Amanpour

The whole world is eager to see how Americans will vote next month in the midterm elections. With sinking polling, and rising energy costs, President Trump and the GOP appear to be fighting an uphill battle. Christiane speaks with Marc Short, who was Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff. Then, what a New York City subway killing reveals about feelings of abandonment in America. Anand Giridharadas joins on his new book "Man in the Mirror," Also, a play-by-play of the aviation disaster that almost was. Jeremy Diamond reports on the brave passengers who helped save the Israel-bound Flydubai flight. Plus, author Ben Macintyre brings us the fascinating story of "Redwood," the Soviet spy who defected to British Intelligence in the hopes of curing his erectile dysfunction. Seriously. And from the archives, as Germans are torn apart by divisive politics today, we look back at the nerves across the continent when East and West planned to reunite.

Air date: October 3, 2026

Guests:

Marc Short

Anand Giridharadas

Ben Macintyre
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Nearly three years into Israel's war in Gaza, the UN says the territory is now facing the worst economic crisis in history, with 80% of buildings damaged or destroyed, most of its population still displaced. In his new book, “Crossing the Red Line,” journalist Akbar Shahid Ahmed goes back to the beginning of this war, offering a rare look at what was happening inside Biden's White House, and the private debates, disagreements and decisions that shaped America's policy on Gaza. He joins Christiane from New York.

Also on today’s show: Anand Girdharadas, Author, "Man in the Mirror"; Kevin Roose, Author, “The AGI Chronicles”


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Russia hit a school in Kyiv today, in broad daylight. Luckily the children and staff were sheltering and unharmed. But as Ukraine's children continue to live under the ferocity of Russia's missiles, America stands by, instead choosing to exclude key allies like Britain, France and the Baltic states from a NATO meeting next month. Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joins the show from DC.

Also on today's show: Phil Gunson, Senior Analyst, Andes Region, International Crisis Group; Nikole Hannah-Jones, Domestic Correspondent, The New York Times Magazine


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According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a pilot on an Israel-bound flight was stabbed by another pilot. The FlyDubai plane, with nearly 200 people aboard, was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after crew members and passengers apparently overpowered the assailant. Many of those passengers on board have now made it home, arriving at Israel Ben Gurion Airport. Correspondent Eleni Giokos joins Christiane from Dubai with the latest.

Also on today's show: Marc Short, former Chief of Staff to Vice President Mike Pence; economics professor Mariana Mazzucato, author of "The Common Good Economy"; Joshua Cooper Ramo, Author, "Darwin's Lock"


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This summer has seen a massive surge in arrests by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reaching near-record highs in almost every state. Now ICE is preparing to expand its detention capacity to 100,000 beds. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council, joins the program to discuss what this new phase of President Trump’s immigration crackdown looks like.

Also on today's show: Simon Sebag Montefiore, Author, “The Cauldron”; Malcolm Gladwell, Author, “The American Way of Killing”
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