From the very start of his war with Iran, Donald Trump never laid out a coherent exit strategy. The regional implications have been massive: a complete upheaval all over the Middle East with Gulf allies of the US dragged into a war they wanted no part in. Retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and before that, as Special Forces Commander in Iraq he led the mission to kill Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi. McChrystal joins Christiane from Washingt...Show moreon.  Also on today's show: Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah & Israeli Maoz Inon on their new book, "The Future is Peace"; author Michael Pollan on his new book, "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness"

Apr 17, 2026

The public dispute between Donald Trump and Pope Leo continues. For perspective on this unexpected development, we turn today to one of America's most influential cardinals -- and the pope's staunch ally -Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich.  Also on today's show: author Nicholas Enrich ("Into the Woodchipper"); journalist/author Joanne Lipman ("That's What She Said"); Ukrainian journalist Alyona Synenko

Apr 16, 2026

The world energy supply continues to be choked by both Iran and America's blockades on the Strait of Hormuz. Americans are feeling the economic pinch, and the polls are looking less favorable for President Trump. What's more, this war is draining support from his MAGA base. One of the most vocal in her disappointment is former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. She is now calling for the president's removal and joins the show from Georgia.  Also on today's show: Muhammad Saeed, Fmr. Chief of General Staff, Pakistani Army; Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global

Apr 15, 2026

Israel and Lebanon are meeting in Washington in their highest-level direct talks in more than 40 years. But the gaps of disagreement are wide, and any progress could be dashed by the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, which says it won't abide by any agreement in the meeting. For the Lebanese people grappling with loss and displacement, there's little hope negotiations will herald change. Health care workers have also been victims in this war - since early March, dozens of medics have been killed in...Show more Israeli strikes. MSF volunteers have been working across three major hospitals in Lebanon, and their emergency coordinator Christopher Stokes joins the show from Beirut.  Also on today's show: Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel; Sudanese entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim; actor Andrew McCarthy

Apr 14, 2026

Putting the blame on failed peace talks squarely on Iran, President Trump ordered the US Navy to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, threatening to sink any Iranian ships that come near them. This move is intended to deal a devastating blow to Iran's already frail economy, but the country's top negotiator shrugged it off and warned American consumers they'd soon be "nostalgic" for lower gas prices. Joining the show to discuss all this is Danny Citrinowicz, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Na...Show moretional Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch of Israeli military intelligence.  Also on today's show: Former US House Republican Adam Kinzinger; Former US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman; author A. Mechele Dickerson

Apr 13, 2026

A measured sigh of relief spread across the world this week after a ceasefire was announced in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Still, the prospect of a sustained peace feels elusive. Christiane gets the view from a close European neighbour, Greece, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Then, as Iran and the U.S. prepare for negotiations in Pakistan, is America's strategy in the war working? Christiane hears from Iran experts Ray Takeyh and Suzanne Maloney. Plus, Professor of Global Studies at...Show more the University of Tehran Sasan Karimi give Christiane the view from inside Iran. Then, a portrait of American injustice takes center stage in Broadway with "The Fear of 13", dramatizing the life of Nick Yarris who served two decades in prison for a crime he did not commit. Christiane speaks to lead actor Adrien Brody and playwright Lindsey Ferrentino. Plus, as the U.S. embargo on Cuba grinds life in the island to a halt, Christiane's 1998 report from Havana on how decades of sanctions have impacted the most vulnerable there. And finally, as the Artemis II crew make their way back to Earth, a look back at Christiane's conversation with astronaut Michael Collins on his own journey to the moon.Air date: April 11, 2026Guests:Kyriakos MitsotakisSuzanne Maloney & Ray TakeyhSasan KarimiAdrien Brody & Lindsey Ferrentino

Apr 11, 2026

After an eleventh hour move by the US and Iran to secure a two-week ceasefire, Israel unleashed a heavy bombing raid on Lebanon. After five weeks of deadly war, are the US and Iran effectively back to square one? Historian Peter Frankopan joins the show to discuss.  Also on today's show: Bryan Stevenson, Founder & Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative; Michael Collins, Apollo 11 Astronaut (from the archive)

Apr 10, 2026

A shaky ceasefire between the US and Iran holds for now, but in Lebanon the scene is dire after Israel unleashed the most deadly strikes of the war. More than a thousand people were killed and wounded in just a single day. Correspondent Nada Bashir joins the show from Beirut.  Also on today's show: Jason Rezaian, Global Opinions Writer, Washington Post; Yuli Novak, Executive Director, B'Tselem & Suhad Bishara, Legal Director, Adalah

Apr 9, 2026

A two-week ceasefire has been announced between the US and Iran. Sasan Karimi is a Professor of Global Studies at Tehran University and previously served as Vice President for Strategic Affairs. He joins the show to give us an inside view from Tehran.  Also on today’s show: Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis; foreign policy experts Suzanne Maloney & Ray Takeyh; IRC CEO David Miliband

Apr 8, 2026

The US has begun attacking military targets on Kharg Island, from which almost all of Iran’s oil is exported. It comes as President Trump's deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is fast approaching. If Tehran does not back down, Trump says the US will unleash a wave of strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges. To take stock of where we're at ahead of Trump's self-imposed 8pm ET deadline, Executive Director of the Soufan Group Colin Clarke and retired US Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling join the show.  Also on today’s show: CNN Correspondent Melissa Bell; Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum; Tristan Harris, Co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology

Apr 7, 2026