CFR.org - Interviews

The al-Qaeda-Taliban Nexus

Greg Bruno — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:12:52 -0500

The threat posed by the al-Qaeda-Taliban relationship is a crucial element in U.S. strategic planning in Afghanistan. Four experts explore the changing nature of these sometimes murky ties.

Nuclear Quagmire with Iran

George R. Perkovich and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:37:33 -0500

A leading arms control expert, George Perkovich says Iranian domestic disputes have apparently doomed its agreement to ship processed uranium out of the country. The UN Security Council, he says, must be prepared to increase pressure on the regime.

The U.S.-Russia Nuclear Thicket

Charles D. Ferguson and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:23:36 -0500

CFR nuclear arms expert Charles D. Ferguson says with an important nuclear arms control deadline approaching, the U.S.-Russia talks remain complicated by missile defense and verification issues.

Mixed Messages from Asia

Elizabeth C. Economy and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:56:58 -0500

CFR's Elizabeth Economy says President Obama's first trip to Asia raised his credibility as a partner in the region and exposed insecurities among China's leadership.

Securing U.S. Energy Supplies

James E. Rogers and Roya Wolverson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:07:40 -0500

Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers says nuclear investment and partnering with Chinese energy firms are important steps to building U.S. energy security.

Disillusionment in Afghanistan

Kim Barker and Jayshree Bajoria — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:50 -0500

CFR's Kim Barker, on return from a recent trip to Kabul, says Afghans are disillusioned with both the reelection of President Hamid Karzai and what they perceive as the U.S desire for an exit strategy.

Obama 'Straddling Debate' on Prosecuting 9/11 Prisoners

Matthew C. Waxman and Bernard Gwertzman — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:00:20 -0500

The Obama administration's decision to try accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed in New York but other accused terrorists by military commission will revive debate over Guantanamo Bay and the laws of war, says CFR's Matthew Waxman.

In Lebanon: New Government, Old Politics

Mohamad Bazzi and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:53:50 -0500

CFR's Mohamad Bazzi says while a new unity government in Lebanon after months of political uncertainty is welcomed by Washington, inclusion of Hezbollah poses potential challenges.

Stricter Rules for Skilled-Worker Visas Are a Mistake

Jagdish N. Bhagwati and Toni Johnson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:57:04 -0500

The recession has added fuel to the debate over skilled-worker visas, including a recent congressional effort to create stricter rules. CFR's Jagdish Bhagwati says the United States should be welcoming skilled workers and other immigrants.

Broader U.S. Policy Needed on Iran

Ray Takeyh and Bernard Gwertzman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:52:56 -0500

CFR's Iran expert Ray Takeyh says Washington's Iran policy needs to frame the nuclear development question within the context of a broader range of diplomatic issues, and that Iran's domestic turmoil hinders negotiations on its nuclear program.

Rethinking a Two-State Solution

Robert Malley and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:23:31 -0500

At a time of renewed scrutiny of U.S. policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, veteran Middle East expert Robert Malley, who served as special assistant for Arab-Israeli affairs for President Bill Clinton, calls for rethinking Israeli-Palestinian talks to address concerns of Palestinian refugees and Israel's right wing.

"Realistic" Emerging Economies

Peter Sands and Roya Wolverson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:57:11 -0500

Standard Chartered CEO Peter Sands says Western and Asian economies are both at risk of asset bubbles and that higher savings and social safety nets in Asia are not a near-term fix to global financial problems.

President Obama Tours Asia

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:28:46 -0500

Ahead of President Obama's Asia trip, CFR experts Sheila Smith, Joshua Kurlantzick, Elizabeth Economy, and Scott Snyder discuss what the president should focus on during his visit to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea.

More Afghan Troops Needed to Secure Afghanistan

Maj. Gen. Richard P. Formica and Greg Bruno — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:36:36 -0500

As the Obama administration assesses American troop numbers in Afghanistan, the senior U.S. Army general training Afghan security forces says the White House should also double the size of the Afghan army and police.

Karzai's Moment of Opportunity

Zalmay M. Khalilzad and Bernard Gwertzman — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:29:07 -0500

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad says the Obama administration must determine how to use its leverage to help shape a competent government in Kabul.

Honduran Politics and the Chavez Factor

Christopher Sabatini and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:40:12 -0400

Christopher Sabatini, a Latin America expert, says the apparent resolution of the Honduran political crisis--triggered in part by concerns over Hugo Chavez's influence--marks a triumph for Obama administration diplomacy.

The Tragedy of Palestinian Divisions

Rashid I. Khalidi and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:42:14 -0400

Expert Rashid Khalidi says it is crucial for Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah to reconcile to effectively negotiate a two-state solution with Israel or face a troubling status quo.

A Broad Dialogue With Muslims Worldwide

Farah A. Pandith and Toni Johnson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:43:01 -0400

Farah Pandith, U.S. special representative to the world's Muslim communities, says the new position will aim to build constructive relationships with Muslims at all levels of society to counter extremism.

Financial Regulation Pitfalls

Marc Levinson and Roya Wolverson — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:39:36 -0400

CFR's Marc Levinson says further international coordination on financial regulation may do more harm than good and expresses doubts about federal restrictions on executive pay.

Wariness on Bilateral Process With North Korea

Michael J. Green and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:15:31 -0400

Asia policy expert Michael Green says the Obama administration is taking a cautious approach to any bilateral talks on North Korea's denuclearization, noting Pyongyang's backsliding after the Bush administration adopted a softer tone.

Painting Democracy on Afghanistan

Thomas H. Johnson and Greg Bruno — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:47:04 -0400

Afghanistan expert Thomas H. Johnson says Western efforts to force a runoff election will not produce a legitimate leader in the eyes of Afghan voters, and could further destabilize the country.

Nuclear Enrichment Deal With Iran Buys Time

David Albright and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:11:20 -0400

Expert David Albright, says the preliminary agreement by which Iran will ship its low-enriched uranium to Russia for further processing "allows time for negotiations" to get Iran to freeze its nuclear program but warns Iran might still block the implementation of the plan.

Avoiding a U.S.-China Trade Showdown

Stephen S. Roach and Roya Wolverson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:05:55 -0400

Morgan Stanley executive Stephen Roach says China's undervalued currency is a "red herring" in the debate over global imbalances and that policymakers should instead focus on China's social safety net and boosting U.S. savings.

Trying to Part the Iron Curtain

Morrie Helitzer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:51:38 -0400

As part of the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship 60th Anniversary initiative current and former fellows discuss the stories that have had the most impact and present ideas for sustaining serious international journalism. Former fellow Morrie Helitzerrecalls an anecdote of him trying to penetrate the Iron Curtain of the Soviets soon after World War II. For more on the initiative, visit cfr.org/murrow.

Ending the Afghan Election Crisis

Peter M. Manikas and Greg Bruno — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:43:32 -0400

Expert Peter M. Manikas says a fresh round of presidential voting may be the only way to enhance legitimacy in Kabul despite the monumental challenges involved in staging a secure runoff election.

'The News Industry is a Public Service'

Manjeet Kripalani — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:55:07 -0400

As part of the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship 60th Anniversary initiative current and former fellows discuss the stories that have had the most impact and present ideas for sustaining serious international journalism. Former fellow Manjeet Kripalani talks about spotting the early trends in globalization towards India and her coverage of that trend. She goes on to propose a shift in the news industry that would see news organizations from countries like India and Mexico take on the void left by western organizations that are increasingly deprived of funding. For more on the initiative, visit cfr.org/murrow.

Seeking a New Path to Stability in Sudan, and Africa

Johnnie Carson and Stephanie Hanson — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:43:24 -0400

Johnnie Carson, the top State department official on Africa, says new policy on Sudan stresses the need for progress on Darfur, the North-South peace agreement and anti-terror efforts.

Gauging the Dollar Decline

Benn Steil and Roya Wolverson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:18:30 -0400

CFR's Benn Steil says the dollar's continuing decline could result in higher prices for major imports like energy and, in a worst-case scenario, might lead to higher inflation and interest rates.

Iraq's Worrisome Political Process

Joost Hiltermann and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:08:47 -0400

Middle East expert Joost Hiltermann says Iraq appears headed for an uncertain, and potentially violent, political season with no clear dominant faction emerging ahead of January parliamentary elections.

Russian Wariness on U.S. Iran Policy

Stephen R. Sestanovich and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:41:17 -0400

CFR's Stephen R. Sestanovich says the Obama administration believes it has put relations with Russia on "a more practical" basis but convergence remains elusive on how to address Iran's nuclear program.