UCTV Presents: Conversations with History

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Philip Bobbitt, Herbert Wechsler Professor of Jurisprudence, Columbia University. Focusing on the transformation of the state and warfare, Professor Bobbitt offers a new interpretation of terrorism. He explains the emergence of the market state, compares it to the nation state, analyzes the unique features of warfare in the new century, and brings into focus the distinctive qualities of today's terrorism. Professor Bobbitt also describes the challenges posed for national security and offers an agenda for changes that integrate strategy and law.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Ambassador Barbara Bodine for a discussion of her 30 year career in the foreign service. Topics covered include the work of diplomacy, U.S. policy in the Middle East, the events leading to the first Iraq War, her tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Yemen including the response to the Al Qaeda suicide attack on the USS Cole, and the long term consequences of the militarization of U.S. foreign policy under the Bush administration.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes biblical scholar Bart Ehrman for a discussion of his intellectual odyssey with a focus on how the Bible explains the problem of human suffering. The conversation includes a discussion of the challenges of biblical interpretation when confronting this age old problem of the human condition. Included are topics such as the contribution of the prophets, a comparison of the old and new testaments, the book of Job, and the emergence of apocalyptic writers.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Annabel Patterson, Professor Emeritus of English, Yale University for a discussion of her career as a literary scholar. The discussion focuses on the challenges of understanding literature in its historical and social context. Her work on censorship, Shakespeare, and her current research on the use of words in the American political dialogue are some of the topics addressed in the conversation.

Host Harry Kreisler welcomes UC professors Herbert York and Susan Shirk for a discussion of the role of research universities in meeting today’s national security challenges. York, the first director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and founding director of the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC) and Shirk, Asian security policy expert and current IGCC Director, compare the Cold War and the Post 911 world. Highlighting the importance of regional contexts and the need for well informed diplomacy, they evaluate the U.S. response in managing these threats and offer recommendations for the future.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes neurosurgeon Allan J. Hamilton for a discussion of his new book: the Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural and the Healing Power of Hope. Focusing on his intellectual and spiritual odyssey, Dr. Hamilton offers insights into the craft of surgery and discusses how his patients have broadened his understanding of the human condition, the resilience of the human spirit, the healing process, and the world beyond science.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Parag Khanna, Senior Fellow at the New America Foundation. Their discussion focuses on the emerging world order characterized by 3 empires - the U.S., the European Union, and China - and a rising Second World which because of globalization has greater opportunity for self definition internally and influence externally. Parag Khanna elucidates the shape of this new world and its implications for U.S. foreign policy.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Yale Professor James Gustave Speth for a discussion of his career in the environmental movement. Professor Speth traces his changing perspective on the appropriate response to the environmental crisis. Concluding that only a radical transformation of capitalism will save the planet for future generations, he outlines the changes in consciousness and in the political agenda that will be required.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Robert A. Scalapino, the Robson Research Professor of Government Emeritus and founding Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies at U.C Berkeley. Professor Scalapino discusses Berkeley's evolution as a leading center for Asian Studies, analyzes the synergy between academic research and foreign policy, and comments on the transformation of America's relationship with Asia which he has witnessed over the course of his six decade career.

Host Harry Kreisler welcomes Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, U.S. Army (ret.), for a discussion of the break down of the national security process in the G.W. Bush Administration. Col. Wilkerson offers an insider's view of the Cheney-Rumsfeld cabal that drove American policy in the wake of the Al Qaeda attack on 911. The Vice President’s manipulation of the policy process, he argues, led to a lack of a post conflict planning for Iraq and the failure to abide by the Geneva conventions. Wilkerson analyzes the motives of Cheney/Rumsfeld, their penchant for secrecy, and speculates long term costs to American democracy and power.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Michael Scheuer, a 20 year veteran of the CIA, who in the 1990's headed the search for Osama Bin Laden and the rendition program to imprison jihadists. Scheuer discusses the career of Osama bin Laden, the origins of the rendition program, and the failure of the US foreign policy elite to understand the challenges posed by jihadist terrorism.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Pamela Constable of the Washington Post for a discussion of changes in Afghanistan and Pakistan Since 911. She analyzes the 2008 Pakistan election and its implications for U.S. Pakistan relations and describes the renewal of the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Kishore Mahbubani for a discussion of the changing relationship between the West and Asia. In the interview, he describes the major transformations occurring because of the "march of modernity" made possible by the ideas and global institutions created by the West. He goes on to criticize the West for failing to adapt to the changing balance of power which follows from Asia's rise.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes General John Abizaid for a discussion of the role of the military in the 21st century. Drawing on his experience as commander of the U.S. Central Command, he discusses the problems confronting the next President in the Middle East. He analyzes the lessons of the Iraq War and reflects on issues such as intelligence, the Geneva Conventions, and the role of military contractors.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Louise Richard, Executive Dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, for a discussion of how to understand terrorism and contain the threat.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes economist Anders Aslund for a discussion of Russia after the fall of communism. He analyzes the reasons for the succcessful implementation of a market economy and the reasons for the failure to achieve a democratic revolution. He compares the leadership of Gorbachev, Yelstin, and Putin. Anders Aslund also discusses the implications of authoritarian rule by Putin for Russia and for relations with the West.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes NYU law professor Stephen Holmes for a discussion of the Bush administration's response to the 911 attack. He analyzes the motivations behind policies, examines the interplay between politics and ideas, and highlights the implications for American democracy. He also addresses the options available to the the next President in confronting the tragic errors of the Bush administration.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Harvard Professor Samantha Power for a discussion of her new book, "Chasing the Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World." The conversation focuses on the lessons of De Mello's life for understanding the challenges confronting world order in the 21st century.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Steven A. Cook of the Council on Foreign Relations for a discussion of the impact of the military on democratization in Turkey, Algeria, and Egypt. He analyzes the structure of power in these countries, the role of Islamic parties in furthering democratization, and raises important questions about U.S. policy in the region through comparison with the policies of the European Union.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Major General Antonio M. Taguba for a discussion on his inquiry into Abu Ghraib. They discuss the relation of the military to the rule of law and the relevance of the Geneva Conventions to the War on Terror. He analyzes the problems he found at the Abu Ghraib prison and talks about the aftermath of the investigation in Washington and for his career.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor John Yoo of UC Berkeley for a discussion of Presidential war powers. Professor Yoo analyzes the situation confronting the United States after the 911 attack and explains the development of the legal justifications for the Bush's administration's response. Topics addressed include the memorandum on torture, the interface between law and politics, secrecy and democracy, and the Bush legacy.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Trita Parsi,President of the National Iranian American Council, for a discussion of the struggle for power in the Middle East. Drawing on the perspective of the Realist School of International Relations Theory, he focuses on the region's dominant powers--Israel and Iran--and examines the evolution of their relations with each other and with the United States, the world's only superpower.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Michael A. Levi of the Council on Foreign Relations for a discussion of nuclear terrorism. Levi analyzes the nature of the threat and offers a strategy for dealing with it.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor Donald Kennedy, Bing Professor of Environmental Science at Stanford University. Professor Kennedy offers his reflections on research and teaching in the biological sciences. He analyzes the challenges he faced as President of Stanford and talks about his present role as Editor-in-Chief of Science magazine. He also explores the evolution of relations between government and science.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes historian John Heilbron, the 2007 Hitchcock Lecturer, for a discussion of the history of science. He reflects on his contributions to the field, analyzes the challenges of studying science as a historian, and offers insight into the value of science history for society. John Heilbron also discusses his years as Vice Chancellor of the Berkeley campus.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes attorney Frederick S. Wyle, a Pentagon official in the Kennedy administration, for a discussion of nuclear weapons policy in Europe during the Cold War. Reflecting on his role as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense in the McNamara Pentagon, Wyle also compares threat perception then with the current response to terrorism. He analyzes the delicate balance that must be found under our constitutional system to adjust to exigent circumstances while preserving the rule of law and civil liberties.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Yale Law Professor Amy Chua for a discussion of the rise and fall of hyperpowers. Drawing on a comparative historical case studies, Chua provides a unique perspective on the importance of tolerance is the ascent to power and the emergence of intolerance in the period of decline.

Conversations with History host Harry Kreisler talks with Richard C.Lewontin about scientific inquiry and the role of science in public policy.

Conversations host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Professor Steve Walt of Harvard University for discussion of the interplay of domestic politics and foreign policy.

Conversations with History host Harry Kreisler welcomes Professor Fawaz A.Gerges for a discussion on the origins, evolution and future direction of Islamic militancy.