Washington Week with The Atlantic

News and Public Affairs Series / 23 Seasons

Washington Week with The Atlantic is the longest-running primetime news and public affairs program on television. The show features a group of journalists participating in a roundtable discussion of major news events and can be found at 8pm ET on most local PBS stations.

Watch Latest: S2025 E16

26m 46s

May 20, 2011

S2011 E1400 / 24m 50s

After infighting between New Gingrich and fellow republicans, the panel examines the current field of GOP candidates. Also, the table reports on campaign fundraising efforts, the scandal rocking the IMF, and the President's clash with Israel's PM on the path to peace in the Mideast. Joining Gwen: Jeanne Cummings/POLITICO, Michael Duffy/TIME, Doyle McManus/Los Angeles Times, Eamon Javers/CNBC.

May 13, 2011

S2011 E1330 / 24m 51s

The impact of Osama bin Laden's death continues to ripple, straining the U.S.'s relationship with Pakistan. After a bump in the polls, Obama returns to domestic policy while the GOP presidential field adds a few more candidates. Joining Gwen: David Sanger, New York Times; Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Newspapers; John Dickerson, Slate/CBS News; Dan Balz, Washington Post.

May 6, 2011

S2011 E1260 / 24m 50s

After U.S. forces kill Osama bin Laden, America rejoices but the war on terror continues. The panel looks at the intelligence that led to bin Laden, the political and national security impact, and the strained US-Pakistan relationship. Joining guest host, Gloria Borger: James Kitfield, National Journal, Tom Gjelten, NPR, Peter Baker, New York Times, and Charles Babington, AP.

December 19, 2003

S2011 E1240 / 7m 19s

With the death of Osama bin Laden this week, we look back in the Vault to 2003 and the announcement--just 9-months after the start of the Iraq War--of the capture of former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein. Bin Laden's capture was also a major priority at that time.

April 29, 2011

S2011 E1190 / 24m 51s

Washington D.C. was busy this week with a national security team shuffle, newly published Wiki-leaks documents on Guantanamo Bay, the release of the President's long form birth certificate, and Ben Bernanke's first press conference. Joining Gwen: Mark Mazzetti, New York Times; Tom Gjelten, NPR; John Harwood, CNBC/New York Times; and Karen Tumulty, Washington Post.

April 3, 1992

S2011 E1170 / 7m 5s

With talk of a celebrity businessman thinking of running for President in 2012, we take a look back at 1992, when voter discontent helped propel another business billionaire into the race against President George Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton: Ross Perot.

April 22, 2011

S2011 E1120 / 24m 50s

With gas prices on the rise, an S&P report lowering America's credit outlook, continuing debate over the deficit and a stalemate in Libya, President Obama's approval numbers have declined just at the moment he launched his reelection campaign. Joining Gwen tonight: David Wessel/Wall Street Journal; Coral Davenport/National Journal; Dan Balz/Washington Post and Martha Raddatz/ABC News.

April 15, 2011

S2011 E1050 / 24m 52s

While President Obama and Rep. Paul Ryan both unveiled plans to cut $4 trillion from the national debt they continue to argue over how to do it. The GOP and Democrats continued to fight over America's deficit, from taxes to overhauling Medicare and Medicaid. This week: Susan Davis, National Journal; Jeff Zeleny, New York Times; Janet Hook, Wall Street Journal; John Harwood, CNBC/NY Times.

April 8, 2011

S2011 E980 / 24m 51s

With a $39 billion spending cut agreed upon, the possibility of a government shutdown is finally over. The panel discusses why leaders of neither side wanted a shutdown in the first place, and how their constituents may feel. Joining Gwen Ifill: John Dickerson, Slate Magazine/CBS News; Michael Duffy, TIME Magazine; and Jeanne Cummings, Politico.

Vault: November 17, 1995

S2011 E960 / 13m 4s

Four days into the government shutdown of 1995, the focus was on how to resolve the stalemate and where the political blame would be laid, on President Bill Clinton or new House GOP Leader Newt Gingrich. The arguments sound familiar: the deficit and balancing the budget.

April 1, 2011

S2011 E910 / 24m 20s

Encouraging new unemployment figures arrive as Congress debates the budget and tries to avoid a government shutdown. Also, the U.S. hands over some military control in Libya to NATO. Plus, the panel looks at the 2012 GOP hopefuls. Joining Gwen Ifill: Yochi Dreazen, National Journal; Greg Ip, The Economist; Naftali Bendavid, The Wall Street Journal; and Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post.

Vault: April 23, 1993

S2011 E890 / 5m 52s

As debate rages about U.S. involvement in Libya this week, we step back to 1993 when many of the same concerns were being expressed about intervening in Bosnia. Distress over charges of ethnic cleansing on the one hand coupled with whether the U.S. could get involved in an open-ended military conflict on the heels of an economic down-turn here at home dominated the debate.

March 25, 2011

S2011 E840 / 24m 18s

One week after the U.S. military began bombing Libya, NATO has agreed to take control over the no-fly-zone. But with Gadhafi still in charge and mixed signals on how to define success, the Obama administration is being criticized from all sides. Joining Gwen: Helene Cooper, New York Times, Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, John Dickerson, Slate Magazine and CBS News and Gloria Borger, CNN.

March 18, 2011

S2011 E770 / 21m 43s

President Obama and the U.N. warn Moammar Gadhafi to stop military action against rebels or face consequences. Meanwhile, after the earthquake, tsunami and partial nuclear plant meltdown in Japan, the U.S. reviews nuclear safety and a look at the global economic impact of the disaster. Joining Gwen, Tom Gjelten, NPR, Coral Davenport, National Journal, and David Wessel, Wall Street Journal.

Friday, March 11, 2011

S2011 E700 / 21m 43s

The panel looks at the developments in Libya, rising gas prices, the battles over the federal budget and the US assistance after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Plus, we look at the life of our colleague and longtime Washington Week panelist, David Broder. Gwen is joined by Dan Balz, The Washington Post, Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times and Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post.

March 4, 2011

S2011 E630 / 21m 43s

As Democrats and Republicans debate spending cuts for the 2011 and 2012 budgets, the Obama administration also focuses on the continuing unrest in Libya. Also, the Supreme Court makes a controversial first amendment ruling, siding with a provacative Kansas church. Joining Gwen Ifill: John Harwood, CNBC & The NY Times; James Kitfield, National Journal; and Joan Biskupic, USA Today.

Vault: Dec 30, 1983

S2011 E610 / 7m 53s

As 1983 came to an end, signs that the recession of the early 80s was starting to subside. One result: organized labor began to make concessions just to save jobs. Washington Week focused on the economy and attitudes of Americans going into 1984.

February 25, 2011

S2011 E560 / 24m 18s

With continuing violence in Libya, Martha Raddatz (ABC News) reports on President Obama's response toward an unstable Moammar Gadhafi. Also, Major Garrett (National Journal) & Karen Tumulty (Washington Post) analyze polarization in Washington and state capitols during dramatic budget showdowns. And, Pete Williams (NBC News) on the administration's new stance toward the Defense of Marriage Act.

February 18, 2011

S2011 E490 / 24m 21s

Spreading unrest in Bahrain causes a military crackdown while tensions in Yemen and Iran flair up. The Obama administration urges democratic reform while trying to protect strategic relationships. At home, Republicans and Democrats fight over federal budget priorities. Gwen is joined by Doyle McManus, LA Times; Jim Sciutto, ABC News; Jeanne Cummings, POLITICO; and John Dickerson, Slate/CBS News.

February 4, 2011

S2011 E350 / 24m 19s

Protests in Egypt continue into their 2nd week, with escalating violence and dissent spreading in the Middle East. After urging from the U.S., Egyptian President Mubarak said he will not run for re-election, but pressure remains for him to resign immediately. This week: David Sanger, NY Times; Martha Raddatz, ABC News; Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Newspapers; and James Kitfield, National Journal.

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