Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

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.
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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”?
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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.
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In this week's Q&A, Christiane and Jamie tackle pressing questions about the Iran-U.S. tensions. They explore why President Trump is urging other nations to patrol the Strait of Hormuz despite the U.S. having the largest navy, and why NATO is involved instead of Gulf states.
They're also asked about the mystery surrounding the new Ayatollah's absence from public view, addressing claims of possible injury or disfigurement. Additionally, Christiane discusses her personal connection to Iran, responding to whether she is officially banned from visiting the country after referring to herself as an 'exile.'
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