Intelligence Squared The Education of an Idealist, with Samantha Power and Helen Lewis
Dec 27, 2019
Samantha Power, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN and author of "The Education of an Idealist," shares insights from her diplomatic journey, reflecting on childhood challenges and advocacy for marginalized voices. She discusses the complexities of international intervention, the impact of U.S. military actions in Syria, and the chaos of Trump's foreign policy on global relations. Through personal anecdotes and historical context, Power emphasizes the need for nuanced foreign policy and the importance of women's leadership and solidarity in times of crisis.
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Formative Experiences in Yugoslavia
- Samantha Power's early career as a journalist in Yugoslavia shaped her views on intervention.
- Witnessing the lack of intervention and its consequences fueled her desire for American involvement in global crises.
Foreign Policy Focus
- Foreign policy debates often center on the intervening country's image, not the affected people.
- A Bosnian businessman supplying food to both Serbs and his enclave was deemed a hero locally, highlighting this disconnect.
Ebola Trip and Politics
- Samantha Power's planned trip to Ebola-affected regions was complicated by political concerns.
- Fear of quarantine, driven by domestic politics, nearly derailed the trip, demonstrating political hurdles in crises.
