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Murat Arikan 12/29/2007 12:11 PM Report
That is a superb interview, very informative and very notion developing about the subject; much better than any other paper or interview I have seen. Charlie Rose is sometimes being criticised for not pushing the guest too hard but I believe that it is not the job of the interviewer or the format of such a program. Charlie is doing the interviews in the right manner and asking really good questions in grace. I just with that he could ask questions taking into consideration of Iraqis' point of views.
sa 09/23/2007 02:56 PM Report
petraeus is not a bad man, only working for a bad man.
pull out of iraq now. let's invest the next trillion in america: healthcare, education, infrastructure, alternative fuel source(s). the middle east is not something for america to "solve."
let the middle east disintegrate into whatever. at the end of the day, if we have to go to "real war" then let's do that. we have enough nukes to make everyone simmer down. but this half-assed war sucks. only the genius of bush would have put america's men and women in harm's way - with a conventional military in a foreign country, facing an assymetric foe.
you see america, that is why you don't make stupid people president.
sa
Chris Baker 09/22/2007 01:23 AM Report
Petraeus is certainly brutally honest about the problems in Iraq although he may over-emphasis the positive results. However he didn't really mention the benchmarks that a couple of moderate Senators are so hung up on. Essentially the problem is you have millions of Iraqi's who are afraid because of inadequate security, ethnic and religious cleansing, little electricity, a shortage of clean water, a failing health system and massive unemployment. The refugee problem in Iraq is among the worst in the world according the UNHCR yet the Democrats want to simply walk out?
Perhaps because the Republicans feel more of a ethical responsibility, they seem prepared to stick it out. Most Democrats in Congress seem to be more concerned with their "base" and moveon.org than the massive humanitarian problems in Iraq.
Most Iraqi's seem to realize that with the powerful militaries on their borders, it's better that they stick together - including most importantly the Kurds. Petraeus did mention the 5-party agreement which the government is working to strengthen, however al Sadr's party is not part of the 5-party agreements. The constitution drafted by the US has apparently created some substantial problems, primarily by giving too much power to the Kurds.
Michael Lang 09/20/2007 01:08 PM Report
I am a news and Political Junky and with regards to the latter, unlike Charlie, I am ashamed of myself and I am seeking professional help for my addiction. I watch the News Hour, Charlie Rose and as my mind has been deteriorating recently, the Sunday News programs , Meet the Press and This Week with George Stephanapolus. I have watched a lot of interviews with powerful people talking about controversial subjects for over 30 years and this is by far most effective and informative interview I have ever watched on television.
The reason this interview was so successful, was that you had an informed interviewer asking questions, for one hour, about ONE SUBJECT in an agenda free non adversarial way, addressed to a professional soldier who actually wanted to answer the questions. This interview stands in sharp contrast to the preening fools in our Senate , who are unable or unwilling to ask any question which will contradict their preconceived positions or the pundits on the various talk shows who can't elevate the discussion above truckstop banter.
During the Chris Dodd interview, who by the way came across much better than he does in those ridiculous side by side press conferences hosted by some monitor reading model, Charlie promised to interview one candidate for one hour on ONE SUBJECT. I hope he keeps that promise.
glen 09/19/2007 02:47 PM Report
Was that last comment a hint that charlie's going to iraq?
Robert Philbin 09/18/2007 09:05 PM Report
Remarkable television. A pragmatic assessment of the situation on the ground in Iraq by an exceptional professional who understands that real success in this awful disaster is defined by how we best assist the Iraqi people on their arduous transformation from totalitarianism -- religious, political, economic and military -- to some form of democratic, representational government in the future. This is an historic time for the Middle East and men like Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker represent the finest tradition of service on behave of the United States. Is it little wonder that the majority of Americans find the military the most credible source for information on the war in Iraq (recent Pew survey). It is also obvious the general rises above the political discussions on this subject because of his remarkable sensitivity to, and concern for, the Iraqi people. Thank you again for another excellent interview.
Robert Philbin
Ron Hohn 09/18/2007 03:56 PM Report
If not of General Petraeus, then perhaps of any General Officer:
"What are your thoughts and/or feelings taking orders from a flunky Lieutenant who was AWOL, who claims to listen to his Generals, but really doesn't, as evidenced by his firing of those who don't dance to his drumbeat.
I was only a Sergeant, but I believe I would have been offended if put under the command of a lower ranking soldier who is incompetent.
Michael 09/18/2007 02:26 AM Report
Charlie, I thought that was a great interview. The one question i wish you had asked General Petraeus was about Joe Biden's plan to install a federal system in Iraq. His idea seems to be the most realistic idea to me, but I would would have loved to hear the General's thoughts on the proposasl
Keif 09/18/2007 12:47 AM Report
Superb interview. Charlie Rose has spent too many years reading the New York Times instead of National Review, but he is knowledgeable and asked much better questions than our pathetic, grandstanding Congress.
Vince 09/17/2007 11:22 PM Report
Nice to see a journalist attempt to appear objective on this topic.
TDH 09/17/2007 07:32 PM Report
Hello,
I am a frequent viewer of your show and advid viewer of PBS shows.
I watched the complete two days of the Generals testimony on CSPAN, which is another great source.
I have a couple of observations I would like to explain.
Prior, to any of the Generals appearances I know enough about military protocol and the motivations of todays professional soldier, which the General is an execellent example of, that he will do his duty as he sees it regardless whether right or wrong.
The only siginificant or unexpected information that I heard from the General was during the Senate hearings when Senator Warner asked the General if he thought we where safer and the Generel answered that "I don't know." Other than that his comments where disturbing.
However, the comments he made on your show and the fact he was on your show gave me more respect for him. I believe it was a classic example of "actions speak louder than words", because I know he could never say publicly what he really believes. He is a military man and the military has a certain way of solving problems. He, as well as all of the other members of the military are our family and they are doing more than we could ask of them. The adminstration has taken a serious problem and turned it into a major problem, which is beyond the Generals and the militarys scope.
I can only hope that other people, not only Americans, can come to a similiar realization of the Generals message that your show was able to bring to us.
Keep up the good work.
Jeffrey Wise 09/17/2007 07:12 PM Report
Charlie,
I've just listened to General Patraeus on your show and I caught some of his Congressional testimony. I think there is a major issue that his testimony hints at that is not receiving enough attention: that the tribal, sectarian orientation of the people of Iraq, in the face of more than a millennium of conflicts, will not allow individual citizens to believe that their personal rights will be protected by the government (unless they happen to be of the tribe that is in power). Where we can believe in our Bill of Rights, the Iraqis cannot believe in such a protection - that the law is above any one man, tribe, or sect. Therefore, there cannot be a democracy - where the majority rules, but the rights of the individual are protected from the majority.
There are so many recent examples of abuse of government power to advance the interests of one sect over another (e.g., Shiite over Sunni) to outright hurt people of another sect, that I couldn't list them all here. The Iraqis fully understand that the power vacuum created by the fall of Saddam must be filled, and each tribe/sect is determined to take over that role when (not "if") the U.S. gets out of the way. I'm afraid that the only "reconciliation" will be one where one tribe takes power over the others. By staying in Iraq, we delay this "reconciliation," but we can't prevent it. I so wish we could!
Any idea why this reality isn't getting more discussion?
dave rroswig 09/16/2007 05:42 PM Report
Charlie,
The use of your hands and the gestures you make with them during the interviews are extremely distracting. It's the person being interviewed that should be making use of his or hers hands not the interviewer to stress an idea or get their point across.
Tom Snavely 09/15/2007 05:17 PM Report
Dear Charlie,I want to express my appreciation for the way you conducted your interview with General Petraeus. Unlike so many others, you gave him the respect he deserves. He should make every American proud. I have forwarded this interview to many of my friends so that they will be informed of the complexity of the situation we face in the middle east against an enemy dertermined to do us harm - Al Queda, Iran, Syria, etc. To those who believe that the honorable General was just performing lip service, consider this: General Petraeus' son is due to be sent to the Middle East very soon. If he did not believe that this mission is of great importance to our country, I doubt he would be there...much less allow his flesh and blood to be sent to the same battleground.
I thought you asked very insightful questions and let the General answer them in detail without interruption. An excellent interview with class.
Rebecca Gold 09/15/2007 03:13 PM Report
I would suggest that General Petraeus runs for President. Here is a man that would truly represent the US in its great time since Eisenhower and he would be trusted by the world, and certainly not a warmonger or an oilman and bringing misery to the US. people. America please pick a general.
jon macaulay 09/15/2007 02:10 PM Report
Excellent interview. 100 times better than a senate "hearing". Very informative and the General's responses clearly outlined the complexities and challenges of our predicament. Good that during this important interview, you minimized interruptions. I think we got the message. Fact is, we are there, and now is now. A rapid "redeployment" does not appear to be a viable option. Whatever the progress, or lack of, I think Petraeus, more than any self-serving politician, will tell it like it really is. Democracy ain't for everyone.
Ernie Gudridge 09/15/2007 11:31 AM Report
Excellent and informative, but perhaps in an unexpected way. Charlie, you tried hard to pierce the veil of military-speak, but the General is self-programed in the language in a frightening manner. What kept coming through was process and programs, not people. That does not mean he does not believe what he is saying (although I'm not sure about that), but it does show the necessity to translate. You're the only one I've heard who tried. I do believe the scholarly general belongs back in the classroom teaching theory and tactics. Thanks for the program.
Ian Bach 09/15/2007 08:57 AM Report
Excellent interview with an excellent General.
General Petraeus has a clear view of the dynamics in Iraq and the region. His views on Iran and the econnmic future hit the nail on the head and brings to the forefront the tough questions that Iran should be asking themselves. Petraeus's work in Iraq is something any American should be proud of. Thanks!!!
Tracy Galligan 09/14/2007 11:55 PM Report
Dear Charlie,
I've loved you for years but you're losing your edge!!!!! You laid down for George Bush and now your laying down for Petraeus. I've watched you be tougher on playwrite's for god's sakes. You used to interrupt and ask the really hard questions. But now you just sit back and give them a platform. Why not ask why he thinks military might will cure thousands of years of hatred? Why not ask him how he feels about our young people dying in the middle of a civil war where we don't even know who's side where on? I am so disappointed.
Jeremy 09/14/2007 07:01 PM Report
This should be good...