Amanpour

From the very start of his war with Iran, Donald Trump never laid out a coherent exit strategy. The regional implications have been massive: a complete upheaval all over the Middle East with Gulf allies of the US dragged into a war they wanted no part in. Retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal led US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and before that, as Special Forces Commander in Iraq he led the mission to kill Al-Qaeda leader Abu Musab Al-Zaraqawi. McChrystal joins Christiane from Washington. 

Also on today's show: Palestinian Aziz Abu Sarah & Israeli Maoz Inon on their new book, "The Future is Peace"; author Michael Pollan on his new book, "A World Appears: A Journey into Consciousness" 

 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The public dispute between Donald Trump and Pope Leo continues. For perspective on this unexpected development, we turn today to one of America's most influential cardinals -- and the pope's staunch ally -Archbishop of Chicago Blase Cupich. 

Also on today's show: author Nicholas Enrich ("Into the Woodchipper"); journalist/author Joanne Lipman ("That's What She Said"); Ukrainian journalist Alyona Synenko 

 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The world energy supply continues to be choked by both Iran and America's blockades on the Strait of Hormuz. Americans are feeling the economic pinch, and the polls are looking less favorable for President Trump. What's more, this war is draining support from his MAGA base. One of the most vocal in her disappointment is former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. She is now calling for the president's removal and joins the show from Georgia. 

Also on today's show: Muhammad Saeed, Fmr. Chief of General Staff, Pakistani Army; Daniel Yergin, Vice Chairman, S&P Global 

 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel and Lebanon are meeting in Washington in their highest-level direct talks in more than 40 years. But the gaps of disagreement are wide, and any progress could be dashed by the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, which says it won't abide by any agreement in the meeting. For the Lebanese people grappling with loss and displacement, there's little hope negotiations will herald change. Health care workers have also been victims in this war - since early March, dozens of medics have been killed in Israeli strikes. MSF volunteers have been working across three major hospitals in Lebanon, and their emergency coordinator Christopher Stokes joins the show from Beirut. 

Also on today's show: Haaretz military analyst Amos Harel; Sudanese entrepreneur and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim; actor Andrew McCarthy 

 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Putting the blame on failed peace talks squarely on Iran, President Trump ordered the US Navy to impose a blockade on Iranian ports, threatening to sink any Iranian ships that come near them. This move is intended to deal a devastating blow to Iran's already frail economy, but the country's top negotiator shrugged it off and warned American consumers they'd soon be "nostalgic" for lower gas prices. Joining the show to discuss all this is Danny Citrinowicz, a Senior Fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch of Israeli military intelligence. 

Also on today's show: Former US House Republican Adam Kinzinger; Former US Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman; author A. Mechele Dickerson 

 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices