Statecraft: The Bush 41 Team

Examine the presidency of George H.W. Bush and his foreign policy team's expertise as they navigated international crises like the fall of the Berlin Wall, reunification of Germany, the collapse of the Soviet Union the Panama invasion and Operation Desert Storm.

Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney describes efforts to put together a coalition against Iraq during Desert Storm and the many countries involved. He goes into detail about Iraq’s strategy to bomb Israel so that the Israelis would retaliate. If Israel had retaliated, the Arab coalition against Iraq would have crumbled. The United States worked hard to protect Israel and keep them out of the war.

Ann Compton, former White House Correspondent for ABC News, covered President George H.W. Bush during his administration. She describes his kindness and graciousness and shares a personal note that he wrote her. She also talks about his willingness to engage with the media and their families, and how he would sometimes invite reporters to his home in Kennebunkport, Maine, for social occasions.