Amanpour

After pageantry and flattery in Beijing this week, Presidents Trump and Xi are hailing a new era of the America-China relationship. But stumbling blocks remain - from tech and trade deals to the war in Iran. China expert Rush Doshi served in President Biden's National Security Council and he joins the show to discuss all the details from this historic summit. Then, what went wrong in Israel? That's the question author and leading genocide scholar Omer Bartov seeks to answer in his new book. He joins Christiane to trace the origin story of Israel, to the war in Gaza, to its present-day popularity crisis. Plus, as tech giants join Trump in China, back home in America they are seeking the key to immortality. Tech journalist Kara Swisher explores this in her new CNN series "Kara Swisher Wants to Live Forever." And from the archives, a look back at the long fight for freedom in Iran. Christiane's report from Tehran, where young Iranians risked brutal punishments to go to parties. And finally, when politics meets pop. We explain how this year's Eurovision Song Contest is causing controversy as Israel gears up to compete in Saturday's 70th Grand final.

Air date: May 16, 2026

Guests:

Rush Doshi

Omer Bartov

Kara Swisher

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Two superpower leaders, two days of talks, and an agenda with global consequences ... all of it unfolding under the shadow of the war in Iran, which has thrown China's global influence into sharper focus. Over the last thirteen years, President Xi has transformed China, tightening control at home while embracing a bolder strategy abroad. Xiang Lanxin is Professor Emeritus of International History and Politics at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, and he joins the show from Shanghai. 

Also on today's show: Indian journalist Rahul Bhatia; clinical psychologist (and Holocaust survivor) Edith Eger and daughter Marianne Engle 

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On his first trip to China in nearly a decade, there's a lot at stake for President Trump: tariff tensions, the AI race and the war with Iran are all on the table, along with a stark warning from Xi on Taiwan. China says he warned that if the issue is "mishandled" it could lead to "a highly dangerous situation." Rush Doshi served as a top official on China and Taiwan on President Biden's National Security Council. He's now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and joins the program from Washington. 

Also on today's show: Lewis Goodall, co-host, the "News Agents" podcast; Brendan Ballou, former special council, US Justice Dept. 

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Kevin Warsh, set to take over as fed chair this week, vowed in his confirmation hearing that he would be independent of the White House. For more than a year, outgoing chair Jerome Powell, himself a Trump pick, has faced relentless criticism and legal targeting by this administration. And this unprecedent pressure campaign is the subject of a new "Frontline" documentary, "The President vs. The Fed." The doc's director, James Jacoby, joins the show from New York. 

Also on today's show: Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Tyler Pager, White House Correspondent, The New York Times 

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The Iran conflict may be America's and Israel's war of choice, but the fallout hits allies in Europe particularly hard. As their countries invest billions to rebuild their militaries in the face of a growing Russian threat, European leaders are standing up to US pressure. Wolfgang Ischinger was Germany's Ambassador to the United States. Now he's Chair of the Munich Security Conference, and he joins the show. 

Also on today's show: Cochav Elkayem-Levy, Lead author, report on Sexual and Gender-based violence on October 7th; Ben McKenzie, Writer-Producer-Director of the new documentary "Everyone is Lying to You for Money" 

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Four months after the US invaded Caracas and captured leader Nicolas Maduro, what has become of the promise of democratic elections? It’s a question on the mind of our first guest. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado is now in exile after a risky departure to accept her Nobel Peace Prize late last year — a prize she promptly gave to Trump. She joins Christiane from Washington. 

Also on today's show: Omer Bartov, Author, “Israel: What Went Wrong”; journalist/author Bob Davis 

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This week we remember when giants strode this earth - the life and legacy of CNN founder Ted Turner.

First our conversation from his Montana ranch in 2015, where he told me about the uphill battle to make 24-hour news, his fight to conserve the planet and banish nuclear weapons, and his difficult relationship with his father.

Then memories from veteran journalist and author Walter Isaacson, about his years as Chairman and CEO of CNN under our founder. We also discuss his new book on America’s founding principles and the greatest sentence ever written.

Plus, we turn to Christiane’s archive, as Britain’s broadcasting legend David Attenborough celebrates his 100th birthday. We hear about his greatest moments bringing the wonders of the natural world into our living rooms.        

Air date: May 9, 2026

Guests:

Ted Turner (archive)

Walter Isaacson

David Attenborough (archive)

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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the country is confronting deep political division and growing questions about its identity. In his new book, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written,” former CNN Chairman Walter Isaacson joins the show to re-examine the second line of the Declaration and how its ideals continue to shape what it means to be American today. He also reflects on CNN’s founder Ted Turner, who passed away earlier this week. 

Also on today's show: naturalist Sir David Attenborough; author Sherrie Rollins Westie 

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At today's meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pope Leo, the two discussed their "shared commitment to promoting peace and human dignity." Human dignity is often one of the first casualties of war: Iran reports more than three thousand people were killed during the US and Israeli attacks.  Very few reporters or Western officials have been permitted into Iran to see the devastation, making the experience of today’s first guest all the more important. Mirjana Spoljaric, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, recently visited Tehran to meet with government officials. 

Also on today's show: Alexander Gabuev, Director, Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center; US House Democrat Shomari Figures; actor/musician Rita Wilson 

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CNN founder Ted Turner has died at the age of 87. An innovator and an icon, he revolutionized the television business by creating the first 24-hour news channel. Much more than a media mogul, Turner also was an environmentalist, a peace activist, a champion sailor, and a philanthropist. Christiane worked closely with him and joins the show to discuss his life and legacy. 

Also on today's show: Danny Citrinowicz, former head of Iran branch of Israel’s military intelligence; author Rhae Lynn Barnes 

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