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

Sarah McCammon on Reproductive Rights in the U.S.

16m 41s

Any day now, a judge is going to decide whether an abortion pill which has been approved for years should be outlawed in America. If it is, critics say 40 million women would lose access to the drug mifepristone. NPR reporter Sarah McCammon joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the fate of reproductive rights in America.

Did Pres. Bush’s Invasion of Iraq Pave the Way for Trump?

17m 54s

Former president Bush has never admitted his war was a mistake, but the same cannot be said for some of his former officials. Professor Melvyn Leffler raises the issues of responsibility and accountability in his new book, "Confronting Saddam Hussein: George W. Bush and the Invasion of Iraq." He discusses with Walter Isaacson.

New Research on Long COVID

17m 53s

This month marks the third anniversary since coronavirus became a global pandemic and the world went into lockdown. Millions still suffer the symptoms of Long COVID-19, a condition doctors are trying urgently to understand. In a new piece for Scientific American, neuroscientist Stephani Sutherland says, “Long COVID now looks like a neurological disease."

Over 70K Afghan Allies in U.S. Are at Risk of Deportation

18m 12s

Afghan refugees who managed to escape to the U.S. face the real prospect they may be shipped back to live under the Taliban’s thumb. The Afghan Adjustment Act, a bill to extend their stay in the U.S., is stalled in Congress. If it fails, almost 80,000 Afghan evacuees risk their freedom and their lives. Krish Vignarajah is a refugee herself and runs the Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service.

Can You Become a Master? Adam Gopnik Says Try It

17m 43s

Next we turn to the art of achieving greatness. How do the experts reach for excellence -- and attain it? The answers may be found in bestselling author Adam Gopnik’s new book, "The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery," in which he studies the methods of the masters in a variety of fields -- from art and dance to magic, boxing, and even driving instruction.

Obesity Doctor on Everything You Need to Know About Ozempic

17m 44s

Now we turn to a drug that our next guest says could “change the conversation” about an often stigmatized medical condition. Nearly 2.3 billion people globally – and more than two in five American adults – hover between overweight and obese. But with the help of breakthrough weight loss drugs, Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford is seeing some patients lose as much as 16% in weight.

Why the COVID-19 Lab-Leak Theory Has New Credibility

17m 37s

A hearing on Capitol Hill this week explored the potential causes of the COVID-19 outbreak. Jamie Metzl, who attended the hearing, warned U.S. lawmakers to not dismiss the hypothesis that the virus leaked from a Chinese lab. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the importance of examining this theory.

Michael R. Gordon on the New Era of "Great Power" Conflict

18m 13s

The world could be entering an era of great power conflict, with the United States in a face-off against China and Russia. Michael R. Gordon, the Wall Street Journal's national security correspondent, has reported on the U.S. military for decades. He tells Walter Isaacson why he believes the United States is unready for such a conflict and needs to come up with new ways of waging war.

EXCLUSIVE: An American Imprisoned in Iran Pleads For Help

5m 58s

Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi has been imprisoned in Iran's notorious Evin Prison for seven years. In an exclusive interview, he tells Christiane that he desperately needs President Biden's help.

Are the Humanities in Crisis?

18m 5s

In the decade following 2008, the share of people in the U.S. graduating with bachelor's degrees in humanities dropped by a third. What's at play here, and why does it matter? Andrew Delbanco is a professor of American studies at Columbia University and the recipient of a National Humanities Medal from President Obama. He discusses the importance of reversing the humanities decline.

Adrienne LaFrance on "The New Anarchy"

17m 38s

In recent years, domestic violent extremism has been designated a national priority by the Department of Homeland Security. Adrienne LaFrance, executive editor of The Atlantic, traces political violence in the U.S. over the past century in her latest article. She joins Walter Isaacson to discuss what's different about "the new anarchy."

COVID-19 Three Years Later: How A Vaccine Was Created

17m 8s

Three years ago, as the World Health Organization was preparing to declare COVID-19 a pandemic, scientists were already weeks into developing a vaccine. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was part of the groundbreaking team that produced the mRNA vaccine for Moderna. She joins Walter Isaacson to reflect on the early days of the pandemic and the future of vaccine research.

“Playing With Dynamite:” How Chatbots Will Change the World

18m 3s

What might the rise of chatbots reveal about the future of artificial intelligence? Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are developing these digital assistants to simulate conversation with human users, changing the way we interact with technology. Steven Levy, Editor at Large of the tech magazine Wired, joins Walter Isaacson to discuss this phenomenon.

These Ukrainian Children Shelter Apart From Abusive Parents

17m 51s

Director Simon Lereng Wilmont's latest documentary, “A House Made of Splinters," has received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination. Its subject is Ukrainian children living in a halfway house after their parents are no longer able to care for them. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, just weeks before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Simon tells Hari how he made this powerful film.

Jeh Johnson: No Quick Fix to Migration Woes

17m 25s

The Biden administration is planning to roll out a set of new asylum restrictions that critics say resemble those of the Trump administration. The policy would deny some migrants asylum if they cross the border illegally, or if they fail to first apply for safe harbor in another country. Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security under President Obama, joins Michel Martin to discuss the crisis.

How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair? David Brooks on Loss

17m 45s

New York Times columnist David Brooks lost his lifelong friend Peter to suicide last April, three years after he was diagnosed with clinical depression. Brooks has detailed what he learned from Peter’s journey in his latest column, “How Do You Serve a Friend in Despair?” He joins Hari Sreenivasan to share some of these lessons.

1966: The Year Black Power Redefined Civil Rights

17m 32s

For America's Civil Rights Movement, 1966 was a watershed year. It was the year the fight was redefined by Black Power. Journalist and critically acclaimed author Mark Whitaker explores that momentous year and its participants in his new book, "Saying It Loud: 1966 – The Year Black Power Challenged the Civil Rights Movement." He speaks with Walter Isaacson.

23-Year-Old Grammy Winner Samara Joy Is the Future of Jazz

15m 57s

Jazz has been called the music of resistance. The genre has roots in protest music and is enjoying a resurgence through the work of young artists like jazz singer Samara Joy, who won for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album at the Grammys. Samara joins Michel to discuss the revival of jazz on the modern popular music scene.

How to Prevent a Cold War With China

17m 30s

Tensions between the U.S. and China -- Russia's closest ally -- are intensifying after a visit to Moscow by Beijing’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. Professor Jessica Chen Weiss was a senior adviser to the U.S. State Department until July of last year. She tells Walter how Beijing’s latest moves could impact another year of war.

Author Isabel Wilkerson on America's Unspoken Caste System

18m 4s

According to award-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, the death of Tyre Nichols is just the latest tragedy to shine a light on America's long-standing but unspoken social hierarchy. In her recent Time Magazine cover story Wilkerson states, “From Jan. 6 to Tyre Nichols, American life is still defined by caste." She tells Michel how the system continues to infringe on the rights of the marginalized.

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