Today marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. But this year, there were no crowds in the streets, no big parades, no pomp and no pageantry. Modern presidents and prime ministers have been quick to call themselves wartime leaders. How well are they measuring up to the challenge? To discuss, Christiane speaks with historians Max Hastings and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

President Trump faces a tough re-election campaign, as the once buoyant economy deflates into recession. How will this affect his chances in November? The New Yorker's Evan Osnos says one answer lies in what he calls a "persistent mystery" at the ballot box. For his latest piece, he looks to his hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut to explore how Republicans there came to support the president.

More than 100 potential COVID-19 vaccines are in the works, but how soon can we expect positive results? Dr. Richard Hatchett served as an adviser on pandemics for the White House under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Hatchett is now CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, which is working to speed up vaccine development.

British folk singer Laura Marling thought she would be touring the UK and the U.S. right now. Confined her to her home by the pandemic, she decided instead to give us some music to get us through: a surprise early release of her new album, "Song for Our Daughter." She joins the program from home.

When UC San Francisco's medical center was running low on PPE--personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, the chancellor turned to his billionaire friend Marc Benioff, founder and chief executive of software giant Salesforce, to acquire the necessary equipment. Why go to a tech company to help unblock a medical supply chain? Walter Isaacson speaks with Benioff to find out.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has called the pandemic "the most complicated and difficult challenge" he has ever observed, and is now devoting the full resources of his institute towards creating a strategy for pulling countries out of lockdown.

Questions about voter safety during the presidential election in November are casting doubt on a process already fraught with security concerns. Stacey Abrams is frequently touted as a potential running mate for Joe Biden, and--until the pandemic hit--she was leading the fight for free and fair elections as the founder and chair of the activist group Fair Fight.

As the U.S. Treasury begins bailing out businesses across America, it's important to know which companies are getting the money and how it's being spent. Bharat Ramamurti was the first appointee to the Congressional Oversight Commission, tasked with policing coronavirus corporate relief loans. He speaks with Sheelah Kolhatkar about his new role.

In the UK, the death toll from the coronavirus is at least 29,427--currently the highest reported in Europe. Dr. David Nott is a surgeon in Britain's National Health Service and a war doctor, having spent 25 years volunteering in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones. Now he's in London, fighting the coronavirus on the front lines--which he says is worse than operating in Syria.

The war of words between the U.S. and China over how coronavirus started is escalating--even igniting fears of a new trade war. With global markets once again spooked by President Trump banging the trade drum, how will the two biggest economic powers emerge from this crisis? Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Eurasia Group president Ian Bremmer join the program.

Alongside COVID-19 comes another epidemic: disinformation. Alex Stamos was formerly the chief of security at Facebook and is now at Stanford University. He joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss tensions between the U.S. and China and the dangers of disinformation campaigns in these uncertain times.

Health experts warn that communities in the Amazon region are in danger of being wiped out by COVID-19. A large group of artists and celebrities have written an open letter to President Bolsonaro urging him to prevent a coronavirus "genocide," and one of the signatories--renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado--joins the program to discuss.

In a bid to speed up crucial COVID-19 research, the European Union today launched a pledging marathon, co-hosted by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and others. But notable absences include India, Russia, and the United States. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is overseeing the effort, and joins the program to talk about the pledging goal and the importance of global unity.

General David Petraeus led troops in Iraq during the 2003 war and also led coalition forces in Afghanistan. He then went on to lead the CIA and is now global chair of the New York investment firm KKR, so he is well-placed to know what constitutes good strategic leadership. Petraeus speaks with Walter Isaacson about how wartime lessons can be applied to fighting a pandemic.

Historian and documentary filmmaker Ken Burns says that in these fraught times, it's more important than ever for America to live by its motto, "E Pluribus Unum" -- "Out of Many, One." In fact, "UNUM" is the name of Burns' online resource for history buffs, an incredible compendium of his work across four decades. He joins the show from New Hampshire to explain what history can teach us.

Christiane speaks with two tennis greats, Billie Jean King and Andy Murray, to discuss gender equality and the impact of the pandemic on their sport,

New Yorker journalist Charles Duhigg has been comparing the pandemic responses in New York and Seattle. Both cities were hit by the outbreak at around the same time, from late February to early March. Today, New York accounts for more than 30% of all U.S. coronavirus deaths, and fewer than 2% are in Washington. Duhigg speaks to Michel Martin about exactly how this disparity developed.

The COVID-19 pandemic is sending shockwaves through the very idea of American exceptionalism, exacerbated by criticisms of President Trump's handling of the situation. To discuss the current administration and to dig into how exactly the media should cover it, Christiane speaks with two renowned columnists on both sides of the Atlantic.

A new TV series explores a coming-of-age romance for our times. "Normal People" is the best-selling novel from Irish author Sally Rooney, and the TV adaptation by the BBC and Hulu is getting rave reviews. Christiane speaks to the two lead actors about making the series--and about releasing it at a time of extreme social distancing.

In March, Eric Ripert -- co-owner and executive chef of New York's prestigious Le Bernardin restaurant -- laid off his entire team. Since then, he's been helping City Harvest, a nonprofit organization feeding those in need. Though the future is uncertain, he tells Michel Martin that he is optimistic his restaurant will serve diners again.