Charlie Rose

Dr. Mark Conn  11/09/2007 08:31 AM Report

I think that Hamas which does not recognize a Jewish State and resort to violence should be isolated from the global community. It is understandable that Israelis would never agree to that, and also understandable that the Americans shy away from talking to them. We should only talk to countries whom recognize the state of Israel or any other country for that matter that the UN recognized. It is sad that Palestinians come victim to Hamas's founders. I found it contradictory that the president of Iran says he doesn't get involved in Palestine, "let the people decide." They are poor people, and he funds a party that promotes violence, and hides behind there population (women and children.) Please guys understand the issues well here. Israelis deserve their own state in peace, and Palestians also deserve to live in peace side by side. Not under Hamas (Iranian terms) Mahmoud Amadinejad is just a walking racist. He makes it out that Israel is the most evil thing on the planet. Does he really believe that or he just interested in becoming more powerful in the region. What a liar. All american who believe this garbage are really niave.

Mike Gellerman  10/06/2007 07:54 PM Report

I have to say that most the comments made me wonder what your viewers are thinking. I personally think the Bush administration will go down as the worst in history, I have never voted for a Republican in my life but I found this conversation articulate and incisive and real. I didn't agree with much of it, but the fact is we broke that part of the world by arrogance and Burns seems very smart and insightful and realistic about how to get from here to there. I am so tired of blaming people and it was refreshing to hear some concrete and honest proposals. The one departure from liberal friends is that I absolutely agree that it is no one's interest to have a nuclear armed Iran. I have been there and the people are lovely but they have a history of very bad government (including the ones we supported). The biggest problem is that a nuclear armed Iran will send the Saudis out with their fat wallet and buy the same capability off the shelf (at a premium price) and just remember where the jihadists mainly come from. I can't think of a worse situation.

There is a place for cold realism in diplomacy and thought this interview displayed that. I didn't hear much ideology at all and as to a semitic bent? That is just crazy. It is US foreign policy to support Israel and has been for 60 years and he was talking about a guy who has said in public many times he wanted to see Israel wiped off the map. Friends are friends.

Our most important trading partner in the world is China but we have a long-standing agreement to protect Taiwan. If the Chinese attack where do we fall in the geopolitical world, defend our principles or our right to cheap stuffed animals sold at Wal-mart? That doesn't make a sino-phobe, but we made an agreement and should stand by it or change policy.

Biedermeyer  10/05/2007 01:24 PM Report

I am always struck by the bluffing of administration officials, or horror of horrors complete lack of knowledge of what they are talking about, when it comes to dealing with Iranâ??s nuclear programme. Is it really lost on Americans that neither the US nor Israel can just pre-emptively bomb these facilities like they did the Iraqi facility at Osirak? The options for targets really quickly narrow down to the command and control infrastructure of Iranian military forces, not their major nuclear facilities. Some of the Iranian facilities are being built and run by Russian and Chinese nationals through exclusive long term contracts. So if you were to bomb them you would actually be killing Russian or Chinese nationals and the Iranian apprentices who are job-shadowing them. These facilities also happen to be defended with the latest military technologies from Russia and China, thus their defence measures, while not impregnable to an unrelenting onslaught of US cruise missiles and other smart bombs, are not easily breached. The other consideration is that some of the facilities are so far along in their development that bombing them now would release a lot of radioactivity into the environment, including the atmosphere â?? and hence with no control as to where that radioactive material would end up â?? it might end up in other parts of Asia, North Africa, Europe, or even North America eventually. So, while all of this should not scare the very able fighting men and women of the US armed forces, it does mean, however, that we all have to proceed with great caution as things are not as simple as some would like us to think. We should bear in mind that while it may be easy to shock and awe people with bombs, what happens after that is not so simple as witnessed by the fact that it has taken over four years for the most sophisticated military machine in the world to secure a simple road from a capital city to its airport in Mesopotamia. Things are never a cakewalk when dealing with motivated human beings. So, when the Russians test their conventional â??father of all conventional bombsâ?? or the Chinese practice shooting down satellites, they are preparing for the potential defence of their citizens facing incineration by this threatened bombing of Iranian installations and in part trying to send a â??cautionâ?? signal to the warmongers in the West. When the French foreign minister shoots from the hip and is sent to Moscow for a little edification, it is to prevent other cocky new ignorant kids on the block and some of our obtuse leaders from painting themselves into an embarrassing corner and stumbling our countries into a very wide gruesome war that nobody really bargained for, just to save face. So, if the American intelligence machinery has done its homework and is no longer hostage to neocon ideologues, saner minds and the adult supervision provided by Secretary Gates should prevail; therefore, do not believe these fools and snake oil peddlers who keep misleading American people by cavalierly saying the military option is on the table. Otherwise, we should all be very alarmed that these fools are going to start, on an even more catastrophic scale, something they have shown clearly that they are not equipped to execute, let alone to think through. I understand that a superpower always carries the stick of the threat of superior force and has to act tough to deter some fool from toying with its credibility, so the military option is always theoretically on the table, but in this particular case that table should be a very hypothetical and imaginary one that is far removed from the geopolitical realities on the ground.

Ann Spaulding  10/04/2007 02:40 PM Report

Mr Burns speaks calmly and clearly and seemingly in rational way but I found myself deeply disturbed by his perspective. Why do Americans find it so hard to see how their behaviour is so hypocritical. Why do they always regard their perspective as unquestionably superior - not even as a perspective, but as the truth? Charlie, if you cannot provide a counterpoint, then provide a space for serious, respectful debate on these issues by bringing other perspectives, eg someone such as Brezinski.

After having invaded Iraq on to my mind criminal grounds, America has a huge responsibility to the rest of the world, especially to the middle east, to behave in the best way it possibly can to bring harmony. How can you bring harmony when you see through such a blinded self perspective and are unable to hear the interests of all sides? (witness Rice's meeting where only those countries who think the same as US are being invited!!) Come on Charlie, in the morass of ignorant so called news, you are a guiding light, so please push us even more into intelligent rational debate, let us look into the underlying issues from all sides of the spectrum.

Stop Zionism  10/03/2007 07:44 AM Report

It made me sick to my stomach to hear Charlie Rose and Nicholas Burns, two Zionist, talk about Iran as it's the problem in the middle east. The biggest problem in the world is not Al Queda, Taliban, or Iran. The problem is ISRAEL which is a racist terrorist state that is exterminating Palestinians. United States government gives Israel 100 billion US tax payers dollars to commit genocide on the Palestinian people. As you notice in Rose's interview with the president of Iran, he did not answer the quesstion that he posed about the Palestinians paying for a holocaust that happened in another country(europe). Zoinst cry about the comments Ahminedajad but never mention the comments of leaders from ISRAEL that have never accepted the Palestinians as people.

"The Palestinians are like crocodiles, the more you give them meat, they want more".... Ehud Barak, Prime Minister of Israel at the time - August 28, 2000. Reported in the Jerusalem Post August 30, 2000

" [The Palestinians are\ beasts walking on two legs." Menahim Begin, speech to the Knesset, quoted in Amnon Kapeliouk, "Begin and the Beasts". New Statesman, 25 June 1982.

"The Palestinians" would be crushed like grasshoppers ... heads smashed against the boulders and walls." " Isreali Prime Minister (at the time) in a speech to Jewish settlers New York Times April 1, 1988

"When we have settled the land, all the Arabs will be able to do about it will be to scurry around like drugged cockroaches in a bottle." Raphael Eitan, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, New York Times, 14 April 1983.

"How can we return the occupied territories? There is nobody to return them to." Golda Maier, March 8, 1969.

"There was no such thing as Palestinians, they never existed." Golda Maier Israeli Prime Minister June 15, 1969

Michael Lang  10/03/2007 01:13 AM Report

I just finished watching 13 hours of the War on PBS where the real heroes of World War II were finally allowed to tell , in their own words the horror they experienced while fighting a truly necessary war against a real evil. Non of these heroes told their stories with any hint of self aggrandizement or had any swagger when they recounted their combat experience. War is death without glory and an abomination that should be avoided at all cost and only resorted to when a nation is attacked and there is imminent risk to its survival. It is not a screwdriver which we will use when we think other nations are not following our will, which is why I am appalled to hear this clown say "We will try diplomacy but we will not take the threat of a military option off the table. I say if we are a civilized country it should never be put on the table in the first place.

IRAN  10/02/2007 11:30 PM Report

Thanks for presenting another important guest.

JUST ONE POINT AT THIS TIME:

MULLAH Khatami, had the best marketing establishment of the so-called Islamic Republic of Mullahs, at home and particularly ABROAD. While he seduced the West and Iranians by his promises of so-called reform, he traveled to Lebanon, arming Milishas. Any body can claim whatever in Wikipedia . MULLAH Khatami left a bankrupt economy, demolished Family Structure which was so dear to all, and, Reduced Women to slaves & commodities. While he marketed Womenâ??s Freedom through more enrolment of Female University students, ISLAMIC LAWS such as having many wives, at home & abroad, became widespread , women were denied to travel abroad WITHOUT MALE PERMISSION.............The list goes on, A BOOK BY ITSELF. Ahmadinejad, MULLAH Khatami, MULLAH Khamenei,..... Are ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAME REGIME. They are appointed based on the necessity of time for the SURVIVAL OF THE REGIME. THANKS, BUT, NO THANKS! POOR IRANIAN NATION IS TRYING TO SURVIVE, MAKING ENDS MEET,IN A HYPERINFLATIONARY ECONOMY, MASSIVE UNEMPLOYMENT, UNCERTAIN FUTURE, POSSIBILITY OF WAR, WHILE THE REGIME ENJOYS ALL THE BENEFIT OF LUXURY, TRAVELLING ABROAD, SENDING THEIR CHILDREN ABROAD, SWIMMING IN PETRO-DOLLARS!

Eagle Eye  10/02/2007 11:10 PM Report

Dear Interested,

Iran TODAY never acts without first A call to the Gorilla - This Gorilla ratifies Iran acts with quiet ratification and backs this ratification with the borsa. This Gorilla is intent on making Iran proxy #1. This Gorilla manufactures the SA-7's Hersh mentions, this Gorilla and Iran have a synergic interest to disrupt Western Civilization interest's at every place n turn - This Gorilla is CHINA.

I am tired of chopped sentences and careful restraint so not to admit, focus, address or awake the 8 Hundred Pound Gorilla - China.

Phillip Urso Russo

Rob  10/02/2007 07:15 PM Report

This interview was way too soft

Dr. Mark Conn  10/02/2007 07:02 PM Report

I would also add that he(iran) doesn't care about the Palestinains at all and sadly they are falling victim to all of this.

batman  10/02/2007 06:38 PM Report

Burns is 100% full of BS. I can't believe Charlie let him off so easily on that many issues. Charlie, grow a conscience and start asking some tough questions, like, "If we are so committed to democracy in the Middle East, why did we usurp the power of the democratically elected Hamas government of the PA? Why did we encourage a bunch of Fatah cronies (with US $$ who are loyal not to the Palestinian cause but instead the Israeli and American agenda of continued apartheid?" In other words, we only support "democracy" when the results align with our selfish interests.

The onus should be placed on Israel to end the occupation. Stop using the sacred cow of "security" to legitimize Israel's ethnocentric way of life.

Anton Grambihler  10/02/2007 04:12 AM Report

It is the United States needs to become Credible.

Amy  10/02/2007 03:48 AM Report

Charlie was too polite to point out to his guest, Nicholas Burns, that when George Bush gave his infamous Axis of Evil speech, in 2002, the relatively moderate Khatami was then president of Iran. - According to Wikipedia - During Khatami's presidency, Iran's foreign policy had entered into a new phase; moving from confrontation to conciliation. Khatami's worldview and his notion of foreign policy was different from his predecessors'. In Khatami's notion of foreign policy, there was no "clash of civilizations", he favours a "dialogue among civilizations". The detente policy of Khatami had created a congenial atmosphere for expanding relations with the world, and its relations with the major powers (Iran's) was improving. -

Three years later, the more radical and eccentric Ahmadinejad, was voted in to power, no doubt in part, as a response to Bush's harsh rhetoric and refusal to to deal with Iran.

Alan Schein  10/02/2007 03:46 AM Report

Re: Nicolas Burns Interview:

Charlie Rose is such an syncophant when he is at his most ignorant and kissing up to Bush Administration officials.

How does he swallow all that crud without objection?

Anton Grambihler  10/02/2007 03:23 AM Report

If the United States really wants peace in the Middle East and Israel is our friend then they will understand the following:

The United States will stop all aid to Israel until:

1. Israel abides by all International Laws and resolutions which it is currently violating.

2. Israel abides by all United Nations resolutions which it is currently violating.

3. Israel gives up all its unregulated non-conventional weapons.

4. All the Massacres which Israel is accused of are investigated.

5. Israel signs the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

6. Israel treats the Palestine People Humanly

7. Israel accepts the right of the return to the land from which the Palestine fled.

8. Israel and the United States recognize the legally elected government of Palestine. After all the United States insisted on the election. Just because it did not turn out as expected by the United States, does not mean it should not be recognize it. Isn't democracy all about not getting your way all the time?

When the Nazis Terrorists continued to violate International Law after Land was taken from Czechoslovakia and given to them, they were forced to accept unconditional surrender. Nothing less must be accepted from Israel.

It is time for the United States and all other Nations to enforce International Law, United Nations Resolutions, and crimes against Humanity the same on all the people of the World.

Ferdinand Gajewski PhD  10/02/2007 01:21 AM Report

Of course the whole mess with Iran would never be upon us now if the United States had minded its own business decades ago. Read the history of American-Iranian relations. I was a young professor at the University of Texas at Austin, by the way, during the Iranian Hostage Crisis. When the Iranian ambassador was invited to speak at the University at that time, he was introduced with cordiality and without spin--a far cry from what just transpired at Columbia University. Didn't Stanley Hoffmann of Harvard predict way back when, on this very show, that Iran would emerge as the victor of a conflict in Iraq? I for one don't believe a word Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Burns says: the administration--joined by such kissing cousins as Joe Lieberman--is itching for armed conflict with Iran. And gosh, how can Mr. Burns say the administration hasn't been preoccupied with Iraq and Iran, and has consequently put the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the back (way back) burner?

Dorothy Hvozda  10/02/2007 12:11 AM Report

I was saddened by the conversation with Nicholas Burns to think our (USA) diplomacy is in his hands and others that share his arrogance. I was trying hard to feel his side, but the school-yard bestowing of invitations comment did me in. Thank you Charlie for allowing my thoughts and conclusions to arise unimpeded, by encouraging

real commentary from your guests.