Power, Faith, and Fearless Voices: From Busan to Belgrade
As President Trump concludes his high-stakes tour of Asia, former Deputy oNational Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger joins Christiane to discuss what went right, and wrong, in his meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping. Then, the Bishop of Washington, Mariann Budde, author of ‘We Can Be Brave’, speaks with Christiane about learning to be courageous and even challenging a president. One year after a deadly railway station collapse in Serbia sparked mass protests, Christiane examines the government’s ongoing crackdown on press freedom. Former CNN Cairo Bureau Chief Gayle Young reflects on her journalism career in a new memoir “Update” and revisits her groundbreaking report on female genital mutilation that helped drive change in Egypt. From Christiane’s archive, a look back at Algeria’s brutal civil war, and the journalists who were targeted during it. And finally, as Mexico marks Dia de los Muertos, a visit to an extraordinary monument celebrating the country’s Aztec roots.
Air date: November 1, 2025
Guests:
Matthew Pottinger
Mariann Budde
Gayle Young
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'We Can Be Brave'
Professors and students afraid to speak freely on college campuses ... federal workers afraid of losing their jobs ... LGBTQ+ groups afraid of rights rollbacks ... immigrants afraid of raids and mass deportations. For many, the opening act of President Trump’s second term has been defined by fear. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington and author of “We Can Be Brave” joins the show to explain how she hopes children will find their own moments of courage.
Also on today's show: Space Shuttle Commander Eileen Collins; Andrew Jarecki & Charlotte Kaufman, Co-directors, "The Alabama Solution"
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Trump Orders Nuclear Weapons Tests
President Trump's long-awaited meeting with China's Xi Jinping has resulted in some success or both sides, with agreements on rare earth minerals and tariffs. But while these deals may be a welcome sign of diplomatic engagement, Trump's unexpected order to start nuclear weapons testing again, for the first time in 30 years, grabbed the bigger headlines. Matt Pottinger was Trump's Deputy National Security Adviser during his first term, and he joins the program from Utah.
Also on today's show: Patrick Gaspard, confidant of NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani; author Julia Ioffe ("Motherland")
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Cracks in the Ceasefire
Gaza has seen its deadliest day since the ceasefire began just over two weeks ago. The Israeli strikes come after Israel accused Hamas of an attack that killed an IDF soldier and allegedly staging the discovery of a deceased hostage. But Hamas says it has "no connection" to the attack and remains committed to the deal. To discuss, former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas joins Christiane from Tel Aviv.
Also on today's show: Mustafa Barghouti, President, Palestinian National Initiative; journalist/historian Garrett Graff; author Michael McFaul, former US Ambassador to Russia
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'Storm of the Century' Hits Jamaica
The strongest storm of the year, Hurricane Melissa, has hit Jamaica. Called the "storm of the century" by the UN, it's a Category 5 with winds of 180 miles per hour. The National Hurricane Center is warning of landslides, catastrophic flash flooding and gusts that may cause total structural failure. Marva-Allen Simms, who works for a partner of the humanitarian organization CARE, joins the show to discuss.
Also on today's show: Meteorologist/atmospheric scientist John Morales; Sudan analyst Shayna Lewis & Arjan Hehenkamp, Darfur Crisis Lead for the IRC; Washington Post reporter David Ovalle
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