Amanpour

Day after day, Russia pounds Ukraine as President Putin tries to claim he's winning this war - now in its fifth year. But increasingly audacious long-range Ukrainian strikes are challenging that narrative. This week, they struck an arms factory and an oil refinery deep inside Russia. Ukraine also hit the Russian-occupied port of Mariupol - a strategically important site that was taken by Russian forces early in the war after it was the setting for one of the first major sites of Russian horrors. Many people scrambling to survive the atrocity took refuge in a theatre, which was bombed on March 16th, 2022. This critical episode of the war is the subject of a new book, "The Theatre," by journalist James Verini and he joins the show from New York.  

Also on today's show: actors Mark Strong and Lesley Manville discuss "Oedipus"; Rebecca Winthrop, Director, Brookings Institution Center for Universal Education 

 
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President Trump says the US will hit Iran "very hard tonight" and is again threatening to take control of Kharg Island, the hub that handles most of Iran's oil exports. The threat comes just days before G7 leaders will meet in France. In advance of that summit, Christiane spoke with Dominique de Villepin, France's former Foreign Minister, Prime Minister and a potential contender in next year's presidential election. 

Also on today's show: tennis legends Martina Navratilova & Chris Evert; Byron Allen, host of "Comics Unleashed" 
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Early this morning, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on American bases in the region, after the US military struck strategic locations near the Strait of Hormuz, which were themselves a response to Iran's downing of a US Army helicopter earlier this week. This came shortly after Iran and Israel exchanged fire over the weekend. Suzanne Maloney is a leading expert on Iran and the Persian Gulf policy at the Brookings Institution. She joins the show to discuss the latest. 

Also on today's show: former Irish Senator-turned-journalist Maira Cahill; Heidi Blake, Staff Writer, The New Yorker; Shell US President Colette Hirstius 

 
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Once again, President Trump is falsely claiming election fraud after Democrats advanced in the non-partisan primary for the Los Angeles mayoral race. Trump has blamed mail-in ballots for the result, reviving false claims that have become a familiar feature of his presidency. So what does this tell us about the president's mindset, and the state of America's democracy heading into the midterms? Susan Glasser of The New Yorker joins Bianna from Washington. 

Also on today’s show: Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum; author Jules Boykoff, “Red Card” 

 
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For a while it looked like the war in the Middle East might tip into full-scale fighting again, after the first major exchange of fire between Israel and Iran since the April ceasefire. President Trump responded, posting “Israel and Iran must immediately stop ‘shooting.’” Tehran announced it has suspended military operations against Israel but warns that strikes will resume if attacks on Lebanon continue. Then, less than an hour after that announcement, Israel struck villages in Southern Lebanon. Nimrod Novik is a veteran Israeli negotiator, and former senior diplomatic advisor to the late prime minister, Shimon Peres. He joins the program from Tel Aviv. 

Also on today's show: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun; former Executive Assistant FBI Director Jacqueline Maguire 

 
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