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

Will two new Democratic candidates join the 2016 race?

5m 44s

As rumors swirl about more Democrats jumping into the 2016 campaign, Karen Tumulty and John Harwood discuss a potentially growing field. Harwood says that once a person has the desire to be president, it's hard to shake it. But while Biden is preserving his options, it's unlikely he'll actually jump into the race. Plus, is there political solution for Syria on the horizon?

First GOP Debate Draws Record Audience

22m 39s

Republican presidential contenders went toe-to-toe with frontrunner Donald Trump in 2016's first debate. Who was able to break through the fray? Dan Balz of The Washington Post, John Dickerson of CBS News and Jeanne Cummings of The Wall Street Journal break down the debate's highs and lows and analyze the role of The Donald in the 2016 season.

GOP Happy Hour Debate & Jeb's Planned Parenthood Misspeak

9m 14s

While the top ten Republicans debated in primetime, the seven other candidates tried to break out of the bottom tier in a forum dubbed by many the "happy hour debate." Who was able to take on the top ten and increase their standing heading into the next debate in September?

Countdown to First GOP Debate & Congress' Unresolved Issues

25m 16s

The first Republican presidential debate is less than a week away, and many are speculating about the role businessman Donald Trump will play as he leads the GOP field. Which Republicans will be on the stage to take on Trump? Plus, Congress is heading out of town for its five-week summer recess while leaving some major issues unresolved.

Hillary Dodges Keystone & A Challenge to John Boehner

6m 45s

A new Pew Study shows that Republican trust the presidency has never been at a lower point. Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton -citing conflicts from her tenure as secretary of State- dodges questions about whether the controversial Keystone oil pipeline should be built. And House Speaker John Boehner is fighting off a lone Republican congressman trying to remove him from his position of power.

Donald Trump's Impact on the Crowded GOP Field

25m 13s

Donald Trump sits atop the Republican presidential field for president, but how do the businessman's loud and spirited exchanges with his GOP opponents affect the race? How is the Trump campaign overshadowing newer Republican entrants into the field? Plus, will another potential email probe dampen Hillary Clinton's credibility and political aspirations?

How Democrats are Navigating Black Lives Matter

7m 47s

Racial justice concerning the Black Lives Movement came center stage during the Democratic presidential campaign this week when candidates Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley were met with protesters as the Netroots National town hall. How are the Democratic candidates navigating issues of race and justice and keeping their base happy?

Behind the Scenes at the Iran Talks & Donald Trump's Money

9m 12s

Over months of negotiations at the Iran nuclear talks, several key players are people you've never heard of including the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Ali Akbar Salehi. David Sanger explains the vital role he played. Plus, Indira Lakshmanan reports on the intense negotiations between Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif.

Massive Government Data Breach & Donald Trump Unnerves GOP

25m 16s

After the personal data of 21 million federal employees and their families was stolen, the director of the Office of Personnel Management resigned Friday. CNBC's John Harwood reports. The Confederate flag is no longer flying on the grounds of the South Carolina State House. Plus, Donald Trump's controversial comments about immigration have Republican Party leaders wondering how to respond.

Nikki Haley's Popularity Grows and the Ex-Im Bank Standstill

7m 55s

South Carolina Gov Nikki Haley's impassioned fight to remove the Confederate flag has seemingly raised her political capital. Karen Tumulty talks about the attention she's receiving. A procedural tactic to reestablish the Export-Import Bank legislation will be added to the highway spending bill. And Gen. Joe Dunford's assessment that Russia is the top military threat to the United States.

Victories for Obama Help Fight "Lame Duck" Status

25m 17s

Obama looks to renew ties to Cuba with a new embassy in Havana. His approval numbers are at 2 year high after several administration victories in June. Peter Baker of The New York Times explains how Obama is fighting his lame duck status. Chris Christie, Bobby Jindal and Jim Webb are the latest candidates to join the presidential race, and Donald Trump lands in hot water.

Nationwide Same-Sex Marriage, Latest Clinton Email Release

9m 37s

The Atlantic's Molly Ball dives in to the decades-long battle that led to the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage. The New York Times' Peter Baker gives us a glimpse of Hillary Clinton's tenure as Secretary of State after the latest round of emails was released. And CNN's Jeff Zeleny explains the fundraising hauls of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare & Same-Sex Marriage

24m 31s

The Supreme Court delivered two major decisions this week by upholding the Affordable Care Act for second time and affirming the right to marry for gay couples nationwide. Pete Williams of NBC News and Joan Biskupic of Reuters examine the legal and political ramifications surrounding these major decisions. President Obama delivered traveled to Charleston to deliver the eulogy for the pastor k

Obama Eulogizes Charleston Pastor and The Race Card Project

10m 16s

Obama’s stirring rendition of “Amazing Grace” celebrates the lives of the Charleston shooting victims as he eulogized Emmanuel AME pastor and congressman Clementa Pinckney. NPR’s Michele Norris discusses race relations in America along with a gut check of American feelings on the shooting through her venture “The Race Card Project.”

Charleston Church Shooting, House Revives Trade Bill

24m 32s

The Justice Department launched a hate crimes investigation into the mass shooting at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C., that left nine people dead. NPR's Carrie Johnson reports on President Obama's calls for a shift in how the U.S. thinks about gun violence. In Congress, GOP leaders worked with the White House to pass fast-trade trade authority after Democrats blocked the initial bill.

Hostage Policy Review, Defense Authorization

8m 9s

Next week, it’s anticipated that the administration will release the review of its hostage policy. Foreign Policy’s Yochi Dreazen previews what to expect. Why hack the Houston Astros?

ISIS Bride Captured, White House Press Evacuated

7m 17s

In Syria, a senior ISIS leader is dead and his wife was taken into U.S. military custody. What’s next for her? Nancy Youssef of The Daily Beast reports. Plus, a bomb threat forces press members to evacuate the White House Briefing Room.

Senate Compromises on Trade Bill

24m 32s

Senate leaders compromised on a deal to fast-track President Barack Obama’s trade initiative after Senate Democrats rejected the president’s original proposal. Manu Raju of POLITICO explains how the compromise came together.

Marco Rubio’s Foreign Policy

9m 32s

This week, 2016 Republican candidate Marco Rubio delivered a foreign policy speech at the Council on Foreign Relations. How does his foreign policy agenda fit with the Republican Party? Potential Republican candidate Jeb Bush was caught up in his brother's legacy with the Iraq War, and other GOP hopefuls distanced themselves from George W. Bush's decisions.

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