Washington Week with The Atlantic

News and Public Affairs Series / 22 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: S2024 E45

26m 46s

Court Rules Against NSA Data Collection

24m 34s

A federal appeals court ruled hat the NSA bulk collection of telephone call information is illegal. The court said that information can only be gathered when there is something specific to investigate.

ISIS Recruits Through Social Networking

9m 29s

This week, the FBI outlined the ways ISIS is using social media to do its recruiting. Pierre Thomas of ABC News reports on the tactics ISIS is using to reach people around the world. Attackers at an anti-Muslim event in Texas attempted to establish ties to ISIS. NBC News’ Pete Williams details the attacker’s motivation.

Iran Nuclear Agreement, NJ Senator Charged with Corruption

23m 57s

After weeks of marathon talks in Switzerland, world leaders reached a preliminary agreement on the future shape of Iran's nuclear program. Indira Lakshmanan of Bloomberg News just returned from the talks and debriefs on the terms of the deal that include limitations on Iran's nuclear capabilities and a lifting of economic sanctions.

Harry Reid Announces Retirement, U.S. Troop Drawdown

23m 58s

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid made a surprise announcement Friday that he will not run for re-election in Nevada in 2016 which set off discussions inside the Democratic leadership about who will replace the long-time leader. Also this week, President Obama met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and announced that 9,800 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan through the end of the year.

Netanyahu Re-Elected in Israel, Nuclear Talks with Iran

23m 59s

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pulled off a strong victory in his re-election bid this week. POLITICO's Michael Crowley reports on Netanyahu's win and the impact on Palestianian peace talks and Obama's fractured relationship with Netanyahu. Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry continued negotiations with Iran over the nation's nuclear program.

Secret Service Security Breaches, Hillary Clinton's Email

21m 21s

In the latest embarrassment for the agency tasked with protecting the president, two Secret Service agents are being investigated for driving a vehicle into a White House security barricade while under the influence of alcohol. The agents allegedly drove into an active bomb investigation, nearly missing a suspicious package.

DOJ's Ferguson Report; Supreme Court's Obamacare Challenge

21m 22s

The Justice Department released a “scathing” report on the systemic racial bias of the Ferguson Police Department. One person has already been fired, but what lasting changes will be made? At the Supreme Court, the justices are once again considering a challenge to the Affordable Care Act. This challenge centers are just 4 words but could impact millions of Americans.

Homeland Security Funding Fight in Congress

21m 22s

In the hours before funding for the Department of Homeland Security was set to run out, the House of Representatives failed to pass a 3-week stopgap measure. CNBC's John Harwood and NPR's Juana Summers explain the Congressional holdup. Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopefuls converged outside Washington for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference.

Countering Violent Extremism as ISIS Threat Expands

23m 57s

This Week, ISIS expanded its reach to North Africa where 21 Egyptian Christians were beheaded. At the same time, the White House held a violent extremism summit where President Obama rejected calling the group “Islamic.” The Daily Beast's Nancy Youssef and POLITICO's Michael Crowley report on the group's expansion and why the words used to describe ISIS fighters really matters.

Obama Requests War Powers, Ceasefire Begins in Ukraine

23m 58s

President Obama has formally asked Congress for war powers to fight Islamic State militants, but his request is being met with resistance. Republicans think Obama's three-year proposal is too restrictive with limits on his power, while Democrats want a ban on ground troops. And in Ukraine, a ceasefire deal negotiated by European leaders takes effect this weekend.

Fighting the Islamic State, U.S. Considers Arming Ukraine

23m 58s

This week, Islamic State militants released a video showing the barbaric execution of a Jordanian pilot held captive since December. As Jordan stepped up its fight against ISIS, the terrorist group reported that a Jordanian airstrike killed an American aid worker being held hostage. Doyle McManus reports on the global reaction to a particularly gruesome week of fighting.

Mitt Romney Bows Out of 2016, The Republican Congress Fights

23m 54s

2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced that he will not seek the nomination again in 2016. What does this mean for the rest of the 2016 field? Who benefits?

The State of the Union Impact at Home & Abroad

23m 58s

President Obama's State of the Union was met with pushback from the Republican-controlled Congress, but where is there room for compromise on the president's 2015 legislative agenda? Alexis Simendinger and Ed O'Keefe report on the president's proposals for community college and trade as well as the Republican opposition.

European Terror Attacks, Nuclear Talks with Iran

23m 59s

Reverberations from the terror attack in Paris continued this week as dozens of arrests have been made, and Europe remains on heightened alert. Plus, nuclear talks with Iran continue, and President Obama is threatening to veto legislation imposing more sanctions on Iran saying they would derail progress. The Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of same-sex marriage.

Tackling Ebola Anxiety, Same-Sex Marriage Surge

24m 52s

Alexis Simendinger explores how the U.S. government is tackling Ebola globally and allaying national concerns about the virus. Also, Pete Williams reports on the immediate impact of the Supreme Court's decision to reject any same-sex marriage cases. Gloria Borger interviewed former CIA head Leon Panetta on his recent memoir and criticism of Obama. Plus, Karen Tumulty reports on the “wild card” rac

Obama's Strategy to Combat ISIS and Immigration Reform Delay

25m 21s

Analysis of President Obama's anti-terror strategy, Congress' outlook, and the U.S. public opinion toward the threat from ISIS. Also, why has Obama put immigration reform on the backburner? Joining Gwen Ifill: James Kitfield; National Journal; Ed O'Keefe, The Washington Post; Molly Ball, The Atlantic; and Carrie Budoff Brown, POLITICO.

NATO Summit & U.S. Strategy to Combat ISIL and Contain Ukrai

25m 22s

Our reporters' roundtable explores President Obama's strategy to unite NATO to combat and destroy the threat of ISIL in Iraq and find a solution to the Ukraine-Russia crisis. Also, will Congress support Obama's foreign policy strategy? Joining guest moderator John Harwood of CNBC and The New York Times: Indira Lakshmanan, Bloomberg News; Yochi Dreazen, Foreign Policy Magazine; John Dickerson, Slat

ISIL Executes Foley; Holder in Ferguson; Perry Indicted

25m 21s

The ISIL threat and President Obama's response following the execution of journalist James Foley; Attorney General Holder visits Ferguson, Plus, the felony indictment against Texas Governor Rick Perry. Joining Gwen: Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Newspapers; Indira Lakshmanan, Bloomberg News, Pierre Thomas, ABC News; Amy Walter, Cook Political Report.

Missouri Teen Shooting, Upheaval in Iraq, Obama-Hillary Rela

22m 33s

The investigation into the shooting death of an unarmed Missouri teen, the fast-changing developments in Iraq and the status of the U.S. humanitarian rescue mission, and the reported rift between Hillary Clinton and President Obama over U.S. foreign policy. Joining Gwen: Yochi Dreazen, Foreign Policy Magazine; Carrie Johnson, NPR; Jeff Zeleny, ABC News

U.S. Begins Airstrikes in Iraq, Kerry Visits Afghanistan and

22m 45s

The U.S. has started military engagement in Northern Iraq, Secy. John Kerry is in Afghanistan to push for a national election resolution, and the latest public opinion polls show Americans remain frustrated with the government. Joining Gwen: Nancy Youssef, McClatchy Paper; Michael Crowley; Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times; Amy Walter, Cook Political Report.

Supported by