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 E20

26m 45s

December 31, 2010

S2010 E3650 / 23m 37s

Will a new year bring more bipartisanship and less gridlock to Washington? This week, Michael Duffy (TIME Magazine), Todd Purdum (Vanity Fair), Karen Tumulty (Washington Post), and David Wessel (Wall Street Journal) join Gwen to discuss the major political stories of 2010 and the issues to watch in 2011 including a new Congress, legal challenges to health care reform, and the economic recovery.

December 24, 2010

S2010 E3580 / 23m 37s

During a very busy last week of the lame-duck session, Congress repeals "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and passes the START treaty as well as additional benefits for 9/11 first responders and survivors. But not everything President Obama wanted from Congress came to pass. Joining Gwen: Peter Baker (NY Times), Dan Balz (Washington Post), Gloria Borger (CNN) and Susan Davis (National Journal).

December 17, 2010

S2010 E3510 / 23m 37s

Congress passes a tax deal compromise; the administration's assessment of the war in Afghanistan; and could a Federal judge's ruling jeopardize the Obama's healthcare overhaul? Plus, the legacy of diplomat Richard Holbrooke. Joining Gwen this week: Janet Hook (Wall Street Journal), Pete Williams (NBC News), Martha Raddatz (ABC News), and Doyle McManus, (LA Times).

Vault: September 22, 1995

S2010 E3500 / 5m 16s

This week in 1995, U.S. Diplomat Richard Holbrooke brokered a deal with the warring factions in Bosnia which included American troops serving as peacekeepers. It received a cool reception in Congress. Three months later, President Clinton got bipartisan support and the peace accord was signed.

December 10, 2010

S2010 E3440 / 23m 36s

House Democrats turned against President Obama because of his tax compromise with the GOP. Gwen Ifill discusses the deadlock in the current lame duck congress with Jackie Calmes (NY Times) Charles Babington (Associated Press) and Lori Montgomery (Washington Post). Also, Tom Gjelten (NPR) reports on the latest news surrounding the WikiLeaks disclosures, including the arrest of Julian Assange.

December 03, 2010

S2010 E3370 / 21m 1s

President Obama visits Afghanistan while conflict continues at home over tax cuts, jobless benefits and cutting the deficit. Yochi Dreazen (National Journal) discusses Obama's surprise trip to Afghanistan. John Harwood (CNBC & NY Times) details the fights between Obama and the GOP on taxes. Doyle McManus (LA Times) reports on the effects of the new secretive document disclosure from WikiLeaks.

November 26, 2010

S2010 E3300 / 22m 34s

There's a full plate for Washington after the Thanksgiving break with challenges at home & abroad. Peter Baker (New York Times) on domestic and foreign policy issues for President Obama; John Dickerson (Slate Magazine and CBS News) on Sarah Palin's 2012 ambitions; & Joan Biskupic (USA Today) on cases of immigration and veterans' rights before a Supreme Court with a new justice on the bench.

November 19, 2010

S2010 E3230 / 23m 37s

Conflict looms in Washington over tax cuts, the budget, and a nuclear arms treaty. Janet Hook (Wall Street Journal) & John Harwood (CNBC & NY Times) analyze the biggest issues before Congress, and the public's perceptions of the new Washington. David Sanger (NY Times) discusses the troubled new START treaty & Pete Williams (NBC News) on the civilian trial of Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Ghailani.

November 12, 2010

S2010 E3160 / 23m 36s

Election fallout continues: the President faces challenges abroad and George W. Bush focuses on his legacy. Jackie Calmes (NY Times) on the deficit commission's draft proposals, Naftali Bendavid (Wall Street Journal) examines leadership battles in Congress, Tom Gjelten (NPR) analyzes the global economy as Mr. Obama travels to Asia, and Martha Raddatz (ABC News) on the Bush memoir.

November 5, 2010

S2010 E3090 / 23m 36s

Analysis of the election fallout, newly divided Congress, possible partisan gridlock and power plays on Capitol Hill, plus Washington Week remembers long-time panelist Charles McDowell. Covering the remarkable political week: Michael Duffy (Time Magazine), Peter Baker (The New York Times), Karen Tumulty (Washington Post) and John Harris (Politico).

October 29, 2010

S2010 E3020 / 23m 36s

With just days until the elections, candidates unleash a final avalanche of accusations and ads. A look at the landscape and the final push to energize voters. Dan Balz (Washington Post), Jeanne Cummings (Politico), Major Garrett (National Journal) & Jeff Zeleny (New York Times) report on races to watch, unprecedented campaign spending, & look ahead to the post-Election Day political landscape.

October 22, 2010

S2010 E2950 / 23m 35s

Accusations and attack ads abound as midterm races get down to the wire. Karen Tumulty (Washington Post) reports on California's contentious elections, Doyle McManus (Los Angeles Times) analyzes the too-close-to-call PA Senate race, Charles Babington (AP) discusses Obama's last-minute campaign blitz. And Kate Zernike (New York Times) looks at the Tea Party's impact on the 2010 elections.

October 1, 2010

S2010 E2740 / 24m 45s

The White House and both parties face a critical month ahead as Congress leaves Washington and the midterm campaigns begin in earnest. Joining Gwen to discuss the uncertainty facing Democrats, the President hits the campaign trail and Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel exits: Gloria Borger (CNN), Jeff Zeleny (New York Times), Susan Davis (National Journal) & Christi Parsons (Chicago Tribune).

September 24, 2010

S2010 E2670 / 24m 43s

The recession officially ended 15 months ago, but Americans don't believe it's over. Jackie Calmes (New York Times) and Naftali Bendavid (Wall Street Journal) discuss the Dem & GOP election-year strategies on the economy. Nancy Youssef (McClatchy Newspapers) has details of the 'Don't Ask-Don't Tell' vote in the Senate. Tom Gjelten (NPR) on the UN speeches from both the US and Iranian presidents.

September 17, 2010

S2010 E2600 / 24m 44s

Little-known, Tea Party-backed candidate Christine O'Donnell surprisingly won the GOP Senate nomination in Delaware this week. Was it another reminder that establishment, Washington-connected politicians are in trouble, and will it be a "wave election" this year? Dan Balz (Washington Post), John Dickerson (SLATE & CBS), Jeanne Cummings (Politico) & John Harwood (CNBC & New York Times) join Gwen.

September 10, 2010

S2010 E2530 / 24m 42s

Anxiety, fear, insecurity illustrated by continued slow economic growth, looming mid-terms elections and a Florida pastor's threats to burn the Quran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks made for an unsettled week in Washington. Joining Gwen around the table: Jackie Calmes (New York Times), David Wessel (Wall Street Journal), Karen Tumulty (Washington Post) and Michael Duffy (TIME Magazine).

September 3, 2010

S2010 E2460 / 24m 45s

This week, the President characterized the end of US combat in Iraq as turning the page. But what does the next chapter include? Fixing the economy looms large, mid-term elections are around the corner & Mid-East peace is also on the agenda. Joining Gwen: Dan Balz (Washington Post); Deborah Solomon (Wall Street Journal); Doyle McManus (LA Times) & John Dickerson (SLATE Magazine & CBS News).

August 27, 2010

S2010 E2390 / 24m 47s

Outsiders make news in AK & FL primaries, while John McCain bucked the trend in AZ. The war of words on the economy heats up as House GOP Leader John Boehner fires the latest salvo. And federal funding of embryonic stem cell research is halted. Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post; Charles Babington of the Associated Press; Eamon Javers of CNBC; and Pete Williams of NBC News join Gwen.

August 20, 2010

S2010 E2320 / 25m 19s

The US tries to jump-start the Middle-East peace process; American combat troops wind up their mission in Iraq; campaign fundraising kicks into high gear for the mid-term elections; and is America Islamophobic? Joining Gwen tonight: Helene Cooper of the NY Times, Martha Raddatz of ABC News, Jeanne Cummings of POLITICO and Michael Duffy of TIME Magazine.

August 13, 2010

S2010 E2250 / 25m 21s

Reading the tea leaves on this week's primary election results, the uproar about Defense Secretary Robert Gates cutting his budget and a look at whether Washington works. Joining Gwen: Dan Balz of the Washington Post, Charles Babington of the Associated Press, Nancy Youssef of McClatchy Newspapers, and Todd Purdum of Vanity Fair.

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