Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

What happens when Trump threatens to wipe out your civilisation?
In this week’s episode, Christiane and Jamie discuss Trump’s ultimatum: re-open the strait or he’ll target key infrastructure. If the Iranians don’t reach a deal, will Trump commit a war crime? And what does it mean for US military generals: will they follow unlawful orders or resign?
They discuss the consequences of this and what could happen if this escalates to an energy war in the region, with the risk of the whole regional infrastructure being destroyed.
Plus they discuss Pakistan’s bold peace proposal. The plan suggests strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme and the re-opening of the Strait of Homuz, but in return for what?
Contact us at: [email protected]
For more content, please follow us:
Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod
X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie examine what the Iran war could mean for the Republican primary - and for two of its most prominent voices on foreign policy, Marco Rubio and JD Vance.
They discuss the contradictions in Trump’s strategy, including the easing of sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil, and ask why Vladimir Putin appears to be benefiting while the US is drawn deeper into war.
Plus they explore whether Trump has badly damaged America’s closest alliances, why countries like the UK and Australia are refusing to follow Washington’s lead, and what that says about US power, diplomacy and miscalculation.

Are the US and Iran engaged in real negotiations, or is this all just posturing?
In this episode, Christiane and Jamie break down the current state of negotiations, and why Trump’s threats won’t work.
They also look closely at the prospect of a US ground invasion: what it could involve, how realistic it is and what the consequences could be if the Iranian regime continues to resist.
Jamie takes us inside the reality of diplomatic talks, revealing how negotiations unfold behind closed doors and what it would take to end the conflict.
Contact us at: [email protected]
For more content, please follow us:
Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod
X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

In this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked to examine whether Donald Trump’s apparent miscalculation on the potential for Iranian regime change could, in a more cynical reading, amount to a “win-win” - benefiting domestic oil interests, aligning with Putin’s goals, and even creating a pretext to distance the US from NATO.
They also explore the escalating Israeli bombardment of Lebanon, raising the question of whether the conflict could spiral into a full-blown invasion.
Finally, they unpack the seeming contradiction in Trump’s approach to NATO: why turn to the alliance for support while simultaneously antagonising key allies, rather than relying on his so-called “Board of Peace”?
Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod
X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social

Should we believe Trump when he claims the US has had 'productive' talks with Iran about ending the war? Christiane and Jamie unpick the President's recent statements and discuss whether he is now looking for a way to end the conflict, or if he could still escalate by attacking Iran's power plants later this week.
Christiane explains how those strikes on civilian infrastructure could be considered war crimes if they do go ahead, and reveals what it's like to be in a warzone without power. She & Jamie also look at the impact another escalation would have on oil prices and the global economy more generally.
Later, they explain why NATO countries have been so reluctant to support the US and Israel in this war, with Jamie highlighting how Trump's threats over Greenland earlier this year shattered the trust between America and its allies.
Contact us at: [email protected]
For more content, please follow us:
Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpod
X: https://x.com/AmanpourPod
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-Presents
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social