Amanpour

Amidst tension in the Middle East, nuclear diplomacy progresses. Inside Iran, it's now more than a month since the brutal crackdown on political dissent began. Hadi Ghaemi Is Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, researching and documenting rights violations there. He joins the show to discuss. 

Also on today's show: NPR Correspondent Brian Mann from the Olympics; Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureated Maria Ressa 

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The children of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai are speaking out after their 78-year old father was sentenced to 20 years in jail for violating national security laws. Lai, who is a British citizen, denies all charges, saying he's a political prisoner, the target of persecution from Beijing. Correspondent Kristie Lu Stout reports from Hong Kong. 

Also on today's show: Rush Doshi, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Tom Tugendhat, British Conservative MP; Dara Massicot, senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan 

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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

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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 

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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 

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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" 

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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 

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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

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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" 

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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 

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