Amanpour and Company

News and Public Affairs Series / 2 Seasons

Featuring conversations with global leaders and decision makers on the issues affecting the world today, Amanpour and Company adds to the long tradition of public affairs programming that has been a hallmark of public media for decades.

Watch: S2023 E6121

26m 46s

Fmr State Dept Official on His Decision to Leave After Oct 7

5m 31s

Soon after October 7, Josh Paul resigned from the State Department in protest of what he called unscrutinized U.S. arms transfers to Israel. In his resignation letter, Paul said the Israeli response and American support "will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.”

Inside Puerto Rico’s Crumbling Healthcare System

18m 2s

Puerto Rico is in the midst of a healthcare crisis after a series of natural disasters hit its rapidly aging population. The Washington Post's Arelis Hernández writes that "more people are dying in Puerto Rico as its healthcare system crumbles." Hernández tells Hari Sreenivasan that Puerto Rico's crisis could be a warning of what's to come in the United States.

“Dying Broke” Reporters on Long Term Care

18m 12s

End-of-life care in the United States is an emotional topic. Many are pushed into financial ruin by the imperatives of long-term care. Reporters Reed Abelson (New York Times) and Jordan Rau (KFF Health News) talked to dozens of families and experts about the reality of caring for the aged and dying in a country with no coherent elder care system.

Walter Isaacson on the Life and Legacy of Henry Kissinger

5m 29s

Henry Kissinger, one of the most famous American Secretaries of State, died on Wednesday at 100. Kissinger wielded great diplomatic power. But he was reviled by many for the bombing of Cambodia and the rise of repressive regimes in Latin America. Historian and journalist Walter Isaacson, author of “Kissinger,” knows Kissinger’s life story inside and out and joins Bianna to reflect on his life.

Youmna ElSayed on Being a Reporter and a Mom in Wartime

19m 8s

Living conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as the World Health Organization warns that more people could die from disease than from bombings. Youmna ElSayed, an Al Jazeera English correspondent in Gaza and mother of four, has been reporting – and experiencing personally – these conditions. Michel Martin asked her what it’s like working as a journalist while navigating day-to-day survival.

Tom Nichols on Trump’s Recent Rhetoric

17m 52s

In a new article for The Atlantic, staff writer Tom Nichols sounds the alarm on former President Trump’s fascist rhetoric. In his article “Trump Crosses a Crucial Line," Nichols lays out his increasing concern about the language showing up in Trump's speeches -- language which Nichols argues is aligning more and more with the history and methods of fascism. He joins Michel Martin to discuss.

“Rustin” Brings a Civil Rights Hero Out of the Shadows

17m 41s

The new Netflix film "Rustin" tells the story of a man central to the civil rights movement, but relatively unknown today. Bayard Rustin was a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, a confidant of Martin Luther King Jr., and a tireless advocate for equality. Lead actor Colman Domingo speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the film.

Roxane Gay on Her New Essay Collection "Opinions"

17m 47s

Roxane Gay, best-selling author and contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, has been sharing her thoughts on a wide range of topics since 2014. She recently published a compilation of her works in the new book “Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People’s Business.” Gay joined Michel Martin to discuss the power of speech.

Roger Ross Williams’ Work Is Personal

18m 47s

The film industry is still falling short on diverse representation, both onscreen and off-screen. According to UCLA's latest report, only 16% of last year's top Hollywood releases were directed by people of color. Roger Ross Williams was the first African American director to win an Oscar. He now has a collection of Emmy and Peabody awards to his credit, but his journey has been an uphill battle.

Holocaust Survivor Nina Gottlieb Breaks 80 Years of Silence

16m 35s

The Israel-Hamas war has caused a global spike in hate crime. Filmmaker Daniel Lombroso's latest film, “Nina & Irena," follows his interviews with his Holocaust-surviving grandmother, who reveals that her older sister perished during the war. Hari Sreenivasan spoke to them both about the importance of this film and its release in the world of today.

Attorney: Elon Musk’s X “Is Unable to Rein in Hate"

17m 52s

In times of war, disinformation and extremist rhetoric can spread like wildfire. Tech mogul Elon Musk is often criticized for fanning the flames on his platform X. Recently, Musk personally endorsed an antisemitic post. Nora Benavidez, senior counsel and director of digital justice and civil rights at Free Press, joins the show to discuss why content moderation is crucial for democracy.

Life After “Maid:" Stephanie Land on Her New Book “Class”

18m 22s

Author Stephanie Land became an overnight sensation with her debut memoir "Maid," a long, hard look at her impoverished beginnings and the trials she faced as a single parent. Her book became a bestseller and was turned into a hugely successful Netflix series. Now Land is back with a sequel, "Class," which picks up her story where "Maid" left off.

From Trump’s Speech to Israel-Gaza: The Politics of Language

17m 43s

As grief and anger cascade across Israel and Gaza, language can be weaponized to polarize, spread propaganda or advance agendas. And it doesn't stop there. From the radical speeches of Donald Trump to the extreme rhetoric of Russia, language plays an often dangerous role in politics. Yale philosophy professor Jason Stanley joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss his new book, "The Politics of Langauge."

Climate of Hate: Muslim Americans Face Rise In Islamophobia

18m 19s

Palestinian American journalist Laila El-Haddad is concerned about possible genocide in Gaza. She is part of a lawsuit filed against the Biden administration which alleges it has failed to prevent genocide. She argues that the government’s reluctance to call for a ceasefire is not only hurting Gazans on the ground, but also Arab and Muslim Americans who are subject to heightened Islamophobia.

New Book Explores the Push for the ERA & the Women of NOW

17m 20s

Founded in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) laid the groundwork for challenging gender discrimination in the U.S. In her new book "The Women of NOW," historian Katherine Turk details the founding and legacy of the influential feminist organization. The author joins Michel Martin to discuss how lessons from the past can inform activism today.

How the Israel-Gaza Crisis Is Dividing American Jews

17m 39s

As American Jews face an unprecedented surge in antisemitism, they are also grappling with division in their own communities. The debate over support for Israel is playing out among Jews across the country, with some calling for a ceasefire while others unequivocally back the Israeli government. Journalist and author Emily Tamkin explains this moment of division.

She Was Demoted & Threatened. Then She Won the Nobel Prize

17m 13s

Katalin Karikó is making an extraordinary impact in the medical field. With her research partner she was awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine last month for groundbreaking work on Messenger RNA technology, a vital ingredient in COVID-19 vaccines. Karikó joins the show to discuss this milestone and her new memoir "Breaking Through: My Life in Science."

An Arab-Israeli Paramedic Was Killed, His Cousin Speaks Out

17m 55s

Mohammad Darawshe is an Arab citizen of Israel, and in a recent article says he feels as though his state is fighting its own people. Mohammad’s cousin, Awad, was killed in the Hamas attacks on October 7th whilst still working as a paramedic at the Nova musical festival. He shared his story with President Biden recently during his visit to Israel and joins the show to tell us more.

Election Analysis: Why the GOP Is Losing Winnable Races

17m 57s

In the U.S., Democrats defied the pollsters, holding their ground in last night’s elections. In Virginia, the party gained full control over the state legislature, while Democrat Gabe Amo made history as Rhode Island’s first Black congressman. Astead Herndon, New York Times national politics reporter, joins the show to discuss what these results could mean for next year’s presidential race.

Colorado Secretary of State on Trump Disqualification Trial

17m 30s

A trial in Colorado which seeks to disqualify Donald Trump from running for re-election in the state is currently underway. Six GOP and Independent voters have filed a lawsuit arguing that the former president is ineligible to hold office due to his actions surrounding the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Hari Sreenivasan speaks with Colorado secretary of state Jena Griswold.

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