Charlie Rose Science Series
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03/27/2006
Bashar al-Assad
An hour with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad
Keywords:
From Damascus, an hour conversation with the president of Syria Bashar al-Assad. He discusses the assassination of Rafik Hariri, the political climate in Syria, the future of the country and its relationship to its bordering states and the United States. He also shares his thoughts on the broader issues of the war in Iraq and terrorism.
DVD
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Charlie Rose DVDs on Amazon.
Audio
Audio available through Audible.com.
Audio available through Audible.com.
Transcripts
Transcripts available through Voxant.
Transcripts available through Voxant.
A thoroughly delightful interview, Mr. Rose. Syria is a very misunderstood country in the world. What must be remembered in this age of Islamo-fascists is that Syria's government and Baath party are very secular and perhaps in furthering the influence of moderate securalists throughout the Middle East, it might be useful to engage Syria's government, for a much broader promotion of the West's interest in the region.
What do the Palestinians and Democrats have in common- "Irrational Hatred" -Palestinians of the Jews and the Democrats of Bush. The Age of Reason is long gone in public discourse.
The guy is not a democraticaly elected president is he??? then what do we care what some despotic thug thinks
It is very interesting to read these comments after viewing the video. We have different opinons of this man, from good to bad. I was delighted he kept saying you have to listen to both sides, and we know there is 2 sides to every story. He was right when he said the Bush administration was only interested in their interest and did not want to listen to any other people.
This interview is kind of scary. He says you have to be rational, look at reality and then he says he's willing to recognize Israel if they allow their country to be majority ruled by "right of return" of Palestinians. Which isn't logical. Then he avoids the holocaust question by making the moral equivalence argument, that Israel's war with Palestine is the same thing. Huh, note to Bashar: they aren't gassing Palestinians with the goal of genocide. I think Charlie tried, but really didn't go after his inconsistencies and at the bottom of it, irrational hate of the Jews.
Of course the President of Syria, like the President of any nation, would show his best face to the press; so I am not impressed by his gracious manner. Instead, by stark contrast with this man, I am very impressed with the ever more obvious truth that his American counterpart possesses no quality of intellect, character or emotion that enables him to function effectively in the Middle East. Mr. Bush is as a child running loose in the control room of the Middle East nuclear reactor.
I find that al-Assad was very weak in his views on the Holacast. I thought his comparison between the Israeli treatement of Palestinians and NAZI's of the Jews was an extreme flaw in reasonning. It is a major indicator of his moral weakness, and also, I think it shows how the population he directs feels as no doubt, opinion leaders in his country will see this broadcast. Though his perspective on how he views terrorism were interesting, especially how he views Hezbollah and Hamas
educational.
Very articulate. Not what I have come to expect based on what I have read mainly on American media reports and TV. Good job Charlie Rose.
Excellent discussion with an insightful regional leader. Mr. al-Assad has much to offer to the peace process in the Middle East, and we Americans need to be hearing more from him (and other regional leaders)to better understand how we ended up with our failed policy there. Al-Assad's respect for the United States is obvious and it suggests we need to more skillfully exercise our hegemony throughout the region. Thank you. Robert Philbin
Excellent discussion with an insightful regional leader. Mr. al-Assad has much to offer to the peace process in the Middle East, and we Americans need to be hearing more from him (and other regional leaders)to better understand how we ended up with our failed policy there. Al-Assad's respect for the United States is obvious and it suggests we need to more skillfully exercise our hegemony throughout the region. Thank you. Robert Philbin
he mentions that the Lebanese didn't resist Syria's occupation, that's because he would slaughter anyone linked to this.