And when they do spin out of control there are important ramifications that affect America, not just its direct national interest but its broader interests as a nation which has thought of itself as a beacon to other nations, of…

Quote by John Pomfret

Topics: John Pomfret Quotes

I was posted to China in the summer of 1988, which was the greatest time...

I was posted to China in the summer of 1988, which was the greatest time...

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

But on the other hand, in the midst of the chaos, you find normal people....

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

I've been shot at on numerous occasions.

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

Stanford had no journalism program so I just learned by doing, effectively.

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

I think that's the main threat in Bosnia and Rwanda and Zaire. There doesn't seem...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

For me the much more significant question is what did the Americans do, if anything,...

The desire to become a journalist came really because I very much like living abroad,...

The desire to become a journalist came really because I very much like living abroad,...

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...

I think some of the best reporters are the ones who can really illustrate the...

I grew up in New York City in the late '70s, at a time when...

I grew up in New York City in the late '70s, at a time when...

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

Working overseas is more difficult in that it's much more complicated to get people to...

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...

I went back to the States and started at a small newspaper in Riverside County,...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

The one indication that I got that I was doing the right job in Bosnia...

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

My main form of transportation at that time was a bicycle, because bicycles could move...

When you do a job like this you have to like having cold sweat on...

When you do a job like this you have to like having cold sweat on...

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

Whereas with foreign coverage there's a much broader disconnect between you and your audience.

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

Good journalism, I think, represents life and if you try to organize something too neatly...

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

I think to a certain extent in Bosnia and among the Hutus in Rwanda and...

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

A lot of times when we work overseas we tend to put the experience of...

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

I had my life threatened by Bosnian Serbs on numerous occasions.

In some ways the domestic reporting is a lot easier because Americans will talk to...

In some ways the domestic reporting is a lot easier because Americans will talk to...