Amanpour

As conflict in the Middle East spreads to Lebanon and hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza fade, Spain has taken a different approach to the Israel-Hamas War. In May, Spain recognized the state of Palestine and last week, welcomed the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Madrid. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez joins the show from the United Nations. Also on today's show: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock; Dearborn Michigan Mayor Abdullah Hammoud  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show comes to you from the United Nations, where the 79th General Assembly is taking place this week. Christiane's guests include Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World leaders are meeting at the annual UN General Assembly against a grim backdrop of global conflict and deepening geopolitical divisions. But sometimes diplomacy can yield important results. This time last year, Siamak Namazi was released from Iran's notorious Evin Prison in a hostage-prisoner swap with the United States. He was the longest held American in Iran, a horrifying eight-year ordeal. Six months before his release, Namazi bravely called into this program from inside Evin, to make an emotional plea to President Biden. A year later, he is ready to talk for the first time, in an interview with Christiane in New York. Also on today's show: Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris; historian Timothy Snyder on his new book "On Freedom"  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the show: an examination of power and how it changes lives. With China and the U.S. vying for supremacy on the world stage, Christiane speaks to Nicholas Burns, veteran diplomat and now U.S. Ambassador to China, about where the relationship stands and what it means. Also, this hour: 50 years of 'The Powerbroker'. Robert Caro joins Christiane to discuss the long legacy and newfound pop culture status of his book about Robert Moses, one of the most powerful, unelected officials in American history. Then, correspondent David Culver reports from El Salvador on the power struggle between its president and criminal gangs which has transformed the country and why those who fled are now flocking back. Plus, power, sex and an unseen kingmaker: the remarkable story of Pamela Churchill Harriman as told by author Sonia Purnell. And from the Amanpour Archive: Billie Jean King reflects on beating Bobby Riggs 51 years ago in the most watched tennis match in history, dubbed 'the battle of the sexes'. And finally, French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat on the beauty standards "building a jail" around women and her hit film starring Demi Moore, 'The Substance'.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An Israeli strike targeting a high-ranking Hezbollah official named Ibrahim Aquil destroyed a building in a residential area in southern Beirut. Today's attack follows a night of strikes across Israel's northern border. This all comes after devastating pager and walkie-talkie explosions earlier this week. Correspondent Jeremy Diamond joins us from Tel Aviv to break down what's behind this apparent escalation and where it could lead. Also on today's show: David Suzuki, scientist and environmental activist & Bodhi Patil, climate activist and Founder, InnerLight; Coralie Fargeat, Director, The Substance; Carme Artigas, Co-Chair, UN Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Lebanon, the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has condemned the back-to-back attacks targeting the group's pagers and walkie-talkie communications system as "massacres." He also warned Israel that Hezbollah's forces on the border won't stop until the war in Gaza ends. At the same time, Israeli fighter jets screamed over the capital Beirut, appearing to drop flares, and the IDF said it is striking targets in Lebanon. All of this is raising concerns about an all-out war to a new level, after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's warning on Wednesday that a new phase of this conflict is beginning. Christiane gets the latest from correspondent Ben Wedeman in Beirut. Also on today's show: US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns; author Robert Caro (“The Power Broker”); Francis Fukuyama, Senior Fellow, Stanford’s Freeman Spogli Institute  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Walkie-talkies exploded today in Lebanon, a day after Israel remotely detonated Hezbollah's network of pagers. Israel's Defense Minister says a new phase of war is beginning, and that the center of gravity is moving north. Hezbollah is vowing revenge. The group, which the west designates as a terrorist organization, is actually also a powerful political party with some thirteen seats in the Lebanese Parliament. Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib joins the program from Beirut. Also on today's show: Retired IDF Major General Guy Zur; author Sonia Purnell ("Kingmaker"); marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Lebanon, the health ministry is calling on citizens to be on "high alert" after devices belonging to members of Hezbollah suddenly exploded. Several people have been killed and thousands injured, including Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, according to Iranian state media. Hezbollah said it holds Israel responsible for the attack and vowed retribution. Christiane gets the latest from Lebanese journalist Kim Ghattas. Also on today's show: US Senate Democrat Chris Murphy; "Borderland" Director Pamela Yates & human rights activist Gabriela Castañeda; presidential historian Timothy Naftali  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrew McCabe, the former deputy director of the FBI ousted by Trump, shares his insights on the rising political violence in the U.S. He emphasizes the dangerous interplay between escalating threats against public officials and the nation's gun culture. The conversation dives into the consequences of reckless political rhetoric and the pressing need for responsible discourse to curb extremism. McCabe also touches upon the risks posed by foreign disinformation in elections, highlighting its role in fueling polarization and conflict.

After a watershed moment for Kamala Harris at potentially her only debate with Donald Trump, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy appraises her performance and warns his party is ignoring something critical.Then, in his first exit interview, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg talks triumphs and regrets after ten years at the top of the world’s largest military alliance.Plus, Filmmaker Pamela Yates and activist Gabriela Castañeda talk about their new film “Borderland” which exposes the secret infrastructure within the US that could be laying the ground for mass deportations.In the Amanpour Archive, an interview in Kandahar, and by lamplight, with Hamid Karzai after he had united Afghanistan against the Taliban in 2001. And Finally – “Slave Play” Playwright Jeremy O. Harris tells Christiane Amanpour that current theater prices are “unsustainable” and what he’s doing to change it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices