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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requests billons of dollars more for America's war in Iran - without laying out a plan of how or when it could end. Former U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel joins the program to discuss the state of play and slams what he calls a lack of transparency from the current administration. And, as several Democratic lawmakers denounce the suffering they witnessed on a trip to Cuba, Congressman Mark Pocan explains how the U.S. blockade is choking the island and what a new State Department report reveals about America's intentions in the region. Then, correspondent Jeremy Diamond reports on how an ancient ruin in the West Bank has become the latest flashpoint in the land dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. Award-winning author Colson Whitehead concludes his celebrated Harlem trilogy and discusses how "Cool Machine" raises the stakes in gritty, glamourous 1980s New York. Plus, a shakeup at the highest levels of Ukraine's military with Zelensky firing his top general Oleksandr Syrskyi. From Christiane's archives, a look back at her exclusive interview with Syrskyi just after he took over as head of the armed forces. Air date: July 25, 2026 Guests: Chuck Hagel Mark Pocan Colson Whitehead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Iran war escalates, the world's most vital chokepoints are coming under increasing threat. Iran's disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has already rattled global energy markets. Now, the Houthis could obstruct things further, launching a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, and threatening to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The two narrow waterways carry not only oil and gas, but also vast quantities of food and humanitarian supplies. Carl Skau, the acting Executive Director of the World Food Programme, has travelled to many of the world's worst humanitarian hot spots, witnessing both the scale of the suffering and the difficulties of delivering aid. He joins from New York. Also on today's show: author Colson Whitehead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The exchange of threats and tit-for-tat strikes between the US and Iran continue apace today, and tensions elsewhere in the Middle East are rising significantly, with attacks in the Red Sea marking a new front in this conflict. Military analyst and retired US Airforce Colonel Cedric Leighton joins the show from Washington, to discuss where the war can go from here. Also on today's show: Cyril Aris, Writer/Director, “A Sad and Beautiful World”; Nicholas Kristof, Opinion Columnist, The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Zelensky has fired his Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, bowing to pressure from nationwide protests sparked last week by the controversial sacking of popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who was credited with leading Ukraine's successful drone campaign against Russia. The Ukrainian leader's damage control exposes growing internal rifts over the nation's war-time leadership. Tymofiy Mylovanov is the Ukraine's former minister of economy and he joins the show from Kyiv. Also on today's show: LaMonika Jones, Director, DC Hunger Solutions; Kathy Baughman, CEO, HERA (NGO that works to protect women in low-income communities from extreme heat) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is vowing revenge, after American service members were killed by Iranian strikes. Meanwhile in Iran, President Mahmoud Pezeshkian has told his people that they are engaged in a full-scale war. And the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen are vowing to blockade a second critical shipping channel, further threatening global oil supplies. Former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel joins the program to discuss. Also on today's show: US House Democrat Mark Pocan; climate professor Radley Horton; author Adrian Wooldridge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today the United Kingdom gets its seventh prime minister in ten years as Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, enters number 10. The list of challenges for Burnham is long, from high energy costs and tax burden, to the task of placating President Donald Trump. Lucy Fisher is the Whitehall Editor for The Financial Times and she joins the show from London. Also on today's show: former British National Security Adviser Peter Ricketts; Ukrainian journalist Nataliya Gumenyuk; former Tallahassee police officer Seth Stoughton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain, who will face off at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Behind the excitement though, a swell of discontent is sweeping America. Federal agents have killed two people as Trump's immigration crackdown intensifies, and Trump himself is again attacking America's electoral processes. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill joins Christiane to discuss. Also on today's show: actor Anthony Hopkins (from the archives); author Rashad Robinson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight, a world exclusive: The International Criminal Court, whose mission is global justice and accountability, faces serious allegations against their Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan. Khan has spoken publicly in recent weeks, in interviews and public addresses, denying the allegations. Tonight we hear from the woman accusing him — her name is Sarah. She has asked us not to broadcast her last name. She has worked at the ICC since 2017 and is still employed there. She says she never wanted to be in this position; it is still difficult for her to talk about. Also on today's show: Another woman who accuses Khan of past sexual misconduct, which he denies; Sareta Ashraph, Karim Khan's legal counsel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

America launched multiple strikes on Iran this morning, another in a wave of attacks over the past several days. Iran responded, launching multiple drone and missile strikes on U.S. military assets in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Just across the border, Israel is watching all of this and increasingly at odds with the White House over Iran. Ophir Falk, a key foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu, joins Christiane from Jerusalem. Also on today's show: Leslie Vinjamuri, President and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Lucy Schiller, Author, "Aging Out" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joan Sebastian Guerrero, a 26-year-old husband and father, reportedly possessing a social security number and the legal right to work in the US, was fatally shot by federal immigration agents on the street in Maine on Monday. Guerrero is the fourth person to have been killed by ICE agents this year alone. The surge of violence is again igniting anger at Trump's aggressive immigration agenda, and the apparent lack of accountability for ICE agents. Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joins the show from Washington DC to discuss. Also on today's show: Rachel Goodman, Free Expression Special Counsel, Protect Democracy; Jocelyn Kiley, Director of Research, Pew Research Center Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices