Podcast
Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files
Hosted by Global · EN
World-renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour and ex-husband Jamie Rubin, a former US State Department official, unpack today’s defining global crises. Drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones, and grilling world leaders, they explain how we ended up where we are – and where we might be going.
Forget about a new world order – right now, there’s no world order. From Trump and Putin to the war in Ukraine, China’s global rise, and chaos in the Middle East, geopolitics has never been more dangerous or unpredictable. The Ex Files provides unparalleled insight into the issues keeping world leaders, and the rest of us, awake at night.
With searing honesty, jaw-dropping stories, and candid humour, this is the foreign policy podcast for our fractured age. They’re no longer married, but when it comes to current affairs, Christiane and Jamie still finish each other’s sentences.
Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files is a Global production, available every Tuesday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For advertising opportunities on this podcast email: dax@global.com
125episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why is Trump trying to make Ukraine sign a "surrender document"?
Nov 2500:35:59Summary readyWhy is Washington pushing Ukraine to accept a “peace plan” that hands Putin almost everything he wants? In this episode, Christiane explains why the latest US-backed proposals and Trump's pressure campaign are so problematic - and gives her very personal reaction to the fast-moving negotiations.And as high-stakes talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US take place in Abu Dhabi, Christiane and Jamie examine the compromises Zelensky could be cornered into - and whether Trump can be convinced to continue supporting Ukraine if the war drags on into next year. Later, Christiane and Jamie react to Trump and Mamdani's surprising first meeting in the Oval Office, plus they explore how tech bros have muscled their way into US politics, and they wrap up with this week's recommendations!Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
SummaryTrump’s Epstein Files U-turn & the “dark money” controlling politics
Nov 2000:23:20Summary readyIn this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked to explain the potential rationale behind Donald Trump’s U-turn on the Epstein files. The bill ordering the release of the files has passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Trump’s blessing… despite him recently labelling congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene a “traitor” for supporting the motion.They’re also asked about the “dark money” used by donors to control politicians and influence policy. What can be done to increase the transparency of policy decision-making and reduce any potential conflicts of interest?Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to: amanpourpod@global.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPod=Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
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Why is the Pope criticising Trump?
Nov 1800:37:51Summary readyAs Trump continues his crackdown on immigration, has the president just run into his toughest opponent yet? With hundreds more arrests made by ICE officials in Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend, Christiane and Jamie discuss what the impact could be of Catholic and Christian leaders across America joining the Pope in criticising Trump as he attempts to continue his mass deportations. Christiane also reflects on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Bosnian War, revealing why current world leaders could learn valuable lessons from how that conflict ended when it comes to Ukraine and the Middle East. She and Jamie also explain what made the US military intervention in Bosnia so successful, and why it didn't turn into a repeat of the Vietnam War, as some had claimed it would. Plus - don't miss this week's recommendations!Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
SummaryQ&A: Trump vs the BBC, plus Mayor Mamdani & the future of Israel's left
Nov 1300:28:32Summary readyIn this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked about the events that led to Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1bn. How serious an act is it to edit a video of the President in a way that could be considered misleading?Also posed are questions about the recent success of the Democrats in the US, at the forefront of which is Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Will he succeed as the Mayor of New York and how can the Democrats balance ambition with pragmatism?Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to: amanpourpod@global.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
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Esther Perel: why the world is more divided than ever
Nov 1100:44:55Summary readyThis week, the famed couples' therapist Esther Perel joins Christiane for a special episode. Ahead of the Holiday season, they discuss why families and world leaders seem to be more polarised than ever by politics and an inability to resolve their differences - and Esther explains what people can do to heal divisions in their own lives at this difficult time.Esther also reveals to Christiane what she thinks of her starting a podcast with her ex-husband, Jamie Rubin - plus she has a book, a film, and a play to recommend!You can Follow Esther Perel's podcast Where Should We Begin? on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and subscribe to Entre Nous with Esther Perel on Substack for exclusive bonus content.Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
SummaryQ&A: Could Trump invade Canada & has the US lost its soft power?
Nov 600:28:05Summary readyIn this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked how NATO states would react, militarily, if Donald Trump’s America were to invade Canada. Assuming Article 5 would be invoked, would NATO then allow US allies to come to Canada’s defence and go to war with their neighbours?Christiane is also joined by Ernest Moniz, physicist, former United States Secretary of Energy, and Co-Chair and CEO of the Nuclear Threat Initiative. They discuss the NTI’s progress towards global nuclear disarmament via policy solutions, partnerships and innovation.Have a question for a future Q&A episode? Send it to: amanpourpod@global.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
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Is the world a step closer to a nuclear confrontation?
Nov 400:36:17Summary readyPutin says Russia has just successfully tested a new type of nuclear-powered weapon. China has doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal in the last five years - and shows no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, Trump is promising to restart US nuclear weapons tests. After a week of sabre-rattling from world leaders, Christiane and Jamie discuss whether we're entering a new Cold War, and analyse how seriously the West should take the nuclear threat posed by Russia and China.Christiane also explains how the world has gone backwards on nuclear disarmament since her trip to North Korea in 2008 - while she and Jamie debate how accurate the new film "A House of Dynamite" is, and what would really happen if a nuclear missile was fired at the US. Later, Christiane reveals what insiders have told her about Trump's recent threat of a military intervention in Nigeria, while Jamie breaks down why we should be worried by the growing influence of China, Russia, and the UAE in Africa.Plus: which country is number 1 in the world for gender equality? Find out in this week's Recommendations! Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
SummaryQ&A: Could Kamala Harris succeed Trump?
Oct 3000:26:37Summary readyIn this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked what they think about the announcement from Kamala Harris that she’s considering running for president again - and how they think she’d do. Jamie is also asked who he thinks will win the upcoming New York Mayoral Election and whether the 34 year old favourite and Democrat, Zohran Mamdani, has provided a political template for the whole party to follow.Send us a question at: amanpourpod@global.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
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Why is Pete Hegseth trying to silence the Pentagon Press?
Oct 2800:33:55Summary readyThe US Defence Secretary is asking journalists to "make a pact with the devil" says Christiane this week, as she and Jamie discuss why Pete Hegseth seems so intent on censoring the Pentagon Press. Does the former Army Major have something to hide? Or is this just another sign of authoritarianism creeping into the Trump administration? Christiane explains what the consequences of this move could be - and why it might backfire on the man who likes to style himself as the Secretary of War.Plus, as Trump prepares to meet with President Xi at a summit in South Korea, Christiane and Jamie predict whether the era of tariffs and trade wars might finally be coming to an end. Contact us at: amanpourpod@global.comFor more content, please follow us:Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
SummaryQ&A: No Kings protest, the fall of Assad and Obama’s infamous red line
Oct 2200:20:17Summary readyIn this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie tackle your questions about the growing “No Kings” protests and the viral video of President Trump wearing a crown. Why isn’t there more outrage over a president who seems to see himself as a monarch?They also explore what’s next for Syria following Assad’s overthrow last year and revisit why President Obama ultimately failed to enforce his famous “red line” on chemical weapons.Send us a question at: amanpourpod@global.com For more content, please follow us: Watch us: https://www.youtube.com/@AmanpourPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanpourpodX: https://x.com/AmanpourPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christiane-Amanpour-PresentsBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/amanpourpod.bsky.social
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