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

Authoritarianism v. Democracy: Francis Fukuyama on The Year of Elections

17m 42s

Democracy has undergone a major stress test this year, with nearly half the world's voting population heading to the polls in a time of democratic backsliding and growing extremism. Francis Fukuyama, senior fellow at Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute, discusses the danger of taking democracy for granted, and -- following his trip to Ukraine -- how he believes the war there might end.

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on the Climate Crisis: “We Don’t Get to Give Up”

17m 50s

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a leading marine biologist and climate policy expert, offers a hopeful look at how to confront the climate crisis gripping our world — and flourish in the process. Johnson sits down with Hari to discuss her vision for a thriving, sustainable future. She explains how a diverse set of experts in fields such as farming, finance, and fashion helped to shape her ideas.

Trump Alleged Assassination Attempt: How Toxic Rhetoric Fuels Violence

16m 19s

Complication is rife this election season, in view of Trump's indictments, Biden bowing out, Kamala Harris stepping in, and now an apparent second assassination attempt against the former president at his Florida golf course. Presidential historian Timothy Naftali talks to Walter Isaacson about the events of this weekend and what they say about American politics today.

Yuval Noah Harari: “We Are on the Verge of Destroying Ourselves”

18m 24s

In Yuval Noah Harari's new book "Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI," the bestselling author and historian looks at the unique challenges that artificial intelligence represents for our time. Harari joins the show.

Who Is Responsible for the U.S. Housing Crisis?

17m 54s

Jerusalem Demsas, staff writer at The Atlantic, calls the American housing market a "national tragedy." In her new book, "On the Housing Crisis: Land, Development, Democracy," Demsas addresses questions of class segregation and why it is so difficult to find an affordable home. The author sits down with Hari Sreenivasan.

GOP Sen. Rand Paul On Why He Hasn’t Endorsed Trump

17m 40s

After the recent debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, some voters are still deciding whom to vote for in November. Senator Rand Paul, who backed Trump in 2020, is not yet ready to give him his endorsement. The Senator joins Walter Isaacson to explain why.

Oldest Latino Rights Group on Harris Endorsement Amid TX Voter Fraud Raids

17m 34s

The country's most prominent Latino civil rights organization has made an unprecedented move in choosing to endorse the Harris-Walz ticket for the White House. It is LULAC's first official endorsement in nearly 100 years. Juan Proaño is the head of that organization, and he joins Michel Martin to explain what motivated the decision.

Is the U.S. Public School System Collapsing? New ProPublica Report

17m 50s

America's public school system is in crisis. Enrollment has plummeted since the pandemic, with one million families opting for private schools or homeschooling. The result? School closures across the country, with disproportionate impact on Black and Latino communities. ProPublica reporter Alec MacGillis joins Hari to discuss his latest article for The New Yorker: "The Death of School 10."

Russia, Nazi Germany, MAGA: The Dangers of Weaponizing History and Education

18m 9s

With democracy under threat around the world, author Jason Stanley warns that the fundamental danger lies closer to home: in the schools. In his latest book, the American philosopher argues that attacks on education empower authoritarian regimes by reshaping our understanding of the past. Stanley joins the show to discuss.

“What Are Children For?” Why Millennials and Gen-Zers Aren’t Having Kids

17m 39s

While VP Kamala Harris has earned voter support on the issue of abortion, former President Donald Trump has been shifting his stance on the matter - while failing to offer specifics on how he would make childcare more affordable. In a new book, Anastasia Berg and Rachel Wiseman are exploring how public perceptions of parenthood are shaped by political rhetoric about reproductive rights.

Why Is the U.S. Military Struggling to Find Recruits? Reporter Explains

17m 35s

The U.S. Army's 2024 recruiting target is some 10,000 fewer recruits than last year. And yet the Army is struggling to fill the ranks. Missy Ryan, National Security and Defense Reporter at the Washington Post, finds a range of reasons for this shortfall -- from changing norms within American society to mistrust of its institutions. Ryan joins the show to discuss.

Does the U.S. Need a “Clean Energy Marshall Plan”? Harris Advisor Says Yes

18m 1s

In the U.S. presidential race, the economy continues to top the polls as a voter issue. Brian Deese is advising Kamala Harris in her campaign. He makes the case to Walter Isaacson that the fight against climate change can pave the way for a new era of American leadership.

Has the Supreme Court Undermined Voting Rights? David Daley Explains

17m 58s

David Daley believes democracy in the U.S. is under threat. In his new book "Antidemocratic," Daley suggests that far-right actors -- including those within the Supreme Court -- are controlling American elections. The author joins the show to discuss the implications of all this as Americans prepare to head to the polls in November.

Harris-Walz 2024: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Reflects on Historic Nomination

18m 28s

This week the DNC was packed with excitement, with speeches by the Obamas, a performance of the National Anthem by The Chicks, and a closing performance by Pink. But each speech reminded the party of the bumpy road to the White House, and the importance of voting in this election. Harrison speaks with us to reflect on the DNC and the challenges the Democratic Party faces between now and November.

Is Kamala Harris a “Failed Border Czar?” Immigration Expert Weighs In

17m 41s

While the economy remains the top issue for voters, immigration is not far behind. Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer for The New Yorker, joins the show to discuss Kamala Harris and why border policy remains such a vexing problem for the U.S.

GOP Mayor Endorses Harris: “Silence Is Not an Option”

18m 6s

John Giles, Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, is pledging his support to Kamala Harris. He even spoke at the Democratic convention. Giles joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain why he felt compelled to switch sides. They discuss immigration as a ballot issue this election, and the necessity for Kamala Harris to reset the messaging on this subject.

Silicon Valley Trump Supporters "Deluding Themselves," Says Michael Moritz

15m 53s

Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance are eyeing Silicon Valley, where some of the wealthiest and most powerful tech titans are lining up behind Trump. Once a stronghold of liberal ideas, this center of American innovation is drifting to the right. Michael Moritz, a senior adviser at Sequoia Heritage, joins the show to explain why he is urging his peers to rethink their support.

“A Trump Foil:” Inside Kamala Harris’ Political Evolution

17m 49s

With Democrats on track to formally nominate Kamala Harris as the party's presidential candidate, we look back at her political evolution during her tenure in the U.S. Senate. Washington Post congressional reporter Liz Goodwin joins Michel Martin to discuss Harris's leadership style and how it sets her up for a challenging presidential campaign.

CEO of Google DeepMind: We Must Approach AI with “Cautious Optimism”

17m 34s

Artificial intelligence has the potential to influence issues from climate change to the global economy. Demis Hassabis is co-founder and CEO of one of the world's leading AI research groups, Google DeepMind. Hassabis tells Walter Isaacson why he takes a cautiously optimistic view of the much-discussed technology.

Harris vs. Trump: Nate Silver’s 2024 Election Forecast

17m 24s

As the presidential election edges closer, all eyes are firmly focused on candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Nate Silver, the prophetic pollster and poker player who founded the website FiveThirtyEight, speaks with Walter Isaacson about his new book which details how -- as in poker -- risk-taking could be key to success in November.

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