CFR.org - Interviews

Probe into Olmert's Finances Imperils Israeli-Palestinian Peace Outline

David Makovsky and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:00:47 -0400

David Makovsky, an expert on Israeli politics, says there is concern a forced resignation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could unravel his efforts on Palestinian peace.

Europeans Want Continued U.S. Involvement in Iraq, Middle East

Josef Joffe and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:48:24 -0400

Josef Joffe, an expert on European and U.S. politics, notes unparalleled European interest in the U.S. presidential campaigns—and unrealistic expectations as well.

The Aftermath in Myanmar

Laurie Garrett and Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:53:27 -0400

CFR's Laurie Garrett says if Myanmar's regime continues to restrict access to aid workers, the carnage from the cyclone will exceed that of the tsunami.

'Prolonged Crisis' in Lebanon Reflects 'Cold War' in Region

Michael Young and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:35:28 -0400

Michael Young, a political analyst in Beirut, says Hezbollah’s efforts to impose its will in Lebanon reflect the “cold war” in the region between Iran and its allies and those who prefer ties with the United States.

Bush, Rice Need to Get More Involved in Israeli-Palestinian Talks

Martin S. Indyk and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:18:01 -0400

Martin S. Indyk, who served as ambassador to Israel in the Clinton presidency and advises Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign, says it's crucial for President Bush and Secretary of State Rice to become more involved in sealing a Palestinian-Israeli peace deal.

Romney Says Olympic Sponsors Are Concerned about Their Brand Images

Mitt Romney and Jayshree Bajoria — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:37:10 -0400

Mitt Romney, president and CEO of the organizing committee for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2002, says China should take “symbolic action” to let the world know it is willing to listen to their concerns about its human rights record.

Abbas-Olmert Talks a ‘First’ in Mideast Diplomacy

Aaron David Miller and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:04:57 -0400

Contrary to many analysts of the Middle East, Aaron David Miller, who has served as a Middle East negotiator for presidents of both parties, sees reason for optimism in the current process.

U.S. is One of the ‘Central Pillars’ of Indian Foreign Policy

Bruce O. Riedel and Bernard Gwertzman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:13:48 -0400

South Asia expert Bruce Riedel sees the continuing development of U.S.-India ties as a major accomplishment of President Bush, who has built on steps taken by his predecessor.

Fuller: Russia May be Seeking ‘Joint State’ of Abkhazia-Georgia

Elizabeth Fuller and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:28:54 -0400

Elizabeth Fuller, an expert on Georgian affairs, says Russia may be promoting joint states as a solution to some frozen conflicts in its sphere of influence.

Samore: More Fluid U.S. Stance on N. Korea Nuclear Weapons

Gary Samore and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:24:50 -0400

Gary Samore, a senior arms-control negotiator in the Clinton administration, says the Bush administration has agreed to a compromise with North Korea on demands for it to confess the extent of its uranium-enrichment activities.

Friedman: Chinese Believe Tibetans, Other Ethnic Groups Should be Incorporated into One China

Edward Friedman and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 08:03:35 -0400

Edward Friedman, an expert on Chinese nationalism, says China’s ethnic Han majority views minorities like Tibetans and Uighurs as "people who should be incorporated into the larger Chinese state."

Gyngell: East Asia Worries about 2008 Democrats’ Trade Rhetoric

Allan Gyngell and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:50:39 -0400

Allan Gyngell, a former Australian diplomat, says there is concern in Australia and East Asia that the next U.S. president might retreat from the United States' support for free trade.

Piontkovsky: Russia Nearing End of ‘Confrontational Cycle’ with West

Andrei Piontkovsky and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:37:53 -0400

Russian analyst Andrei A. Piontkovsky says the next U.S. president could face a more conciliatory policy from the Kremlin and new Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.

Kurtzer: Next U.S. President Must Give Priority to Arab-Israeli Talks

Daniel C. Kurtzer and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:25:41 -0400

Daniel C. Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt and Israel, says the next U.S. president must make Israeli-Palestinian negotiations a priority.

Ahadi: Afghanistan’s Economic Fortunes

Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi and Greg Bruno — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:40:35 -0400

Afghan Finance Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi says security and development could lead to a boom in his country’s natural resource sector.

Shah: Pope to Stress ‘Importance of Peace’ in Iraq, Middle East

Timothy Samuel Shah and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:48:55 -0400

Timothy Samuel Shah, a scholar on religious issues, says that when Pope Benedict XVI makes his first visit to the United States as pope, it will give Americans their first chance to hear firsthand his views on Iraq, the environment, and immigration.

Kupchan: NATO Summit Shows Growing Difficulties in Reaching Solidarity in Western Alliance

Charles A. Kupchan and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:22:04 -0400

Charles A. Kupchan, professor of international affairs at Georgetown University, says the just-concluded NATO summit illustrates the changes taking place in the alliance, where it will become increasingly difficult to reach agreements on issues.

Royal Dutch Shell CEO on the End of ‘Easy Oil’

Jeroen van der Veer and Lee Hudson Teslik — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:08:46 -0400

Jeroen Van der Veer, the CEO of Royal Dutch Shell, on global oil demand, the end of “easy oil,” and nationalized oil companies.

Steil: Parsing Paulson’s Reform Proposals

Benn Steil and Lee Hudson Teslik — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:52:32 -0400

CFR’s Benn Steil examines proposals for a regulatory overhaul of the U.S. financial system put forth by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.

The Capital Interview: General William Lord on Cyberspace and the Future of Warfare

Maj. Gen. William T. Lord and Greg Bruno — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:48:01 -0400

The U.S.Air Force is standing up a dedicated command to coordinate offensive and defensive cyber strategy within the Pentagon.

Schmemann: Europeans Fascinated with Obama ‘Phenomenon’

Serge Schmemann and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:35:44 -0400

Serge Schmemann, a veteran journalist based in Europe, says the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign has generated “a bigger stir than any election I can remember.”

Hormats: Iraq War Historic for Lack of Cost Transparency

Robert D. Hormats and Lee Hudson Teslik — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:29:34 -0400

Robert Hormats, the vice chairman of Goldman Sachs International, discusses hidden economic costs of the Iraq war and urges frank discussion of the U.S. military budget.

Nasr: Iraqi Prime Minister ‘Irrelevant’ in Shiite Power Struggle

Vali R. Nasr and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:45:39 -0400

Vali R. Nasr, a leading expert on Shiites, says the fighting in southern Iraq amounts to a power struggle between pro and anti-U.S. Shiite militias. The country’s Shiite prime minister, he says, is “irrelevant.”

Romberg: Election of New President in Taiwan Likely to Improve Taiwan-China Relations

Alan D. Romberg and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:18:55 -0400

Taiwan expert Alan D. Romberg says the election of Ma Ying-jeou as the island’s next president should usher in a new era of less contentious cross-Strait relations.

Cook: No Likelihood of U.S. Breaking with Israel on Hamas Talks

Steven A. Cook and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:48:32 -0400

Steven A. Cook, a Middle East expert, says he sees no chance the United States would break away from Israel and deal directly with Hamas in the Israeli-Palestinian peace dialogue, even if it might help move negotiations forward.

Fingar: Iran Nuclear Assessment Strong, Framing Of Argument Wasn’t

Thomas Fingar and Greg Bruno — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:17:12 -0400

Thomas Fingar, who leads the agency that produced the most recent Iran National Intelligence Estimate, says conclusions about Tehran’s weapons program are sound, but the report’s delivery could have been framed differently.

Farhi: New Iranian Majlis Will Be Critical of Ahmadinejad on Domestic Issues

Farideh Farhi and Bernard Gwertzman — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:38:44 -0400

Farideh Farhi, an Iranian-born expert on Iranian politics, discusses the outcome of Iran’s parliamentary elections and its implications for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Serwer: Iraqis Beginning to Show Signs of Political Compromise

Daniel P. Serwer and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:45:48 -0400

Daniel Serwer, an Iraq expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace, sees encouraging signs of political compromise among Iraqi politicians .

Luers: Possible Solution for U.S.-Iran Nuclear Standoff

William H. Luers and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:05:44 -0400

William Luers, former U.S. envoy to Venezuela and Czechoslovakia, discusses his proposed multilateral nuclear-enrichment plan, which he believes could end the current Iranian nuclear crisis.

Flannery: Microfinance Just ‘One Factor’ in Economic Growth

Matt Flannery and Stephanie Hanson — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:00:21 -0400

Matt Flannery, cofounder of the microfinance website Kiva.org, discusses microfinance and its ramifications for economic development and poverty reduction.