Home Podcasts Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files
Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Global 103 episodes Latest May 28, 2026

World-renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour and ex-husband Jamie Rubin, a former US State Department official, unpack today’s defining global crises. Drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones, and grilling world leaders, they explain how we ended up where we are – and where we might be going. From Trump and Putin to the war in Ukraine, China’s global rise, and chaos in the Middle East, geopolitics has never been more dangerous or unpredictable. The Ex Files provides unparalleled insight into the issues keeping world leaders, and the rest of us, awake at night.

Episodes

Q&A: CBS under attack, Iran's ransom price and has Mamdani delivered? Jun 11, 2026 24:43 Is the gutting of 60 Minutes leading us down a dangerous path? Christiane doesn't hold back on what CBS's parent company is doing to one of the most successful news programmes in television history.Plus, a Lebanese listener asks the question at the heart of the Middle East crisis: is it cheaper to pay off Iran and its proxies than to keep fighting? Christiane and Jamie unpack why the war in Lebano
Is Israel trapped in a Forever War? Jun 9, 2026 39:44 Christiane was in Beirut until last Sunday. By the time she arrived back in London, the Lebanese capital was once again under Israeli bombardment and the Middle East ceasefire appeared on the verge of collapse.In this episode, Christiane reveals what Lebanese President Joseph Aoun exclusively told her about Israel's ongoing war with Hezbollah and Iran's continued grip on his country. She and Jamie
Q&A: Trump’s dealmaking “mastery”, capitalism vs democracy & do sanctions work? Jun 4, 2026 21:11 On this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked whether Donald Trump’s self-styled reputation as a master dealmaker stands up to scrutiny, as US-Iran talks drag on with bold claims but little progress. They also discuss the French navy’s interceptions of Russian oil tankers accused of skirting sanctions, and whether others should follow suit.They explore the effect that gerrymandering, and
Does Putin want to start a war with NATO? Jun 2, 2026 38:55 After a Russian drone struck a building inside NATO member Romania, Christiane and Jamie ask the question on every western leader's mind: does Putin actually want a direct confrontation with the alliance? They examine whether the incident was a reckless accident or a calculated provocation, potentially a deliberate test of NATO and Europe's willingness to respond. What does it tell us about Russia
Q&A: The Pope’s AI warning, Iran at the World Cup & is Russia still meddling in US politics? May 28, 2026 30:15 This week, Christiane and Jamie discuss Pope Leo’s warning that AI could end up starting more wars, and ask whether the technology now poses a genuine threat to the future of humanity. They also look at the politics around this summer's FIFA World Cup - which will see Iran play matches in the US - as the war in the Middle East shows no sign of ending.Christiane & Jamie also revisit Russia’s in
Trump strikes Iran again: a sign of desperation? May 26, 2026 36:20 The Iran ceasefire hangs by a thread after the latest round of US strikes on Iranian military sites and IRGC boats. Is this a sign that Trump is about to restart the war? Or is it that the President is becoming increasingly desperate to end the conflict he probably regrets starting three months ago? Christiane & Jamie unpick how Trump has backed himself into such a tight corner, and whether it
Q&A: Trump's mental health, Epstein files accountability & Israel's death penalty May 21, 2026 24:54 With growing numbers of doctors and experts publicly questioning the president's mental fitness, Christiane and Jamie tackle the most uncomfortable question in American politics: is Donald Trump losing it?Then, Christiane and Jamie are asked about the Epstein files and why justice for the women and children who were abused is yet to be served. They also examine Israel's controversial new death pen
Iran, Cuba, Greenland: does Trump have a plan, or just a list of places to conquer? May 19, 2026 37:50 After a bruising few months of war, and with his ratings at an all-time low, could Trump be about to target Cuba? Christiane & Jamie dissect the President's recent visit to China and explain why he was unable to make any progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, plus they reveal why he might be planning to indict the former Cuban President Raul Castro.They also look at Trump's ongoing strugg
Q&A: MAGA’s trust in Trump, US-EU divorce & Iran's Lego fightback May 14, 2026 23:37 Christiane and Jamie tackle the question of why so many MAGA supporters still trust President Trump despite rising costs, broken promises and foreign wars. They also address whether Americans truly understand how much damage has been done to the country's standing in Europe.Plus, Christiane and Jamie break down Iran's surprisingly effective Lego-style propaganda videos, explaining why humour has b
Is Putin losing his nerve...and the war? May 12, 2026 42:05 What's been happening in Ukraine while the world has been watching the Iran War? Something has shifted - and not in Putin's favour. This week, Christiane and Jamie examine why Putin suddenly pushed for a ceasefire ahead of Russia's Victory Day celebrations. Was it a diplomatic gesture, or a sign of fear? They explore growing reports that Putin has become paranoid about his own security, and make t
Q&A: Trump's plunging ratings, Vance vs Rubio & Israel without Bibi? May 7, 2026 28:25 Christiane and Jamie answer your questions on the global fallout from the conflict in the Middle East - is anyone paying attention to the millions in sub-Saharan Africa facing displacement as a direct consequence of the Iran War? And will China or major European nations ever apply enough pressure on Trump to end it once and for all?Plus, with millions of Americans having voted for Trump, will the
US-Iran War: what is going on? With Tina Brown May 5, 2026 39:31 Are the US & Iran really getting closer to a peace deal, as Trump claims? With the American blockade in the Strait of Hormuz now suspended, and talks between the two sides apparently imminent, Christiane and special guest Tina Brown unpick whether Trump finally has an exit plan, or whether this could be yet another false dawn in negotiations.Christiane & Tina also discuss the challenges an

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