NSC Warned This Would Happen

Czech President Petr Pavel

There's a chain reaction happening across the world: The longer the Iran war drags on, the more the US drains its global supply of critical weapons. And the longer oil prices remain high, the more Russia reaps the rewards, leaving Europe increasingly exposed to Putin's aggressive instincts. Petr Pavel is president of the Czech Republic, former chief-of-staff of the Czech armed services, and served as chair of NATO's military committee. Christiane spoke to President Pavel at a conference in Prague.  Also on today's show: Edward Luce, US National Editor, Financial Times; Dr. Elizabeth Rosenthal, Senior Contributing Editor, KFF Health News    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Who Really Holds the Winning Cards In US-Iran Stalemate?

A diplomatic stand-off continues between the US and Iran after President Donald Trump called off his negotiating team's trip to Pakistan to meet with the Iranian delegation. The President has said Iran "can call" if they want but said the war could end soon. In turn, Iran has floated an initial deal that would require Washington to permanently end the war in exchange for the reopening of Hormuz. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House joins Bianna Golodryga to break down who is really holding the cards as diplomacy reaches a stalemate between Tehran and Washington. She joins the show from London.  Also on today's show: author Rachel Goldberg-Polin; law professor/author Khiara Bridges    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Is the Iran crisis distracting the world from Ukraine's fight for survival?

U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to go to war with Iran has sucked up global attention and resources. Meanwhile, Ukraine's fight for survival against Russia is grinding on, with no end in sight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tells Christiane Amanpour efforts toward a ceasefire with Russia are unlikely as the United States shifts its focus to the Middle East. Then, as the Iran conflict drags on,  former US negotiator Nate Swanson says time is on Tehran's side. Also, a daring escape from North Korea. We hear from a South Korean man who risked it all for a new life. Plus, united in grief, and in hope...Israeli Maoz Inon and Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah join on their unlikely friendship, and their new book "The Future is Peace." And from the archives, the tourists determined to see Iran with their own eyes. Air date: April 25, 2026   Guests: Volodymyr Zelensky      Nate SwansonMaoz Inon & Aziz Abu Sarah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Former Israeli Lawmaker/Diplomat Colette Avital

From Iran to Lebanon, to Israel and the occupied West Bank, the Middle East is truly in flames. In Lebanon, Israel continues to pound Hezbollah in the south, despite a so-called ceasefire and ongoing talks with the Lebanese government. Meantime, Israeli settlers are ramping up their violence against Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank, often with the security forces looking on, and even participating. Inside Israel, many Israelis support all this war, especially since October 7th. But not all, one key voice of resistance belongs to 86-year-old Colette Avital. She is a former Israeli diplomat, Knesset member and Holocaust survivor. She joins the show from Tel Aviv.   Also on today's show: CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir; author Rebecca Solnit; House Representatives Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Teresa Leger (D-NM)    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

NSC Warned This Would Happen

While President Trump argues the new Iranian regime is diminished, experts claim that a more hardline generation of leaders is now calling the shots. Nate Swanson served as the National Security Council's Iran director. Days before the US and Israel launched their war, he warned that Iran would respond exactly as it has done. He joins the show to discuss this all.  Also on today's show: Ricardo Zúñiga, who led negotiations with the Cuban government during the second Obama administration; Jen Fifield, Reporter, ProPublica     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]