Conversations with History: Institute
of International Studies, UC Berkeley
This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations
with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public
Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.
Welcome to a Conversation with History. I'm Harry
Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is Leon Fuerth.
Leon Fuerth is Research Professor of International Affairs at George Washington
University. He has worked on national security affairs in both the Legislative
and Executive Branches for more than three decades. He was National Security
Advisor to Vice-President Albert Gore.
- Background ... parochial school
... early interest in international affairs ... reading Herman Kahn ... the
sixties ... literature and history
- Foreign Service Career ... call
to public service ... Bureau of Intelligence and Research ... first mentor
... early grounding in intelligence ... posting in Zagreb ... gaining an overview
- Working in Intelligence ... House
Select Committee on Intelligence ... Les Aspin ... assessing current state
of intelligence ... how to keep the quality high ... Al Gore's globalist perspective
- Congress and the Executive ... diversity
of congressional viewpoints ... taking a position on issues ... Executive's
ability to shape public opinion ... Iraq War: failure of congressional oversight
... toxic partisanship ... commitment to centrism ... outmoded Cold War structures
- New Ideas ... experiences as Vice
President's National Security Advisor ... looking ahead ... East Asian banking
crisis ... acceleration of impact of new issues ... forward engagement ...
networks
- Conclusions ... advice for students
... specialists vs. generalists ... planning, and revisiting the plan
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