Podcast Summary: “Q&A: The Epstein Files, Iran tensions & ICE at the Olympics”

Podcast: Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files
Host(s): Christiane Amanpour & Jamie Rubin
Episode Date: February 12, 2026

Overview

This Q&A episode of The Ex Files delves into some of the most pressing global and political crises of our fractured age—from potential U.S. military action in Iran and evolving alliances in the Middle East, through NATO’s precarious balancing act in the face of Trump’s unpredictability, to the fallout from the Epstein files for world leaders, and recent controversies around U.S. security at the Winter Olympics. Christiane Amanpour and Jamie Rubin bring their decades of insider experience to bear, combining candid analysis, sharp anecdotes, and pointed humor to unpack listener questions about where geopolitics stands—and where it’s headed.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Western Allies and the Prospect of U.S. Military Action Against Iran

Timestamps: 00:22–03:38

• Q: Would US Western allies participate in military strikes on Iran?
• Jamie Rubin:
  • Western allies have shown little appetite for direct conflict (“they didn't last time”).
  • Even Middle Eastern Gulf allies, despite a history of containing Iran, do not want another regional war.
  • “None of them want to see a war against Iran, another war in the Middle East.” [00:56]
• Christiane Amanpour:
  • Distinguishes between airstrikes and regional defense cooperation.
  • Recalls how in the Biden administration, Western and regional allies, including Britain, France, Jordan, and others, united in defense of Israel against Iranian retaliation.
  • “That showed you what could happen if one day the Israelis finally realized... recognition with their neighbors and join in an alliance with the Gulf Arabs.” [02:18]
  • The possibility of game-changing regional alliances hinges on Israeli elections and willingness for peace with the Palestinians.

Memorable quote:

“All of that hinges on an Israeli election which will determine whether a government finally comes into power willing to make peace with the Palestinians.” – Christiane Amanpour [03:22]

2. Challenges for Middle East Peace & Israeli-Palestinian Relations

Timestamps: 03:38–04:51

• Stalemate persists: Ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as controversial legal changes regarding ownership in Palestinian territories, further destabilize hopes for a two-state solution.
• The region’s political future relies heavily on the outcome of Israel’s next election.

3. NATO, Mark Rutte & Navigating Trump

Timestamps: 04:51–09:00

• Q: Is Mark Rutte, the new NATO boss, currying favor with Trump?
• Jamie Rubin:
  • As Secretary General, Rutte must serve all NATO leaders—and thus be diplomatic toward Trump.
  • Giving Trump credit for increased NATO defense spending is a pragmatic, if controversial, diplomatic gesture.
  • “He works for Donald Trump. He works for all the leaders of NATO. That's his job.” [05:04]
• Amanpour:
  • Rutte has been dubbed the “Trump whisperer.”
  • He knows how to keep tensions at summits at bay, recalling his finesse in saving a chaotic NATO conference.
  • Rutte’s recent speeches emphasize European war preparedness in response to Putin, not just U.S. politics.

Notable quote:

“Anybody who thinks that NATO can defend itself or NATO countries without the United States are dreaming. So that's where he stands.” – Christiane Amanpour [08:00]

4. The War in Ukraine & Putin’s Aggression

Timestamps: 08:15–10:27

• Rutte’s warning: Europe faces its most dangerous moment since WWII; civil defense and readiness are essential.
• Jamie Rubin: Highlights the devastating human toll: “Over 2 million people have been either died or wounded in that war on both sides, most of them by the Russians.” [09:00]
• Reflection on the West’s inability to “corral” Putin—Trump’s attempts to “bring him in from the cold” failed to temper Russian aggression.

5. ICE at the Winter Olympics & Domestic Policing as Foreign Policy

Timestamps: 10:27–15:33

• Q: Why were ICE agents, not Secret Service, deployed to protect Vice President J.D. Vance at the Olympics?
• Amanpour:
  • The move shocked allies—Italy’s PM objected—but the US insisted.
  • ICE’s deployment is “a blot on the reputation of the United States,” associated with excessive, unjustified force both domestically and internationally.
  • Criticizes the militarization of ICE and its use of untrained or inappropriately trained personnel: “I've watched carefully some of the reporting about Minneapolis. They've hired people who are basically video gamers... who don't have the training...” [12:21]
• Rubin:
  • The use of ICE for high-profile protection is blatant politics, signaling the administration’s allegiance to right-wing “law and order” symbolism.

Memorable quote:

“ICE is now the symbol of everything that's gone wrong with the Trump administration's effort to behave like a king with his own private army.” – Jamie Rubin [13:35]

6. The Epstein Files: Fallout for Leaders & The Question of Trump’s Accountability

Timestamps: 15:33–19:56

• Q: Why has Trump avoided more scrutiny over Epstein, when UK PM Keir Starmer faces crisis?
• Amanpour:
  • UK’s Keir Starmer faces political disaster—his ambassador implicated, peerage revoked, police involved.
• Rubin:
  • Trump’s relationship was uniquely close: “Of all the people described in all these files, was the closest friend of any of them, was described as, for a long time, his best friend.” [16:43]
  • Full extent of incriminating evidence may still not be public.
  • Epstein represents elite corruption across society, fueling populist anger at elites.

Notable quote:

“This is a filthy, disgusting criminal enterprise. And it's grotesque. All these victims ... are probably being triggered over and over again by these dumps.” – Christiane Amanpour [18:49]

7. The Supreme Court’s Delay on Tariff & Birthright Citizenship Cases

Timestamps: 19:56–23:14

• Q: Why is the Supreme Court taking so long?
• Amanpour:
  • Argues the Constitution’s clauses on citizenship and Congress’s authority over trade are clear.
  • Suggests the Court’s legitimacy is at stake: "If this court cannot read black and white and bends over so far backward ... that's destroyed the Supreme Court.” [21:00]
• Rubin:
  • Notes the current Court enables Trump but expresses hope for judicial independence.
  • Outcomes will have major repercussions: a ruling against Trump could derail his economic and immigration agenda.

Notable quote:

“They care more about their relationship with the president than their relationship with history and judicial history. They've humiliated themselves in being acquiescent to Trump.” – Jamie Rubin [22:57]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Forget about a new world order – right now, there’s no world order.” – Epigraph
• “It's all politics. It's all politics, politics, politics.” – Jamie Rubin [13:45]
• “There are good elites and bad elites.” – Jamie Rubin [18:47]
• “It is just disgusting.” – Christiane Amanpour [19:52]

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamps | |-------------------------------------------|-------------| | Iran, U.S. Allies, & Middle East Dynamics | 00:22–03:38 | | Israeli-Palestinian Situation | 03:38–04:51 | | NATO, Rutte, & Trump Diplomacy | 04:51–09:00 | | Ukraine War & Putin’s Threat | 08:15–10:27 | | ICE at the Olympics | 10:27–15:33 | | Epstein Files Fallout | 15:33–19:56 | | Supreme Court Decisions | 19:56–23:14 |

Tone & Insights

• The conversation is forthright, occasionally biting, yet often laced with humor. Both hosts finish each other’s thoughts, lending an urgent, conversational quality.
• Throughout, there is a sense of frustration with “elite” failures—whether in diplomacy or domestic governance—but also hope that international cooperation and the resilience of institutions might eventually prevail.

Note:

• For questions or future listener queries, the hosts invite contact via social media (@amanpourpod) or email (amanpoolpod@global.com).