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

This Librarian Spoke Out Against Book Banning. Now She Fears for Her Life

17m 54s

In honor of “Banned Books Week,” Hari interviews Amanda Jones, author of "That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America." Jones details the online and in-person abuse she experienced after speaking out against book bans.

Dr. Francis Collins on Faith, Science, and “The Road to Wisdom”

17m 21s

Culture wars and hyper-partisanship are overwhelming voters and sowing distrust. Dr. Francis Collins, former Director of the National Institutes of Health, believes an antidote may be found in both faith and science. He joins the show to explain.

Michigan’s Muslims Helped Biden Win in 2020. Will They Back Harris in Nov.?

18m 19s

The prospect of a wider war in the Middle East is creating anxiety among Americans -- including the Lebanese American mayor of Dearborn, Michigan. Michigan is home to the nation’s largest Arab American population. Mayor Abdullah Hammoud joins the show to talk about growing voter dissatisfaction in his community, and what it would take to restore their trust in the upcoming election.

Mary Trump:“Cruelty Was a Currency” in Trump Family

18m 8s

In a busy week for diplomacy, world leaders are weighing up what a second Trump term could mean for the U.S. and the world. To the former president's niece, Mary Trump, it would spell nothing but bad news for American democracy. Mary Trump joined Michel Martin to discuss her views on the upcoming election and her latest book, "Who Could Ever Love You."

Historian Timothy Snyder on VP Harris’ “Freedom” Campaign

17m 34s

In his new book, historian Timothy Snyder explores what freedom is, how it has been misunderstood, and why it's our only chance for survival. The author joins the show.

U.N. Report Warns AI May Increase Global Tech Inequality

17m 43s

Artificial Intelligence is the next frontier of the technological revolution. As it continues to evolve at breakneck speed, how can we ensure it is safe, ethical and accessible to all? Carme Artigas, Co-Chair of the U.N. Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body, joins the show to discuss all this.

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.

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