Facing the likelihood of a long war against Russia, Ukraine is seemingly ready for a strategic reset – a move that President Zelensky has marked with a new defense minister. Rustem Umerov took on the new role less than three weeks ago with plans to rebuild Ukraine’s store of ammunition by ramping up local production wherever possible. In his first and exclusive interview, he joins the show to discuss the progress of the counteroffensive, his nation’s weapons systems, and the fate of Russia’s Bla...Show moreck Sea Fleet Chief, who was seen today in a Kremlin video despite Ukraine’s claims to have killed him. 
Also on today's show: US House Democrat Pat Ryan; Muzaffar Chishti, Senior Fellow, Migration Policy Institute; Iranian women's rights activist Elahe Tavakolian

Sep 26, 2023

Just behind the US in donations of aid to Ukraine is Germany, which last year changed its constitution to rapidly upgrade the country’s military in the wake of the Russian invasion and vowed to provide Ukraine with help for as long as it takes. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock joins the show to explain how that vow has shaped her nation’s affairs. 
Also on today's show: Former British Tory minister and MP Rory Stewart; New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill

Sep 25, 2023

The high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly is coming to a close, a week where the war in Ukraine and the defense of democracy took center stage. But no-shows included Russian President Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Rising Chinese power and influence in the Indo-Pacific region are a big focus for Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, balancing relations with both China and the United States. Christiane speaks to Ibrahim about this, as well as his own incredible journey from protest leader to political prisoner to prime minister. 
Also: author Ann Patchett; author Loren Grush

Sep 22, 2023

World leaders are wrapping up another UN General Assembly, a summit reflecting on a year of mounting challenges for UN nations, from the climate crisis to the war in Ukraine. As Kyiv’s counteroffensive continues, President Zelensky used his address to the UN to appeal for support and is now setting his sights on further assistance from Washington as he makes his case at the Capitol. But the leader is facing diplomatic setbacks, as Republicans in Congress threaten to cut off aid and neighboring c...Show moreountry Poland announces it will no longer send weapons to Ukraine. US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker joins the show from Washington DC. 
Also on today's show: Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; acting US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland; Law professor Tim Wu

Sep 21, 2023

First: As the UN General Assembly meets in New York City, Ireland Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks about the fight against imperialism, the importance of Ireland not being a member of NATO, the climate crisis, advocacy for a unified Ireland, and the UK's recent Northern Ireland Troubles Act.
Next: Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong speaks about Canada and India's mutual expulsion of diplomats over alleged Indian government connection to the murder of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Si...Show morengh Nijjar. She also discusses obstacles to global peace, Australia's environmentalist goals, and Indigenous recognition in the Australian constitution.
Then: UN Secretary-General António Guterres discusses the state of the war in Ukraine, and advocates for military support for Ukraine.
Later: Writer Diana B. Henriques discusses on the Great Depression, the New Deal, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and her book, Taming the Street.

Sep 20, 2023

At the United Nations General Assembly, more than a hundred world leaders are gathering to discuss pressing world issues, from climate to grinding poverty.  But Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping are missing in action; and the Ukraine war is diverting attention from other vital priorities, like climate change or promoting global equality. Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told fellow leaders, “We are not where need to be” in meeting these sustainable development goals. 
Also on today’s show: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong; NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg; author Diana B. Henriques

Sep 19, 2023

Five Americans detained in Iran are free and on their way to the United States, as part of a US-Iran agreement, which also includes the release of $6 billion in Iranian funds for humanitarian use. Christiane is joined by US National Security spokesperson John Kirby, and later by Jared Genser, who represents former detainee Siamak Namazi.
As world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, they face cascading challenges – from the war in Ukraine to the critical climate c...Show morerisis. Christiane sat down with UN Secretary General António Guterres.
20 years ago, President Bush introduced one of the United States’s most successful foreign aid programs, PEPFAR. The plan for AIDS relief has saved 25 million lives but is now under threat. House Republicans are opposing funding for it, which expires at the end of the month, over abortion politics. Steven Thrasher is a HIV and AIDS scholar and joins the show to discuss the global impact of this relief.

Sep 18, 2023

President Biden today marked one year since the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being manhandled by Iran’s “morality police” for not wearing her hijab properly. Many protesters hoped for the downfall of the regime in the wake of her death, but the ayatollahs have survived, and the regime is rounding up activists and journalists, hoping to pre-empt any new demonstrations. Mahnaz Afkhami was minister of women’s affairs in Iran’s government before the 1979 Islamic revolution, and she joins the...Show more show to explain why she believes that, despite the regime’s brutal crackdown, change is underway inside Iran. 
Also on today’s show: correspondent Jomana Karadsheh reports from Libya; Norwegian Refugee Council’s Jan Egeland; Catherine Fieschi, Director, Open Society Foundations Europe and Central Asia

Sep 15, 2023

Elon Musk needs no introduction. The world’s richest person, he's a divisive figure, a villain to some, a genius to others. Like many powerful billionaires, he also finds himself willing and able to affect policy, even amid a war. Our colleague Walter Isaacson spent two years shadowing Musk. The result is a 670-page biography that’s certainly making waves, as Walter and Christiane discussed when they sat down in New York. 
Also on today’s show: #MeToo Founder Tarana Burke & Mariam Mangera, Project Coordinator of the National Shelter Movement of South Africa; New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser

Sep 14, 2023

Devastating natural disasters and human tragedy are bedeviling North Africa. In Libya, there are harrowing stories of bodies filling the streets after massive floods caused by a torrential downpour that smashed through two dams. More than 6,000 are presumed dead, at least 10,000 are missing and 30,000 have been displaced. These are huge numbers in a failing state, which urgently needs help. Correspondent Ben Wedeman has the details. 
Also on today's show: New York State Senator Jessica Ramos and Christine Quinn, CEO of "Women in Need" (WIN), New York City's largest shelter; author Simon Schama; Dr. Daniela J. Lamas

Sep 13, 2023