A transatlantic turning point from the Munich Security Conference! Dive deep into the future of Iran, as we sit down with key leaders and voices from across the globe. Don't miss our in-depth analysis and conversations.

Feb 14, 2026

According to the latest annual report by Human Rights Watch, President Donald Trump is pushing America towards authoritarian rule. It says nearly three-quarters of the global population now live under autocratic rulers - putting democracy at its lowest point in forty years. It's a bleak reality that our first guest saw coming. Writer and activist Ece Temelkuran left Turkey ten years ago after learning she might be arrested for criticizing President Erdogan. Temelkuran joins the show to discuss h...Show moreer new book, "Nation of Strangers."   Also on today's show: Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson, Qatar Museums and Doha Film Institute; Tig Notaro, co-producer of “Come See Me in the Good Light," joined by the subject of the documentary, poet Megan Falley

Feb 13, 2026

Eighty years of peaceful world order are under unprecedented harm, thanks to the "wrecking-ball politics" led by US President Donald Trump. That's the assessment of European security experts who are getting set to host world leaders and diplomats at the pivotal Munich Security Conference starting tomorrow. Robert Kagan is a traditional conservative foreign policy scholar, he calls himself a "former Republican" and his latest piece for the Atlantic is about America and the world. He joins the show from Washington.  Also on today's show: actor Delroy Lindo; author Chris Jennings

Feb 12, 2026

47 years ago today, Iran was declared an Islamic republic, after a year-long revolution that toppled a Shah and sent shockwaves throughout the world. And this anniversary sees the regime in its fiercest fight for survival yet. Last month, hundreds of thousands of Iranians rose up in protest, demanding change, before authorities brutally cracked down. The government itself admits to more than 3,000 deaths, but the real number could be in the tens of thousands, according to human rights groups. Th...Show moree violence and intimidation continue even in prison. Detained Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been viciously assaulted, according to the Nobel Committee, whose leader Jørgen Frydnes joins from Oslo.  Also on today's show: Former Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Sara Khaki & Mohammadreza Eyni, co-directors of Oscar-nominated Iranian documentary "Cutting Through Rocks"; Scott Galloway, professor at the NYU Stern School of Business

Feb 11, 2026

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

Feb 10, 2026

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

Feb 9, 2026

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 frontline...Show mores 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

Feb 7, 2026

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

Feb 6, 2026

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

Feb 4, 2026

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"

Feb 3, 2026