Amanpour

Less than three months remain before the crucial midterms will decide whether Democrats or Republicans will control the Senate. As the parties campaign hard across a range of issues, Americans can perhaps breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to one key domestic concern: crime. A new report shows a notable drop across large cities in the first half of this year, with homicides reaching their lowest level since at least 1900. The report notes this trend isn't evidence of the success or failure of any particular policy, and says it's likely the result of a range of factors. Steve Cohen is a Democratic congressman who sits on both the Judiciary and Intelligence House Committees. He joins the show to break it all down.

Also on today’s show: Brad Setser, Fmr. Sr. Adviser to U.S. Trade Representative / Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations; Hannah Critchfield. Reporter, The Wall Street Journal


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Kyiv is leveraging its drone prowess by striking deep inside Russia, yet Ukraine remains exposed due to a chronic shortage of air defences. Dara Massicot of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, gives the latest status of the war. Then, reflecting on America's 250th anniversary and how music forges communities. World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson explain what drew them to curate "We The People", a series of performances aimed at envisioning a brighter future for the U.S. And, authorities in Russia are warning about the rise of so-called 'black widow' scams, where brides allegedly marry vulnerable recruits to cash in on compensation when they're killed in combat. CNN's Matthew Chance reports from inside Russia. Plus, love and humour shine through the cracks of the conflict and crises embattling Lebanon. Writer and Director of "A Sad and Beautiful World" Cyril Aras joins the show. Plus, the age-old debate over immigration to Europe is resurfacing following the mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. From Christiane's archives, a look back at how Europe wrestled with the mass influx of Eastern European migrants escaping communism back in 1990.

Air date: August 8, 2026

Guests:

Dara Massicot

Yo-Yo Ma and Bryan Stevenson

Cyril Aras

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Once again, confusion reigns over the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump promised again this week that the vital shipping lane will open "very soon". The problem is that the US is not negotiating directly with Iran. Tehran is speaking to Oman, and says a deal on the Strait is close, but that agreement would not automatically reopen the Strait. They first want the US to meet certain guarantees. For more on this, Correspondent Jeremy Diamond joins the show from Tel Aviv.

Also on today's show: Linda Robinson, Sr. Fellow for Women and Foreign Policy, Council on Foreign Relations; Jia Tolentino, Staff Writer, The New Yorker; Idrees Kahloon, Staff Writer, The Atlantic


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After a tight race with moderate Haley Stevens, progressive Abdul el-Sayed is now officially the Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner. The contest has been an enormously expensive one, with the candidates' stances on Israel a central issue in the campaign. But while el-Sayed may well score a win for the progressives, it's a more mixed picture nationally. Political analyst Ron Brownstein joins us to discuss.

Also on today's show: Lawton Nuss, Former Chief Justice, Kansas Supreme Court; Annie Jacobsen, Author, "Biological War: A Scenario"
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The European Union held an emergency meeting today over Thursday's surge of migrants into Spanish territory. Some are also blaming Spain's liberal migration policies as a factor, while others accuse Moroccan authorities of facilitating the crisis. Nathalie Tocci is an Italian foreign policy expert and former adviser to the EU's foreign policy chief, and she joins the show from Rome.

Also on today's show: Ashish Jha, Former White House Covid-19 Response Coordinator; Bahiyyih Nakhjavani, Editor and co-translator, “Open Wide the Doors”; Karla Murthy, Director/Producer/Editor, “The Gas Station Attendant”


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