Hello everyone and welcome to Amunpur. Here's what's coming up.

Asia prepares for a whole new America, my conversation with the US ambassador to Japan, Ram Emanuel.

We talk Trump tariffs and where Democrats go from here. Then...

I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat rules.

No women in combat and ditching diversity efforts.

Is this the future under Trump's unconventional defense pick?

We dig into the real world impact with former US Defense Secretary William Cohen.

And you've got to love life to have life. And you've got to love life to have life and you've got to have life to love life

is what they call a vicious circle our town as the great American play returns to Broadway

michel martin speaks to stars katie holmes jim parsons and director kenny le Leon about giving a fresh take on this classic.

Welcome to the program, everyone.

I'm Christiana Amunpur in Washington, which is already being rocked by President-elect Trump's cabinet picks even before he assumes office.

Now, while the current president Joe Biden actually lands in Africa, there was another controversial choice over the weekend, Cash Patel for FBI director.

And one more swing of the Tariff acts, now Trump threatening 100% duties on goods from the BRICS alliance if they don't remain pegged to the US dollar.

This could all stoke further tensions with Beijing

and concern regional allies like Japan and South Korea,

which have shored up their partnership with the US

under President Biden.

Joining me to discuss all of this is the US ambassador

to Japan, Ram Emanuel, a veteran Democrat.

He was also the mayor of Chicago and chief of staff

to President Barack Obama. Rahm Emanuel, Ambassador, welcome back to our program.

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