Christiane Amanpour Named 'This Week' Anchor

March 18, 2010 -- Christiane Amanpour has been named the new anchor of "This Week," ABC News President David Westin announced today.

"I am delighted to announce that Christiane Amanpour will join ABC News as the new anchor of "This Week," Westin said in an e-mail to the ABC News staff. "A highly respected journalist recognized around the world for her reporting, she brings to her new position a wealth of experience and knowledge, as well as a deep commitment to bringing news of the world to the American people."

Westin said Amanpour will appear on other ABC News programs and platforms to provide international analysis on the issues of the day, as well as anchor primetime documentaries on international subjects for the network.

"With Christiane we have the opportunity to provide our audiences with something different on Sunday mornings. We will continue to provide the best in interviews and analysis about domestic politics and policies. But now we will add to that an international perspective," Westin said.

Amanpour will join ABC News in August and replaces George Stephanopoulos, who became the new anchor of "Good Morning America" in December. ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper will be the regular, interim anchor of "This Week" until Amanpour's August premiere.

"Christiane will bring the international and the domestic together, in the interviews she does and in the roundtable over which she presides," Westin said. "Our audience has come to us for years to see differing points of views expressed in intelligent and compelling ways; now the different points of view will be expanded beyond partisan politics alone."

Amanpour will join ABC News from CNN where she has reported from the world's major conflicts, including those in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Rwanda and the Balkans. Amanpour has sat down in global exclusives with leaders and military chiefs from the Middle East, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan to Africa, Europe and the United States.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the incredible team at ABC News. Being asked to anchor 'This Week' and the superb tradition started by David Brinkley, is a tremendous and rare honor and I look forward to discussing the great domestic and international issues of the day," Amanpour said. "I leave CNN with the utmost respect, love and admiration for the company and everyone who works here. This has been my family and shared endeavor for the past 27 years and I am forever grateful and proud of all that we have accomplished."