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Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files

Global
Donald Trump
Iran
Israel
Gaza
Ukraine
United States
Russia
Venezuela
Trump Administration
Trump
NATO
China
Middle East
Strait Of Hormuz
European Union
Hamas
Epstein Files
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Vladimir Putin
Nuclear Weapons

World-renowned journalist Christiane Amanpour and ex-husband Jamie Rubin, a former US State Department official, unpack today’s defining global crises. Drawing on decades of insider experience in global affairs, reporting from conflict zones, and grilling world leaders, they explain how we ended up where we are – and where we might be going. Forget about a new world order – right now, there’s no w... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes113Foundeda year ago
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NewsGovernment

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Latest Episodes

Nearly four months after the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, how are the many Asian countries dependent on its oil managing? Christiane and Jamie also discuss the US's potential decline as a world power, and its success as host of the FIFA World Cup ... more

Putin has publicly admitted that Ukraine's strikes are causing real damage inside Russia. With fuel being rationed in Siberia and supplies in Crimea running out, Christiane and Jamie discuss how worried Putin is, and whether this is the beginning of ... more

Christiane and Jamie contrast the political accountability between presidential and parliamentary systems - why does Donald Trump remain while Keir Starmer falls?

Plus, could Syria, Lebanon, and Israel ever cooperate to eradicate Hezbollah? Or has t... more

The US and Iran have held their first round of peace talks, but has there really been any progress? Is Tehran actually likely to allow nuclear inspectors back in? And has Trump's approach left America in a weaker negotiating position than when this a... more

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Recent Guests

Sir Tony Blair
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Government of the United Kingdom
Episode: Q&A: The Pope’s AI warning, Iran at the World Cup & is Russia still meddling in US politics?
Reza Pahlavi
Son of the late Shah of Iran, a leading figure among Iranian opposition movements
Iranian Opposition
Episode: Will Trump strike Iran, again?
Geraldine Brooks
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist
Episode: Iran talks, Trump's election interference & ICE 'thuggery'
Billie Jean King
Tennis champion and activist for gender equality in sports
Episode: Billie Jean King: tennis, activism, and the fight for equality
Tina Brown
Legendary editor and writer of Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and The Daily Beast.
Fresh Hell
Episode: Breaking the MAGA spell & a NATO doctrine for journalists? Tina Brown on a turbulent 2025
Ahmad al-Sharah
President of Syria following the fall of the Assad regime
Episode: Does Trump's security strategy paint Europe as the enemy?
Esther Perel
World-renowned couples therapist and podcaster.
Where Shall We Begin? Podcast
Episode: Esther Perel: why the world is more divided than ever
Ernie Moniz
Former U.S. Energy Secretary and head of the Nuclear Threat Initiative
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Episode: Q&A: Could Trump invade Canada & has the US lost its soft power?

Hosts

Christiane Amanpour
World-renowned journalist who brings decades of frontline reporting, editorial rigor, and global perspective to foreign affairs.
Jamie Rubin
Former US State Department official with insight into policy-making, diplomacy, and government operations; co-host with a pragmatic, policy-oriented lens.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 733 ratings
  • Epstein

    Jamie, they were not women… they were children/girls when they were abused! That language is part of the problem! They were CHILDREN!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GoatLeo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enjoy the hosts’ knowledge and dynamic

    The hosts are both very knowledgeable and well spoken. They shed light on important situations and have a great dynamic between them. I enjoy listening to their thoughts on things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WanderBeatles
    United States2 months ago
  • Addicted

    I first learned of this podcast when Christiane went on Jon Stewart’s one. Curiosity peaked, I started listening; the combined expertise of both her & Jamie just radiates through the speakers. I was also lucky enough to get my question answered the very first time I submitted one. They speak about foreign policy with compassion & relating it back to the people affected, not just facts & figures. Both eminently likeable people to listen to, their humanity is a real draw.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnimalMad_Eng
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Enjoy it

    I enjoy listening to the exes and their chemistry. I wait for the day Christiane doesn’t interrupt Jamie and it just never happens. Cannot resist. Also never misses a chance to trash Israel no matter what. That’s been for her entire career. Jamie, why do you let her?

    Not everything she says is the gospel tho she thinks it is. You can still be a feminist & not be so very competitive all the time. Jeez.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    journoMomx4
    United States3 months ago
  • Needed Especially Now

    I always learn a great deal from each podcast, but especially now because of their individual areas of expertise. Thank you for all your hard work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnninFlorida
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many listeners appreciate deep dives into international crises beyond surface-level coverage.
The dynamic between Christiane and Jamie is often praised for informed, civil, nuanced discussions.
Listeners value the hosts' credibility and insider perspective on geopolitics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#143
Italy/News
Apple Podcasts
#166
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#69
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#76
India/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Q&A: Musk the trilionaire, the two-state solution and is Trump cashing in?
Q: Do you think there is any prospect of the United States introducing a social media ban for kids or any kind of restrictions at all?
They discuss a move toward stronger child protections and filtering, noting it as a step in the right direction, but caution that effective implementation will vary by country and is unlikely to be perfect in any jurisdiction. They emphasize the need for mechanisms to reduce harm while protecting free expression.
Q&A: Musk the trilionaire, the two-state solution and is Trump cashing in?
Q: Some analysts argue that Trump's final term is driven more by transactional interests than ideology. Without the prospect of re-election, to what extent are his decisions shaped by personal interests rather than the long-term interests of the US or the MAGA movement?
The hosts argue that Trump has not displayed a consistent ideology and often pursues a transactional, business-oriented approach, with influence from wealth and networks. They note rough alignment with MAGA at times, but contend that his calculations are frequently driven by power, money, and family interests rather than principled political doctrine.
Q&A: Trump’s dealmaking “mastery”, capitalism vs democracy & do sanctions work?
Q: Tim on YouTube asks whether unchecked capitalism contributed to moral decline in the U.S. and what Trump's electoral success says about attitudes toward leadership?
The response is that unchecked capitalism has contributed to a perceived moral decline and widening inequality, with money in politics shaping outcomes; yet they also note Trump's rise was not solely driven by money, highlighting his personality and media presence as key factors.
Q&A: Trump’s dealmaking “mastery”, capitalism vs democracy & do sanctions work?
Q: Amelia on email asks about the French Navy boarding and intercepting Russian oil tankers; could this have a real impact on Russia if more countries did the same?
They discuss that European allies are trying to crack down on sanctions dodging and aim to pressure Russia economically, but they also acknowledge uncertainty about the long-term effectiveness and the possibility of a broader, coordinated effort to restrict Russia's revenue streams.
Q&A: Trump’s dealmaking “mastery”, capitalism vs democracy & do sanctions work?
Q: From Andy on Instagram, for all his talk about the art of the deal, is Donald Trump actually one of the worst negotiators ever?
The speakers acknowledge that Trump isn't seen as a great negotiator by themselves, citing too many advisers with conflicting views and a belief that military power could force capitulation, while noting some limited instances where he did influence policy moves, such as pressuring Netanyahu to slow the Gaza conflict and bringing other countries into talks.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ex Files

What is The Ex Files about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two veteran foreign affairs journalists examine today's defining global crises through insider experience and on-the-ground reporting. Episodes consistently unpack US-Russia-Ukraine dynamics, Iran diplomacy and the Middle East, NATO alignments, and China's rise, all through candid, historically informed analysis and personal anecdotes. A recurring strength is the combination of journalism pedigree with policy insight, plus a rare, civil-polarized dynamic between two co-hosts who were once partners in life and work. This mix yields sharp, pragmatic takes on complex geopolitics, making it helpful for listeners who want nuanced context and practical implications for policy, business, and international relations.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ex Files?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ex Files:

1. Amanpour
2. The Rest Is Politics: US
3. The News Agents - USA
4. The News Agents
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of The Ex Files are there?

The Ex Files launched a year ago and published 113 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Ex Files?

Recent guests on The Ex Files include:

1. Sir Tony Blair
2. Reza Pahlavi
3. Geraldine Brooks
4. Billie Jean King
5. Tina Brown
6. Ahmad al-Sharah
7. Esther Perel
8. Ernie Moniz

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