“Only socialism can save China.” These were the words of Chinese leader Xi Jinping when the country’s Communist Party celebrated its centennial this summer. It’s now becoming clear that this vision is accompanied by a crackdown on the private sector and an effort to redistribute wealth. Lingling Wei has covered all this for The Wall Street Journal and joins the show to explain what's happening.

Elephants trampling across crop fields, birds getting sucked into jet engines, a jaywalking moose – these are the subjects of author Mary Roach’s new popular science book "Fuzz" -- an examination of “when nature breaks the law.” Roach joins the show to discuss her unusual findings.

As a marine infantry officer, Ian Cameron oversaw airstrikes which killed more than 300 Taliban members, but now wonders whether it even helped. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the lessons he thinks must be learned from America’s failed war in Afghanistan.

Brazil’s health minister has tested positive for COVID-19, having already mingled with world leaders and shaken hands with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the UN General Assembly. To assess the situation, Christiane speaks with America’s Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Qatar has emerged as a key player in the Gulf region, hosting negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S. and – since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban – reinforcing its status as a diplomatic hub for many western nations. To delve into the situation in Afghanistan and the role of Qatar, Christiane speaks with the country’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

President Biden addressed the U.N. General Assembly today, using his time at the podium to talk up alliances, global cooperation and the U.S. commitment to leadership. Meanwhile America's ally France, having been cut out of a submarine deal in the Pacific, is full of resentment over what they are calling a crisis and a breach of trust. Christiane speaks with two guests to discuss.

In his new book, "How to Talk to a Science Denier," Lee McIntyre examines how the anti-vaccine movement, climate-denial, the flat earth movement and other conspiracies have gained a dangerous foothold in society. He speaks with Michel Martin about what we can do as conspiracy theories gain ground.

Thousands of Haitian migrants are being met with force as they try to reach the U.S. after a series of disasters struck their homeland. To discuss the situation at the border and the systemic issues it exposes, Christiane speaks with immigration attorney Bridget Cambria, co-founder of Aldea, an advocacy group that provides legal and social services to vulnerable immigrants to the United States.

Written, directed by and starring former Twilight actor Justin Chon, the new film "Blue Bayou" follows a Korean-born adoptee fighting for the only life he’s ever known. Chon joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the Asian-American experience and representation in Hollywood.

The United Nations General Assembly week has kicked off in New York amid a tense global climate. France’s foreign minister is accusing the U.S., Australia and Britain of stabbing his country in the back with their recent deal on nuclear-powered submarines. To discuss all this, Christiane speaks exclusively with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

After the U.S. and NATO left Afghanistan, other governments are trying to figure out how to deal with the Taliban. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is just back from a three day trip there and is sounding the alarm bells. He joins the show from the United Nations to explain how desperate the humanitarian situation has become.

Rising star Yola was born and raised in Bristol on England’s west coast, but her love of great classic pop inspired her to set down roots in Nashville. Her first album out of that city, "Walk with Fire," earned her four Grammy nominations, and her latest album," Stand for Myself," is on course to break out even bigger. She joins the show from Nashville.

Journalist Evan Osnos has spent much of his career covering global turmoil for The New Yorker. In his new book, he turns his attention to his home country. In "Wildland: The Making of America’s Fury," Osnos compares the U.S. to a dried-out forest, where – after years of political and institutional failure – a single spark can erupt into a raging inferno.

SpaceX made history this week with the launch of Inspiration4, the first-ever all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth. This milestone initiative offers a glimpse into the future of space exploration, and few are better qualified to speak on the new era than NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. The former senator is one of just a handful of members of Congress ever to travel to space, as he explains to

The World Health Organization is making an urgent plea for global vaccine equality, as rich nations post vaccination rates more than 60 times higher than those of poorer countries. According to Rajiv Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, wealthy countries must commit to a “new global charter” in order for humanity to overcome the challenges ahead. He joins the show.

Are Americans being consumed by discontent? Vaccine mandates, abortion laws, and disagreement about the very notion of freedom are widening the political divide. What does all this mean for the pursuit of happiness? It’s the focus of Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will’s new book, and he speaks with Walter Isaacson about his insights on resentment in today’s America.

A new film, "A La Calle," zeroes in on ordinary people in Venezuela and their daily struggle to find food and medicine and to earn the money they need to get by. Featured in the film is exiled opposition leader Leopoldo López, who spent more than three years in prison for speaking out against President Maduro. He joins the show from Madrid, where he and his family are seeking asylum.

Instagram says it's looking to discourage users from focusing on their physical appearance in the wake of a major Wall Street Journal investigation, which revealed that researchers repeatedly found the app was toxic for teenage girls in particular, yet publicly downplayed its mental health implications. Georgia Wells reported the story for the WSJ and is joined by tech ethicist Tristan Harris.

Extreme weather events have laid bare the threats posed by the climate crisis, yet while activists rally to save the planet, many of them face increasing violence. 227 environmental activists were murdered last year, according to Global Witness, which says most of the killings happened in Latin America. Global Witness CEO Mike Davis and activist Margarita Campuzano join the program to discuss.

Gavin Newsom beat a recall challenge last night, in part by emphasizing his commitment to mask and vaccine mandates. It’s a stark contrast to Republican governors in states like Texas and Florida. Former GOP strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder Steve Schmidt says their anti-science stance is a selfish ploy to woo the far right. Schmidt joins Michel Martin to discuss the current climate.