Global Tensions: US-Europe Relations Amid Middle East Wars

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Amanpour

Episode: Global Tensions: US-Europe Relations Amid Middle East Wars
Date: April 29, 2026
Host: Christiane Amanpour (CNN Chief International Correspondent)
Notable Guests: President Peter Pavel (Czech Republic), Ed Luce (US National Editor, Financial Times)

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Overview

This episode of Amanpour centers on the mounting global tensions stemming from ongoing conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, and how these crises are straining the transatlantic alliance between the US and Europe. Through in-depth interviews with Czech President Peter Pavel and journalist Ed Luce, the discussion explores whether these divisions ultimately strengthen Russia’s hand, the challenges within NATO, and the shifting dynamics in US-UK relations amid high-profile royal diplomacy. The episode further delves into how the war is impacting everyday people, including Palestinians under occupation, and the wider economic and political repercussions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. US-Europe Tensions over Iran and Ukraine

• Europe “left out” of US decision-making:
  The US administration, led by President Donald Trump, has sidelined Europe in critical discussions regarding the wars in Iran and Ukraine, with decisions being made unilaterally and Europe only consulted after the fact.

  • “Europe would also be much more engaged in post-conflict negotiation. But how could we when we were not invited at the beginning?” — Peter Pavel [10:58]

• Consequences for Russia:
  The Western divide has given Russia more flexibility and material benefit. High oil prices, military distraction in the Middle East, and inadequate military supplies for Ukraine are cited as direct results.

  • “The longer the war in Iran drags on ... the more Russia reaps the reward, leaving Europe increasingly exposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive instincts.” — Diana Golodriga [00:52]

2. Interview with President Peter Pavel (Czech Republic)

(conducted by Christiane Amanpour at a Prague conference)

Political Shifts in Eastern Europe

• Change in Hungarian leadership:
  With Viktor Orban’s political defeat, there is some optimism for EU unity in support for Ukraine, but Pavel emphasizes waiting to see “concrete deeds rather than words.” [03:39]

Support for Ukraine & Russian Pressure

• Ukraine Aid is “a matter of life and death”:
  The recent approval of the 90+ billion euro loan to Ukraine is critically important to the war effort, but Pavel underscores that “continuing pressure on Russia” is lagging. [05:05]

• US priority shift to the Middle East:
  US focuses on Iran has allowed Russia military and economic breathing space.

  • “Middle East has become a priority over Ukraine for American administration ... that diverting all material support...to Middle East ... gives Russia time to reconstitute their capabilities.” — Peter Pavel [05:55]

Can Russia win the war in Ukraine?

• Russian War Fatigue:
  Pavel expresses skepticism about a Russian military victory, citing mounting casualties, recruitment challenges, and societal war fatigue, even in Russia itself.
  • “People in Russia are increasingly tired and ... less capable to understand the rationale provided to them by Russian propaganda.” — Peter Pavel [06:56]

What can the West do?

• Diplomatic Approach and Sanctions:
  In addition to sanctions, Pavel discusses reopening broader negotiations on expired treaties, European security architecture, and military trust-building with Russia.
  • “If we are ready to open all these chapters, it will provide an opportunity for Russia to think bigger than just Ukraine or Donbas.” — Peter Pavel [08:22]

European Exclusion from Iran Negotiations

• Demand for More Involvement:
  Pavel criticizes the trilateral handling (US-Iran-Israel), claiming Europe’s exclusion means it has little stake or leverage in outcomes.
  • “If Europe was involved from the beginning ... we are not part of it. European countries were blamed not to come to assistance, but how could we when we were not invited at the beginning?” — Peter Pavel [10:33]

US-Europe Frictions: Trump and NATO

• Need for Equal Partnership:
  Pavel calls out Trump’s confrontational stance and says Europe seeks partnership, not dependency.

  • “If we want to be fair allies, we have to talk to each other as equals, not as a dependent child.” — Peter Pavel [12:05]

• JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) withdrawal:
  Pavel opposes Trump’s exit from the nuclear deal, arguing even a flawed agreement is better than none.

  • “Even a bad agreement is better than having nothing because a bad agreement can be improved ... if we don’t have any, then there are no restrictions.” — Peter Pavel [13:19]

Israeli Policy and Conditional Support

• Nuanced Support for Israel:
  Pavel distinguishes between supporting Israel as a nation and endorsing all actions of Netanyahu’s government.
  • “We have to distinguish between supporting Israel and supporting Benjamin Netanyahu. Not all his steps could be approved without any concern.” — Peter Pavel [15:21]

NATO’s Collective Defense in Question

• The Future of Article 5:
  Concerns about US commitments lead Pavel to warn:

  • “Article 5 is not an automatic guarantee. It's an expression of political will.” — Peter Pavel [18:54]

• Burden Sharing and Military Readiness:
  Pavel admits the Czech Republic and allies have underinvested in defense and need a decade of sustained effort to rebuild capabilities.

  • “We cannot maintain the idea that we are safe, encircled by allies and friends...I think this is not the way to go.” — Peter Pavel [19:49]

The Need for European Defense Autonomy

• Europe Must “Grow Up”:
  Pavel calls for Europe to attain independent military capability while preferring to act with the US.
  • “To be a partner means not to be dependent, to be able to act independently...with clear preference of always acting together.” — Peter Pavel [23:12]

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3. Britain & US: Royal Diplomacy During Tensions

(Diana Golodriga speaks with Ed Luce, Financial Times)

The King’s Delicate Mission

• King Charles III’s visit:
  The royal state visit is seen as a diplomatic effort to smooth over UK-US tensions post-Iran war, with Charles seeking to please both President Trump and British audiences.

  • “The threading of the royal needle is ... trying to sort of bring Trump on side, but also to convey to the American people that he's here to celebrate their 250 years. He's not just here as a guest of President Trump.” — Ed Luce [27:20]

• On the “special relationship”:
  Recent comments from the UK ambassador questioning the term “special relationship”—and highlighting Israel as America’s only special partner—create diplomatic discomfort.

  • “There is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States and that's probably Israel.” — UK Ambassador audio [29:29]

Structural Strains in UK-US & Europe-US Relations

• Divergence Over Multilateral Policy:
  The US and UK differ significantly on Iran and multiculturalism, with most European relationships with the US under unusual strain.

  • “These are deep and political and they're not just confined to UK US relations.” — Ed Luce [31:38]

• Brexit’s Lingering Effects:
  The UK's international marginalization remains a factor nearly ten years after the Brexit vote, and there is hope that dialogue around economic integration may be revived behind closed doors. [30:40]

• Diplomatic Balm of Royalty:
  The monarchy provides a counterbalance to political differences.

  • “There's a diplomatic balm that the monarchy brings, particularly with Trump … it does show that the royal magic works on President Trump.” — Ed Luce [33:08]

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4. On-the-Ground Humanitarian Impact

Gaza and the West Bank

• Settler Violence Against Palestinian Children:
  In the West Bank, Israeli settlers have blocked Palestinian children from attending school, with wider reports of violence and displacement.
  • “Settlers setting up a razor wire near a village blocking Palestinian children from going to school. Now students as young as five are protesting…” — Diana Golodriga [35:16]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We need each other. I mean, the United States needs Europe and Europe needs United States, but we were actually never equal partners. ... Europe has to grow up to come up with own capabilities.”
  — Peter Pavel [23:12]

• “Article 5 is not an automatic guarantee. It's an expression of political will.”
  — Peter Pavel [18:54]

• “Even a bad agreement is better than having nothing because a bad agreement can be improved, while if we don’t have any, then there are no restrictions.”
  — Peter Pavel [13:19]

• “The whole affair, as I said, is ill considered, to say the least.”
  — Ed Luce on the Iran conflict [02:18]

• “I think there is probably one country that has a special relationship with the United States and that's probably Israel.”
  — Leaked UK Ambassador audio [29:26]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• US-Europe Tensions and Russia — [00:07] – [02:16]
• Interview: President Peter Pavel — [03:17] – [25:07]
  • Political change in Hungary/EU — [03:17]
  • Ukraine support/aid — [05:05]
  • Russian war fatigue & strategy — [06:56]
  • Western strategy for pressure — [08:22]
  • European exclusion from Iran talks — [10:33]
  • NATO Article 5 and European defense — [18:54], [23:12]
• UK-US Relations & King Charles’s Visit — [26:04] – [34:40]
  • Special relationship remarks — [29:13]
  • Royal diplomacy analysis — [27:20], [33:08]
• Humanitarian: Palestinian Children in West Bank — [35:16]

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Intellectual, candid, sometimes sobering.
• Deeply analytical with strong, direct language from both Amanpour and President Pavel, unafraid to call out Western failures and the need for Europe to mature strategically.
• Emphasizes complexity and interconnectedness of military, diplomatic, and societal issues, with personal impacts ranging from government halls to Palestinian children’s schools.

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For Listeners/Newcomers

This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the fragile state of transatlantic relations, the ripple effects of America’s shifting foreign policy priorities, the future of European defense under US uncertainty, and the hard realities being faced by those caught in wider conflicts. President Peter Pavel’s perspective brings both strategic insight and emotional honesty to the conversation about Europe’s place in an unstable global order.

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Transcript

[Diana Golodriga]

Hello, everyone, and welcome to Amanpour. Here's what's coming up.

[Peter Pavel]

We need each other. I mean, the United States need Europe and Europe need United States.

[Diana Golodriga]

As the fragile stalemate in Iran continues and the Ukraine war drags on, could tension between the US And Europe benefit Russia? Christiane speaks with Czech President Peter Pavel. Then a call for US UK unity amid rising transatlantic tensions. Veteran journalist Ed Luce joins me as Washington welcomes King Charles. And all the kids in Palestine suffer.

[Christiane Amanpour]

They want to just live their life

[Peter Pavel]

normally, but they pay the price.

[Diana Golodriga]

Israeli settlers block Palestinian children from going to school. Abir Salman reports. And later, what's stealing money from your

[Christiane Amanpour]

pocketbook and keeping you sicker is the

[Diana Golodriga]

way our health care system is treating you. A barbaric problem in American hospitals. Pari Srinivasan speaks to medical reporter Elizabeth Rosenthal about dysfunction in US Health care. Welcome to the program, everyone. I'm Diana Golodriga. New York, sitting in for Christiane Amanpour. There's a chain reaction happening across the world. The longer the war in Iran drags on, the more the US Drains its global supply of critical weapons, the longer oil prices remain high, the more Russia reaps the reward, leaving Europe increasingly exposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin's aggressive instincts, questioning whether he'll set his sights beyond Ukraine. Nonetheless, the diplomatic stalemate continues with US President Donald Trump signaling that he's unlikely to accept Iran's latest proposal to end the conflict. And Europe left on the sidelines, not consulted by the White House before the war and targeted by Trump for not supporting the US during the fighting. Well, now Europe is pushing back. In an appearance this week, German Chancellor Frederick Mertz criticized the White House.

[Christiane Amanpour]

The Americans clearly have no strategy.

[Ed Luce]

And the problem with conflicts like this is always that you just don't go in. You also have to get out again. We saw that all too painfully in Afghanistan for 20 years. We saw that in Iraq. So this whole affair, as I said, is ill considered, to say the least.

[Christiane Amanpour]

This entire nation is being humiliated by

[Ed Luce]

the Iranian state leadership, especially by these so called Revolutionary Guards.

[Diana Golodriga]

Our next guest is well placed to discuss all of this. Pyotr Pavel is president of the Czech Republic. He is former chief of staff of the Czech armed services and served as chair of NATO's military committee. Supporter of the Western Alliance, Pavel serves in one of the most Eurosceptic countries on the continent. Christian spoke to President Pavel about the dangerous cross currents across Europe and the world at a conference in Prague. The conference, called Money, Money, Money, was hosted by Czech affiliate CNN Prima here's their conversation.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Thank you, Mr. President. Welcome to this interview. And can I just ask you, because I'm here a couple of weeks after the political landscape around this Eastern Europe is changing somewhat with the defeat of Prime Minister Orban. I just wondered how you're feeling about the relative balance of power now.

[Peter Pavel]

Well, we may feel a little bit relaxed because Viktor Orban was representing blocking power, especially in the EU with regard to support to Ukraine. But I would rather wait for concrete deeds rather than words.

[Christiane Amanpour]

But I just want to ask you, because the Trump administration has vocally said, whether it was J.D. vance, the Vice president in Munich, whether it's the State Department official, Mr. Sampson, who's been going around Europe allies and essentially instructing them that they need to be more right wing in terms of more maga. That's my shorthand. But have you come across that here?

[Peter Pavel]

I would rather say that was a misjudgment because JD Wentz clearly helped Peter Madhyar to win by his intervention.

[Christiane Amanpour]

All right, so we'll leave it at that. One of the latest things that certainly Ukraine and all Ukraine's backers are very pleased about is that with the defeat of Orban, the pro Putin Orban, and with the election of Peter Magyar, this 90 plus billion euro loan to Ukraine, Ukraine has been released, it's been approved. And I spoke to the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky last week who said it was critical. It was literally a matter of life and death. From your perspective, how important was it?

[Peter Pavel]

Any support to Ukraine at this point is critically important, being it the financial support just to run the country and acquire all equipment and material they need to effectively defend themselves, military support, ammunition support and on the other hand, continuing pressure on Russia. And while we maintain the same effort in supporting Ukraine, we somehow fail in maintaining pressure on Russia.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Well, you know, President Zelensky said that to me. He said that actually the United States puts more pressure on him and he is the defender, as he says, than on the aggressor Russia. What do you think can be done to change that? Or is this how it's going to be?

[Peter Pavel]

Clearly, Middle east has become a priority over Ukraine for American administration at this point and it gave Russia time to breathe. And they also see that diverting all material support, especially interceptors for air defense to Middle east and they are now missing in Ukraine gives Russia time to reconstitute their capabilities. Also increasing cost of oil gives Russia additional financial resources to support the war machine. And that also gives Vladimir Putin more hopefully that he can achieve more than he probably believed. A couple of months ago, you were

[Christiane Amanpour]

the head of your country's military. You know about war. Is he right? Can he win this on the battlefield?

[Peter Pavel]

I don't think so. First, the losses, the casualties that Russia is suffering are increasing. They are now exceeding capacity to recruit new manpower. People in Russia are increasingly tired and I would say also less capable to understand the rationale provided to them by Russian propaganda. The war fatigue is omnipresent. It's in Ukraine, in contributing countries, but also in Russia. And increasingly for Russian regime, it will be more and more difficult to convince people that it's in their interest to continue the war. And war initiative on the battlefield is not fast enough to control more territory and to express, to present it to Russian public as success. And this is what Vladimir Putin desperately needs, to somehow come to the end of what he calls special operation with a great success.

[Christiane Amanpour]

But to my question about how then do you pressure him? How does the President of the United States, who's the head of NATO, the superpower in the world, use his leverage to pressure Vladimir Putin to at least come to the negotiating table?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, one side of the coin is economic pressure continuing in sanctions, but also looking at third countries who are providing an opportunity for circumvention of sanctions. But also I think one part of it is diplomatic effort offering Russia not only a negotiation on Ukraine, but as a next step, negotiation on security regime in Europe in general. Because this is what Russia was calling for years. And I believe, let's use their own argument, that it's not just about Ukraine, it's about security in Europe. And there is a big debate ahead of us on treaties that have expired, on conventional weapons, on nuclear weapons, on disarmament. There is a great room for negotiation on military exercises, on modernization, on trust building measures like open skies. And I think if we are ready to open all these chapters, it will provide an opportunity for Russia to think bigger than just Ukraine or Donbas.

[Christiane Amanpour]

So, but first they have to end the war in Ukraine, of course. I see. So that's the condition.

[Peter Pavel]

That's the first step.

[Christiane Amanpour]

You just touched on the war on Iran. Clearly, Europe and the rest of the world, Asia, Africa, the rest of the Middle east is feeling a real economic backlash right now.

[Peter Pavel]

I believe that we will need a serious debate about all potential impacts on our economy. On the other hand, I also think that there is now a great room for negotiation to end up this conflict and to renew negotiation with Iran, especially on his nuclear program.

[Christiane Amanpour]

The two sides are in stalemate. They have zero trust. Do you see any route to a negotiation from your side, from the west side, from President Trump's side?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, first, from the point of view of Central European country, what I miss, more involvement of other actors. It is now actually trilateral issue between Iran, Israel and the United States. I believe if Europe was involved from the beginning, at least through consultations, Europe would also be much more engaged in post conflict negotiation. Europe, EU has done a lot in concluding this GCPOA agreement some time ago. There is the nuclear deal, the 2015. Yes, there is a good, good expertise for negotiation this nuclear deal. I believe that Europe could do much more, but we are not part of it. European countries were blamed not to come to assistance, but how could we when we were not invited at the beginning?

[Diana Golodriga]

Yes.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And President Trump has threatened all sorts of punishments on European countries, particularly NATO countries. Are you concerned? I mean, he's lashed out at Spain, he's just angry. Calls you all cowards for not coming to help, you know, force the Strait of Hormuz open, for instance.

[Peter Pavel]

Well, I know how difficult it is to tell to President Trump anything that he doesn't want to hear.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Have you tried it?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, I didn't have a chance. But I believe that what he needs to hear, that by having different opinion, we are not an enemy, we are on the same side. What we want is fair treatment. And I believe that should European countries were involved at the beginning, that there will be much more willingness to take part potentially in also supporting operations, for example in control access through Hormuz trade. But now, when European countries were not treated as allies at the beginning and they are now blamed from being cowards, I fully understand that they take it, say unfair and we want to be fair. If we want to be fair allies, we have to talk to each other as equals, not as a dependent child.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Do you think it was a mistake for Trump to have pulled out of the jcpoa, particularly since there was nothing to put in its place? Because right now Iran has jacked up over the last few years its enrichment to 60%.

[Peter Pavel]

I heard number of times that it was a bad agreement, but I'm not supporting the idea that it might be better to have no agreement than a bad one. I think even a bad agreement is better than having nothing because a bad agreement can be improved, while if we don't have any, then there are no restrictions. I think the only way will be to get again to a negotiation, sit at the table together. Ideally, not only United States and Iran, but also European Union, potentially other actors like big countries that have a lot of trade with Iran like China, India and then negotiating new deal that would be better than the first one. But I don't see any point in continuing military operation without having plan B for post war arrangement.

[Ed Luce]

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[Peter Pavel]

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[Ed Luce]

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[Peter Pavel]

in this world, stop with Mint.

[Ed Luce]

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[Peter Pavel]

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[Ed Luce]

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[Diana Golodriga]

of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required int first 3 months only then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] let's just talk about

[Christiane Amanpour]

Israel for a moment. You've seen many of your European counterparts beginning to harden their views on how they send military aid to Israel, et cetera. What is your view of how your country should and the EU should have an engagement with Israel? Is it just blind support as there has been for decades for obvious reasons, or are there conditions that can be or should be attached?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, this country is a longtime supporter of Israel. From the very beginning we stood behind, we assisted Israel in a number of ways in their original phase of forming the statehood and we are supporting Israel even today. But it's not black and white support. I think from time to time we have to distinguish between supporting Israel and supporting Benjamin and Netanyahu. Not all his steps could be approved without any concern. And I think we should be very firm but also very open and frank in maintaining support to Israel while keeping an opportunity and possibility to be critical to some decisions of Benjamin Netanyahu back to Europe.

[Christiane Amanpour]

I mean people have been sitting around saying, I mean serious people that get ready, there's going to be war in Europe. That is Russia attacking Europe, let's say the Baltic states and then, and then. Do you subscribe to that fear? Do you think it's an actual living possibility? I know in theory one has to prepare. But do you think we're close to war with Russia?

[Peter Pavel]

I would probably look at it from two perspectives. One is historical where Russian and before that Soviet leaders maintained the argument that you cannot defend such a huge country without expansion. And that's why all the tsars and then the general secretaries of Communist party and now the president, they try to create some zone of influence or buffer zone to protect Russia from external enemies. Today there is also another reason, and that is Russia has turned all its economy into a war machine. It's extremely difficult to turn it back. There is no switch to peace mode. And maintaining such an economy running, in fact needs an output where you would put all this production. You have now more than 1.5 million trained soldiers, many of them, if the war is over, will retire with all the difficulties and problems of war. And then if you are in a position of Russian leader and you would see weakened Europe, weakened grip of United States, over European security, and you would say, well, that's a good chance, let's use it. So I would say let's look at it also from the point of view of opportunity for Russia not necessarily to launch a massive operation in Europe, but to humiliate NATO by starting, let's say, limited military action, for example, in the Baltics, and by doing that to clearly demonstrate that NATO is actually useless because

[Christiane Amanpour]

it doesn't act unless it acts.

[Peter Pavel]

Unless it acts. But the question is, if United States or President Trump continue in the narrative, we will not defend the countries that are not spending enough, we will withdraw our capabilities. Then the whole Article 5 gets different meaning. Because Article 5 is not an automatic guarantee. It's an expression of political will.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And of course that Article 5 is an attack on one, is an attack on all. Yeah, well, that's quite sobering to hear you say that as somebody who commanded the sector of NATO and who commanded your own army. What about you then? This country is not paying its, is not spending its 2% GDP to bolster. In other words. Okay, why aren't you doing it?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, you're right, that also makes me nervous because facing all these threats that are real, it's not just a hypothesis. We should be more credible not only to our allies, but mostly to our own citizens. We cannot maintain the idea that we are safe, encircled by allies and friends. The war is far, far away from us. And if we express loud enough that we want peace, we would have it. And I think this is not the way to go. And I have lots of debates with our government to behave more responsibly, to not only express our willingness to spend percentage demanded by our own commitment, but to spend on developing real capabilities that are expressed by NATO defence, planning all these capability targets that lead to ready troops that will be physically present and ready to defend us if we need them. Because the war will not be fought with the charts. It will be fought with real soldiers and real equipment.

[Christiane Amanpour]

You just earlier said Russia has turned its whole economy over to a war economy. That's kind of what's being asked of NATO countries as well. I mean, not the whole economy, but a huge sector of the economy is being asked to turn over because President Trump has made it clear that at least for the moment, you can't depend on the United States.

[Peter Pavel]

That's true to some extent, but understanding that we were spending for at least a decade, much less was required. I think we now try to do with increased defense production is just getting to the level that used to be here, let's say 10, 15 years ago. And in the past we all understood that about 2% of GDP was just good enough to meet all the criteria for collective defence. Now it will be more for some time, but once we again get to a sufficient level where we will be in a position to say, well, we can effectively now defend this continent, then there will be no need to increasing trajectory. But obviously, how long will it take? Well, I believe it will take about one decade of increased spending to fill all the gaps that we created over the last decade.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And I guess, final question. Do you fear that NATO will be busted? That even Trump talking about, you know, talking it down could just cause the end of the transatlantic alliance in that regard and therefore put all of you to have to defend yourselves and to have to have a whole other arrangement?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, frankly, I believe that we need each other. I mean, the United States needs Europe and Europe needs United States, but we were actually never equal partners. I think Europe has to grow up to come up with own capabilities. To be a partner means not to be dependent, to be able to act independently from United States, but with clear preference of always acting together. But if United States for any reason decide not to take part in European defence, we should be able to do it on our own. And that's, in my way, good partnership. That means we will be both equally strong, equally independent, but always preferring to work together. This is the end, in my view, for Europe to develop all strategic enablers to enable us to act on our own, to come up with substitute of American positions in NATO command structure, if necessary, to have some replacements and also to create sufficient will in decision making to act within European pillar of NATO with or without American presence. That is, in my view, the end of, not the end. It's the way to better transatlantic partnership. Not the end of NATO, not the beginning of new NATO, but it will be finally NATO that we wanted from the very beginning.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And you're going to NATO right to the summit?

[Peter Pavel]

I believe so.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And you will put this down on the table?

[Peter Pavel]

Well, I think there is no need to change the practice that we used to have up to now.

[Christiane Amanpour]

President Petopavlu, thank you so much. Indeed.

[Peter Pavel]

Thank you.

[Diana Golodriga]

Well, normally the president of the Czech Republic would be going to the NATO summit, but this time there is a question mark surrounding his attendance with the Czech prime minister instead vying to represent the country at the talks. Just the latest dispute and a string of clashes with the president and the coalition government there. And do stay with CNN. We'll be right back after the break.

[Ed Luce]

I'm Jack McBrayer and I am back on the hunt to find even wilder.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Oh, no. Is this real?

[Ed Luce]

It is more outrageous.

[Peter Pavel]

You like pink?

[Diana Golodriga]

It's my favorite color.

[Christiane Amanpour]

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[Peter Pavel]

Oh, look at this bathroom.

[Christiane Amanpour]

And meet the fascinating people who call

[Ed Luce]

these one of a kind places home.

[Christiane Amanpour]

How does one obtain a caboose?

[Peter Pavel]

Zillow gone wild all new season Friday at 9:30 on HGTV.

[Diana Golodriga]

Now there is pomp amidst the politics in Washington today as the Capitol welcomes Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla on this, the second day of his US King Charles attends a formal welcome ceremony at the White House, addresses a joint meeting of Congress. And it's just the second time that a British monarch will be speaking at the Capitol tonight. He will be attending a state dinner at the White House. The royal visit comes at a tense time between America and the UK Relations have been strained since the start of the war with Iran. Here to discuss, Ed Luce is US national editor for Britain's Financial Times, and he joins us now from Washington. Ed, you could argue that the relationship hasn't been strained between these two countries as much as it is now. You have to go back to the Suez Canal crisis so many decades ago, and yet the president seems to have welcomed the king and the queen with open arms, quite affectionate towards the royal family there himself. And you write in your latest column that King Charles has to thread a royal needle this week. What exactly does he have to do both to please President Trump but also please his constituents back home?

[Ed Luce]

Well, thanks for having me on bjne. The threading of the royal needle is, I think, you know, obviously bringing fruits to the volcano, as some people say, trying to sort of bring Trump on side, but also to convey to the American people that he's here to celebrate their 250 years. He's not just here as a guest of President Trump. And I have no doubt, because this is what King Charles is trained to do his whole life, speak about this, that he will subtly and through various illusions speak to both audiences in his address to Congress. There have been plenty of difficult moments in Anglo American relations. I think the Vietnam War was another. Harold Wilson, the British prime minister did not commit British troops to Vietnam. And LBJ Lyndon Johnson was not happy with that. But they didn't get a royal visit to help ease tensions. This one, to judge by what President Trump said this morning, seems to be working from the British point of view.

[Diana Golodriga]

And he stuck to script as well. And that speaks, that speaks positively of how the president feels towards King Charles and Queen Camilla. But there has been some breaking news this morning that may make at least Downing Street a bit uneasy in terms of the timing here. And that is Keir Starmer's new ambassador to Washington D.C. youryour reporter. The financial at the Financial Times actually leaked audio of the new ambassador telling students back in February of this year, British students visiting, that America's only true special relationship was actually with Israel. I believe we have a portion of that audio to play for our viewers.

[Christiane Amanpour]

Special relationship is a phrase I try

[Peter Pavel]

not to utter because it's quite nostalgic,

[Ed Luce]

it's quite backwards looking and it has a lot of baggage about it. I think there is probably one country

[Peter Pavel]

that has a special relationship with the

[Ed Luce]

United States and that's probably Israel.

[Diana Golodriga]

He went on to say that he thinks it's extraordinary that the Epstein scandal, which cost his predecessor Peter Mendelsohn his job, hasn't touched anyone here in the United States as well. How much does this pull the rug out from under King Charles message today, if at all? And how is it being received back in London?

[Ed Luce]

So I'm guessing that when Charles addresses Congress, that's going to sort of blot out any other attention on the special relationship or not, as the case may be. It is unfortunate for Christian Turner. He turned up in January. He's sort of top of his field of his class in the British Foreign Office. And the fact that some teenager recorded this and leaked it is unlucky, I think. I suspect he'll survive this. He's Britain's top diplomat. It wasn't a controversial appointment and I suspect I might even say hope he'll get past this.

[Diana Golodriga]

The timing though, I would imagine isn't ideal. And we'll see if the president is asked about this specifically the Epstein part of this audio as well because you know that he gets quite irked as he did with the 60 Minutes interview when he was asked about would be assassins apparent motivation and manifesto that was found on him. Let's talk about just the span of relationships between these two countries over the last decade alone. We're nearly 10 years out from the Brexit. Brexit vote. And you still see a British economy that continues to be marginalized in the world. What exactly is it that, if anything, that President Trump and the king can address behind closed doors to perhaps ease up on issues related to tariffs or other economic ties between these two countries to integrate them better?

[Ed Luce]

Well, there are a number of things, and I'd add to that list, that Britain and I think from what I understand the king personally are quite committed to the Ukrainian cause. And so I would be surprised if he didn't allude to that in some way in the speech, but also perhaps more directly with the president in private. This is an extremely difficult patch in UK US Relations. I tend to agree that special relationship is an overused, really overwrought term and usually used more by the British side than the American side. But at a time like this, you know, when there is huge divergence on things like the Iran war, on things like multiculturalism, because the labor government in Britain does embrace British multiculturalism, that it's going to be quite hard for a king, no matter how practiced or experienced he is, to do a huge amount to bridge those gulfs. These are deep and political and they're not just confined to UK US Relations. Most European countries relations with the US Are strained. What Charles can do is provide the king with the sort of royal company that he always seems to really like and crave ever since his mother had him watching the coronation of Elizabeth when he was six years old. So there's a diplomatic balm that the monarchy brings, particularly with Trump. And I have to stress, the speech Trump gave this morning was more fulsome than anything I've ever heard about the UK US Relationship. It was, I mean, arguably way over the top. But it does show that the royal magic works on President Trump.

[Diana Golodriga]

Does it change at all the president's perception, relationship with the Prime Minister at this point?

[Ed Luce]

Maybe for a few days. But, you know, if the prime minister doesn't, as he won't swing behind the Iran more in anything other than helping with the defense of allies in the Gulf and Israel, then Trump is going to continue to be irked by that. What he sees a political letdown by Britain and he's going to continue to refer to Starmer as somebody who isn't like Winston Churchill. So I don't think that's going to last for very long in terms of Keir Starmer. And neither might he in his job, which was by the way, another portion of the sort of leaked comments that the ambassador made to those students back in February. Starmer is on the ropes.

[Diana Golodriga]

The reverberations of the Epstein scandal still being felt across multiple dimensions in the United Kingdom. Ed Luce, thank you so much. Good to see you.

[Ed Luce]

Great to see you.

[Diana Golodriga]

Well, now, while the world's attention is focused on the prospect of renewed war in Iran and Israel's ongoing attacks in Lebanon, despite a ceasefire, Gaza is still in ruins. And as people there attempt to pick up the pieces of their lives, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says there have been some promising signs regarding the push for Hamas to demilitarize. Meantime, in the West Bank, Israeli settler attacks are surging, with Palestinians being subjected to a campaign of fear and violence, including reports of sexual assault, smashed water pipes, destroyed farms, and forced displacement, to name just a handful of the issues that Palestinians there are experiencing. The most recent example of physical intimidation, settlers setting up a razor wire near a village blocking Palestinian children from going to school. Now students as young as five are protesting, calling on settlers and Israeli soldiers to reopen the road.

[Peter Pavel]

I'm Daniel Dae Kim. I'm going to South Korea to figure out how this small nation conquered the world with its culture. Join me and meet the artists and

[Ed Luce]

creators behind the phenomenon.

[Diana Golodriga]

K everything streaming May 9th on the CNN app. Influential journalist Kara Swisher is taking a hard look at the longevity industry. There's so much bad information that the really good information gets drowned.

[Ed Luce]

The new CNN original series Kara Swisher wants to live forever now streaming on the CNN.