Christiane Amanpour to anchor 'This Week'

After days of speculation, ABC News announced on Thursday that CNN veteran Christiane Amanpour will be the new anchor of "This Week."

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She will also serve as an foreign affairs analyst on other ABC News programs and will be anchoring primetime documentaries on international subjects.

"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," ABC News president David Westin said in an internal email.

"This Week" has been without a permanent anchor since George Stephanopoulos left in December to anchor "Good Morning America."

Amanpour will take over the anchor chair in August. Until then, Jake Tapper will serve as interim anchor. Ian Cameron will continue as executive producer.

With Amanpour on board, the Sunday political talk show is expected to shift its focus towards international matters that are Amanpour's domain.

Amanpour spent 27 years at CNN where she most recently served as chief international correspondent and anchor of "Amanpour."

She is the latest in a series of defections from the once venerable CNN. "Anderson Cooper 360's" Erica Hill left in January to join CBS' "Early Show," while Cooper himself is rumored as the possible new anchor of "CBS Evening News."