Christiane and Jamie contrast the political accountability between presidential and parliamentary systems - why does Donald Trump remain while Keir Starmer falls?

Plus, could Syria, Lebanon, and Israel ever cooperate to eradicate Hezbollah? Or has that moment already passed? And, what of Israel's undeclared nuclear arsenal? Christiane and Jamie also discuss the far-right threat sweeping Europe, from Germany's AfD to France's Marine Le Pen, before discussing the likelihood of America returning to anything resembling normality, post-Trump.

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The US and Iran have held their first round of peace talks, but has there really been any progress? Is Tehran actually likely to allow nuclear inspectors back in? And has Trump's approach left America in a weaker negotiating position than when this all started? Christiane and Jamie cut through the diplomatic noise and explain what's really happening behind the scenes as both sides try to reach a deal.

They also unpack why Trump and JD Vance are turning the screws on Benjamin Netanyahu, and discuss whether Bibi now regrets going into coalition with two far-right politicians, one of whom recently called for Lebanon to "burn".

Plus, Keir Starmer has resigned as Britain's Prime Minister. Christiane and Jamie react to his departure, ask whether Andy Burnham can succeed where Starmer failed, and reflect on the long shadow Brexit is still casting over British politics, a decade on from the referendum.

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Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire - but should we celebrate or worry? Christiane and Jamie debate how his leap from electric cars and SpaceX into owning the public square, gutting USAID, and bankrolling Europe's far right represents a concentration of power no single individual should hold. They also examine whether Trump's final-term decisions are driven by ideology or personal business interest, and why "might makes right" seems to define every corner of this presidency.

Plus, with hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers now in the West Bank and a campaign of violence forcing Palestinians from their homes, is the two-state solution already dead? And as the UK announces an Australia-style social media ban for children, Christiane and Jamie discuss why it's urgently needed – and why America will probably never do it.

This episode was recorded on the 15th June 2026.

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The war in the Middle East has stopped, but can either the US or Iran genuinely claim victory? Christiane and Jamie unpick what the Memorandum of Understanding actually includes, what it conspicuously leaves out, and why the deal could still collapse if the two sides can't agree on the nuclear question long-term.

Christiane reveals what her contacts inside Iran are telling her about the potential for peace, and she and Jamie ask whether the Islamic Republic's new regime is actually more hardline than the one it replaced.

Plus: Russia has just launched devastating airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and cultural sites in what some see as a sign of Putin's growing desperation. With world leaders gathering at the G7 this week, can they persuade Trump to turn his attention to ending that war now the Iran crisis is on hold?

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Is the gutting of 60 Minutes leading us down a dangerous path? Christiane doesn't hold back on what CBS's parent company is doing to one of the most successful news programmes in television history.

Plus, a Lebanese listener asks the question at the heart of the Middle East crisis: is it cheaper to pay off Iran and its proxies than to keep fighting? Christiane and Jamie unpack why the war in Lebanon won't end while Israel refuses to deal, and whether the Trump administration has the diplomatic expertise to broker real peace.

Christiane and Jamie also discuss whether Mayor Mamdani is really delivering for New York, and explain why the UN can't act on America's energy blockade of Cuba.

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Christiane was in Beirut until last Sunday. By the time she arrived back in London, the Lebanese capital was once again under Israeli bombardment and the Middle East ceasefire appeared on the verge of collapse.

In this episode, Christiane reveals what Lebanese President Joseph Aoun exclusively told her about Israel's ongoing war with Hezbollah and Iran's continued grip on his country. She and Jamie trace Hezbollah's history as an Iranian proxy force, its decades of conflict with Israel, and whether Lebanon now holds the key to a wider peace deal in the region.

They also react to reports of furious recent phone calls between President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, and ask whether the US-Israeli relationship has been permanently damaged by the ongoing conflict.

And you can watch Christiane's recommendation for this week here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G4lEEqEzpQ

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On this week’s Q&A, Christiane and Jamie are asked whether Donald Trump’s self-styled reputation as a master dealmaker stands up to scrutiny, as US-Iran talks drag on with bold claims but little progress. They also discuss the French navy’s interceptions of Russian oil tankers accused of skirting sanctions, and whether others should follow suit.

They explore the effect that gerrymandering, and the wider capitalist system, has on American democracy, both politically and morally, before analysing claims that Elon Musk interfered in the 2024 election. What can democracies realistically do to protect themselves from the billionaires?

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After a Russian drone struck a building inside NATO member Romania, Christiane and Jamie ask the question on every western leader's mind: does Putin actually want a direct confrontation with the alliance? They examine whether the incident was a reckless accident or a calculated provocation, potentially a deliberate test of NATO and Europe's willingness to respond. What does it tell us about Russia's escalation strategy, and how should the West react?

Later, they turn to US domestic politics and the growing debate within the Democratic Party over Israel. With criticism of Israeli military operations and settler violence intensifying, Christiane and Jamie discuss whether Democrats should adopt a significantly tougher stance, and what the political consequences of doing so might be.

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.

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