. But these numbers aren't universal: among minorities, including Alawites and Druze, support for him falls below 50%. Moreover, a United Nations commission warns that Syria's transition remains fragile amid continuing insecurity and sporadic violence. Christiane put crucial questions to him at this weekend's Doha forum. Also on today's show: correspondent Clare Sebastian; former CDC official Demetre Daskalakis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • US ramps up pressure on Venezuela, Snubs Europe

    US ramps up pressure on Venezuela, Snubs Europe
    Dec 6 2025
    Is time running out for Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro? Christiane asks Colombia's former president Ivan Duque why he supports Trump's aggressive stance against the country next door. And while the U.S. president has his eye on Latin America, the White House is snubbing Europe again, opting not to send Secretary of State Marco Rubio to a NATO foreign minister meeting. Julianne Smith, former US Ambassador to NATO, speaks to Christiane about transatlantic tension, and those marathon peace talks between Trump's team and Putin that appeared to produce nothing. Plus, Oedipus on Broadway! Christiane speaks to stars Lesley Manville and Mark Strong about modernizing the 2,5000-year-old Greek tragedy, and playing a mother and son in love. From the archives, we revisit a 1988 mutiny in a New Jersey monastery, and remember legendary playwright Tom Stoppard. Air date: December 6, 2025 Guests: Ivan Duque Julianne Smith Lesley Manville & Mark Strong Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Former NATO Commander Rupert Smith

    Former NATO Commander Rupert Smith
    Dec 5 2025
    A week of intensive US diplomacy is wrapping up, with no Ukraine deal in sight, and escalating threats from Moscow. 30 years ago, the Dayton Agreement brought an end to the savage war in Bosnia, where, like Putin's dream of a greater Russia today, Serbia wanted more land and control, not an independent Bosnia. Rupert Smith was commander of the United Nations peacekeeping forces at the end of that conflict. Through his four decades in the military, he also led troops in the first Gulf war and Northern Ireland. He joins the program from London. Also on today's show: photographer Annie Leibovitz; Bulwark reporter Will Sommer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Former Colombian President Ivan Duque

    Former Colombian President Ivan Duque
    Dec 4 2025
    In recent months, the Trump administration has hit 21 boats suspected of smuggling on behalf of drug cartels, as part of their self-declared war on narcoterrorism. It's all part of a wider campaign aimed at Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro. Former President of Colombia Ivan Duque joins the show to discuss. Also on today's show NYT journalist Farnaz Fassihi; New Yorker contributing writer Joshua Yaffa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Lengthy Talks, No Progress

    Lengthy Talks, No Progress
    Dec 3 2025
    Despite five hours of talks between Russia and the US, they failed to reach an agreement for ending the war in Ukraine. Both President Zelensky and NATO officials say that Putin shows no sign of making "meaningful concessions. Julianne Smith was Ambassador to NATO under President Biden, including during Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. She joins the show from Washington DC. Also on today's show: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert; Republican Senator Bill Cassidy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins