Who do you have yet to interview that you would like to?
“Kim Jong Un?”
Were you, as a Middle East expert, surprised at the sudden expansion of ISIS last year?
“ISIS took a lot people by surprise. But since they’ve overrun Mosul last year, their agenda has been clear. As their rhetoric states, they want to build a caliphate. And the problem is, unlike al Qaeda, they have territory. Al Qaeda never had territory. They have territory in Syria and Iraq.
“The string of atrocities that culminated in the unconscionable attack on Tunisians’ sands forces us to confront the fact that they are at war with us (whether Christian, Muslim, Jew), and we need to muster every resource to defeat them.”
There’s a reel of your reporting highlights out there — all kinds of crap is blowing up behind you in the background, you’re in the midst of war zones, and you’re basically kicking ass and taking names. You didn’t look afraid … but were you? How do you mentally prepare yourself to enter dangerous situations?
“I’ve been doing this for 25 years … I’m sure I was afraid at the beginning.
“But like any professional who practices and trains, you learn how to deal with these situations, how to win and how to manage your fear so that it doesn’t affect your ability to do the job.”
Dear Christiane, I’m Adel from Hungary. What are the international consequences of Hungary’s hostile politics against the immigrants?
“Adel, I have been covering the migrant crisis a great deal on my program. I even went out on the Med with the Italian navy, and we watched them rescue 300 refugees.
“Europe is a rich continent despite its many challenges, especially at the moment. Many of these young migrants come with valuable skills needed in our graying societies and our job markets.
“I worry that the populist politics of division — not only in Hungary, but in many of our European nations — trample people’s human rights and give a false narrative. Experts tell me Europe is not being overrun by migrant hordes.”
You’ve covered so many major international stories throughout your career. Which one did you enjoy covering the most, and why? Also, what advice do you have for budding international journos (especially in the ever-changing journalism landscape)?
“I’ve enjoyed almost all the stories I’ve covered. But I think the most important work I’ve done was covering Bosnia in the ’90s, and I’m going back to Srebrenica next weekend to cover the 20th anniversary of the massacre, which was the worst in Europe since World War II and which (led) to the world powers finally coming in to end the brutal Bosnian war.
“My advice is to go to where the stories are. But don’t assume you can be a foreign correspondent from the get-go. A lot of training, a lot of hard work, a lot of climbing up the ladder is necessary so you get the experience and competence you need.”
Do you, as a journalist, get used to war? After witnessing Bosnia, Rwanda and so other conflicts around the globe, do people’s stories and tragedies still strike you the way they used to?
“You never get used to war. And people’s sad stories still strike me. Especially since becoming a mother, I’m even more committed to telling these stories and hoping that one day, there will be more peace than war for our children’s generation.”
How hard was it for the “Gilmore Girls” team to convince you to do a cameo, and did you enjoy your time on the set?
“I was thrilled to do that cameo, because I watched their programs that were sent to me on DVDs from the United States. (I was living in the UK at the time.) And I found it so smart, so funny and so empowering of girls and women — both the daughter and the mother were real role models. The dialogue was great. And of course, I love the fact that she wanted to be a journalist!
“And I certainly enjoyed my time on set, although as you can see, I’m not a natural actress!”
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
“Pistachio … strawberry … coffee!”
Do or have you experienced censorship from the U.S. government? How did or does it affect your reporting?
“When you cover the military at war, you go in knowing that there are certain things you can’t tell in real time, like precise locations, numbers of troops, etc. This is in order not to put them, and us, in danger. Especially in our age of 24/7 media, people can see you in real time, whenever, wherever.
“I accept those safety restrictions, but I do not accept restrictions for any editorial reasons or the like.”
Were you ever afraid as a female journalist to go into the places you have been? Do you think there is a double standard against female journalists, compared to their male counterparts?
“We live in a world where there are double standards applied to men and women in every aspect of life, in every country, on every continent.
“That’s the sad fact, and I try to use my influence as a successful woman to highlight the need for equal treatment of men and women.
“I myself have not felt in danger because I’m a woman. And actually, in many of the stories I’ve covered, I’ve found being a female reporter was beneficial.
“But, as I say, I am constantly aware of the terrible unfairness shown to women in the job market — for instance, not getting equal pay for equal play — and in many parts of the world, women are assaulted, abused, their rights are trampled on.”
Which leader was the most pleasant to be around, and who was the most unpleasant?
“One of my favorite leaders to interview of all time was the late King Hussein of Jordan. He had a way of treating journalists with respect, and at least making them believe he took them seriously! Truthfully, he was an incredibly brave and visionary leader, made peace with Israel, and was a strong anchor in the volatile Middle East.
“I liked many others, but I’m certainly not going to say which ones I didn’t like! Although the late Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic was not my favorite, given what I witnessed him orchestrate in Bosnia and what I what I saw him try to get away with in Kosovo.”
If you and Anderson Cooper had a bare-knuckle boxing match, who would win?
“Me, of course!
“Love, you Anderson! :)”