Q&A: Has Pete Hegseth lost it?

Why has JD Vance condemned the idea of livestreaming Nidal Hasan’s execution, and what does it reveal about divisions within the Republican Party? Christiane and Jamie examine the debate and how it sits alongside the party’s stance on the right to life.

They also look at the Houthis’ strike on a Saudi airport. Does this signal a widening conflict, and could Saudi Arabia be drawn back into a direct confrontation with the Houthis?

Meanwhile, MI5 says threats from Russia and Iran have quadrupled in the last decade. With AI creating new risks, from cyber-attacks to bioweapons, are Britain’s intelligence services equipped to deal with a new era of hybrid warfare?

Plus, why are Republican politicians so reluctant to cross Trump, even when his popularity appears to be falling? What keeps them loyal to him?

This episode was recorded on 14th October.

Christiane is up for Best Host in the Signal Awards Listener's Choice. If you love the show, take ten seconds to vote: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2026/shows/craft/best-host

Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files is a Global production, available every Tuesday and Thursday on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your shows. Make sure you subscribe so you never miss an episode.