Amanpour – “Global Unrest: From Peace Dilemmas to Royal Scandals”
CNN Podcasts | February 21, 2026
Host: Christiane Amanpour

Episode Overview

This episode of Amanpour takes listeners on a global tour of the week's headline-making developments, examining the moral, political, and social dilemmas that shape world affairs. Christiane Amanpour speaks with Cardinal Joseph Tobin about the Vatican's resistance to President Trump’s new "Board of Peace" and opposition to U.S. immigration policies. The show pivots to Britain, where journalist Emily Maitlis dissects the unprecedented arrest of former Prince Andrew for misconduct in public office and implications for the monarchy. Medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta travels to Denmark to probe whether the U.S. can realistically emulate Scandinavia's vaccine policies, while Norwegian director Joachim Trier discusses his Oscar and BAFTA-nominated film "Sentimental Value." The program concludes with reports on Ukraine’s transformation of drone warfare and highlights of trailblazing older athletes at the Winter Olympics.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Vatican and U.S. Immigration Policy (00:07–10:30)

Main Points:

• President Trump convenes the “Board of Peace” to address Gaza’s reconstruction post-conflict; European powers and the Vatican reject participation, favoring U.N. leadership.
• Pope Leo (the first American pope) emerges as a key critic of U.S. immigration crackdowns, insisting on the dignity and humane treatment of all people.
• Cardinal Joseph Tobin, a close ally of Pope Leo, describes ministering at an ICE detention facility and calls for opposing further funding for ICE.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Pope Leo, via Amanpour: “You have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have.” [02:28]
• Cardinal Joseph Tobin:

  “It was a moment of very somber and palpable suffering because they were separated from their families, from the people they most wanted to be with. But I saw incredible solidarity among these women... to see these women who are heartbroken yet want to support each other. And that gives meaning to what I do – to recognize the dignity of each person.” [03:58]

• Tobin raises anxiety among priests over racial profiling, referencing Cardinal Cupich’s experiences in Chicago.

  “There is great anxiety among the priests for their own status... Even if they have legal status in the United States. They worry about being stopped suddenly on the street and asked to produce documents.” [06:51]

• Responding to Trump border czar Tom Homan’s criticism:

  “That does not keep us from viewing reality from the perspective of our own faith.” [08:36]

• On the Vatican’s refusal to join Trump’s peace board:

  “There were some perplexities or some open questions that prevented the Holy See... from joining the Board of Peace. But... a clear vote in favor of the United Nations as the arbiter of conflict.” [09:37]

2. Royal Reckoning: Prince Andrew’s Arrest (10:31–17:47)

Main Points:

• Former Prince Andrew is arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, tied to his past as a UK trade envoy and connections with Jeffrey Epstein.
• Christiane Amanpour speaks with journalist Emily Maitlis, who famously interviewed Andrew in 2019, about the shock to the monarchy and broader implications.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Emily Maitlis:

  “This is not something that we are used to seeing… Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne… The questions now for the royal family—and particularly for the monarch, his brother—will be how close that relationship is made to seem between the two of them and to the wider public.” [12:55]

• On why now:

  “When King Charles removed that title from Andrew six months ago… he was essentially paving the way for the law to take its course… he is no longer untouchable.” [13:48]

• Allegations center on passing confidential information to Epstein; not related to prior sexual abuse claims.

  “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor denies all wrongdoing… It is alleged that he passed information… from the UK government… to Jeffrey Epstein.” [14:31]

• Nine police forces are investigating Andrew; broader questions on justice for others in the Epstein scandal.

  “Yes, I do think we are currently doing better in the UK… at letting the course of justice run its path than the US… If now I was one of those men who was named… I would not be sleeping very comfortably tonight.” [17:01, 17:47]

3. U.S. Vaccine Policies vs. Denmark’s Model (18:03–24:29)

Main Points:

• The Trump administration cites Denmark as a model as it slashes recommended U.S. childhood vaccines; Denmark’s experts and data tell a different story.
• Dr. Sanjay Gupta interviews Dr. Jens Lundgren, a Danish health expert, highlighting why direct emulation is misguided.
• U.S. and Denmark have fundamentally different disease profiles, public health structures, and levels of trust in government.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Dr. Jens Lundgren:

  “You cannot just take what has been carefully thought through in one geographical location and just extrapolate that and generalize that.” [20:13] “That's not a good argument, right? Why do you want to condense your vaccine program against the fewest vaccine? You want to have the right vaccines for the public health that you have in your population.” [20:33]

• On vaccine trust:

  “It's entirely based on trust. The trust parents need to trust. When we come with a new vaccine … they need to trust that that's very sensible to do, and they would therefore adhere to that.” [21:00]

• Danish healthcare: high trust, universal access, meticulous data tracking—all factors missing in the U.S. [23:15–23:52]

4. “Sentimental Value”: Norwegian Cinema Shines (25:32–31:51)

Main Points:

• Norway’s “Sentimental Value” emerges as a critical and awards-season favorite, with 9 Oscar and 8 BAFTA nominations.
• Director Joachim Trier explains the film’s exploration of intergenerational trauma and family dynamics.
• Discussion of art as politics and the role of artists in social critique.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Joachim Trier:

  “I would say it’s about all the stuff we don’t know how to talk about. It’s about how there’s all this transference, all these things that parents and children go through that there’s no language for.” [26:20]

• On the family subject:

  “How come parents will never have the same parents even though they are the same parents? Because… you trigger something different in them… you are experiencing growing up maybe at different stages in your parents’ life…” [29:14]

• On art and politics:

  “I think it’s a personal choice… we create a language which is specific for our art… it’s hard for a film to not be political… Not all films are social comment films, but there are other ways of reading films as political allegories.” [30:42]

5. Ukraine’s Drone Revolution (32:39–36:13)

Main Points:

• Archival Amanpour report showcases Ukraine’s innovative use of drones in active war zones; once consumer gadgets, now battlefield tools.
• Civilian volunteers—including women—become frontline drone instructors and operators, “weaponizing” $500 drones to take out multi-million dollar enemy assets.
• The technology and tactics have shaped a new era in modern warfare.

Notable Quotes & Highlights:

• Amanpour (on drone school):

  “Any support is welcome in Ukraine, especially if it appears blessed by Jesus, say these drone students set up in an abandoned church, working on their simulators and convinced their cause is just.” [32:39]

• Volunteer on the stakes:

  “We are all people and we are fighting for our existence.” [36:01]

• Amanpour on influence:

  “A $500 drone that’s been weaponized can take out vehicles and weapons systems worth millions.” [34:03]

6. Age Defiance at the Winter Olympics (36:13–End)

Main Points:

• Celebrating older athletes: Claudia Riegler (52, snowboarding), Rich Rukogan (54, curling), Eleanor Myers Taylor (41, bobsled) smash records for oldest competitors and medalists.
• Signals a shift in perceptions of age and achievement in elite sport.

Memorable Quotes

• Amanpour summary on unrest:
  “Iran, Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela, Greenland, the list goes on. And their futures are all being decided by the Trump administration.” [00:07]
• King Charles III:
  “The law must take its course.” (on Prince Andrew’s arrest) [11:55]
• Danish parent (on trust in government):
  “So I basically trust the system that they have decided it for me and it works.” [22:46]

Notable Timestamps

• 00:07–10:30: U.S. immigration policy and Vatican resistance
• 10:31–17:47: Arrest of former Prince Andrew and UK monarchy crisis
• 18:03–24:29: U.S. vaccine policy rollback; Denmark as an alleged model
• 25:32–31:51: Joachim Trier on “Sentimental Value” and art/politics
• 32:39–36:13: Ukraine's drone tactics and technology
• 36:13–End: Winter Olympics’ oldest competitors

Tone and Language

• Direct, analytical, and empathetic, true to Amanpour’s signature style.
• Quotations and commentary maintain the gravity, urgency, and nuance conveyed by the original speakers.
• The episode weaves together deeply personal stories, high-level political analysis, and cultural insights.

For listeners, this episode delivers a sweeping yet intimate survey of the week’s seismic events: fierce battles over peace, justice, public health, legacy, and the complexities of family and national identity in a world perpetually in flux.