Democrats have three days to fund the government or face a shutdown. Moreover, President Biden’s economic agenda faces crucial votes this week in the House and the Senate. These bills face organized opposition from lobbyists and dark money campaigns. For a look at how dollars can damage democracy, Christiane speaks with The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer.

In Germany, the center-left Social Democrats have scored a slim victory in the race to replace Angela Merkel as chancellor. Her more conservative party suffered its worst defeat in decades. But Germans likely won’t be saying “auf wiedersehen” to Merkel any time soon: negotiations to form a new government could take weeks, if not months, leaving her in charge in a caretaker capacity until then.

As the pandemic continues, the role of misinformation and disinformation in perpetuating the spread of COVID-19 is of increasing concern. Neal Mohan, YouTube's chief product officer, is in charge of combating this issue on the platform. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about striking the balance between free speech and dangerous lies.

In New York this week, climate change has been the primary focus at the U.N. General Assembly. The U.N. Secretary General said the world is “light-years away from reaching our targets,” while Britain's prime minister called for world leaders to step up and take responsibility. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe joins Christiane to discuss what's at stake.

Angela Merkel’s nearly 16 years as chancellor of Germany are coming to an end. She has led her country through four U.S. presidencies -- George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and now Joe Biden – and multiple global crises. How will history remember her time in power? And whom will Germans turn to now? Journalist Katrin Bennhold joins the show from Berlin to discuss.

As climate change, COVID-19, and migration crises hit the Americas, Colombia’s outgoing president finds himself defending his legacy. Having campaigned on economic growth, Iván Duque saw his country’s economy and employment hit hard by the pandemic. Meanwhile, a surge of migrants from Haiti and Venezuela are seeking refuge in Colombia. President Duque joins Christiane to discuss.

Kathryn Sherman has seen the story unfold in front of her eyes, working as a critical care nurse in Tennessee -- the state with the most COVID-19 cases per capita. In a piece for The Scientific American, Sherman wrote that “the patients don’t stop coming.” She speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about her experience caring for the sickest coronavirus patients.

President Biden’s multitrillion-dollar agenda is now in doubt as the progressive and moderate wings of the Democratic Party clash. At stake is a bipartisan infrastructure bill plus a spending package covering everything from climate to healthcare. Bianna speaks about this with former Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala and economist Betsey Stevenson.

“Only socialism can save China.” These were the words of Chinese leader Xi Jinping when the country’s Communist Party celebrated its centennial this summer. It’s now becoming clear that this vision is accompanied by a crackdown on the private sector and an effort to redistribute wealth. Lingling Wei has covered all this for The Wall Street Journal and joins the show to explain what's happening.

Elephants trampling across crop fields, birds getting sucked into jet engines, a jaywalking moose – these are the subjects of author Mary Roach’s new popular science book "Fuzz" -- an examination of “when nature breaks the law.” Roach joins the show to discuss her unusual findings.

As a marine infantry officer, Ian Cameron oversaw airstrikes which killed more than 300 Taliban members, but now wonders whether it even helped. He speaks with Hari Sreenivasan about the lessons he thinks must be learned from America’s failed war in Afghanistan.

Brazil’s health minister has tested positive for COVID-19, having already mingled with world leaders and shaken hands with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the UN General Assembly. To assess the situation, Christiane speaks with America’s Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

Qatar has emerged as a key player in the Gulf region, hosting negotiations between the Taliban and the U.S. and – since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban – reinforcing its status as a diplomatic hub for many western nations. To delve into the situation in Afghanistan and the role of Qatar, Christiane speaks with the country’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

President Biden addressed the U.N. General Assembly today, using his time at the podium to talk up alliances, global cooperation and the U.S. commitment to leadership. Meanwhile America's ally France, having been cut out of a submarine deal in the Pacific, is full of resentment over what they are calling a crisis and a breach of trust. Christiane speaks with two guests to discuss.

In his new book, "How to Talk to a Science Denier," Lee McIntyre examines how the anti-vaccine movement, climate-denial, the flat earth movement and other conspiracies have gained a dangerous foothold in society. He speaks with Michel Martin about what we can do as conspiracy theories gain ground.

Thousands of Haitian migrants are being met with force as they try to reach the U.S. after a series of disasters struck their homeland. To discuss the situation at the border and the systemic issues it exposes, Christiane speaks with immigration attorney Bridget Cambria, co-founder of Aldea, an advocacy group that provides legal and social services to vulnerable immigrants to the United States.

Written, directed by and starring former Twilight actor Justin Chon, the new film "Blue Bayou" follows a Korean-born adoptee fighting for the only life he’s ever known. Chon joins Hari Sreenivasan to discuss the Asian-American experience and representation in Hollywood.

The United Nations General Assembly week has kicked off in New York amid a tense global climate. France’s foreign minister is accusing the U.S., Australia and Britain of stabbing his country in the back with their recent deal on nuclear-powered submarines. To discuss all this, Christiane speaks exclusively with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

After the U.S. and NATO left Afghanistan, other governments are trying to figure out how to deal with the Taliban. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees is just back from a three day trip there and is sounding the alarm bells. He joins the show from the United Nations to explain how desperate the humanitarian situation has become.

Rising star Yola was born and raised in Bristol on England’s west coast, but her love of great classic pop inspired her to set down roots in Nashville. Her first album out of that city, "Walk with Fire," earned her four Grammy nominations, and her latest album," Stand for Myself," is on course to break out even bigger. She joins the show from Nashville.