The Trump administration has finally published its National Security strategy - and it's left Christiane and Jamie baffled. This week, they discuss why, at a time of war in Ukraine, the President seems so keen to welcome Russia back into the fold, while criticising America's European allies.

Plus, Christiane reflects on her recent exclusive interview with Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and, one year on from the overthrow of the tyrannical Assad regime, asks how much hope Syrians can have for their future.

Can the country's new leader unify a fragmented nation and rescue its dire economy? Christiane and Jamie also discuss what al-Sharaa has to say about his terrorist past, and explain why he's furious with Israel.

Later, it's time for this week's Recommendations!

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In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked about Benjamin Netanyahu’s request to the Israeli president for a pardon from the long-running corruption trial he faces, for which he’s pleaded not guilty to charges of bribery and fraud. Is a pardon really in the Israeli public interest, as he claims? 

They’re also quizzed on the increasingly discussed possibility of another global financial crash. How likely is such a crash and what would its impact on global geopolitics be? 

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With Congress now formally looking into accusations that the War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has asked US forces to carry out illegal orders in the Caribbean, Christiane and Jamie explain the background to the story and examine those allegations in detail. Why does the Trump administration seem so obsessed with launching a full-blown military campaign against Venezuela? And what are the consequences if Hegseth has been ordering his troops to commit war crimes?

Christiane also gives her reaction to President Macron's controversial announcement that he is reintroducing military service in France. Decades after most Western nations ended conscription and compulsory national service, she and Jamie discuss whether this is a step that other nations, such as the US and the UK, should follow, given the ongoing threat posed by Russia. Jamie also reveals what Andriy Yermak - Zelensky's recently departed Chief of Staff - was like to work with, and he and Christiane assess whether we are any closer to reaching a genuine peace deal for Ukraine.

And as always, they wrap up with this week's Recommendations!

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In this week’s Q&A, in the wake of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia’s meeting with Donald Trump at the White House, Christiane and Jamie are asked how the US should best deal with regimes that, despite condemnable human rights records, remain important strategic allies.

They’re also asked why President Trump gets away with his consistently rude treatment of journalists, Christiane noting a recent but already infamous incident in which the President angrily hushed a female journalist: “Quiet, piggy”.

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Why does Trump think he can force Ukraine to accept a “peace plan” that hands Putin almost everything he wants? In this episode, Christiane explains why the latest US-backed proposals and Trump's pressure campaign are so problematic - and gives her very personal reaction to the fast-moving negotiations.

And as high-stakes talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US take place in Abu Dhabi, Christiane and Jamie look at how Europe and Zelensky are fighting back against the Trump-Russia plan - and whether the US can be convinced to continue supporting Ukraine if the war drags on into next year.

Later, Christiane and Jamie react to Trump and Mamdani's surprising first meeting in the Oval Office, plus they explore how tech bros have muscled their way into US politics, and they wrap up with this week's recommendations!

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In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked to explain the potential rationale behind Donald Trump’s U-turn on the Epstein files. The bill ordering the release of the files has passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Trump’s blessing… despite him recently labelling congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene a “traitor” for supporting the motion.

They’re also asked about the “dark money” used by donors to control politicians and influence policy. What can be done to increase the transparency of policy decision-making and reduce any potential conflicts of interest?

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Christiane reflects on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War, revealing why current world leaders could learn valuable lessons from how that conflict ended when it comes to Ukraine and the Middle East. She and Jamie also explain what made the US military intervention in Bosnia so successful, and why it didn't turn into a repeat of the Vietnam War, as some had claimed it would.

Plus, as Trump continues his crackdown on immigration, has the president just run into his toughest opponent yet? With hundreds more arrests made by ICE officials in Charlotte, North Carolina, over the weekend, Christiane and Jamie discuss what the impact could be of Catholic and Christian leaders across America joining the Pope in criticising Trump as he attempts to continue his mass deportations.

And don't miss this week's recommendations!

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In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked about the events that led to Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1bn. How serious an act is it to edit a video of the President in a way that could be considered misleading?

Also posed are questions about the recent success of the Democrats in the US, at the forefront of which is Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Will he succeed as the Mayor of New York and how can the Democrats balance ambition with pragmatism?

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This week, the famed couples' therapist Esther Perel joins Christiane for a special episode. Ahead of the Holiday season, they discuss why families and world leaders seem to be more polarised than ever by politics and an inability to resolve their differences - and Esther explains what people can do to heal divisions in their own lives at this difficult time.

Esther also reveals to Christiane what she thinks of her starting a podcast with her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin - plus she has a book, a film, and a play to recommend!

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In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked how NATO states would react, militarily, if Donald Trump’s America were to invade Canada. Assuming Article 5 would be invoked, would NATO then allow US allies to come to Canada’s defence and go to war with America?

Christiane is also joined by Ernest Moniz, physicist, former United States Secretary of Energy, and Co-Chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. They discuss the NTI’s progress towards global nuclear disarmament via policy solutions, partnerships and innovation.

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