Amanpour and Rubin ask what Congress can change abroad

The Ex Files' post-midterm episode moves from presidential powers to Iran, Ukraine and Pentagon scrutiny.

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Christiane Amanpour Presents: The Ex Files Story of November 12, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The channel's weekly summary: what went up this week, what is drawing views now, and where the channel stands among similar channels.

Has Trump's Midterm Defeat Changed Anything? | Christiane Amanpour Presents

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2:00Rubin argues that Democratic gains leave the president with extensive foreign policy and national security powers.
3:20Amanpour puts America's alliances at the heart of its international strength.
5:27The hosts weigh escalation, bargaining and possible exits from the Iran war.
15:45Rubin examines Russia's Ukraine strategy and how European politics could affect its calculations.
31:40The hosts expect Democratic congressional scrutiny of Hegseth's military leadership and war management.
33:19Cultural recommendations include The Diplomat, Wild Horse Nine and Michael Douglas's memoir.

Christiane Amanpour is in London, Jamie Rubin is in New York, and the election result has left them with a question that stretches well beyond Washington: how much can a changed Congress change American foreign policy?

Their conversation, "Has Trump's Midterm Defeat Changed Anything? | Christiane Amanpour Presents", drew roughly 148,000 views and was the most-watched of the channel's five new uploads. Rubin stresses the president's extensive national security powers, while Amanpour puts alliances at the centre of her argument. "What makes America strong on the international stage is its alliances," she says.

That distinction gives the episode its substance. They consider whether Trump might escalate the Iran war to seek concessions or look for an exit, then turn to Russia's strategy in Ukraine and the appeal of summit diplomacy. Back in Washington, Rubin expects Democratic scrutiny of Pete Hegseth's Pentagon stewardship to become a major focus.

The full conversation also carries the channel's strongest viewing momentum. The shorter "I'm a little bit worried", about Stephen Miller's appointment as chief of staff, is its next most active upload. Earlier clips with Tina Brown approached the midterm aftermath through faith, including the scrutiny of Abdul El-Sayed's religion.

The channel added about 2,000 subscribers over the week, although daily viewing is currently below its usual level. Among nearby podcast channels, Out The Mud Podcast had a particularly busy week; Louis Theroux had a quieter one for total viewing.

Amanpour and Rubin leave room for a cultural detour, too: she recommends The Diplomat and Wild Horse Nine, while he picks Michael Douglas's memoir, A Hell of a Ride.

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