Amanpour

As Trump launches a jaw-dropping 180 on Russia-Ukraine policy, Biden’s number two at the State Department, Wendy Sherman, joins me to discuss Putin’s playbook and what Trump needs to know about dealing with him. Then, democratic institutions at home are under unprecedented threat. M. Gessen, who lived through similar events in Russia, joins the program. Plus, Madeleine Albright's words from my archives still resonate today. Also ahead, alarm bells are sounding over the threat to democracy. A new series traces Mussolini’s rise to power, and I speak with director Joe Wright. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine is left looking on as America brings Russia back into the fold and Trump tests constitutional limits at home. New York Times columnist Masha Gessen joins Christiane to discuss the threats of rising authoritarianism in the US and abroad. Also on today's show: Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas; Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi; Democratic congresswoman Jahana Hayes  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukraine has been fighting for its freedom for 1,093 days and must now contend not only with Russia but a reversal in US foreign policy, as the new administration welcomes Vladimir Putin back into the fold. Boris Bondarev was a diplomat who quit his post and denounced the Putin regime after the invasion of Ukraine. He joined the show from Geneva to give us the Russian view of things. Also on today's show: US Senate Democrat Elissa Slotkin; author Bernadette Atuahene  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are seeing a shift in US and Russia's relations as high-level talks take place in Saudi Arabia, with both countries agreeing to "work through the conflict in Ukraine." Wendy Sherman was Deputy Secretary of State in the Biden administration and was among the last American diplomats to negotiate with Russian officials on the eve of their 2022 invasion. She joins Christiane from DC.Also on today's show: Ruth Margalit, Contributing writer, The New York Times Magazine; Brendan Ballou, Former Federal Prosecutor  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, ssenior Russian and American officials are meeting to discuss what comes next. The exclusion of Kyiv and European allies at this early stage is causing concern in the continent most impacted by this war, and fears are growing that President Trump, eager for a quick deal, will give away too much. Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh joins the show from Kyiv to discuss, followed by Andrea Kendall Taylor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program. Also on today's show Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa; human rights advocate and author Loretta Ross  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Europe, Ukraine and much of the world is reeling after senior American officials sent a clear message at the Munich Security Conference: European security is no longer an American priority. The United States' new direction is already underway, as high-level Russian and American teams arrive in Saudi Arabia this week for bilateral talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Notably absent is Ukraine itself. President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Saudi Arabia this week but he is not part of the negotiation. Christiane spoke with him about his plans to speak for Ukraine, even as the US and Russia try to keep him away from the table. Also on today's show: Sen. Chris Coons; NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte; Bill Gates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As NATO allies and Ukraine wait anxiously to know exactly how President Trump plans to negotiate with Vladimir Putin, Christiane sits down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference, where the stakes this year couldn't be higher. With vital USAID activities on the Trump-Musk chopping block, Christiane speaks with James Kunder, former deputy administrator of USAID under George W. Bush about the global fallout of the gutting of America's largest foreign aid organization. Then, Ivan Watson reports on the real-world impact of Trump's overhaul to USAID from the Thailand-Myanmar border where refugees there are unable to access critical medical care. Also, Jeremy Strong talks to Christiane about his Oscar-nominated role, playing Roy Cohn, Donald Trump's villanous lawyer and early mentor in "The Apprentice."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week, President Donald Trump signed a directive "restoring maximum pressure" on Iran while signaling he's open to reaching a new deal with Tehran. Vali Nasr and Elliot Abram are two former state department officials who have served Democrat and Republican Presidents, and they join Christiane to discuss this issue. Also on today's show: actor Fernanda Torres and director Walter Salles discuss the Oscar-nominated Brazilian film "I'm Still Here"; physician and contributing writer for The New Yorker Dhruv Khullar talks about the dangers of ultra-processed food in our diets.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

More than six million people could die from HIV and AIDS in the next four years if the US pulls its global funding for programs, according to the UN AIDS agency. Thandiwe Mhlambi is part of a program that reduces the risk of HIV among girls and empowers them economically. She joins Christiane from Johannesburg, South Africa. Also on today's show: James Kunder, Former Deputy Administrator, USAID; Robert Lighthizer, Former US Trade Representative; Joe Wright, Director, "Mussolini: Son of the Century"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a 90-minute phone call, making him the first American leader to speak with his Russian counterpart Putin's invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Meanwhile at NATO headquarters, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made clear the US no longer wants to take the lead protecting Ukraine and poured cold water on some of Kyiv's bottom lines for peace negotiations. Richard Haass served for years in senior positions at the State Department before heading up the Council on Foreign Relations. He joins Christiane from New York to discuss the new world order and "America first." Also on today's show: Oscar-nominated actor Jeremy Strong ("The Apprentice"); "Death By Numbers" writer/subject Sam Fuentes and producer/director Kim A. Snyder   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices