CFR.org - Interviews

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.

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.

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.

'Begin With the Young Generation' to Sustain Future Foreign Correspondence

Jaime FlorCruz — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:06:19 -0400

Trading Foreign News for Talking-Heads

Donald Kirk — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:44:36 -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 Donald Kirk considers the strange inverse proportion of improving communications and dwindling foreign reporting. He also remarks on the importance of exposing atrocities committed during the Korean War.

Reporting on the Cold War 'At its Most Frigid'

Harry Leonard Heintzen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:11:01 -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 Harry Heintzen was a Scandinavian reporter during the Cold War and he recalls the vigorous reaction his writing drew from the Soviet Union. Looking ahead, Heintzen provides a concrete option on how to sustain international journalism.

Competent Foreign Reporting Comes at a High Price

Mort Rosenblum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:57:19 -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 Mort Rosenblum points out that "distant guesswork costs nothing," but competent foreign reporting comes at a high price.

A Bleak Outlook on the Impossibility of Sustained Foreign Correspondence

Lewis Simons — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:35:06 -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 Lewis Simons recalls his revealing report on corruption in the Philippines but anticipates a coming downfall of international reporting.

Solving the Syrian Puzzle

Mohamad Bazzi and Greg Bruno — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:27:11 -0400

CFR's Mohamad Bazzi says Syria continues to "meddle" in the business of many states in the Mideast but could be a useful partner for the United States in the region.

The Danger of Delay in Afghan Policymaking

Bruce O. Riedel and Bernard Gwertzman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:21:38 -0400

The coordinator of President Barack Obama's original Afghan policy, Bruce Riedel, says political and security changes in Afghanistan and "sticker shock" in Washington have contributed to delays in carrying out a new U.S. military strategy.

The IMF's Growing Powers

Edwin Truman and Roya Wolverson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:26:21 -0400

Analyst Edwin Truman says the IMF is gaining power but its influence will depend on its assertiveness with countries like the United States and China, as well as the pace of its own reforms.

Copenhagen's Conundrum

Michael A. Levi and Toni Johnson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:13:33 -0400

CFR's Michael Levi says the Obama administration faces tough negotiations on a global climate change agreement at the December Copenhagen meeting without clear support from Congress. But he says Obama has other legislative options.

Will a Stronger Europe Emerge from Unification Moves?

Charles A. Kupchan and Bernard Gwertzman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:56:04 -0400

Moves toward the approval of the Lisbon Treaty could create a stronger European partner for Washington in global affairs, says CFR's Charles Kupchan. But he cites a competing trend toward stronger nation-states in Europe.

The Road Ahead for U.S.-Iran Relations

John W. Limbert and Bernard Gwertzman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:04:10 -0400

Following the high-level U.S.-Iran talks, Iran expert John Limbert says it is possible that the way is being cleared for an eventual long-term dialogue between the two nations but nonetheless urges caution in elevating expectations.

What Iran Wants

Manouchehr Mottaki and Greg Bruno — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:10:04 -0400

Ahead of Iran's talks with world powers, Iranian Foreign Minister tells CFR.org Tehran will push for recognition of its legal right to enrich uranium, and seek to broaden negotiations to include political, economic, and security partnerships.