It is no secret that we have to have more people in the military. Our Government has to pay our service men and woman more and really give away some special benefits.

I can’t wait to see this show!

Yes Yes Yes! We do need a president that will engage. We need someone who will approach these leaders with diplomacy, intelligence, and understanding. This is what Obama has been saying all along during this campaign. McCain has the same attitude that Bush has. Don’t talk to anyone that you do not like. This does not help to try to resolve anything. Frankly, it is an immature and unprofessional attitude to have for anyone, muchless the President of the United States.

Frank:
Always enjoy your perspective and reporting. When I saw this special adverstised a few weeks back, I thought, now that’s something I’m going to want to watch! Afterall, that is one powerful panel you guys rounded up! I fear that this election year is going to divide Americans more than ever and we can’t afford that for more and more of the key issues are becoming global in nature. Looking forward to watching. Thanks for blogging!

Jolene, St. Joseph, MI

This interview sounds fascinating. I wonder if more could be written or said about what the five former Secretaries of State had to say about whatever they were questioned on.

Excellent, excellent article!

Who better to talk about leadership than those who have been through the wringer of our political process and made it out alive! I love the advice given: “get over it, be real, be smart”.

Our next generationof leaders need to remember they are public servants and that they work for the citizens of this country. They are being elected to govern and to fix problems.

Another great comment:

“The secretaries agreed America’s image is a mess. And they laid out three things the next president should do to start to fix it: close Guantanamo, end torture and take the lead on climate change.”

I’d like to augment that with a suggestion: If America wants to be taken seriously by the rest of the planet, our leaders have got to stop this cowboy politics attitude (”Bring it on!”) that makes us look like idiotic fools to sensible people all around the world.

A timely example: “I put it on eBay!”

While the GOP cheered, the rest of the world rolled their eyes and said: “We’re going to have to deal with 4 years of this if McCain kicks off…..”

I sincerely hope there is a place for these former statesmen and stateswomen in our next administration.

Interesting they say to play down ideology and engage. Doesn’t seem like there has been much of that the last eight years. Somehow, diplomacy has been termed into a sign of weakness? Give me a break. It is amazing what a group of people out of office can say uninhibited as opposed to those receiving talking point memos from the back rooms of the white house. Let’s hope our new leaders use a common sense approach to our foreign policy.

I’m excited! I can not wait to get their take on upcoming Political Elections as well as the Political landscape around the Globe. What an exciting and poignant time in political History! Wow!

I look forward to the special. I wish I could ask them questions. Like why did Pres Bush create the Iraq study group only to reject their recommendations? Why did the US not pursue the current Iranian leader before he came to office. He has been identified by many of our people who worked at our embassy in Iran as one of the hostage takers. Why didnt we go after him. I think that old saying your enemies enemy is your friend applies here. I think the problem in the middle east goes back to WWII and its very important to know world history. You need to know the history of the regions and the culture and the battles fought. I look forward to learning all their perspectives on world issues.

The hardest thing the next president will have to do, is find a way to justify the lives lost and time and money spent in being in Iraq in the first place, much less after the new president is in.

The U.S. hasn’t lost credibility because George Bush decided to act like a stubborn child, we lost credibility because we didn’t spank the child and put him to bed. The world is punishing us, not because we suffered a momentary lapse of reason, but because that momentary lapse hasn’t seemed to lapse yet.

How long will our government continue to claim to be the victim even as we make victims of others?

The fact is, and I’m hoping to see some sort of reconing in your interviews tonight, the U.S. has lost it’s credibility in the world because, not only did we rape Iraq and impregnate it with the idea of Democracy in retaliation for what Osama Bin Laden masterminded, unbeknownst to Iraqis, on September 11th, but we have also, so far, failed to take out or capture the initial attacker; Osama Bin Laden is still free, but hey… if they happen to come apon him… we Americans, and the rest of the world, is expected to believe they’ll act appropriately?! I think not.

If you find my parallel disingenuous, please, enlighten me… and the 67% of the rest of the world who believes EXACTLY as I do.

At last some rationale thought from content experts who have engaged the rest of the world at different times on different political platforms. The key message is acknowledging that robust foreign policy or lack off impacts domestic issues. Wake up America!! Gone are the days thay the US can isolate itself and hope to succeed. The decisions we make today (Who we choose to lead us and their policies) in this changing world will impact our lives and those of generations to come. Diplomacy is always the first option. It does not mean that the US will be perceived to be weak

After 8 years of gun slinging “diplomacy,” this is a conversation we must have as a nation. It’s just too bad Secretary Baker did not hold more sway with 43 than he did with 41. Perhaps much of the current disaster could have been averted.

We need more Asian & Native Americans in the foreign service.

It sounds like all five are talking about Obama’s policies. McCain’s cold war era mentality and scorning Obama for wanting to meet with Iran without preconditons, along with his posturing about removing Russia from the G8 and his harsh reaction to the Georgia crisis, shows McCain to be totally clueless about how to lead in the 21st Century. He is in fact now calling all five former secretaries of state naive as well. He is no foreign policy expert and his policies would do nothing to improve our ability to lead in the world. Put that together with his comments yesterday about the president of Spain, his apparent confusion and lack of recognition of who the interivewer was talking about, makes his blustering all the more foolish. We need a person of vision in the WH and that is Obama.

I cannot wait to watch this air tomorrow

SO looking forward to see this show.

I hope the Candidates will all be watching. Interesting perspectives, from people who would know…

I may well order a transcript of this one!

This sounds like a remarkable program. The few comments you have shared seem to suggest a more mature and responsible approach to foreign policy advocated by Barack Obama. John McCain seems obsessed with the military and somewhat out of touch with the modern world. I look forward to this program and the refreshing non-partisan perspectives. We need to see this over and over, guys…

Obama and McCain need some refresher course, here it is.

Thank you for providing a backdrop to Saturday night’s show. I was going to watch it anyway, but now, I can’t wait. I envy you the chance to sit with these people and discuss the issues of today. Kudos

Great to see former Scretaries of State provide the neccessary suggestions to improve the Nation’s current foreign policy. I just want to see how the US will deal with globalization, especially the two rising powers, China and India.

Hi Christianne,
Great show idea.It is about time some attention got paid in this election to America’s international standing.
It is at an all time low. One thing for sure Bush and 8 years of republican style solutions did not work, whethe you believe USA is winning in Iraq or not, that is a pin prick in the war on terror and Islamic fundamentalism.
Regards,
hodgson.

In the middle of an endless and exhausting political campaign, ravaged with of charges and counter-charges, intolerable voices and endless speculation by so many who have no business in the business, at last a perspective that counts and helps to shape an intelligent, thoughtful platform for future discussion…all from a spectacular panel of history makers, shaped by two of our media’s top professionals, for a packed house of the generation who will have to solve these problems.

You may have to send a transcript to both parties. They might both have trouble with mult-media if any of the recent ads are any indication.

We’ll be watching…and talking… in Chicago.

It is certainly not everyday that five of the sharpest minds on foreign policy sit down together to take stock and perhaps pave the way for a sensible policy over the next few years! Congratulations CNN.

Obama and foreign policy? Wouldn’t that be like the guys on the other side of Chicago? Or does that mean Oprah is buying him a house off the coast on the Pacific across from Tom Cruise? Let’s see how he can bash Bush instead of answer a question for once. I think he said he wanted to increase the size of the millitary and send more troops to Afganistan in the last forum at Columbia University. We’ll see if he’s got his flip flops on! Or if he’s going to need that teleprompter. I guess BAIPA was foreign policy to him too, wait he actually voted and said NO on that one.

I hope the moderator asks for a consensus from these esteemed and knowledgeable Americans on who to vote for……

I believe that they would give their honest opinions on the pros and cons of each candidate. (Without lies and deceipt!). We the people certainly aren’t getting serious debate or answers on important issues that matter to “real” Americans.

The candidates and their “handlers” and hard-core fans are keeping the last days of this decisive election “dumbed-down” with ignorant tit-for-tat fights and catchy lines. I haven’t heard one substantive issue truly being discussed honestly by either man. Certainly the pitifully few (better late than never) debates are coming – sometime. Like after the people of Virginia have started voting!

As a life-long moderate Republican turned Democrat during the Bush/Cheney administration….(I’m proud to say I never voted for Bush either time. “Fool me once….”), I feel that I’m having to choose between the lesser of two evils. Tweedle-dee or Tweedle-dum!

Undecided, apathetic at this point….and sad. Former Secretaries of State….Just tell me who will be the better President. I love my Country, but for the first time in 50 years…..I just may not vote. That way there won’t be any guilt when whomever is elected screws up (again).

Then again, maybe I’ll move to Ireland….

Undecided former Mom/RN for Hillary~~~

God bless America, Always~~~

I’m excited to see this as well. I’m a big Christiane Amanpour fan, but even more I’m a fan of honest speaking. To see these intelligent people speak on what “they think” should happen under the next president will undoubtedly help me make my decision between the two candidate, although I’m already almost certain.

Obama / Biden!

Frank Sesno, Christine Anapour are two of the most incisive journalists we have in the media today. Bravo to them for convening such an impressive panel to discus the geopolitical landscape. I can’t wait to tune in because my friend, Sheila Rabaut, emailed me this blog.

Having lived just outside the Beltway of the shark infested waters of the Washington world of politics for almost 12 years, I know how timely this kind of in-depth discussion is. We surely need many more programs which try to enlighten the American populace on what is really happening in the USA.

The center of power is in Washington, but let’s not forget that we are supposedly living in a Democracy, & these self-absorbed individuals whom we elect soon forget why we sent them to the House or the Congress in the first place. We need to be properly represented.

Has George W. Bush ever listened to his Secretary of State? Colin Powel, Condoliza Rice? Has James Baker tried to advice Dubya on World Issues? He fought for Dubya when the first election was stollen in Florida. He asssisted the likes of Scalia to hand the presidency to a man who has messed up the USA and really the enrie world.

At last, some sane, rational and accurate insight into how the real world is.

Like the rest of the globe, I hope American voters will set aside the “star stricken fever” and make the right decision on Nov 4

It is very obvious that US foreign ratings will go up a few notches if Obama is declared president elect on Nov 5. Obviously, majority of world leaders would rather sit down with a President Obama than a President McCain.

While McCain is threatening to sack and punish over Wall Street crises, Obama is proposing to engage the world in a global attempt to stabilize not just US economy but the whole world’s too.

It will be a major tragedy if the American electorate decides to vote skin color instead of brain power

We are all eager to give America the chance to lead again. But you guys have to recognise that the world is better enlightened in the 21st century and leadership is now based on mutual respect, intellectual negotiations and a sense of global responsibility.

Try as I may, I don’t see how McCain fits into this picture…and shudder at the thought of a President Palin which is quite likely if anything happens to McCain

Please spare the world more woes…Bush has shared enough in 8yrs!

this will make an interesting watch. Good job CNN!

failure to heed the wisdom of these past leaders will push us into becoming a thrid world country in the 21st century.

McCain is clueless. He talks as if the world is nothing but dictators to be bullied.

He really does not know how to lead or how to manage people and perspectives.

I wish one of them would suggest to the next prez “listen and follow the will of the people”. We are much smarter than the politicians give us credit for. On the climate change issue for example, the US was the only developed nation that did not ratify the KYOTO PROTOCOL, but a large majority of our people supported it. On the Iraq war, majority of people here in US and in IRAQ supported a 6 month timetable for withdrawal, 5 years, billions of dollars and thousands of deaths later, we’re still fighting. A nuclear catastrohe is another vital issue facing the world today. Polls showed that overwhelming majority of people supported the FISSBAN TREATY; US and Palau opposed it while179 nations supported it at the UN.
We need to bring back ” government of the people, by the people, for the people”.
The reports that Christine Amanpoor and Anderson Cooper provide, are of tremendous value, I hope people enjoy their programs for many years to come.

Never has it been clearer that John McCain is too old and out of touch with the modern world. His grasp of current facts and dynamics is impaired by age.

He needs to face reality and let the republicans offer a more vital candidate.

Our presidential candidates should take a breather from campaigning this evening and watch this incredible program. And – it should be mandated viewing for Governor Palin!!

I am looking forward to hearing all of the sage advice from these five former Secretaries of State who have walked the walk.

Sounds like all the secretaries are saying we really don’t need John McCain because he is another George W. Bush. McCain was ready to go to war with Russia before he knew the facts. We can’t have McCain “test firing” at every country when there is a disturbance and making irrational statements of threat.

Diplomacy and the economy should be our utmost concerns in this election considering current events, both domestic and abroad. So, it’s curious that CNN.com ran a story about how Biden’s joke on Delaware-Ohio college football relations could possibly spell trouble for an Obama win in Ohio, but nothing about McCain’s bizarre radio interview this past week in Miami concerning Latin America and Spain. Whichever angle you examine, either he doesn’t realize Spain is a European country and not a Latin American country , or he doesn’t want to commit to a presidency in which he freely communicates with the the PM of Spain, our NATO ally with its troops helping us in Afghanistan. Which is it? If he was confused by the question, that’s actually less disturbing than his campaign sidestepping the gaffe by saying he knew exactly who, where, and what he was talking about but did not want to commit to talking with the PM of Spain. Are we really this idiotic that we wouldn’t even commit to talking to SPAIN??? What a crock. He was obsviously confused, so why lie and assume we’re stupid enough to believe it. This feels like 8-years plus. C’mon CNN. Where’s the story? We deserve to know what we’d be getting ourselves into with a McCain “diplomacy.” Google it. Time, Washington Post, New York Times, etc. consider it newsworthy and so do I. I love CNN, but college football ties don’t determine my vote (hook ‘em horns). But how you handle the country, now that’s a whole ‘nother ballgame.

Great commentary and this is what America needs now rather than all the pandering, lies, blaming and trash talking. Exaggerations and mistruths from the Republicans just show us all how much we need to listen to these well-informed people. Much of what they are saying is what Obama has been saying all along. I hope that both McCain and Obama listen to them as their advice is priceless. McCain changes paths with the wind with no real thought behind it. He is simple a puppet and the RNC is pulling the strings. Palin is also pulling his strings. What we don’t need is another puppet. We need a leader who can and will unite us all here in America and around the world!

National Security = Foreign Policy
1. Diplomatic relationship need to be emphasized and appreciated
2. Intelligent gathering and exchange with other agencies across the world to prosecute bad guys all over the world
3. Build a military of the future not of 20th century
4. National Service for two years after Collage or high School
5. Education , language , international studies , exchange studies
6. I don’t see China Fighting a war yet they are growing their economy while feeding 20% of the world population
7. the War we are fighting is causing us enemy, is also costing us precious American life and money
8. We need and our friends need to focus on Law enforcement to tackle radical violent ideas across the world and treat them as law and order issue… its cheaper in terms of life and money , its prevent issues before they start and its protect sovereignty of individual Countries , while enhancing cooperation between cities, states, and countries
9. we also need a future looking President that the rest of the world can relates to… it dose not Hurt us if our president is popular in other countries…. That’s how we can start leading the world back to peace and stability by our show of leadership

This is exactly what this nation need. Intelligent people, who knows what they are talking about. I can’t wait to watch it.

I think McCain and Bush need to listen to this guys. As for Pallin, she probably need an eight years course from this guys then she will be ready to run for the Oval office.

Too bad we can’t have the 5 of them under the new administration,providing Obama is there, he would wellcome their saged advice and put it to use.
How ever if McCain gets in he is so bull headed he won’t listen to anyone, and we might be in even worse shape than we are now, not possible, ahhh but it is, we don’t have bombs falling on our houses YET!

Of all the CNN personalities you seem to be less judgemental of everyone. I.E., you are a reporter and not prone to editorializing by statements or other languages (like body, facial, attitude, and actions).

I am astounded at the overwhelming liberalism of CNN commentaries. One example was several days ago when Brown had a lady on that was switching from Democratic to McCain. I was apalled at her rudeness to that lady. If I was her superior, I would have told her my way or the highway.

Why is that disgusting War Pig Henry Kissinger not in jail? And why is CNN giving him audience?

Frank,
This is a powerful panel of peopel who have been there and seen it all….good and bad in the world of politics and policy. I commend you on bringing this panel together and will be clearing the plate to watch this one. I can’t wait.

Henry Kissinger is a war criminal. Vietnam could have been solved before Johnson left office, but Kissinger turned down the cease fire agreement and kept it open , for political reasons–killiing hundreds of thousands of Cambodians. He should be given a trial.

Well… Good thing they are not Secretary of State anymore, aint it?!
Now lets hope for a pro US presidency that chooses a US loving Secy of State.

Much is made of McCain’s age. Has anyone brought up the fact that Obama smokes and both of his parents died at an early age. Plus, Biden has had two brain aneurysms which could have killed him.

If they both died while in office, that would leave Nancy Pelosi as president. That thought alone is surely a compelling reason to vote for McCain & Palin.

Every item mentioned in this report is EXACTLY what Obama is presenting to the American people. It was McCain who first over reacted about the Russua/Georgia situation and was praised by FOX news by givne an immediate and direct response; HOWEVER, we later discovered was ultimately had the correct stance by stating that we need to re-evaluate the situation before over reacting. Once again, Obama has been correct by his natural ability to think things through. For me, I’ll pick this “community leader” over a cowboy from Arizona who over reacts.

ouch slap in the face of McCain. is this a slick move to subtly say no to McCain but not come out officially endorsing Obama? my goodness Obama definitely has 0 experience but it might be good in the long run in that he will bring a new fresh approach. and with what has happened on Wall St, McCain is toast. pendulum has reached it’s peak it is only natural for it to swing back otherwise clock will break.

As interesting as what they said here (in the recap) is what they didn’t say. I.E, that so much of their advice is obviously 180 degrees opposite of the course pursued by the present administration. It’s hard to imagine an administration doing a worse job at foreign affairs that the present Bush has done. But it looks like McCain could actually screw it up even worse. I hope we don’t have to find out. And let’s not even think about what would happen if Caribou Barbie ever took the reigns.

I need to see this show.

I don’t want to hear supporters advertising their presidential candidate. I want to hear people who can point out to us what our country needs to do in the coming years as a roadmap to our foreign policy decisions, without partisan conflicts and clashes of ideology.

This will be more helpful to the voters overall, and our country first, and foremost.

“Georgia fired the first shot in that little August war, they reminded us.” Not to excuse it, or suggest Russia’s a benevolent, democratic place.”

But Georgia didn’t fire the first shot into Russia. Georgia was addressing violent outbreaks in two of its own (breakaway) provinces. Technically, it was none of Russia’s business.

If Quebec wants to succeed from Canada, does France have the right to invade?

Thank you CNN. This is the type of conversation we should be having during this election season, not more of the “lipstick” distractions, smears, fears, lies and spin that have been so prevalent. Unfortunately, I am not hopeful that a majority of Americans are really ready for a serious discussion.

Great article! Our world image needs to be revitalized. My definition of diplomacy and negotiations has always been to get the desired results without designating a winner and a loser. Losers don’t go away and we have to share the planet with them.

How refreshing to see see such an intelligent argument from all of you. George Bush somehow managed to turn others’ sophistication and intellect into a negative in the 2000 campaign, and we see where that has gotten us as a nation. Do we want to trust America’s future to a man at the bottom of his class and a woman who went to five or six colleges to finally earn just a BA in Journalism? The foreign policy issues a commander in chief deals with are complex and require great finesse, something McCain and Palin could probably not even spell. If wanting a thoughtful, intelligent, sophisticated President makes me an elitist, I am proud be an elitist and thoughtfully vote for Obama and Biden.

Basically, these people are merely pundits with opinons and they are probably wrong about 50% or more of the time. We the people need to pressure our politicans who have kicked the American people to the curb so the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, could go on a book tour, so the Chairman of the committee that oversees them, Sen. Dodd, could take massive political contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and so the nation’s leading tax writer, Charlie Rangel, could skip on paying his taxes and then say he didn’t know he had to. In America, times have been pretty good, relative to the rest of the world, and in the process too many of us have become over-tolerant of the corruption and disturbing lack of performance of our congressman. I would like to see all the people, of all the parties make a committment to vote EVERY SINGLE congressman and Senator out of their position. And to continue to do so if they did not meet the country’s needs. We the people, have to make change, and it has to start with congress.

Is this a joke? Why don’t people get this before they read the headlines on CNN? Like they would require their secretaires to read and be discenring? Come on, this is a total joke. Expect more people.. you are all frickin idiots.

“I can see Russia from my house” and “President Putin of Germany” will not do it. Our only assurance is Obama who already knows his way around the globe. Go Obama!

The next president will be stepping in a worse mess than Franklin Roosvelt did when became president.

What we have now is like a four year old thinking everything in world is his and he can do with as the pleases and we do not have enough people in congress that has the guts to do anything about it. The republicans are so afraid they will make some campaign contributor mad if hey censure this or stop this president from trying to be king or a dictator they want get their pockets filled.

“Raped and impregnated with the idea of democracy.”

Wow. The liberals are just obsessed with this violent rape imagery lately. I hope when Obama gets elected he takes even more of my money so that I can even less afford to buy gas and heat my house. I hope he gives my money to Africa, so they can buy mosquito nets and condoms. Isn’t that “soft power” idea great? The only thing missing from this panel of outrageous failure was Jimmy Carter, and you know he’s smiling, because Obama will be so awful he’ll make Carter’s disastrous presidency look like a day at Disneyland.

jrq: please don’t confuse the military with the foreign service (i.e. diplomats, ambassadors, etc.). what the former secretaries of state were saying is that we need more serving in that capacity because we have less people in foreign service than in one military aircraft carrier. i think you missed the point completely. you don’t always have to rule with an iron fist.

Wow, some very smart people got together and pretty much have said what Obama has been saying for 18 months. “A little less dangerous cowboy and a little more intelligent diplomatic leader for the future.

I can’t wait to see this program. This will be very enlightning and hopefully the beginning of the end of this 8 year nightmare. Good job, CNN-we need to start being a lot more mature in our analysis of the world, and our place in it. It sounds to me that the approach put forward by our former Secretaries of State is very similar to that of Barack Obama.

Wonderful show. I can’t wait. But most of the comments are partisan and therefore misguided. Americans beware. The world is chaotic, it has always been. Every nation acts in their own self interest. Stop trying to “make the world like you” . Most friendly nations will drop you in a second if (and when) others match you in power. Do what is best for you and do not oversell international popularity. With the possible exception of the British, Canadians, and Australians, most other friends are “here today, gone tomorrow”.

McCain/Palin ticket is obsessed with the military and very much out of touch. Obama has continually said we need to talk with our so-called enemies. Even in our everyday life, talking with our enemies sometimes breaks up the rivalry and friendships begin. Bush/Chaney have sold out America. We are in this mess because of them and the Republicans have lost site of who they are supposed to be for and that’s the American people. McCain/Palin are clueless and I am tired of her bragging about lipstick, hockeymom, e-bay sale. I trust neither of them and her refusal on this investigation clearly shows she and her husband have a lot to hide.

It is amazing that hindsight has the most insight.

If these minds could have only influenced the empty suits in power today, we would not be in such a mess.

The next leader needs foresight.

Well, let’s hope that most of America takes this in. McCain and Palin will of course pass on it as they think that what has taken place over the last eight years is just fine. Obama seems to be on the right track but, there are still way too many people that think like Bush et al. So go out and educate your neighbors on what is really going on, and what could be if we change the direction of our society and culture

I wish some such sense prevailed before such aghast destruction perpertrated by criminals in the present Whitehouse! Its Tooooo Little, Tooooo Late, Mr. Late Edition, Editor.

And I believe I see there the 2 criminals on the panel, who themselves have perpertrated crime, and don’t deserve anything less than war crimes themselves, how could these 2 rogues ever understand the meaning of peace!!

Frank, frankly speaking you’re too naive, and late in everything, and you don’t seem to know whom to put on the panel? Ms. Amanpour is even too naive to undesrtand peace, as she thinks British imperialism is a ’saving grace’ of humanity.

Oh, real high credibility here! War criminal Kissinger, who cannot even leave our country, because he’s wanted for extradition by a few of his victim countries for war crimes, and Carlyle Group honcho, oh excuse me ex Secretary of the State/Treasury/ all purpose flack/liar James Baker who changed his story 3 times in 5 days as to why we were in Iraq under Bush I….HIGH credibility! This pack of maggots starts wars to make obscene profits by the companies they’ve carefully positioned (remember Haliburton?), and then leave US to clean up their mess. These people shouldn’t just be indicted….these people should be extradited to The Hague, to be tried along with all the other war criminals….Rockefeller toadies, all, owned lock, stock and barrel, just like CNN/Fox News/ and the rest of the corporate disinformation/obfuscation media complex.

I can’t wait to see this – please make it available in several re-runs or make the transcript available online. One of my biggest concerns about this election is that we as a country start thinking seriously about our position as a “global” citizen. Right after 9/11 we had friends across the world – crying with us. I was as moved by the reactions of people in other countries as I was by the ceremonies and news coverage here.

Now we’re considered the bully on the block. Instead of that tragedy bringing safety, security, and peace – it’s brought ugliness in politics, the senseless killing of Americans AND Iraquis. And it’s made hatred a continuing theme in both the middle east and the US.

This election is being watched around the world as an indication of whether the US has gotten smarter and is finally ready to “spank” our leaders at long last… Let’s hope people can put aside the petty and move forward with some look to the future instead of the past.

To get “real” we have to dump the support for the Jewish entity in the Promised Land of Milk and Honey in occupied Palestine. Till then it more of the same.

Could someone tell me why there are so many totally uneducated in civics, totally unaware of what their own government is supposed to do, what their own Constitution prescribes ? That taxes go to the common good ? Roads, hospitals, military, security, rescue when hurricanes destroy the cities, etc… Why is it that TV stations, local and national, are not required to show programs such as the above — while no other broadcast allowed — to enlighten the public. The airwaves belong to the public. The public has a right, yeah a duty to know whom to vote for and why it is important to vote. In the recommendations by those former Secretaries of State, I read that they suggest to talk to our perceived enemy, to talk to Iran, to talk to Russia. What does McCain advocates ? Bang bang Iran ! Bang bang Iran ! “We are all Geogians!” Do we also Bang ! bang Russia ? Bang Bang Korea ! and who else could we bang bang ? I tell you, I would not trust him or Palin with the 3 o’c. a.m. red phone ! What does she know ? That rapture will occur in her life time and let’s help it by bangbang some more ?

jrq: Foreign service, mentioned at the end of this article, is not the same as military service. Those who are in foreign service work under the Department of State. Members include ambassadors, diplomats, consulars, and supporting staff.

If the next President needs to Get over it. Get real. Be smart, then we really only have one choice, because McCain is living in the past and has a bad attitude, and his thinking is not real and we know he is not very smart. We don’t need another President who is hard headed.
We need to move forward not backwards.

Professor Sesno,
You are being too nice to the current administration. Our leaders think in simplistic and moralistic concepts such as good and evil. Thus, we have a foreign policy of exhaustion whereby the policy ends are predicated upon when we run out of treasure or when the voters refuse to sacrifice more of our blood. However, the Russians have shown that realism is brutally alive in this world. To win the war in Iraq and against the regional sponsors of terrorism, we need to seize their center of gravity, which are their oilfields. How do I know that Iraq, Iran, and Syria sponsor terrorism? We invaded Iraq and the suicide bombings in Israel drop by 95%. By shrouding our moralistic foreign policy in democracy and human rights rationalizations that are borrowed from idealism, we are unable to perform the cost and benefit analysis for sustaining the war in Iraq. Exhaustion will be the decisionmaker. Let us see what the experts have to say of realism and idealism.

dr devo

“America has fewer people in the foreign service today, he said, than serve on one aircraft carrier. That’s got to change.” That may explain why a single aircraft carrier is more beneficial to the U.S. foreign policy than the entire foreign service.

I agree wholeheartedly and it is refreshing to hear these words actually being said. I have thought the same thing myself – but what I don’t understand is why wasn’t this agenda – or why isn’t this agenda – being followed. We – America – need to take the lead if we are going to be the leader in the free world. The days of threatening, intimidation, obnoxious “stay the course” even if its wrong attitude need to end. I hear the word “change” from the presidential candidates but no one has laid out a clear concise agenda – its still all rhetoric and thats what scares me. Do they have a plan for our eventual demise or a plan for success? Most people think of foreign affairs as not our problem, I think the next President needs to address why it is our problem – because that connection needs to be explained.

Wow! Adults speaking like adults instead of jingoistic, simplistic drivel – amazing!
Too Bad Baker didn’t behave like that when he helped make Georgie the President-select in 2000 and Colin Powell didn’t exercise better judgment or independence while making the fraudulent case for war in the UN.
Guess it is better late than never on their part.

A learned group no doubt. Yes, engagement is the key to operating in this complex world.

One question for these learned personalities. How come none of them (Exception: Kissinger), and their respective Presidents, could make zero progress with Iran.

A country engaged must also be willing to engage for diplomacy to work. The acquisition of nuclear capability has progressed under their respective watches. First, it was suggested, “Let the Europeans engage, America is only a hindrance to progress.” Result: Iran has continued to acquire nuclear capability. Next, “The US should be engaged.” Result: Nothing has changed.

Iran has been on a crash course to obtain nuclear weapons. Given their ideaology, no amount of “engagement” would change that objective.

This is why we need a real leader that has a spine, stands up to all the idealogs, both Dems & Repubs. And Obama has yet to do that! But he has the gift of gab, which does not qualify him. McCain has that backone!!!

i’ve always believed that our country is blessed with some of the absolute best and brightest men and women who, without any doubt, love their country and are willing to put their ideas, perspectives, energy and lives on the line for the good of the usa. it’s a damned shame that we, “the people” of this great country, can not (we have not to date because of the divisive leadership…no, make that lack of leadership) demand of our so-called politicians (most of whom are nothing but selfserving political hacks) to consider the wisdom and experience of those, the best and brightest, among us. jeeeze, come on my fellow americans, wake up!, our fine country is going under right before our eyes and we refuse to grab that lifeline offered by our best and brightest citizens!!!

CNN stands idly by when politicians (like Obama) get ripped apart for strongly suggesting we ought to engage the world. Why don’t you keep this story out front, and keep comparing all of McCains BS to it? CNN helped us get into the Iraq war by not investigating and challenging the lies that got us there. You do the same kinds of things over and over. Good thing for you that most of your viewers are ‘disabled.’

The only “leading” we need to do on climate change is educate the rest of the world on the FACT that it’s a normal climatological cycle and not manmade.

That’s REAL world leadership.

When the Georgian issue started I told family and friends we’re backing the wrong horse in this conflict. Not only do we not have the luxury of lecturing the Russians about invading another country after we invaded Iraq, we have more to gain by working with them.
As the panel pointed out, the Russians did not fire the first shot in that conflict.
They are also dealing with the same Muslim extremism that we are dealing with. By working together, we can make a lot of progress in solving that issue.
We can’t allow another four years of cowboy diplomacy. Talk to people directly.

Palin should attend to get some lessons. Her naive view of the world & US power with comments like “we may have to go to war with Russia” clearly show she is clueless & dangerous in dealing with foreign policy issues. We have spent the last 60 yrs, billions of dollars building an arsenal of WMD sufficient to destroy civilization just to AVOID going to war with Russia. McCain made a big mistake. The Republican Party of Ronald Reagan with its pragmatic & strategic view of the world & how to compete globally without going to war is gone.

It is refreshing to see (from the short article) that there is rationality available in American politics. It appears there were none of the ‘off with their heads’ ( McCain ‘I’d fire Cox’ ) or the flippant (Pailin ‘I put it on ebay’) mentalities. Wisdom was shown. I agree with a previous respondent that Americas image was’nt tarnished becouse of GW being a petulant child, it was tarnished when he was not spanked and sent to bed. During the ‘Orange revolution’ I was embarrassed to be an American, our election was clearly rigged and stolen, and we as a people rolled over. The Ukrainians within their first breath of freedom,let out a resounding ‘NO’ and stopped the theft of their election.

The French, God bless them, all they did was speak their mind and stand for their principals, what an American thing to do, but I guess Americans are the only ones allowed to, and the French get flambayed for doing so.

We need a President who will be open to alternate ideas when engaging the rest of the world, We need a president who will have ethics, not just his/her personal version of morality and control to be shoved down everyone else’ throat. And I think that is what this panel was saying.

With the world as it is today, the worst case scenario is John McCain as president of America.

The American people must understand that our leaders need to have a global understanding, not just the fact that they portray them self as having similar ‘values’ on an individual basis. There is more to the planet then the American ‘dream’.

Its a humorous but sad to think of feeble minded sarah palin somehow standing with these intelligent and accomplished people. What a clown she is.

Frank,
As usual, an excellent job. These people all speak from experience, and experience from crises within their own Administrations. I’m glad this has finally been done (discussing the reality of what the next president faces). I think sometimes as I watch the evening news and interviews with the candidates that they fail to understand the entirety of the office they are seeking. I am fully aware that the snippets we see on the news are really taken from speeches on specific policy or stances, but the world is in a real mess and the next CinC needs to deal with not only war, the economy, Iran, the EU, the 8 million problems wrong here at home, but also how America is seen by everyone else. Over the last 8 years, we have gone from crusading do-rights who assist those in need to probably the most disliked and targeted population in the world: the French mock us now more than ever, and as a veteran and a proud American, I hate to admit that we’ve become the proverbial international joke.

The next CinC has to understand that a) war is bad: people can talk tough about us, but going to war against them is not a necessity, b) have a proper command of the English language so as not to sound like a cartoon character when addressing the United Nations, c) have a thorough understanding of the UN and NOT rely on more than a few people to do your homework for you (you’re the president, know your job!), and d)take care of the home front with equal action that you take overseas, ANYWHERE!

We need a reformer, someone who can cure our collective ills. We all have our belief as to who can do this better, but as long as the person who gets the job does it honestly, honorably, and with conviction. This is a bipartisan plea for someone just to do the job and do it well. Please!!!!

Very timely program. I’m looking forward to watching it. In light of our financial meltdown, one which we are not going to be able to handle alone (I.e. Foreign Sovereign Funds will probably buy alot of the junk securities that the US government will buy from the banks). America, now more than ever, needs to understand that we need the world to be at our side. We should continue to be the leader of the free world,but, that term does not mean what it meant during the cold war. Finally, I think it would really be helpful if the participants in this panel would make a non-partisan, non-endorsment commercial which would succintly state to Americans of all parties what is at stake and what they believe our foreign policy should be. It would help the voter look past all of the rhetoric of the campaing.

It was an excellent presentation and the theme was very real. The next president should be closer to what is happening in the world. Domestic affairs and are economy would always remain No. 1 but the relations with other countries and an open mind to discuss issues with friendly countries or the not-so-friendly ones, should be an option to who ever wins the election. International affairs should remain high on the next president’s agenda, especially with a world as our present one!

I am so sick of hearing how the U.S. has lost credibility in the world. It is such a political slogan. The whole world knows that we are the most generous, benevolent nation to ever exist. No other nation even comes close to the amount of money that we throw around the world to help others. Nobody. So some of the nations dislike the handling of the war on terror. You know what, I would rather be safe than try to impress them. They are the same ones that have been caving in to the terrorists demands for the last 40 years which is why we are where we are today. And though they criticize us, they still respect the heck out of us. This American apologist thing has to stop.

Like many others, I am looking forward to this program. CNN needs to provide more of these discussions with people of knowledge and perspective regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican. The partisan hacks who pass off as analysts and political pundits on many CNN programs need to be cast aside. CNN viewers are intelligent, objective people in the main. Give them substance, not cake. Give us the real, objective, focused analytical perspective. Jettison the titillating soundbite and sensational one liner. Help viewers make informed decisions. Be true to your mandate of presenting and analysing the truth.

How unfortunate, these distinguish persons failed to act when they had the power to effect policies, However, one hope the current aspirants will hastily heed the belated common sence approach they now expound.

This should be a must view/read for each campaingn.

At this point it seems pretty obvious that in order to all live on this planet without killing each other, we’ve got to cut all the idealogical bull we as a country are always toting around. There are countries that have problems with us? We’ve been messing around in their country’s policies since day one, in order to advance our own agenda, and consequently we’ve made enemies. The longer we continue the type of policies the Bush administration has operated under for the last eight years, the more enemies we’ll have and the deeper we’ll be entangled with other nations and international warfare.

Very thoughtful blog. To the best of my research, Abkhazia and South Ossetia were autonomous provinces from Georgia even during the time of the Soviet Union. The Abkhazians and the South Ossetians welcome the Russian troops as liberators and do not want them to leave. These two provinces do not want to be part of Georgia. We should be tough with the Russians but we should also regongnize that Georgia started this conflict and may have to forfeit these two provinces from their territory.

“This Russia is not democratic, …”

If the US is anything to go by, why would any other country want to be democratic? I don’t see any real leadership from the presidential candidates, just trolling for votes among the most gullible, ignorant members of the population.

Pretty strong support for and consistency with Obama’s foreign policy approach by some pretty seasoned vets. Yet the sitting party and their supporters are blasting Obama for his naivety in foreign affairs. I think Obama fits the grow up and get smart suggestion with flying colors. Now we voters need to grow up and get smart and put him in the White House. Just the message we would send to the rest of the world by selecting Obama for our President itself would begin a turn around in our standing as a leader in the world. It would re-seat us as a potentially intelligent population, increase the level of respect with which we would be perceived, and increase the positive influence we could wield throughout the globe. Not that it would be simple or instantaneous, but I can think of no better start. I don’t want to even consider the message that putting McCain and Palin in the White House will send out to the world.

Both Obama and McCain represent the extremes of their parties, while we have no one representing the real world and the middle consensus.
Many Democrats are conservative Dems and many Republicans are liberal Republicans.
I do not agree with either Obama OR McCain, but believe the answer is somewhere in the middle.
One side is as bad as the other and there are no Messiahs in this campaign.

No one has the guts to list the main change that needs to occur for the United States to regain respect and have a chance to cease or lower terrorism against our country: We need to cut Israel loose. Stop all AID and once and for all to condemn their war like attitude towards their neighbors. They are the original terrorists! And, the rest of the world sees the United States as condoning this situation. Israel, on the other hand, would come to the bargaining table with their Arab neighbors and compromise. I am not an Arab lover, nor a Anti-Semitic. I am just an observer of this ongoing festering wound in the world that has been escalating since the 1950’s. Now, since 9/11 they have dragged the United States into their world. Israel might be an ally, but what does the United States get out of that relationship? t is a one way relationship.

Yet, because of Political Correctness and pressure from lobbyists representing Israel, no one wants to touch the third rail by being called Anti-Semetic. No way to defend yourself from that label.

These guys’ conclusion says just what the rest of the world knows already: we have an ideological moron as president, and we keep electing him. What does that make us (voters) in *their* eyes? I am not by any stretch a fan of Obama, but McCain is way too close to Shrub for me to vote for him. If the next president must be realistic and smart, we can’t possibly afford another like Shrub: ideological and stupid.

Why, oh WHY isn’t any one of these knowledgable, experienced people currently a VP candidate? Or a presidential candidate for that matter…

If one of them were, I might actually feel like this country has a future.

But no, we have “NO BLINKING” itchy trigger-finger Palin and her thousand-year war presidential candidate. Listed in order of relative importance.

God help us all.

Looking at Madelyn Albright and Henry Kissinger on the panel I realize that asking answers from some of the people who are to blame for our problems is a joke.

It would certainly be nice to see an end to the “If you ain’t with us, yur agin us” approach to international diplomacy which has been practiced over the past two presidential terms. My country, Canada, declined to participate in the Iraq coalition, and were roundly vilified for it by our US ambassador and the U.S. popular press. This, while Canadians and other nationalities are fighting and dying shoulder-to-shoulder with American soldiers in Afghanistan.

I believe that most of the people around the world who say “I hate America”, really don’t. What they hate are the gunslinger policies of the government; not the American people.

John McCain is praised by conservative commentators for his fast, decisive and unequivocal responses to interviewers’ questions. Obama is mocked for taking time to consider the questions, and offering more nuanced responses. IMHO the ability to forcefully state a knee-jerk reaction to any given question is precisely what needs to change.

This is an American election which will be decided by the American people. Some will say it is no business of “foreigners” like myself to “interfere” and offer opinions. You are all my neighbours. When your government behaves more like a neighbour, and less like the neighbourhood bully, your lives and those of many people around the world will be improved immeasurably.

Whoever is elected REALLY needs to get this right.

Interesting! However, I am always amazed at how the left thinks we can defeat our enemies by talking to them. The only way talking will work is if we move towards there way of thinking because they are not going to move towards our way.

These people strap bombs to themselves and…

Do you really think we can talk to them?

We ought to follow these bi-partisan cool-headed Secretaries. The Cowboy Go-It-Alone foreign diplomacy has hurt our country so much in the eyes of the world! We must elect a president who knows the subtlety of careful talk in international affairs instead of always threatening people like what Mr. McCain did during the Georgian-Russian war. As former President Clinton said: The world admires us because of our power of examples instead of our examples of power!!!

Hey jrq in La Habra,

Sec’y Baker was not referring to the size of our Armed Forces and saying we need more…he was referring to the fact that there are more people on 1 aircraft carrrier than in our Foreign Service…He meant we need more people in our Foriegn Service…………The Foreign Service Officers serve in our Department of State and consist of approximately 3200 civilians who are Diplomats, not armed forces members.

BTW, our armed forces offer very healthy bonuses by way of trying to attract and maintain personnel…..some bonuses up to $150,000…..of course you must pay more for your armed forces if you intend to keep them voluntary and not spread the honor of serving evenly amongst the entire population.

Thank you for this show; I look forward to seeing it in its entirety.
Really do like CNN!

James Baker would have made a great president. I am voting for Obama but have always liked and admired Mr. Baker.

Interesting commentaries!
We are so off course in this country, as the opinions expressed by the former Secretaries of State confirm. Hindsight is foresight, but having a President with vision, intellect and the ability to surround themself with talented people is key.

It is quite a disappointment that we have couple of risky presidential candidates on our hand. We have got possibility of George Bush saga on one hand and nightmares of Jimmy Carter on other. I have watched all these Secretaries of State in action over my life time and have lots of respect for them. These are the people who make or break America !! All I can hope for is the next President of United States of America shows courage by selecting bunch of capable people while ignoring party and politics … otherwise we are at a critical stage of existence and one more mess up and its all down hill from here … I think both the presidential candidates should be asked about their possible cabinet / secretaries during the debate… at least in case of Finance, State and Defense !!

The shame of it is is that at least one candidates will refuse to tolerate these kinds of views being seriously discussed. And there is one VP candidate who probably doesn’t even know who these 5 people are. W, as a nation, have sunk very far…

I hope this is a forum for the next president to listen depth of knowledge on world affairs. I will definitely would watching this programme.

And I hope the recommended dropping the embargo against Cuba. That has to be the most pig-headed and senseless foreign policy we’ve ever mounted. After nearly 50 years of failure, we’re still doing it.

We can’t afford to appease the terrorists or ‘reach out to them’. Clinton famously said that Americans prefer Presidents to be ’strong and wrong rather than weak and right’. Any nuanced or qualified position on terrorism or keeping us safe is going to lose to the absolute ‘with us or against us’ position. Being right or wrong is irrelevant. We can’t afford to think about right or wrong. We need to feel safe and only a strong absolute policy can make us feel safe and that’s what the people want.

we can see from these wise men that we need to get rid of cowboy diplomacy that Mc’cain is embracing and elect Barak Obama as the next president because he favors the approach of these wise men, a word is enough for the wise, NO THIRD TERM.

I pray that this discussion from the former heads of state will be covered by all the news outlets. Some news outlets put a spin on things that divide us instead of bring us together. That`s a real shame that it is being allowed to happen, especially now in this time of uncertainty.

Can we just elect those five to share the presidency? Their ideas seem like the correct move for our county. Obama and McCain only care about sound bites and bashing each other. I have yet to hear solid ideas with explanations from either candidate. I would even welcome Ross Perot back at this point.

We need more voices of reason such as this. I too hope the next President turns his attention from running the divisive “permanent campaign” favored by the Bush administration and instead chooses to lead by shining example. There is much work to be done to rejoin the world and little time to waste.

The Secretaties’ advice to the next President on what our attitude toward the rest of the world, particularly our adversaries and those who disagree with us, should be – goes along way to once again validate Senator Barack Obama’s insightfulness, thoughtfulness and sound judgment when it comes to vital national interests. As my beloveth Mother used to tell us her children – ‘it is not how far but how well.” Experience may be good, but it is not the be all, end all. For me, it is good judgment that counts.

Let’s see.

Obama wants to:
1. Engage with Iran without preconditions
2. Focus on fixing America’s image as opposed to “winning” the unnecessary war we started in Iraq
3. Not start a new cold war. Tread carefully with Russia. As opposed to John McCain, who makes statements like “Today, we are all Georgians”.

I don’t know why John McCain would be seen as the foreign policy candidate.

Mccain is too old to learn new techniques of intelligent dialogue and theory of intelligent manipulation like that of cold war. That dude wants a cowboy language for the whole world just like bush and the results are evident now we are even leaving behind our closest allies.

Great! We need to talk about this. As a former military expert on terrorism, let me say that this war was the most ineffective and destructive route (both in lives and to our economy) .

The best way to fight terrorism in NOT with the military. I believe that the next President should get a good understanding on how to fight terrorism, and once they do, they will see that decreasing the size of our military, and equipping the CIA, FBI, and other Law Enforcement agencies is the way to go. This, along with dipomacy (cooperation between nations, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement agencies) is what will make it nearly impossible to terrorists to move around and conduct their missions.

I say this as retired military man. The military needs to be reduced, and those funds need to be shifted to homeland security and intelligence.

Second guessing President Bush and feeling bad that others in the world don’t support our policies (yet look to us to lead) has become the game of choice. I’m sick of it, the President has done the best he could given the cards dealt. I don’t see Cowboy politics, only a Man who cares about his country. I wore the uniform for 21 years and unlike during President Clinton’s terms I haven’t seen a single service member tear up a retirement certificate with President Bush’s name on it…a sign that despite our sacrifices we respect his vision as I believe historians will.

McCain, Obama, Biden and Palin, along with their campaign managers, ought to be made to get together in the same room, sit down, shut up and listen to the people who have been out there as America’s face to the world. Amazing how far common sense can go. But apparently our politicians think we have very little of it, because they feed us emotion-driven sound bites instead of thoughtful ideas to consider.

This sounds like what Obama has been saying ALL ALONG. I don’t know what further proof anyone else would need.

Obama is Andy Griffith (cool, calm, rational, thoughtful), to McCain’s Barney Fife (trigger-happy, clueless, boastfull, and dangerous, even with that one bullet he’s been given.)

It goes to show how even these heads of state can be wrong. They remind us that Georgia fired the first shot but they forget to say it was within their borders. They should not hide from the truth to make a point. Russia is a large powerful country and needs to addressed peacfully. But to hide the truth only empowers those and allows them to get away with murder. But everyone has a point of view and should be heard.

Notice that the writer (Mr Sesno) never acknowledges that the consensus opinion is almost a carbon copy of Barack Obama’s.

The media including CNN is bending over backwards to show that they are being fair since they have been accused of being too soft on Obama. Another example of this is the constant comment that both (emphasize both) of these campaigns “are being nasty” …or have “stepped up the negative rhetoric” without so much as an attempt to determine who started with the really nasty stuff.

The best solution is to turn them all off and decide for yourself based on the policies stated on the campaign websites.

Mr Sesno…please don’t hurt yourself telling the truth!

Thank God for people like McCain and Palin, but unfortunately, they are WRONG for the country, at this point in time.

We need someone with the judgement to take everything into consideration before he/she acts, the vision to move America past an oil rig culture and propel our economy to the future and the patience of all great leaders and inventors of America.

Thomas Edison created the light bulb in his 1000th tries.

I will be watching tonight. Lets hope that finally people will shut up long enough to hear what these people have to say. It is so important. We have had enough of the cowboy mentality. Look at history so we don’t repeat this same mistake.

I am not political minded, and am not American, but from a realistic perspective these former foreing secs. and secs. of state have proved to be the most objective minded and visionary leaders whose insights are needed to prop USA up fom her economic and political paralysis.
It is a shame that the adult population in the US are clueless, extoling mediocrity at the expense of intelligence and sound judgement. from the observation of these statesmen, It is evident that McCain ‘the Marveric’ is after all claims not the messiah. It is either Obama or some one else

Ironic, these five people are also five people who have helped create the mess we find ourselves in today both at home and abroad. Taking the advice of these people is like taking the advice of a drug dealer on how to get clean. Real change requires new fresh ideas from people who really want to create change not people who are deeply invested in the status quo. Well they have done something right, they seem to be getting their new world order, for now.

Engaging Iran in talks w/out preconditions? They continue to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons, support / train terrorist groups – Hezbollah, playing political games in Lebanon, deny the Holocaust, & repeatedly express that Israel’s “Zionist regime should be wiped off the map.”

Yeah I’m sure that’s the intelligent course of action (sarcastic). Let’s just forget that those UN imposed sanctions too…..sure let’s take Iran’s word that they have no intentions of building nuclear weapons because they wouldn’t ever do anything like that. Oh, here’s another interesting fact about Iran; they have one of the largest militaries in the world, estimated to be about 1 million strong.

A BIG SLAP on their faces: mc c and palin will make the obvious remark:
Those five are NAIVE.

and palin meeting the president of Afghanistan?, to the press corps: please after the meeting, ask her what her impression was? oh I forgot, there will be no Q&A….is todd pailin along for the ride?…oh yeah, he is the enforcer LMAOL

Get real about Palestinian issue too. Stop giving a blank check to Isreal about what it does in the occupied Palestine. After all, what has Israel done for USA (except spying) ? Why cannot any Presidential candidate expect to win a ticket for election without pledging unconditional support to Israel? That beats the rest of the world. Its about time American citizen start thinking about why America has to bear the wrath of the muslim world for that unconditional support for Israel?

“CNN confirms that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai next week in New York during the opening meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.”

God help us all.

Will somebody please, please make sure Gov. Palin watches this show? Then, for the sake of my grandchildren, will somebody patiently explain to her the terms Bush Doctrine, engage, preconditions, political posturing, proliferation and soft power? And for the sake of the entire world, will somebody convince her that it’s intelligent, even heroic, to blink – and think – before starting a war?

Let’s See , Henry Kissinger was the one who brokered the agreements in the 60’s for the Oil countries to tie Oil to the Dollar & Invest in US Derivatives or Debt ! All the Mideast Countries signed except Iran & Iraq . Think about this hard and goggle Rev .Linsey Williams story. I don’t trust any politician except Ron Paul who was slighted by the Media even thru he was winning on the internet by a wide margin . We need to clean house of all the special interests groups,crooked politicians and put Bush & Cheaney on trial for criminal conduct against the Republic of America and the original Declaration of Independence and Constitution and the American People.

Just Liberal-Speak for turning our back on terrorism and letting the UN’s incompetence dictate our foreign policy.

Great article! I would love to see this show. I´m a currently serving Peace Corps volunteer and don´t have a TV. Any way I could get the transcript?

“The secretaries agreed America’s image is a mess. And they laid out three things the next president should do to start to fix it: close Guantanamo, end torture and take the lead on climate change”.

I think the first and foremost thing to regain the world’s trust is to hand over George W. Bush to The Hague for prosecution and hanging. He’s committed the most heinous crimes against humanity since the holocaust! How many people died in Iraq? Who knows? Just for his lies………

Americans listen to your former 5 Secretaries of States and how there leadership and ideas parallel with Senator Barack Obama. Common sense and rational sound thinking can take you along way. Obama is the future of the United States of America.

Isn’t the clarity and simplicity of common sense and reason amazing? And just as amazing, is the utter lack of all of these things during the George W. Bush administration.

It will be good show. I cannot wait to see it. The content should be pretty substantial for a TV program. It probably won’t get down to the nitty gritty where there could be substantial differences (devil is always in the details), but the show should still be good.

If you the media did news like this more often you wouldn’t be in my disfavorite five.

So exciting to hear from all the ex Secretaries of State.So scary and demoralizing to know Ms. Palin is meeting with Pres. Karzai next week.

Does ANYONE think McCain or Palin capable of doing what the secretaries suggest? Of course not, more posturing, more threats, more incompetence is all they have to offer.

What was McCain’s funny line…
Bomb, Bomb, Bomb….Bomb, Bomb, Iran….

I’m sure that attitude will improve relations, NOT.

Hey I have a masters degree in history and another in international studies, I will gladly join the foreign service if they let me in. I’m just a phone call away State Department.

It is never a sign of weakness for the United States to negotiate for a peaceful solution when relations with a foreign power are strained, so long as the other party or parties know where our President and his or her nation stand. Had President Roosevelt used cowboy-diplomacy with Japan before the attack on Pearl Harbor, even though Tokyo was playing dirty and had been doing so since its seizure of Manchuria in 1931, the Allies might have viewed Washington’s position very differently. Instead, they saw America as a power who, right up until the day that does indeed live in infamy, played by the rules which is what made our war all the more righteous and just. President Kennedy once said, “Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate.”

Wasn’t this what Baker suggested to Washington in his report? Diplomacy is how you exert your political sphere of influence, not by force. Force has only led us as an occupant of a country, alienated us from our allies, and further reinforced radical islam. By reaching out to Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and other potential foes we save face in the international community, save American lives, and save American taxpayers’ money.

Now what great contributions to the American image did these five Secretaries of State make. Which one handled our image after the truck bombers almost brought down the World Trade Center in 1992? Surely all the chit chat that followed that event really spruced up our image. And our world image wss so unimagingable after the death of 260 Marines in Lebannon. Then the Vietnam Secrretary of State. Now there was a real contributor. The murderous thug in Rwanda was really handled so smoothly And then there was Colon Powell. When the going gets tought, the tough opt for retirement. No wonder Bush didn’t call on these losers.

YES! Most issues around the world and also here at home are NOT black and white. Sound bites are fine for getting elected, but you can’t run a country on them. I know the forum is non-partisan and and I have not watched the show, but my opinion is Mr. Obama seems to understand that more than McCain. However, the old McCain was a lot more interesting than this current version.

Thank you for offering the public such an insightful forum. I am an ardent supporter of Senator Obama and believe that as much as possible his positions reflect much of what these folks are saying…certainly much closer than anything John McCain espouses. Thanks again….

lol, funny i don’t any right-wing McCain supporters commenting on this page…

What a breath of fresh air!

Anderson,
Not only do presidential candidates have to express their acknowledgment about reality and our place in the world in such a short time frame to choos one of them, they have to prove that their rationality is grounded in reality. For instance, if Sarah Palin is indeed a supporter if Intelligent Design theory, she must come out and explain why this bias should not be considered anti-science. When there is talk of over turning Roe vs. Wade, I also fear that anti-science will be on the agenda, as well. This will continue the slow degeneration of our country if we allow anit-science views to permeate our counties education system. This is serious Anderson, I’m asking you as one of the few remaining reporters the people can trust, please help this view be expressed and get on the table so the American people can understand the true conservative agenda.

If we want to have global partners who will assist us in times of need and stand strong with us when necessary, we cannot elect McCain and Palin. The world will laugh at us as we fall apart. Obama and Biden are our only hope to restore this country to its previous great standing with the rest of the world.

McCain and Palin if elected will start the World War III with Iran, Russia, North Korea and China.

Amazing comments. As someone who has served in both Iraq wars, stood on the DMZ in Korea and seen “real” poverty (as opposed to, “I don’t have health insurance” poverty, I am amazed at how ignorant many Americans are to the reality of the dangerous world we live in. If you you think Obama’s “I’ll talk to the bad guys and everything will be OK ” approach will work, you are fooling yourself.

Is this not what Obama has been saying all along about diplomacy and sitting down with your enemies?? As I recall, Obama was heavily criticized by Mc Cain for saying this. Well, at least, here are some intellignt experienced people who agree with Obama !! Let’s see if McCain criticizes them !!

The one thing that we need to do is have some respect for nations like China and Russia. We may not agree with them all the time, but we need them. Enough with the sound bites. The next president needs to sit in a room with those leaders and just talk, iron things out, work on things that we agree on and respect the cultures and opinions of others.

McCain is not as much like Bush as everyone says, but Obama is the only one with the fresh ideas that just might put this country back on track.

Either way both men will be 100 percent better that Bush.

It’s not rocket science that the U.S. has to communicate with other countries, especially the ones we are having trouble with. I never understood the mentality of this white house, or the one John McCain is adhering.

I just hope that Obama wins since he makes the most sense of all the candidates. If McCain wins, then no progress will be made in fixing our global image.

Obama is such a great person, we would be lucky to have him as president.

Mr. Sesno:

Great work. I think you can see the experience that these former Secretaries of State have and the nuance that they are able to put on American foreign policies. I truly hope that the next president, be it Barack Obama or John McCain, use this pool of talent to steer America away from the dark places into which she has been reaching these last eight years.

Clearly we need a president who will approach the world thoughtfully and realistically, not spouting rediculous diatribes against ideologies and individuals in a silly attempt to appear strong, moral or just plain stubborn. We have made enemies of our friends and have failed to make friends of old enemies who were reaching out to us. This has come from outdated and outmoded, inflexible idiolgical concepts that have become not only obsolete but rediculous and downright dangerous. As a result we have lost our influence with the population if not the heads of state of the European countries that once looked to us for moral and social leadership.

It’s interesting that when these national leaders put politics aside, they seem to match Obama’s positions almost perfectly. The mature, reasoned approach is also very like Obama. We need more of this – honest dialogue without all the snap judgments, bluster and posturing. It sounds like a great program, I definitely want to watch.

Everyone talsks a good game about being bipartisan. But notice that the second comment on this subject, pulled the current political contest in, with partisan bias stamped all over it, Maureen, and the other Obama commenters that followed – just try to hear what is said withour pimping your candidate to everyone. You lose your message when it’s painted with a blue brush.

All Americans must watch this with an open mind, then engage their brain when voting. Did anyone but me notice thtat the current President said “Bring them on.” then flew into and out of Bahgdad with lights on the plane off. The soldiers are brave, not so the Commander in Chief.

Great article. It is time we engage with US Government as a whole and fund and develop the State Department to work on issues instead of forcing military action. The US needs to show leadership lead not arrogance and might !

The Greatest country on earth the USA. need course. From Ground Up !! its not about Democrats or Republican its about the American the People. History repeats itself. What Happen the to the Greatest ROMAN Empire it crawled from within. I do not want to see this great nation heading to disaster.
We are already falling apart, helping other, but not helping our own.
We need to stop mingling our nose in others country;s business.
On another note the European nation have been fighting for centuries, they do not want war??

Oh, God, smart and reasonable consideration of the value of intellect, genuine diplomacy, cultural awareness, and tact. How marvelous!

And this mentality is something that is beyond Mcain and Palin; they just could never do it. It’s simply not in their script.

I hope with every fiber of my being that Obama and Biden are elected. I want my country to be respectable again.

John McCain missed such an opportunity this week. Instead of a willingness to meet with Spain’s Prime Minister, Jose Zapatero, McCain refused to make any commitments. He refused to give an answer because he wanted analyze our relationship with that country. I don’t know all of McCain’s reasons, but the conjecture has been all around Spain’s withdrawal from Iraq.

If we have another four years of Bush policy, our prestige will suffer even greater, perhaps irreparable, damage. Can we afford to have another four years of gunboat diplomacy? Do we want someone who just now getting her first international credentials to be one heartbeat away from the highest office in the free world?

It’s time for someone who will engage. We need someone who understands what it means to help other national leaders to preserve face. Perhaps the next leader should understand some rhetorical concepts such as kishotenkhetsu, so that we’re not constantly offending our allies with a brusk form of American jingoism. Let us hope that our next leader understands international diiplomacy.

Bill Graham

This sounds great, I will be watching this tonight. It is interesting we have a candidate although I disagree with many of his positions, does want to talk to countries we have not been talking to — That is Sen. Obama.

8 years of Clinton dipolmacy led to 9/11.

Of course that was 7 years ago, so who cares right?

Sounds like Obama has been right all along, everything they’ve been saying is exactly how he feels. McCain, Palin and the right have been heckling them since the beginning that the USA shouldn’t talk to anyone that disagrees with them. Instead they sit there and sing “bomb bomb, bomb Iran” with smiles on their faces. Way to go.

At least Obama will have these people to back him up when the debates go on TV. McCain and Palin will have no where to hide from their isolationist views on foreign policy.

Why isn’t there more reporting like this????? Finally, news worth reading and thinking about.

I am sick to death of headlines that candidate A’s people have accused Candidate B of attacking Candidate A, or of choosing words with the wrong nuance.

What?!? We have fewer than 5,000 people in the foreign service?? WTF!!! I knew that diplomatic science lagged far behind bomb-making science, and was just a mere shadow of bomb-delivery science, BUT THAT”S JUST CRAZY.

It’s clear than on Georgia, Obama’s reaction was 100% correct. He analyzed the situation and called for restraint on both sides Giuliani lied in his convention speech and mocked Obama but Powell said it.

“Georgia started it!”

Americans deserve the truth from their leaders.

Seems that these people are all talking about dealing with countries, and have forgotten that the terrorists are not counties and you can’t deal with them. Maybe they and the news media should get real. Terrorists don’t talk, the blow things up without warning and without guilt. That’s the real world. And the answer sure is heck is not talking with some head of state, who might be the next to get blown up. If you want to get real you need to deal with real ways to infiltrate the terrorists groups. And I don’t think I would trust a lot of the current leaders in the world to keep their word either. Carry a big stick and trust but verify is much more appropriate now than ever. False hope of negociating with terrorists is a pure pipe dream that will get us all killed.

Wonderful program, glad you are doing these types of program, with smart people in the know, why not have Obama and Mccain answer questions in such quick time answers as these educated folks on the show are giving instead of the run around answers they usual give. How about limiting the answers to a minute or two. God what an excellent program, what took you CNN so long to do this. Let us see more!!!!

I’ve been doing much research on both Senator Obama and Senator McCain. Each have remarkable records; regarding their giving to our country, in their respective and unique ways.
Bottom line, McCain is “out of touch” with what is really going on, in our country and internationally. He can be compared to an old turtle who lost his tough shell. He’s just punting, making crass and and ignorant comments, and hoping that his choice of the controversial Sarah Palin will get him into the White House. Sorry……..he’s just too old, and too desperate.
Senator Obama, on the other hand, does has a fresh approach to what this country needs; as far as moving us into the 21st century, as a reputable country and community, world-wide. He is well spoken, well informed, and…….let’s just face it, he has the face of a leader/President.
McCain’s biggest playing card is that he chose to continue to suffer under enemy control and be a POW: when they gave him an opportunity to leave. Clearly, his “dogged” , “do or die” ignorant will rules him today. This man does “live under a rock”, and is counting on his wife’s wealth and connections to get into the White House.
C’mon American Citizens…..Obama is the clear, obvious, and most promising choice to become the next and best President of The United States of America!

Thank heaven we can see Russia from Sarah Palin’s house.

Thank you for stepping up and doing this….what a fantastic idea…..would love a similar approach to other issues the next president will face…healthcare, supreme court, economy….
Thank you again for this level of discussion.

Wow,What a great show! This should be required watching BEFORE anyone is handed a ballot. I would put ALL of these people on an international committee to give advice to me. Such a wealth of knowledge. They sure sound as though Obama’s ideas are compatible to theirs, even the Republicans. I wonder what they all think of Palin?

As always, the pendulum swings too far to the other side. We know Americans aren’t perceived well overseas. We have made mistakes…true. We have some restoration to do. But I am SO sick of the Europeans beating us over the head with it (just like some are here on this site). Many of the people complaining don’t have clean hands either.

Let’s get out of Iraq, focus on capturing Osama, and leave the rest of the world alone. We have lots of troubles to focus on right here.

If the world thinks we’re such bad people, let them try to handle world hunger, diseases, and famine caused by corrupt governments and warlords all over the world. We’ll take a back seat and let the EU drive for a while. Then, we can sit back and criticize them when they make the inevitable mistakes.

Go ahead, bash me for saying these things…because the conventional wisdom is that USA should bow down to anyone who criticizes us.

Sounds like they all agree with Barack Obama position of engagement. Couldn’t agree more that we need to get smart and stop the cowboy lack of diplomacy of the past

It sounds like these wise people are endorsing Obama over John”shoot em up” McCain.

Hosts should not be laughing when one member of the panel breaks the rules of engagement. If Ms. Albrecht can’t even honor the rules of the panel, how can her comments be respected.

Great interview! It appears that all 5 favors Obama’s foreign policy. He may not have as many experience as McCain, but he sure proves to be the smartest one to lead our country.

WHAT?? bi-partisan deep thinkers with real experience all in one room together??

saying something like – “get over it. Get real. Be smart.”

wow. sure puts mccain/palin out of the picture, doesn’t it?

unfortunately, obama/biden are not much more likely to follow this advice.

can’t we just put these 5 on the ballot instead? please??

wish i had cable. i’ll have to watch on youtube later…..

Let’s look at some of the thingsthe Secretaries have recommended:

1. Engage Iran- we’ve been doing this for at least the last 15 years and guess what, is hasn’t worked. “Engage” Iran and do what ? Ask them to halt their nuclear weapons program, pretty please? We need to continue to be tough with Iran and if military action is needed, we need to act.

2. Close Guantanimo- This is just what our enemies want. If we close Gitmo, what do we do with the POW’s there ? Give them trials in our courts? We need to keep Gitmo open and build more Gitmos if needed. We’re at war with terrorists who want to destroy us and the POWs at Gitmo should stay there until the war is won.

3. Repair our image-The need to “engage” other countries pops up again. Engage and do what? If some countries don’t like what we’re doing in the Middle East, so what. We need to defend ourselves. Once we win the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, these countries will get over it. And if our image is such a mess, how do you explain the elections of staunchly pro-American prime ministers in countries such as France and Germany?

This panel of ex-Secretaries of State sounds like a panel of Liberal appeasers to me. I don’t think I’ll be tuning in.

What an exciting and refreshing show! It’s SO nice to get some depth in coverage for once. Look how honest everyone was. It’s just very exciting that despite their political differences, they ALL agree on the obvious — the issues that we “average Americans” all know: Close GITMO! I wish that the American people would listen, in depth, to the candidates as well as all of these exemplary Americans. The candidates would speak on a deeper level if the 24-hour news cycle would ALLOW us to HEAR their FULL statements and not just keep playing the irrelevant sound-bites over and over. CNN did a great job with this, so where is the depth when covering the campaigns? (And who knew that Madeline Albright is hilarious!?)

I was very excited to start reading this article.

However, as soon as I read ‘America has to lead,’ I knew that this article was more of the same.

Disappointing.

Wow I am watching now. Everyone basically agrees with Obama. We must speak to Iran using top level liaison. The cowboy foreign policy is old news.

I think their comments were great. Too bad after 4 decades they finally got it. Did you look at their records while they were in office? Much achieved? I can agree we can do more with aid then through the military. Ms. Albright tried to engage with Iran and where did she get? A better approach is to get out of Iraq. Win in Afghanistan and withdraw our military more closder to home such as get out of South Korea, Japan and with the exception of our missle silos out of Eirope.

Start to do more to aid this world. But mostly concentrate on us and get us inside the USA in a better world and that starts with stop spending and pay off our debt. Yes start a serious process of eliminating foreign dependence on energy and pay off our debt. Stop waisting our dollars overseas. If there is room cure cancer.

What a powerhouse of intellect and experience. Curious how much their recommendations seem to be reflected in Obama’s policy and how little they sound like McCain. I’m sure they are precluded from giving opinions about the candidates, but one has to wonder if they inwardly cringe at the thought of someone like Palin taking the helm…

actually most of the problems america and in fact, the world, face today can be traced to the Paris peace talks of 1919 after WWI. an excellent account of these proceedings can be found in the book ‘Paris 1919′ by margaret macmillan. her discussion of how the middle east was divvied up is astonishing, and, i believe, crucial to an understanding of the present mess. the death throes of imperialism spawned the incredibly tangled web we face today. and as thomas freidman points out, our continuing addiction to oil taints everything we do both in the middle east and elsewhere. personally, i believe america needs a program along the lines of the Manhatten Project to develop the sources of energy necessary for a planet bursting at the seams with industrialization. the greatest hinderance that i see is simply this: our economic system is based entirely on greed, and greed is, of course, antithetical to rational long-range planning. we’ve had eight years of pure greed, no marbling. and so, obama’s got my vote.

All of these people are realists, rational, scientifically literate, deliberative, thoughtful. Obama shares these traits, so for him you are speaking to the choir. For the Republican ticket, however, they are speaking to antagonists who have none of these qualities, who speak rashly and off the top of their heads, who have ideological axes to grind, and in one case extremely narrow and limited and extremist and unintelligent views.

Thank goodness that, for the first time that I can tell, someone in this election season has called for a dose of pragmatism and realism rather than a reliance on ideology. Let’s hope that the candidates, and Americans in general, listen.

Outstanding lesson in diplomacy. This should be a mandatory “must see” for every american. Especially, John McCain. I don’t believe that any of them are comfortable with john Mccain, i bet baker votes obama, but just stays behind the curtain to do so.

Fascinating to watch these intelligent people discuss the state of the world and our role in it. All I could picture is how out of place Sarah Palin would be in complex conversations such as these. We must acknowledge that we need leaders who are elite rather than ‘just your average American”, educated rather than just enthusiastic, and capable of steady judgment rather than someone who refers to herself as a ‘pitbull’.

It is reasonable to consider that McCain, having suffered from Stage 2 skin cancer, could encounter serious health issues over the next four years which require him to step aside leaving an ‘average hockey mom’ running the world’s most important country. God help us!

Just saw the show. I was struck with the similarity of their responses, how much we have lost with the anti intellectualism and powermongering of the current administration, how concerned I am that the neocons actually have a chance and finally, I was struck at how much I miss Colin Powell…

I think if we were ALL honest, we’d admit that we could sooner see Obama watching this and learning from it than McCain. At this point, McSame won’t support ANY idea that doesn’t come from a focus group!!

It was a great show, but I felt cheated because of the lack of time for each section of the discussions. It was like skipping a rock over the surface of a surface of water…….it just skipped, kicked up a bit of the water, and then moved on, finally sinking without any depth being realized. More time was needed….or less subject areas discussed.

Having said that, this was a terrific program, albeit too short. THANKS so much for bringing this program and these great people to our living rooms!!

Henry Kissinger advocating a balanced, diplomatic approach to our adversaries? Give me a break. What a short memory you people have. This man was the architect of the Vietnamese War… he was Nixon’s trusted advisor.

As for iran, why would you want to enter into honest negotiations with a government back by radical Islam,
and whose leader himself has denied the Holocaust?
I don’t want even want to look at people like that, much
less negotiate with them.

I hope Israel takes care of this problem for us.. and soon.

Thank you for the important show for us. I know Obama is the right one. We need to move into the world of today !

A supervisor of mine did some work down in Antarctica a while back, studying the birds and the effects of changing climate there. At one point a delegation of Washington D.C. politicians arrived, amongst them was Arizona senator John McCain. They looked around, did some photo-ops, and what she seemed to notice about Senator McCain was a general lack of inquisitiveness.
When he finally did speak, it was to ask a question: “Do the penguins have any ‘enemies’.” Right here you can see the mentality of this man. Penguins don’t have ‘enemies.’ They have predators, threats to their existance, but do not hold a grudge against the forces that affect their lives, including the animals that try to eat them. This is a humanistic fabrication.
With John McCain you get a man who sees things in a very simplistic and dangerous way. Us or them, enemies or friends, more of the my way or the highway, cowboy attitude. Anyone or any group that disagrees with him will be an enemy. Any deep-seated grudges he holds will be played out upon the world stage. This will be the state of U.S. diplomacy and foreign policy under a McCain presidency. Think about it.

“It’s time to engage Iran, the Secretaries said. Drop the preconditions and the political posturing. “The whole point is you try to … deal with countries that you have problems with.”

And they laid out three things the next president should do to start to fix it: close Guantanamo, end torture and take the lead on climate change.”

Which future administration does this sound most like? Isnt talking to someone you have a problem with more productive than punching them in the face? The problem is so many of our American citizens are not only proud of our country, but vain, and the “Bring ‘em On” policy feeds their vanity. What happened to trying to bring peace and prosperity to this world instead of ruling it like other fallen empires in history?

This group of knowledgeable and experienced people, from both parties, are saying something which has not been heard for the past eight years.

Get rid of the “woo-woo” In God We Trust, evangelical, God is on our side rhetoric and lobbyists and look at the world as it is.

W.A.S.P.s are not the majorit y in this country. There are Blacks and Latinos out there with Ph.D.’s! There is nothing wrong with learning another language besides English!

The earth is not flat and it took more than seven days to create this planet as it is today. However, with the leadership we currently have it could take nothing more than pushing of a button to end it because someone speaking in tongues thinks that’s what should be done.

We americans have now a great opportunity to distinguish who of the two candidates are qualified to pursuit this very dream .The one who still persist that the world we live in is a world who wants to destroy America or the one candidate who believes that America still can be trusted by engaging in diplomacy ,humanity, and understanding .We have to stop this nonsense of shooting first and talking later

WOW! I couldn’t agree more. I have to wonder if their beliefs and advice have changed since they were in office. At any rate I’m glad they see the big picture and the responsiblility that we as Americans have to the rest of the world. If humanity is to survive it won’t be on itimidation or meekness; it will be on engagement. If we engage other countries we will be better for it.

Everyone has commented that Guantanimo be closed but question where do you place the prisoners or will they be taken to America?

That was one incredible hour! My husband and I rushed home to watch and are absolutely overjoyed by it! The 5 former secretaries’ hands on perspective was very enlightening and enforced our understanding that the next president must be willing to sit down and talk with our adversaries! It was very apparent that they are as appalled, as we are, by the Bush administration’s foreign policy, which is exactly what McCain intends to continue if he is elected.
Barack Obama ’s approach to foreign policy is far superior to McCain’s and will renew America’s standing in the world! Thank you for such a quality program!

Think the only way our society has let this “cowboy” approach to diplomacy exist was due to our kney jurk reaction to 911. Let’s end this approach and make some progress!

Just saw the special. Excellent. They were all very sensible and laid out an excellent direction for our country in relation to the world. Everything they said, has been outlined by Obama, by the way.

I would like to see the US take the position of world leader in the global warming. But I’d also like to see the US challenge the world to a race for new energy. Not unlike the space race of the 60’s, what’s called for here is a competition to find clean energy that can replace oil. It may be a new invention or a way to manipulate something in abundance. If we do these two things, we’ll regain our status, turn around the economy and provide a good life for everyone.

We need a president with the courage to stand against the “groupthink” these secretaries are pushing. Sometimes it takes guts and imagination to rule, rather than to desperately attempt to get the world to do what it’ll never do anyway: acknowledge it’s debt to the United States.

the show was great. i hope obama gets elected to carryout the three things suggested by panel for improving our usa image. this new era is needing fresh modern ideas to advance usa in the global world and senator mccain is w/o any fresh ideas and his running mate brings no new ideas. the “cowboy mentality “want work.

Fascinating and informative program. Wish this program would be aired on ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, BBC, MSNBC and FOX. Unfortunately, this particular program was not political enough for the major networks – just informative and eye-opening, particularly when the majority of the participants were from Republican administrations. Brilliant and unbiased! Thank You.

Elizabeth Dyas, CAnton Michigan
An Obama/ Biden Supporter

Is America blind! We did not talk to Fiedel Castro for fifty years. What did we gain, nothing. He survived and controlled Cuba as he wanted. Imagine, if we communicated, the story may have been different. No one knows. give diplomacy a chance.

The United States needs to engage Russia, China, India and Iran.
do not belittle the Russian potential to resurge as a world power; it was soundly shamed in the past and is definitely wanting to re-emerge as a world power that will check the US ,if not put it down. The US needs to have more friends in its corner. Though there have been some distrust between the Chinese and Americans, it is only because their cultures are so diametrically opposite each other. I do not believe China wants to be a world power in the sense that the Americans believe. The Chinese would rather be economic conquerors than military ones. The so called “inscrutable” Chinese in the past are not riddles or puzzles to be solved. They are merely introverted, quite judgemental, and definitely not effusive. They do not react with knee jerk responses but will react quite strongly if their nationalistic interests are at stake. They are willing to put up with a lot of discomfort as long as their long term goals are met. The Indians are a powerhouse by virtue of their numbers and geography, not to mention their exteme willingness to better themselves in whatever way they can (I am referring to Indians in South Asia, and their enthusiasm about furthering their careers, intellectual pursuits, etc).
As for Iran, or any Muslim country for that matter, the point of their existence is religion. It would not be well for anybody to try to change their religious beliefs , in much the same way that some Christians or people of other faiths would not want to be changed. There should be respect for their religion and way of life evident when Americans deal with them (this should true for any contractual relations anyway). I am a Christian and I have gone to school with some Muslims, and I would no more convert them to Christianity than they would convert me to the Muslim faith, not because we do not associate or detest each other, but be because we respect each other. I do not have a degree in International studies, but I have lived among different people of different nationalities. My husband is retired military and I am an MD. When I see individuals (patients), I see human beings with the same (most of the time) wants, desires, and goals in life.
This is not to say that we should let our guard down and embrace terrorists, but by and large the Golden Rule is still very applicable.

Inconvenient Reminder: If Bush had followed the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, we would have left Iraq in flames. Bush instead rammed through the surge, and what a difference it made! So, no, blindly following the advice of Baker, et al is a poor idea.

I may not be an expert in “state craft” or diplomacy, but I know that these five “enlightened” people were directly or indirectly involved in creating the following: Christopher (uh, Jimmy Carter, enough said” Kissinger (The Khmer Rouge, The Nixon Admin..enough said) Albright ( The mess in the former Yugoslavia and margnilizing Russia,) Baker (hmm, wasn’t he on the Iraq Study Group, they were exactly right on the surge) Powell (he sold WMD, and don’t give me that Bush lied crap, if he felt so strongly according to revionist history, he should have resigned on the spot. Why didn’t CNN roll out the CEOs of Lehman Brothers and AIG to advise the next President on good business practices. Don’t pee on my leg and tell its raining

I don’t know if this is really the best group to determine the course that we should take, anymore than if we were to get former Chairmen of the Joint Chief staff together.

Jeez, diplomats thing we should engage more and use more soft power, big suprise. If you were trained to use a hammer, everything looks like nails.

The real path that they are touting, but they don’t dare say, is Realpolitik. Secretaries of State look at things dispationately and amorally. You actually need their boss to have a moral plan for them to follow.

In regards to Georgia, I’m glad that these guys weren’t world leaders during the American Revolution. As I recall, we fired the first shot too.

These former Secretaries of State were by and large failures. Warren Christopher lost Iran to radical leadership. Kissinger had the US buy it’s way out of the Vietnam War, although we never delivered since the North massacred so many South Vietnamese. Albright was a total disgrace ending with Israel agreeing to 95% of Arafat’s demands and still she could not bring it to a successful conclusion. Colin Powell although a fine person was weak in his approach. James Baker may have been the only one who did not participate in major failures.
It’s very easy to have all of these countries adore us, all you have to do is kiss their behinds and shower them with American dollars. That’s got a name and it is not diplomacy, maybe sychophantic would be appropriate. We bailed Europe and Asia’s behinds out of wars and agressions, we gave unstinting financial aid and we are always the first to offer our assistance after natural catastrophes (even to Cuba just last week). If all of that has not gotten us the respect of the free world, then why bother trying.

we should reform the election process and i don’t mean simple rules for lobbyists, it should be gov’t supported not public(actually corporate) we should make all media that operates in the US provide space for it and in other ways take the money out of it and FORCE the candidates to have REAL debates and discussions, if we where able to have intelligent people like this sit down and discuss things in front of us we would end up with better leaders, end the personality contests it is utter BS, i don’t want to have a beer with my next president

THANK YOU, THANK YOU

I enjoyed this panel of inteligent and experienced former Secretaries Of State from each political party. This is the type of conversation needed from both presidential candidates on the issues.
I have watched the campaigns since the inception and have been disappointed in the tone and personal attacks from both parties.
This campaign should not be a personality contest. The stakes are too high. Our economic situation is the perfect example and the american people should demand the parties stay on course and cover the issues affecting each american.
It takes a memorial for 9/11 and the economic crisis to show us americans , how we are more alike than different and in unity there is strength. The americans killed on 9/11 and affected by the economic crisis is not just democrats or republicans but ” AMERICANS”.
Our process of electing our presidents and many politicans is too precious to continue on personal attacks to evade discussions on the issues.
I hope Senator Obama and Senator John McCain listened to this panel and learned valuable lessons. Most of the panel agreed in part on how to handle some of the important issues facing the next president. I was not surprised that most of the panel agreed to dialogue on some level with other countries even if they might be considered our enemies. I have watched both campaigns and Senator Obama has leaned more toward diagolue with our enemies and still stand our ground as a super power.
The present administration has aleinated the United States around the world and in some cases, the coutnry was our ally. However, recently, the administration is trying to start some dialogue with countries perceived to be current or past enemies. This is great and in hindsight, what could have been achieved in eight years under this presidency.

GOD BLESS AMERICA AS WE ENTER THE VOTING BOOTH ON NOVEMBER 4TH.

To be quite honest, leadership is about having a vision of the world and a way to accomplish it. Leadership is not about mutual agreement, good feelings, and compromise. Playing down the ideology means hiding our beliefs of what the world should look like. I find that comment to be a symptom of nilism, where everything is good and nothing is good. Reality has consequences, good intents eventually bring good results. However accepting every idea as equal is like saying every plant is OK to eat. No some will kill, some will harm and some are good. America was founded on good principles. God, freedom, equality and sacrifice. That is the world vision. That should remain and we should NEVER compromise the principles. If we do, we are no better than anyone else and we will eventually go the way of ROME…

What nonsense. “Engage the world.” Yeah, we should do whatever it takes so that the French love our State Department again. Forget about what’s right and wrong. It’s only about kissing butt so no one hates us. And yes, yes, yes! Governments can spend money to change the weather. Didn’t Al Gore tell us so?

It’s the usual crew of losers whose weakness and double talk lead to 9/11….Baker (who said the surge couldn’t work), Albright (who was doing God knows what while Al Queda was gaining strength), Henry Kissinger, who would throw all of our allies under the bus for yet one more of his silly Machivellian schemes.

The professional diplomat corps doesn’t like Bush because he pushed them and their moral equivocating aside. To heck with them. The fact that 9/11 happened at all only proves that they often don’t know what they are talking about. When diplomacy fails, as it sometimes does, you need action, not cowardly whining. Is there anyone out there still dumb enough that you can stop terrorists by talking to them?

Mr. Sesno,
Thank you Sir for the panel of former Secretaries of State. This was treatment for the disease, not just the symptoms, that America desparately needs.

Ironically, we can’t continue to just complain about administrations without asking ourselves how they came to power – we elected them – we gave them the power. As we prepare to elect our next President, let’s remember to factor into our decision the knowledge and insite shared with us by the honorable panel.

Let us not forget Congress. They are our responsibility also.

Gene

It amazes me how some of you people think that this administration doesn’t engage.
They do. Sometimes. And usually it doesn’t work.
North Korea has pulled back from their deal. Bush ( with Powell ) tried for 10 months to get the UN to help remove Saddam. They didn’t. The other powers were concerned about their own interests.
Tell me where else we haven’t talked? Iran? The UN is doing the talking. We are part of it. Where has that gotten us? Do you think that McCain or Obama talking to the Iranian mullahs will make a difference? We have fundamental disagreements. Any deal we make with them will benefit them, then they will not hold up their end of any bargain.
Russia? The administration has done an admirable job in dealing with the current situation.
Climate change? What are we going to do? Oh yeah, we will sign and adhere to a treaty that exempts half the worlds population and hits us the hardest.
These folks may be fine statesmen. But they are armchair quarterbacks at this point who will do anything to get across their real message – “Everyone should just listen to me”
No matter what we do, other countries will hate us. It is human nature.
If you live on a street where everyone has a 3/2/2 home and a Prius but one home is a 6500 sq ft monster with 5 beds, 4 baths and a four car garage and two Hummers in it you are going hold some resentment for that family. Do not care what anyone here says.
That is our situation. What to do.

How ironic that five former Secretaries of state, of whom 3 were utterly useless, would be instructing the next president on how to ‘get it right’ with reference to the challenges that they shall face. Let’s get real indeed! Let’s do so with some real experts on how to get things done, not with career diplomats that are better known for failing than succeeding.

Bush has weakened America so much that no choice of President can fix it. We need the best and the brightest serving at all levels, not the most loyal to Bush-Cheney-Oil. Debates about lipstick and who is a celebrity contribute nothing to our country.

This might as well have been an endorsement of Obama. Compare his policy points with what was reported here.

We need to reverse course and very fast. The American Dream..get a nice job, a nice house, lift comforably and retire has actually turned into the American nightmere! No matter who is President, they’re not going to be able to address every problem we have, but if they tackle several few problems and solve them completely during their tenure, than that would be a step in the right direction. We have a lot of smart people in this world. Pay them, put them in a room and tell them this is your task (i.e. Universal Health Care). You have every resource at your finger tips, put some options together in detail, explain how it works on paper and present them to the President. You have 9 months to submit, then we will evaluate. It can be as simple as that! 20 heads are better than 1!!!!!!

The U.S. must regain it’s ardent respect across the world as greatest democracy on earth (only second to Athenian democracy). Diplomacy, respect for other nations, and accept the reality that resources become intensely more competitive as developing nations emerge as severe global competitors for resources that only use to be dominated in the past by few major world powers. War not only the means to the solution of today’s complicated world problems. Russia turn and will continue to be stronger capitalistic economy going into the future (result of ‘pirostrika’). Russia is anticipated and will continue to emerge as serious global competitor, given its abundant resources (people, technology, and natural resources, hence militarily). The U.S. will continue to be succesful on her strategic iniciatives, but Russia is needed and has to be respected to accomplish so.

if to follow the advice, none of these 2 candidates fills the image. We need someone else who has: no huge ego, no self esteem problems, healthy approach, smart, intelligent with the right intuition and judgment, no race cries, no mud throwing, caring, and firm, diplomat, but cautious, etc etc. Who is he/she?

Obamistas glorify him, McCainistas glorify him. This is natural, but we do need a leader who is not glorified, who is mainly doer, less talker. Someone with crystal clear understanding, the right choice maker, and who does listen to what people want, whom they like, what they need, what this whole world needs to survive…and….

I have been more and more scared watching and reading about the GOP’d pick for POTUS and VP. McCain wants to begin a new cold war with anybody that doesn’t see things the same way we do. that’s a large percentage of the world he would be pushing away. we can no longer be buddies with someone because they look like us or think like us. We have to find common ground with lots of different people. When Obama was saying we need to meet with these people, McCain was scoffing, saying, “What are you going to talk about with these people?” Its time we join the rest of the world.

Madeline Albright’s response to mankind being responsible for the global climate was great when she said with was man made everywhere else except Alaska. The panel discussed a lot of same things Barack Obama has be saying for months. I just don’t think John McCain has what it takes to sit down and talk seriously with the heads of states that are not that friendly to us. He is such a hot head and half the time it seems like he doesn’t know what’s going on in the world or exactly where it is. I could never see John McCain having a productive conversation with Putin. He doesn’t listen and he would cut him off and probably walk out. We live in a different time andhe does not have enough of a global outlook for the future. Everyone is not out to get the US. They look to us for leadership.

Show was excellent!! All 5 each have respect from many in U.S. and elsewhere, for different circumstances they were engaged in while holding their positions. Oh to be a fly on the wall in a private gathering!! The seriousness of the present day issues, their opinions as to handling them and what took me by total surprise — the sense of humour!!! Many can learn from the opinions expressed — all 4 candidates included.

The only thing that I would say upset me — it wasn’t long enough. I’d rather have watched & listened for 3 hours to them than going to a movie.

Christiane & Frank — you did an excellent job. A treat to actually watch intelligent issue discussions instead of negativity speeches & ads.

Mr. Baker & Ms. Albright — Where’s the Beef!!! Oh I forgot, it’s in Alaska!!!

I just finished watching the program with the former Secretaries of State on the World of Challenges. I was very impressed, as I was with all of this evening’s programming. I liked the mature way in which the discussion played out. I believe that Senator Obama is sensible, level-headed, and mature and would approach these issues in the same manner and with respect to those involved. McCain represents the single-minded, hot-headed Maverick that Bush is, and throughout the campaign has demonstrated obvious immaturity by stating how he handles affairs in the senate. McCain’s lack of understanding / awareness of global issues and domestic economy are frightening. We need to focus on the soft power issues while working with the troublemakers at the same time we are cleaning our own house and making America a priority. Let’s pull the log out of our own eye before we try to remove the sliver from others’.

jrq La Habra, Ca
You just don’t get it!
Engage – NOT in a war
Soft Power – NOT military force

Start thinking!

Wise advice… and, this is essentially the message and vision Barack Obama holds. Unfortunately, the continued distortion tactics of the RNC/McCain camp, coupled with too many Americans lack of attention or sheer oblivion to the real issues facing the country, equates to the race being even. This country has to face into the real issues and not succumb to the perversion of lies, distortions and biases.

This should show you democrats that McCain is the only man for the job …. polls say Obama campaign is 35% more negative you can’t be negative and be president of the United States we the people need positive feelings positive draws positive negative draws negative and its unhealthy

Lesley needs to bone up on pre WW 2 history.

You can’t talk peace to nutty tyrant/dictators/ etc like the Iranian regime.

You are as naive as Obama is.

I agree with everything they’ve said except the malarkey about climate change. Give it about 6 months folks and let’s see if this global cooling cycle sets in. That should demonstrate handily that “global warming” is a long term climate cycle that will repeat over and over. Get over man-made global warming – it isn’t your opportunity to take the American people to the cleaners…at least not this time…don’t worry, you’ll find another excuse…
Love,
JohnnyBoy

call it engagement, call it detente … pragmatism … praxis … doing … what works best is what works … and in a complex world, working at the issues face-to-face is far better than going to war, or even saber-rattling, no less name-calling … all of which is all we’ve had for nearly 8 arduous years … future leadership must be pragmatic … must get out there and work …

I feel like the other countries look at Obama as a patsy and their looking for a way to take over sorry but hes just a talker if we cant feel safe in our country all hope is lost we dont need a talker we need a doer thats why I’m an independent voting republican

its time to try and start dialog with nations that the u s dosent get on with such as iran but all i hear from republicans is is its my way or the highway i like obamas idea of sitting down and talking with the iranians the world hates the american arrogance and it serves no positive purpose and only incites hatred its a small world we live in and we gotta find a way to get on with each other even if we have to bite our tongues

I am an American living overseas and I have to say that four more years of the Bush doctrine under McCain will just about kill whatever credibility the US has here. How can Americans even consider the sort of policy that McCain espouses ? It is very disturbing that the most powerful country in the world has a government elected by some of the least sophisticated voters. How can anyone believe that it is somehow unpatriotic to sit down and talk with anyone who disagrees with our world view, encapsulated in chanting “USA, USA”.

I suspect that McCain still can’t come to terms with our defeat in Vietnam and so does not take on board the lessons we should have learned about the disasters that can come from putting ideology ahead of diplomacy and pragmatism.

What a refreshing gathering. I’ll be definitely watching. These are people of substance who are reminding Americans what our real values are, and should be. Obama has been right all along. If you don’t talk to your enemies, how do you expect to make peace? John McCain and the right wingers need to understand that there is nothing weak about diplomacy. Smart people avoid conflict as much as possible. This is because, both the victor and the vanquished suffer losses.

I’m not from the US but I look forward to watch this special, I’ve been giving quite a lot of attention to this presidential campaign because you are choosing the next leader of the western world.

I just can’t wait to be able to love America just as much as I did 8 years ago. America needs to start acting like a true leader of the free world, otherwise things could get a lot worst. for all of us.

By the way, these men are right

Thank goodness. I remember pulling off to the side of the road just to hear Bill Clinton speak on foreign policy (when he was being interviewed on NPR for his book)…. it was such a relief to hear someone that knew what he was talking about after having bush around for so long….now you have these five…. wonderful. Susan

I just don’t see a McCain/Palin White House attracting talent of this caliber, whereas you see Obama reaching out to important figures from other administrations (Volcker, Rubin, Summers) for advice. McCain has already had to send Gramm and Fiorina into seclusion. Where are they going to get the talent?

And Henry Kissinger, whatever you may think of him, made me laugh so loud at something he said in a public address that I frankly embarrassed myself.

What we’ll hear is advocacy for what these people do for a living — talk. Warren Christopher wanted to talk while Bosnia burned. James Baker wanted to cozy up to the Arabs as they tried to obliterate Israel. Kissinger wanted to “get real” with the Soviets using detente. “Getting real” is merely doing what works. And more often than not, talk doesn’t work. But it does make good copy.

The problem with the Bush admuinistration hasn’t been in the merits of this and that policy but in their execution, which, almost without exception, has been abominable.

I loved the show. Palin, our possible next VP and- shudder the thought- possible next PRESIDENT might start getting real about the world by believing in dinosaurs. It’s hard for her to get real in this way because it conflicts with her certainty that the world is 6,000 years old.
God help us if she ever takes over the reigns. People, I know he’s got darker skin than some of you find pleasing, but PLEASE think this one through.

Its sad to think how we got where we are today. The Republican run American Government has run amok with its “my way or the highway” attitude. They squandered the world’s benevolence toward America after 9/11 thanks to GW, Cheney & Co. spinning up a bogus war in Iraq, when they never even did catch Osama bin Laden. Our government took its eye off the ball when they went into Iraq, when we shoulve been going into Pakistan all along. Then they poke their finger into the eye of the Russian bear. Why cant the government in power, Dem or GOP, utilize the wisdom of these great people? Are we truly destined to repeat the proverbial “mistakes of our past?

“Get real. Be smart.” Well, that would seem to rule out the guy who graduated fifth from the bottom of his class at Annapolis, and doesn’t know the difference between a Sunni and a Shia.
Let’s do something intelligent for a change…OBAMA 08

They should have actually discussed AIPAC and why 9/11 happened.

It should be easy for the next president to be smart…unless the next president is McBush. Since Bush significantly lowered the overall IQ of the presidency in his eight year run (and single-handedly proved that not all people who graduate from an Ivy League school are smart), the next president has an easy path to follow in order to prove his intelligence: Find out what Bush did in a particular situation, and do the opposite.

what a joke …………5 secretary of states and not a single question about the israeli – palestinian issue. doesn’t anyone want to know whether AIPAC has been overly influential in our foreign policy and whether it’s been in the US’s best interest. way to go frank sesno for not asking the hard question and for not bringing up AIPAC in polite company.

I don’t think anyone addressed the issue of whether the US can continue to have the worlds most expensive military with an enormous debt.

Did anyone talk about the rapid escalation of arms sales by the US and the harm that causes.. I caught most of the debate..I’m still not clear that American exceptionalism is dead..

Well done. I watched it twice….I hope the majority of the nation was able to tune in…what you saw was true statemen/woman ship’.

Is this not part of what Senator Obama policies are?
This truly is a time to engage, not bluster.

We cannot afford otherwise…yes, I said we because my country is close to yours and I am afraid of spillover…at least with a reasonable,
think before you speak or act candidate, the upside potential is enormous.

Thank you

This is a perfect case of the blind leading the blind.

Our hyper-partisan politics has made it almost impossible for the candidates to express moderate or pragmatic viewpoints. This, in part, reflects what is going on in the electorate, which is beginning to reflect the failure in our public education system that has been worsening for years. One thing that would help is to pay good teachers a reasonable salary. It makes NO SENSE for the highest-paid high-school employee to be the football coach!

I have a different question to ask. Where is your flag? How often do you say you love your country? I am not talking about a democratic administration or republican administration. I am talking about America, your family, your kids, your coworkers, your doctor, your bartender, YOUR HOME! We are at war, not some of us, all of us. If someone in your town has a daughter or son fighting in some country wearing our flag, They fight for me and you.

“If 10,000 american lives are lost to preserve and defend our Liberty then it would be lives profitably spent” -John Adams

Since the beginning of time historic battles were fought, the american civil war is the most sadest and terrible in our memory, a nation divided, north against the south, states against states, in some cases they were cousins fighting each other, killing each other, young men sent to war, pumped to put the brand of the american eagle on other nations, i was born 1941 , i saw the troop trains with the best of young soldiers going to war hanging out train windows ,whistleing, yelling , cat calling to each other, a trumendous amount of young men arrived on a foriegn beach or land only to have thier life taken from them, some never as much as fired a shot, we tell our sons that it is thier patriotic duty to serve,we seen great kingdoms of the middle east, europe, africa , far east, asia, rise and slide into a almost forgotten past, to day we see many of our young soldiers of valour arrive in afganistan and iraq only to take thier own lives, is reality setting in as they arrive to see the masses of slaughtered innocent men, womens, and children corpes and images before them, as you parade your picture of the great men and woman of yesterday before us, it gives us the thought that they have ate the fatted calf and as always the next meal comes from the tripe and left overs, the poor have come and gone and remain still the poor, we ask these great people to stick around to see the end of what they created, a cross marker on a desert of sand ,void of clean air, water and life on a forgotten planet once called earth and no longer called home,

they all know better than the “bomb, bomb, bomb” ideaology of Mccain

This event gave a remarkable insight of the secretaries and their ideas of the direction our next leader should take.

Im very dissapointed at the direction America has taken since BUSH got into office. The fact is that Republicns tried for 8 yrs to stabalize the American economy and its only gotten worse.

So now its time to try something different.

Its so refreshing to see these [5] coming together for a common purpose, like wise elders. . . The only thing the next president has to do is follow their advice. Lets hope the next president isnt McCain.

PS> Does anyone know if this thing in Alaska called { H.A.A.R.P. } is real? Scares me but may be a ridicilous conspiracy theory??

Condi would have made a welcome addition!

@ Keith, tell any minority sudents, if they are seniors in college and interested in the foreign service to apply for the Pickering and/or Rangel Fellowship.

This type of dialogue is definitely needed and revealing within the political context where Obama is portrayed as weak on foreign policy for wanting to engage our allies and enemies. I hope (probably in vain) that this is widely viewed.

The comments of the fomer Secretaries of State seem well thought out and intelligent.

Remind you of anyone you know?

I saw this show and was disapointed with all the participiants. It is clear why the US’ reputation has sunk so much. The basic premise that the world wants the US to lead it is simply wrong. Your morals, standard of living, quality of life and social “fairness” are simply lacking most other western countries now.
The participiants simply do not seem to see the US the way it’s peers do. Most now was the US to simply stop rampaging around the world and get out of th way.

Gee, they all seem to agree with Barack Obama take on things. Smart, and deliberate are Obama’s strength. Guess, they understand that either we elect Barack, or McCain and his temper will result in China Swallowing us whole, and the rest of the world giving us the finger as it happens. Glad to hear experienced people who actually make sense on the issue of foreign affairs.

Liberals have always been ashamed of being Americans, no matter what America did. Yes, diplomacy is important as long as you realize that there are people with whom diplomacy is pointless. The mideast conflict predates WWII. It’s a shame we’ve brought a bunch of Neville Chamberlains to lead our department of State for a generation. Carrott and big stick is still a valid approach and the one most likely to yield results. Anything else is appeasement and idealism.

President Obama will stand over the ruins of some American city wringing his hands and wondering where he went wrong. For all of his MANY mistakes, there have been no more terrorist attacks in America since 9/11. What the world thinks of that should concern us less than what we think about it. Were Bush a real cowboy, Pakistan would have been invaded long ago.

Sounds like Obama is the “voice” of experience when it comes to foreign policy. Let us hope that the advice of our former
Secretaries of State is put into action by a leader that shares their vision. It was also refreshing to see people from both sides speak intelligently about our challenges present and future.

Obama/Biden ‘08

Impressive. A gathering of quite arguably the 5 most experienced minds in the area of foreign policy alive today. Their collective understanding of the status of the world is unrivaled. Why can’t we have a council-type executive body…made up of these 5 individuals. Any advice they give is well informed and extremely valuable. The problem is that Bush would never heed their words. Bush is/was a rogue, go-it-alone individual. A “maverick” if you will. His perspective and attitude towards the world is outdated, isolationist, and hasn’t been seen since before the United States entered WWII. Americans can only pray that the next president will value and consider the advice of such powerful minds. Their statements suggest action in areas that the current administration has not even considered. This forum comes at a most appropriate time, when the next president will be able to formulate his approach to the global community, and take a responsible stance towards leadership in the world. I hate to invoke the campaign, but anyone who seriously believes that McCain will follow the advice from this panel is deluded. His decision making has been in-step with Bush continuously. What makes anybody think he will alter his policy or values? (or lack thereof) You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Obama, on the other hand, is young, and likely willing to accept and act on advice from such influential figures. In fact, Obama has already created very responsible policy in several of these key areas, such as opening up diplomatic channels with uncooperative nations, rather than shunning them and waiting for tensions to boil over into an all-out military conflict. (sound familiar) He is also well ahead of the curve on climate change and environmental protection, while his republican rivals deny that man has any impact on climate change. I guess it helps them sleep at night to tell themselves that they have no responsibility to the environment. And finally, on expanding aid to developing nations, we have yet to see concrete action or policy from either candidate, but how can we help other nations when we can’t even help ourselves. The economy is turbulent and people are losing their homes, savings, pensions and retirement benefits. All while we throw billions of dollars on the fire that is the war in Iraq. When will people recognize that this nation would have a lot more monetary resources if we weren’t wasting such an exorbitant amount to fight, kill, and destroy. We could spend that money right here at home to bolster the economy, create jobs, improve failing infrastrucure, and improve the lives of Americans, instead of destroying the lives of Iraqis. Save me, Warren Christopher! Save me, Madeline Albright! Confront the incoming president on these issues and place them at the forefront of our National agenda.

Regardless of who I or you will vote for, these answers given by these wise & intelligent Americans, are to be honored and taken very seriously. The issues they speak of do not involve Republican vs Democrat, they involve issues for the entire world, that includes issues here at home too.

As a veteran, and someone who has lived overseas, I can tell you that we Americans get caught up in our own world over here and truly do not understand, much less know, what and where most countries exist and how they view Americans. “We must lead, but we also must know how to listen as well.” That is the overall message I heard them say.

This is exactly what the next president should do and I would LOVE to hear both candidates answer questions as to what they thought of this discussion from these former Secretaries of States or what they agree/disagree with!!!

Superb – cannot wait. When will we hear a candidate say that he’ll assemble for himself a team like you assembled to help him wisely steer the country?

It’s amazing how the Americans dragged this country into the mud for just 8 years by electing the guy they would have preferred to have a beer with. Now the party that masterminded all that has put up a candidate that probably they would say, people would prefer to go to church with. I would say it is not what what the next president would or should do to improve the USA standing around the world, this is pretty much clear, but is more of a question what should or would the voters do. Looking at the candidates, I would say things may get better or much, much worse. It all depends on the average American.

It sounds like a glorified interview session for the future Sec. of State. (smile) However, that is a good thing. I would hope the electorate noticed that most foreign advisers like Obama’s methods over McCain’s confrontation or ignore them approach. I am increasingly amazed how large a percentage of the pop. are so easily swayed by emotional appears, contrived sound bites (with lies), and who looked good on the latest comedy program. The total viewers was probably low, so the exposure was not very strong. Exposing deceit is supposed to quash the incumbant party…but this time out many normally intelligent folks are ignoring the Neoconistic signs. That itself is truly amazing. I can already see the threats to GRIDLOCK if the Dems don’t get a mandate, but there’s that looming undecideds that just might hand us 4-8 years of the worst non-progress this country has ever seen. Such gridlock as we look over the abiss just might destroy America’s middle class. The only way out of our mess is to go green, and McCain/Palin are not it if they meet gridlock in the White House…or health problems…or Palin’s possible impeachment from covering up her power abuses. Going with the Dems is much more efficient when we really can’t be wasting a lot of time arguing about it, or distracted with side issues.

I hope and pray that our next president shows the same kind of wisdom that our former Secretaries of State did for this interview. We need a president who will put Americans’ interests first but who will also keep in mind that we are not alone in the world.

We need to reach out to our enemies more and work on finding common ground instead of sending in troops and dropping bombs.

Please provide an EXPANDED explanation for James Baker’s statment regarding ‘foreign service. About 20 lines AND in real time.tks.

Kudos for something intelligent and informative! Obama is spot on!!!

It was a truly mature enlightening show. As a non-partisan canadian, I can’t help but notice that they all seemed to support Obama’s position on Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, it was almost eerie. It certainly shows Obama to be a well-informed thoughtful candidate who understands world events and dynamics. It also shows Mccain’s weaknesses in foreign policy despite his repeated claims to the contrary.

I thought it was remarkable when Kissinger said he would meet with Iran at a Secretary of State level without pre-conditions. Finally, a program anout facts and truth and not spin. These are great Americans and great minds that set aside particanship for the good of their country. Congratulations to Amanpour and Sesno.

Good points but the answer isn’t throwing money at the problem. Like education, we already spend enough in total but much of it is wasted. What we actually need in the Foreign Service is more Americans and far less contracted foreigners.

I was only able to see a little bit of the CNN special involving the five former secretaries of state. I agree that this country let me correct that this whole world has to change. The United States has always been at the forefront and now she hangs her head in shame. This country was founded on truth and justice our service men and women have paid the ultimate price with their blood and their lives. It is one thing to have strength but we all have to apply it at the right time and only as a last resort. Someone has to set the examble and its time that this country comes together as one, the rich, poor, black white, democrats, republicians alike. We are in a time that could destroy us all, and if changes are not made it obvious what the conclusion will be.

if groups such as this would meet with the incoming president (hopefully obama) as a brain trust, instead of the yes men/women in his cabinet, more intelligent and far-reaching opinions might be exchanged and policy set.

I would like to see this “show” broadcast on prime time for several weeks in a row in order to give EVERYONE the opportunity to see it. What a relief to hear some common sense, as well as experienced leaders giving their point of view. Actually, Barack Obama would have been quite at home with this group. They reaffirmed my opinion that he is well qualified to serve as president of the United States.

I wish to extend my deep appreciation to any and all who played a role in putting this together….Double kudos to all of you!

After experiencing seven years and eight months of this administration’s foreign and economic policies and what they have done to us and the world, isn’t it time for leaders of both parties to walk up to the White House en mass and demand that both he and the vice president resign for the good of the country? We can’t afford another four months much less four more years of THIS! We can have an interim government until January when a new president takes office and show the nation and the world that we REALLY want change!

Really, great article, maybe someone could email it over to Bush and Rice? These “children” running the show right now have to see the end coming, their tenure is almost up and thankfully. I have had enough of Evangelical right wing stubborn childish behavior coming from the white house enough is enough.

Being tough is one thing, but there comes a time when whacking people with that big stick does nothing more than piss them off. Everytime someone in the world says something that this president doesn’t like all of a sudden they are deemed unfriendlies?? I hope when Obama takes the oath of office this era is truly at an end. John McCain is from a different time and place and quite frankly this isn’t it.

It’s time we elect a president that is mature not in age but in thought process…not, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran…mentality…not even jokingly. Respect for others is like a mirror, it reflects back on your country. Bumper sticker solutions like Drill, Drill, Drill not only don’t solve our problems, they create ignorance and confusion among the American people and the world. Deception never pays off in the long run, it only delays solutions to world problems. Constructive participation and collective approach (such as UN) presents best hope to tackle global problems such as energy, hunger, tribalism, regional and local conflicts. There must be an arbiter, a neutral partner,an elderly statesman, a Uniter that can be trusted to assist in deling with the myriad problems including hunger and decease…and fanatical religions or beliefs that tear humanity apart everyday. A world body is needed to help nations cope with both manmade and natural disasters and help create and preserve water resources on earth.

Seems like what Obama has been talking about – moderation in our views. McCain is increasingly unimpressive with his isolationist views, and by pandering to the party base. The Sarah Palin addition to the ticket compounds this issue.

Real change can happen only when leaders such as the 5 Secretaries of State can stand up, ignore their party affiliations, and endorse a candidate who is more aligned with their world view. Hopefully, they will do that soon, but I am not losing an sleep over it!

But this alone will not be enough. What I would like to see, is how the message of the 5 Secretaries of Sate can be communicated to the masses more effectively. This, IMHO, is what is needed to create true change in this wonderful country of ours.

So essentially they’re saying that Obama is right and McCain is wrong. Why wont they just officially say it and make the point, because if you read what they say, they’re all policy positions obama endorsed and positions mccain opposed.

Finally, I see postings on the web to which I agree with. McCain is a military man, not a foreign policy man. I feel that we will gain some respect back if Obama is elected president. First off, because he is not White like all the previous presidents we have had but also because he is willing to level with foreign leaders as oppossed to trying to boss them around. Colin Powell was on this last night and I might say he was the one person in the Bush Administration I had respect for.

I am just reading this on Sunday morning, and am just hoping that CNN will rerun the show. It looks outstanding!

These esteemed, highly experienced representatives of both Republican and Democratic administrations make so much sense, and that is so refreshing. It drives home an odd, paradoxical point to me about OLD vs. NEW.

I believe this next opportunity for us to choose our leaders presents us with a choice of moving backwards with a person (McCain) who has had much experience, but whose judgment is rooted in the in the days of the Cold War confrontations, the days when the world seemed bigger and less inter-connected than it does now. Or one (Obama) who is less tied the old thinking, and who has the judgment and the willingness to engage that is more attuned to the new, smaller, more interrelated world that we now live in. The choice to me is clearly old vs. new, past vs. future. Obama’s view of today’s needs and his vision of the future is consistent with the message I read from the 5 former secretaries of state here.

The paradox is that at the level of principle, the famous JFK quote that Obama has repeated many times still holds so true: “Never negotiate from fear, but never fear to negotiate.” That was true in the 60’s, and it is still true now. We should have known that all along.

one of the best shows i ever seen , from someone whose very addicted to politcs i work from home so i have plenty of time tofollow the politic circus.i’m a muslim hard core repuplican however with what is going on in the world,i think we need to try new thing, eventhoug i don’t agree with barak obama’s policies 100% i’m willing to give it a shot. i loved macain for a long time until this last few months where he made 180 degree wrong turn! i’m looking forward to the debates………………
hawaii

When Frank Sesno was summing up the views of the panel, he said, “So there you have it both presidential candidates, you have start talking to leaders of other countries.” Frank, have you been following this presidential election at all! This is exactly what Barak Obama has been saying for at least a year.

Wow, what a great show! Very informative, help me to get a non political view of the world and how we need a very thoughtful president. Not, McCain who seems to be like Bush in many ways in his approach to nondemocratic goverments. Act first, ask questions later, then fix the problems we created. I also thought the soft powers that were mentioned take thought and time which the next president should have tremedous patience which McCain does not seem to have.
Deborah

Nah! Let’s just continue our current foreign policy. See something that American (Oil) companies want? Make an excuse to attack. You know, something like a “UN Resolution” or misinformation about “Weapons of Mass Destruction”. Then send in a lot of young fellas too young to realize they’re being played by the REMFs in Congress.

“Liberate” countries by killing hundreds of thousands of their inhabitants.

Yeah. That’s the idea.

We’re America! We’re ALWAYS right!

Or… we could follow George Washington’s advice: Avoid entangling alliances, trade with many, friends with many, allies with few.

Oh wait. I think that was Ron Paul – the guy you were all too stupid to vote for!

Frank Sesno, it seems like you were trying to politicize some of the remarks made by the secretaries, like Colin Powell. Several times you tried to restate their answers in your own words, and often your version of the answer was rejected the one who had given it. Kissenger and Powell come to mind here. No one talked obscurely. You should have just let their words stand on their own.

Again Obama is right on the money!!!

Talk to our enemies!
McCain you are no change agent. Your ideas are so outdated.

But Obama is so right. On so many issues he’s hit the mark. It’s just amazing.

We have the opportunity to put a real thinker, leader in the White House and we can’t afford to miss this opportunity.

This is our time for real change and Obama is the only one to bring it to us. This is our moment to get back on track and bring the American Dream back to life…….

Engage Iran diplomatically. Ditto Russia – don’t overreact. Lead on global warming instead of insincere lip service. Regain soft power. Close Guatanamo and end torture.

Gee, sounds like Obama’s platform. Why not come right out and say so?

CNN, you did an outstanding job with this special; hats off to you. I just hope our presidental candidates and their selected VP’s were watching and paying attention!

Thank you for such a forward reaching program. It was so welcome in this sea of confusion. How nice to hear these great Americans speak their minds and how wonderful to know that really smart people often think similarly. This program gave us a chance to hear people representing different parties who served at different times in history but yet their messages were clear and reasonable. This kind of programming puts CNN ahead of the pack.

It’s amazing that all 5 seem to back Pres. Barack Obama’s attitude towards foreign relations, cooperation with the world and making decisions carefully and cautiously.

What a refreshing change from the typical campaign retoric. It was a terrific hour. It was great when Colin Powell, in regard to Darfur, said “I made that decision”, meaning to define the situation as genecide. It would be terrific to see this same format used with several of the nations past secretaries of defense, health and human services, education, interior, labor and so on. This is much more of a service to the public than Lou Dobbs self aggrandizing rants every evening. Its likely too late for this election cycle, but it would great to do more using this format before the election. And thanks for keeping on important issues rather than pop news and the usual need to create confrontation. It illustrated that “smart and experienced” people can simply discuss the facts.

The Republicans drove us to the ground. The next step down is hell, if we put McCain and Palin into office. I’ll be so glad when Obama puts all the non-regulated Republicans in jail. They’re sure goal is to drive us to hell.

After all the “GOTCHA” polarizing interviews we have been subjected to for YEARS now, I worry that all this from former Secretaries of State will be too little, too late and not much listened to or reported on. The intelligent choices in this up coming election are being swamped by a poorly informed and highly prejudiced media much more interested in their personal objectives than this country’s best interests. No one is calling liars out for their continuing lies.
I no longer trust my fellow citizens, the media and certainly
not the government leadership.

Thoroughly enjoyed the program. The knowledge, experience and power exuding on the stage came through the screen. Stripping away the political parties, it was amazing the agreement of these leaders toward what needs to happen to keep the US in play around the world. Two things struck me: (1) the path recommended appeared to follow Obama’s thinking, almost to the exclusion of McCain’s (despite Republican men); and (2) when language was lain at Powell’s feet, he was quick to deny and put it where it belonged — adding that it was that candidate who would need to answer for it (even though Powell hasn’t made a choice yet). I was sorry to miss Albright’s quip that brought much laughter and jovial “boo-hiss” remarks.

Let’s see – Vietnam, hostages and dead commandos in Iran, Somalia, Bosnia, Kuwait, weapons of mass destruction, Iraq and Afganistan to name a few. These politicians/diplomats are a stark reminder of the power of diplomacy to bring peace and stability to our fractured world. Their image captured by CNN is a painfull reminder of events that have occured throughout my entire adult life. I honestly don’t know how to feel about your interview, but I’ll watch.

James Baker continues to be a joke, just as when he was serving in the former reublican administration.

Excellent program and an excellent discussion – I watched it twice. It was so refreshing to see a panel of intelligent people calmly discussing world events. These are people that Americans can look up to and admire. They discussed the future of the United States realistically, instead of all of this pandering to voters and ‘wanted-dead-or-alive’ baloney.

Finally the news media gave a voice to people that have something worthwhile to say. I am so tired of listening to that shreiking-shrew, Palin, screaming at us with things she knows nothing about. I sit back and wonder, what is this country coming to? This is what people want in a leader? This dingbat is going to represent my country?

You want a woman in office? Madeline Albright would get my vote in a minute.

The panel discussion reassured me that there are still people in Washington that can act and react with intelligence and an amazing understanding of historical and current events.

Great job, Christiane Amanpour and Frank Sesno.

The most interesting missing comment from any of the panel was: Don’t elect an idiot as the president in the first place!

Will this program be re-aired in the near future. I, and several other friends missed it and would like to have a chance to see it in full.

Thanks,
MA

I still want to know if Collen Powell was duped by George Bush and quit becaused he was used,

He’s the one who laid out the whole pack of lies for starting the Iraq War to the UN. Did he know or was he duped?

We really need to carry a big stick – but we need to walk softly with it. We need a president, (who is thus giv’en the big stick), to understand what – “last resort” – means. You decide.

So put one of them in charge!
I mean, any one of them Secretaries would have at least looked at a cultural map of Iraq before poking at a beehive.
Why not invest that money and manpower to the economy, healthcare, education – I know it’s repetative – but it does’nt make it wrong.
Some are so worried about too much government intervention – well I’d rather have some intervention on this side than throwing it over to the other side.
I have 5 trillion dollars – if I spend it on a wrong war it’s capitalism and strong – spend it on our own people and it’s socialism and weak. Too much ego and to many labels – GET A CLUE!
George Bush and company gave cowboys a bad name.

On this show Albright was great to mention there is no global warming in Alaska. She got all the men shaking their fingers at her for the joke. Solar power is soft national and world power. Lets see more solar power in the US grid. I am personally ashamed my home state of CA is not leading the way on solar power generation! THANK YOU for broadcasting the climate question CNN. The next president will with little doubt have to deal with too much rain and too little rain in the USA equals CLIMATE CHANGE.

This is an excellent program. It is about time that we hear from States Persons whose love for the Nation can rise above ideology and all the issues which tend to divide us. Please give us more of such discussions
so that by chance you might educate more of those who appear to wrap themselves in the flag and religiosity, but would rather send the nation to” hell” instead of doing what is in the best interest of all.

I highly doubt the right questions will be asked.
As they require a proper understanding of the history of US interventions and policies over the years.
Iran is a special case in point.
While Americans seem to remember the hostage taking of there embassy staff they seem to not be aware of there backing of the Shah a horrible tyrant for over 30 years.
Likewise the US public seems to not recall it’s governments backing of Saddam Hussein during his murderous onslaught on Iran.
It also doesn’t seem to remember how one of it’s warships during this period shot down an Iranian passenger jet.
While Iran has signed the NPT (non proliferation treaty) and supports a nuclear weapon free Middle East, the USA and Israel do not support it, the only two powers in the region with actual stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
American foreign policy has sadly been one and continues to be one of extreme hypocrisy and double standards, especially in the Middle East.
The people in that region simply want to be free and independent to pursue there own peoples desires without foreign intervention and Western backed dictators and corrupt Kings that only serve the interests of peoples in foreign capitals.