Amanpour

The United States is intensifying its focus on Cuba, after removing its ally Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. Can Havana withstand the pressure?  Bianna Golodryga speaks to Cuba's deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio in a rare interview from Havana. And, the Brazilian film dazzling critics: "The Secret Agent." Oscar-nominated Wagner Moura and director Kleber Mendonca Filho join the program from New York. Then, a troubling report on the African men Russia is funneling to the frontlines in Ukraine. Plus, "Mr. Nobody Against Putin"...the Oscar-nominated documentary about a Russian teacher who caught on video the Kremlin propaganda aimed at children. And from the archives, Christiane's 1988 trip to meet the singers vying to perform at the Calgary Opening Ceremonies.

 

Air date: February 7, 2026

 

Guests:

Carlos Fernández de Cossío

David Borenstein

Wagner Moura & Kleber Mendonça Filho
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conflict is raging in more than 30 countries around the world, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace. Each conflict is creating a dire humanitarian situation for innocent civilians, but many aid organizations now call Sudan the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Volker Türk is the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. He just visited Sudan and joined the show to tell us what he saw there. 

Also on today's show: Director/writer Kleber Mendonça Filho and actor Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent"; Jodi Kantor, Investigative Reporter, The New York Times 

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

Cuba only has only 15-20 days of oil left, according to the Financial Times. With the US blocking deliveries from Venezuela, the Trump Administration is choking off the Cuban economy one gas tank at a time. Could talks with Washington give Cuba an off-ramp? Carlos Fernandez de Cossio is Cuba’s deputy foreign minister and top diplomat for US affairs. He says Havana is, even now, exchanging messages with Washington, and is ready for "meaningful dialog." 

Also on today's show: Amos Harel, Defense Analyst, Haaretz; Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former US Ambassador to NATO 

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

While the world focuses on diplomatic efforts in Russia's war against Ukraine, "New START," the only remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the United States and Russia, expires this Thursday. Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy Secretary General of NATO, was America's chief negotiator on "New START." She joins the show from Capitol Hill, where she was briefing US senators on the agreement. 

Also on today's show: Julie K. Brown, author, "Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story"; Elliot Williams, former federal prosecutor, author of "Five Bullets" 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the US strike Iran or make a deal? That is the key question as the US continues to build up its military presence in the region. Meanwhile, the brutal crackdown that killed thousands of protestors last month appears to be almost forgotten. Abbas Milani is an Iranian-American historian and author of a landmark biography of the former Shah. He joins the show to discuss this all. 

Also on today's show: Michael J. Bustamante, Chair, Cuban Studies, University of Miami; Charles Duhigg, Writer, The New Yorker 

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