Ding deeper into the conflict. The underurns from secretary of state lyrical affairs. Here it is, the New York Times. 51 u. S. Diplomats in dissent on assad. On a side on is a civic story . Nicholas we wanted our be creative and speak up when they see something they dont like. Richard and i worked on this over many decades. But what they are speaking about is the enormous frustration inside the u. S. Government. Think in many circles, new york, washington, other places, over the president s policy in the middle east. I admire president obama. He has been entirely riskaverse in the middle east. As i understand, reading the article, these people are not saying we should put a big American Land army into syria. That would be catastrophic. I think they are suggesting, and i certainly believe, we ought to play our traditional role, a diplomatic, kohlers role. Charlie you are arguing, that while president obama has had Foreign Policy successes, the middle east is a failure. Nicholas its impo
Wading deeper into the conflict. Joining us now is the director of foreign relations. Nicholas, a visiting professor at danford, and other great universities. Here it is, the New York Times. Violence, that is what the policy memo says. Is this a big story . It is a big story and it is a big deal. We want to encourage our career diplomat to be creative and to speak up when they see something they disagree with. Richard and i have both worked on this channel over many decades. But what they are speaking about is the enormous frustration inside the u. S. Government. I think, in many circles, new york, washington, and many places about the president s policy in the middle east. I admire president obama both that he has been entirely i admire president obama. He has been entirely riskaverse. I think they are suggest in, and i certainly believe, we have got to play the traditional role. It is mainly a Diplomatic Coalition role. We should try to use our influence against the malevolent forces
I thought i would become a lawyer or work for the government. I was really attracted to the idea of being a professor. At the university of chicago, theres a lot of energy and intellectual excitement. People are engaged in the world, and seeing their liveliness and ambition got to me. When did you meet president obama . In the early 1990s. He was a harvard graduate and interested in joining the faculty in some capacity. He was a very impressive young lawyer. How close did you get to know him . We were friends and colleagues. We had a cordial and friendly relationship. I certainly felt that i knew him to be a strong supporter. Was there a time that you thought he could become president . Very early. He was in his 30s and he was standing outside of 58th street, a bookstore in chicago. I said to him, you know, i think you should be president. I meant it. Even though it was a little absurd to think that someone you knew would become president. He did not take it seriously. He thought i was
The chance to do good in that office i had known about it for many years is just phenomenal. You left and went to harvard. I went back to harvard in 2012. When did you leave the university of chicago, and how long were you there . I was there for a short time before i went to the government. My formative period really was at the university of chicago. Where did you grow up and what did your parents do . Are they still with us . Sad to say, they are not still with us. They are still in my heart. In that sense, they are still with me. I grew up in a small suburb of boston. Some people think that my town doesnt exist. My dad was a businessman and had a construction company. He built houses all over massachusetts acton and concord. My mother was an intelligent woman. You have written a lot. How many books . Too many. How many on the market . Fewer than barry bonds had home runs. More than some hitters. Probably around 30. The ones that are on the market are why nudge and what else . . We h
Government. I was really attracted to the idea of being a professor. At the university of chicago, theres a lot of energy and intellectual excitement. People are engaged in the world and seeing their liveliness and ambition got to me. When did you meet president obama . In the early 1990s. Graduate andard interested in joining the faculty in some capacity. He wasy impressive a very impressive young lawyer. How close did you get to know him . We were friends and colleagues. We had a cordial and friendly relationship. Himrtainly felt that i knew to be a strong supporter. Was there a time that you thought he could become president . Very early. He was in his 30s and he was standing outside of 58th street, a bookstore in chicago. Know, i think you you should be president. I meant it. Even though it was a little absurd to think that someone you knew would become president. He did not take it seriously. He thought i was being a little excessive on friday morning. He did remember it and he me