Amanpour

It's been one week since Ukraine launched its surprise incursion into Russia. Today, President Vladimir Putin again framed this as a battle of survival against the West, saying Kyiv's move is a negotiating tactic. John Sullivan was appointed US ambassador to Russia by President Trump and was still there when Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He previously served as deputy secretary of state. He recounts it all in his new book, "Midnight in Moscow," and he joins the program from Washington DC. 

Also on today's show: Dr. Javid Abdelmoneim, Medical team leader, MSF; Masha Gessen, opinion columnist, The New York Times 

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From questioning Kamala Harris’s ethnic identity to his long-standing birther claims against Barack Obama, racist attacks against his political opponents have become part of Donald Trump's political playbook. Harvard professor and racial politics scholar, Randall Kennedy joins Bianna Golodryga to examine how Trump weaponizes racism to undermine his opponents. 

Then Nicholas Thompson and Emily Glazer unpack the dangers of misinformation on democracy, social media’s role, and Musk's impact on the AI sector, as race riots rattle the UK. 

After escaping the Taliban’s brutal crackdown, the Afghan Youth Orchestra is now rebuilding their lives in Portugal. Young musicians describe their unimaginable hardship, and discuss the power of music as a symbol of hope.

From the archive, as Nicolas Maduro attempts to maintain his grip on power amid a contested election in Venezuela, Christiane Amanpour’s 2014 conversation reveals his defiance in the face of mass protests and widespread claims of election fraud is nothing new.

Finally, two-time Olympian, Yusra Mardini reflects on the resilience of the Refugee Olympic Team.

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Just as soon as Kamala Harris' presidential campaign began nearly four weeks ago, so too did the ugly, age-old racist attacks, with Donald Trump questioning his rival's race in a sit-down interview with Black journalists. Bianna speaks with Randall Kennedy, a law professor at Harvard, and an expert on the history of race and politics. 

Also on today's show: Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff, co-authors of “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War”; Ahmad Sarmast, founder and director of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music 

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A "massive attack" by Ukraine - this is how Russia describes a daring incursion by Ukrainian troops into its Kursk region. And while Russia claims it has stopped the incursion, evidence from the ground suggests fighting is ongoing. This comes as Russian forces creep closer to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, threatening a vital supply line for Kyiv. Bianna discusses with Rose Gottemoeller what Kyiv’s strategy might be, and what its US ally makes of it. 

Also on today's show: WSJ reporter Emily Glazer and Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic; Raj Chetty, Director, Harvard’s Opportunity Insights; USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan 

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One day in and it's been a rapturous reception for VP candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Today he and running mate Kamala Harris are stumping in Wisconsin after an enthusiastic debut in Philadelphia. Congressman Brendan Boyle is a longtime friend of Walz and a congressman for the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania. He joins the show to discuss the new vice presidential candidate. 

Also: correspondent Jeremy Diamond reports from northern Israel; US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan; Will Carter, Sudan Country Director, Norwegian Refugee Council; Yusra Mardini, former swimmer, Refugee Olympic Team 

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After what feels like endless speculation - although it's only been about two weeks - Kamala Harris has chosen her chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz running mate. Walz has a track record of winning even in conservative-leaning districts. The Trump camp has already begun its campaign against Walz, labelling him a dangerous radical. Joining the program is Geoff Duncan, a Republican who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia until last year and who now he says he'll vote for Harris over Trump. 

Also on today's show: "Pod Save the UK" cohosts Nish Kumar and Coco Khan; Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Public Policy and Economics, University of Michigan; author Edward Wong ("At The Edge of Empire") 

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After 15 years in power, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, has resigned from her post and fled the country. It's an incredible development and the culmination of deadly protests that have rocked the nation for weeks. New York Times' South Asia Bureau Chief Mujib Mashal has been following this story closely and joins the show from New Delhi. He's followed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, perhaps the most well known Bangladeshi in the world. 

Also on today's show: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak; author Anne Applebaum ("Autocracy Inc.") 

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The US presidential election and the entire political landscape looks completely different today than it did two weeks ago. A surge in enthusiasm for Kamala Harris has injected a newfound energy into the Democratic party. Bakari Sellers, political commentator and former State Representative in South Carolina, and Elaina Plott Calabro, staff writer at the Atlantic join the show to discuss Kamala Harris and the week in politics. 

Also on today's show: Evan Williams, Director, "Germany's Enemy Within"; Tracie Keesee, Co-founder and President of the Center for Policing Equity 

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24 prisoners have been released in the largest prisoner exchange between the US and Russia since the Cold War. Among those freed are two wrongfully detained American citizens, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and former US marine Paul Whelan, in exchange for Russian criminals. Bianna Golodryga talks with exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar about the ethical dilemmas and the details of this groundbreaking deal.  

Also on today's show: former IDF paratrooper Yuval Green; Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid 

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Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an early morning strike Wednesday in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Iran and Hamas claim Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike. Iran’s Supreme Leader is vowing revenge. Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh joins the show to discuss the enraged rhetoric coming out of Iran, alongside correspondent Ivan Watson who joins from Beirut to discuss the latest on the ground in Lebanon. 

Also on today's show: Ronen Bergman, staff writer, The New York Times; Colin Clarke, Director of Research, The Soufan Group; Nabih Bulos, Middle East Bureau Chief, the Los Angeles Times; Clarissa Ward, CNN Chief International Correspondent; Tamir Hayman, former IDF Intelligence Chief 

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