Assad and Charlie Rose
With markets basically out of whack all year, I don't know why I was so surprised that Charlie Rose's interview with Assad seemed out of whack too. Normally I wouldn't watch something pushed this heavily by the media, but it sort of popped up last night at 9 so I left it on.
Rose did his usual Charlie Rose thing, but after watching the whole hour, I was struck by how Assad appeared rather rational and in control the whole time. First off, I had to hand it to Assad for resisting the sometimes silly, sometimes baiting, sometimes simply ignorant questions posed. Then again, you might expect a Middle East dictator who decides to go on TV with Charlie Rose to be somewhat familiar with Rose's style, and so Assad must have been prepared.
Besides denying the alleged gas attack, Assad managed to start off by stating that the question of whether the Syrian government has chemical weapons was off the table. He stated his point clearly, reasoning that whether the government did or did not, the issue was a military matter that was confidential and not something he could or would discuss. Every time Rose tried to circle back to get Assad to admit or acknowledge in any way even the possession of such weapons, Assad went right back to his initial assertion and stuck by it: confidential military matter/no comment.
Assad got his position because he is the son of the previous dictator, but he doesn't strike you as a pampered, spoiled, know-nothing brat. In fact, he sounded more intelligent and rational than they typical American politician, and he was speaking in English, not his native tongue. I guess the guy's pretty well educated. Given my opinion of most politicians and media personalities, I was almost rooting for Assad as he handled Rose almost as easily as Rafael Nadal might handle me on a tennis court.
On the other hand, you have to remind yourself that Assad is himself a politician, indeed a dictator. And being a politician, thinking he's somehow not all about the acquisition, retention and expansion of power would be a big mistake. On the other hand, he appeared to be much more aware of what and who he is than the typical American politician. He was, for one thing, more direct. When Rose used the term "support" in reference to any help Syrian allies like Russia or Iran might bring to the table, Assad corrected the use of "support." He basically said that any help given was provided at a price. He acknowledged that Syria gave something in exchange for any help they get. There was nothing about the Syrian government's desire or their allies' desire to spread democracy, or to promote any other political, humanitarian, or even religious ideals. So even if there is a religious affinity between the Shiite minority that governs Syria and the Shiite majority that rules Iran, you had the feeling the Assad doesn't rely that much on such a religious connection. He struck you as - in the end - practical. Again, it's all about his and his cohorts power.
After the interview, Assad, we presume, went back to leading his government in the terrible, bloody civil war in Syria. Rose, on the other hand, was prominently seen attending the U.S. Open men's tennis finals the next day.
Rose did his usual Charlie Rose thing, but after watching the whole hour, I was struck by how Assad appeared rather rational and in control the whole time. First off, I had to hand it to Assad for resisting the sometimes silly, sometimes baiting, sometimes simply ignorant questions posed. Then again, you might expect a Middle East dictator who decides to go on TV with Charlie Rose to be somewhat familiar with Rose's style, and so Assad must have been prepared.
Besides denying the alleged gas attack, Assad managed to start off by stating that the question of whether the Syrian government has chemical weapons was off the table. He stated his point clearly, reasoning that whether the government did or did not, the issue was a military matter that was confidential and not something he could or would discuss. Every time Rose tried to circle back to get Assad to admit or acknowledge in any way even the possession of such weapons, Assad went right back to his initial assertion and stuck by it: confidential military matter/no comment.
Assad got his position because he is the son of the previous dictator, but he doesn't strike you as a pampered, spoiled, know-nothing brat. In fact, he sounded more intelligent and rational than they typical American politician, and he was speaking in English, not his native tongue. I guess the guy's pretty well educated. Given my opinion of most politicians and media personalities, I was almost rooting for Assad as he handled Rose almost as easily as Rafael Nadal might handle me on a tennis court.
On the other hand, you have to remind yourself that Assad is himself a politician, indeed a dictator. And being a politician, thinking he's somehow not all about the acquisition, retention and expansion of power would be a big mistake. On the other hand, he appeared to be much more aware of what and who he is than the typical American politician. He was, for one thing, more direct. When Rose used the term "support" in reference to any help Syrian allies like Russia or Iran might bring to the table, Assad corrected the use of "support." He basically said that any help given was provided at a price. He acknowledged that Syria gave something in exchange for any help they get. There was nothing about the Syrian government's desire or their allies' desire to spread democracy, or to promote any other political, humanitarian, or even religious ideals. So even if there is a religious affinity between the Shiite minority that governs Syria and the Shiite majority that rules Iran, you had the feeling the Assad doesn't rely that much on such a religious connection. He struck you as - in the end - practical. Again, it's all about his and his cohorts power.
After the interview, Assad, we presume, went back to leading his government in the terrible, bloody civil war in Syria. Rose, on the other hand, was prominently seen attending the U.S. Open men's tennis finals the next day.
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