Bernard Gwertzman

  • Bernard Gwertzman

    Bernard Gwertzman

    Consulting Editor


    Contact Info:
    E-mail: bgwertzman@cfr.org

     

     

    Bernard Gwertzman has spent his entire career in journalism, starting as a reporter for the Washington Star in Washington, DC, in 1960. There he covered the Cold War as a specialist on Communist affairs. In late 1968, he was hired by the New York Times and sent to Moscow as its bureau chief from 1969-71, where he covered the tensions along the Soviet-Chinese border and the first steps toward detente.

    In 1971, Gwertzman returned to Washington, where he worked for the next sixteen years covering U.S. foreign policy for the Times. He traveled throughout the Middle East with Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, where he charted the first Arab-Israeli accords, leading up to the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel brokered by President Carter in 1979. In that period, he also wrote extensively on the first arms control accords between the United States and Russia.

    With the advent of President Reagan to the White House in 1981, he covered the chill in Soviet-American relations, followed by the warming of the Gorbachev-Reagan ties. In 1987, Gwertzman was invited to New York to become the deputy foreign editor of the Times, and in 1989, he became foreign editor. During his tenure as foreign editor, he directed the Times' coverage of the collapse of the Soviet empire, the Persian Gulf war, the U.S. invasion of Panama, the first Israeli agreement with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and the outbreak of the Bosnian war. In the six years Mr. Gwertzman was at the helm, the New York Times won four Pulitzer Prizes for international coverage.

    When the Times began its electronic division in the summer of 1995, Mr. Gwertzman shifted to new media. He was editor-in-chief of the New York Times on the web from 1996 until he retired from the Times in 2002. He has been consulting editor for cfr.org since October 2002. Gwertzman, who has an AB and MA from Harvard, is the co-author with Haynes Johnson of Fulbright: the Dissenter, and with Michael Kaufman on three anthologies on the fall of Communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union. He lives in Riverdale, NY, with his wife Marie-Jeanne. He has two married sons, James and Michael.



    Publications

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    • 819 items


    2010

    Understanding Ukraine's Presidential Shift

    February 8, 2010

    Understanding Ukraine's Presidential Shift

    Steven Pifer, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings Institution interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Despite fears to the contrary, the apparent presidential victory of Viktor Yanukovych in some ways bolsters the democratic gains of Ukraine's Orange Revolution, says Steven Pifer.

    See more in Ukraine, Elections

     

     

    Obama and EU: Shedding Rose-Colored Glasses

    February 8, 2010

    Obama and EU: Shedding Rose-Colored Glasses

    Charles A. Kupchan, Senior Fellow for Europe Studies interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    President Obama's decision to skip an upcoming summit in Spain set off a European reaction that highlighted areas of conflicting interests between the EU and the U.S., says CFR Europe expert Charles Kupchan.

    See more in United States, EU, International Peace and Security

     

     

    Afghanistan Success Hinges on Karzai Reforms

    January 27, 2010

    Afghanistan Success Hinges on Karzai Reforms

    Stephen Biddle, Roger Hertog Senior Fellow for Defense Policy, CFR interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Two key issues in Afghanistan are whether President Hamid Karzai will implement reforms and whether the American public is willing to invest the time it will take for a successful counterinsurgency, says CFR defense expert Stephen Biddle.

    See more in Afghanistan, International Peace and Security

     

     

    Obama's Biggest Foreign Policy Quandary

    January 26, 2010

    Obama's Biggest Foreign Policy Quandary

    Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Domestic economic problems will dominate President Obama's State of the Union address. In foreign policy, Iran will dominate administration concerns, says CFR President Richard Haass, who advocates supporting Iran's political opposition.

    See more in United States, U.S. Strategy and Politics

     

     

    Gaza and Strains in Israeli-Turkish Relations

    January 20, 2010

    Gaza and Strains in Israeli-Turkish Relations

    Steven A. Cook, Hasib J. Sabbagh Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor

    Interview

    New strains in the Israeli-Turkish relationship stem from Turkey's concerns over conditions in Gaza and sloppy diplomacy on both sides, says CFR's Steven A. Cook.

    See more in Turkey, Israel, International Peace and Security

     

     

    Rebuilding Haiti: The Work of Decades

    January 19, 2010

    Rebuilding Haiti: The Work of Decades

    Mark Schneider, Senior Vice President; Special Adviser on Latin America Washington, International Crisis Group interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor

    Interview

    Haiti's earthquake created a need for a tremendous short-term relief effort but also long-term reconstruction that could take decades and cost billions, says former Peace Corps director Mark L. Schneider.

    See more in Haiti, Humanitarian Intervention, Poverty

     

     

    Focus on West Bank, Not Negotiating

    January 13, 2010

    Focus on West Bank, Not Negotiating

    Elliott Abrams, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, CFR interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    As the United States plans to spur Mideast peace efforts, CFR expert Elliott Abrams says progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will come through development and building a legal system in the West Bank, not negotiations when the conditions aren't ripe.

    See more in Israel, Palestinian Authority

     

     

    Time to Speak Out on Iran

    January 13, 2010

    Time to Speak Out on Iran

    Ali Ansari, Director, Institute of Iran Studies, University of St. Andrews, Scotland interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    "Engagement doesn't preclude criticism," says Iranian historian Ali M. Ansari, so the West should be more forthright in speaking out against Iran's human rights record.

    See more in Iran, Democracy and Human Rights, International Peace and Security

     

     

    Terrorism Risks and 'Timeless Problems'

    January 8, 2010

    Terrorism Risks and 'Timeless Problems'

    Richard K. Betts, Adjunct Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, Council on Foreign Relations interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor

    Interview

    Failures to stop the recent U.S. airliner bomb plot and the destruction of a CIA base in Afghanistan illustrate inherent problems in intelligence gathering, and al-Qaeda's impenetrability, says CFR's Richard K. Betts.

    See more in United States, Air Transportation Security, Intelligence

     

     

    Iraqi Politics: Uncertainty Ahead

    January 4, 2010

    Iraqi Politics: Uncertainty Ahead

    Jane Arraf, Baghdad Correspondent, Christian Science Monitor, 2005-2006 Edward R. Murrow Press Fellow interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Iraqis don't blame Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for an uptick in violence, but that doesn't mean he'll prevail in March 7 parliamentary elections, says veteran Middle East correspondent Jane Arraf.

    See more in Iraq, Democracy Promotion, Elections

     

    2009

    Obama's First Year: 'Great Expectations,' 'Daunting Realities'

    December 30, 2009

    Obama's First Year: 'Great Expectations,' 'Daunting Realities'

    James M. Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, CFR interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    CFR's James M. Lindsay summarizes President Obama's first year as "great expectations running smack into daunting realities," including the Afghan war, China's rise, and Iran's nuclear program.

    See more in International Peace and Security, Diplomacy, U.S. Strategy and Politics

     

     

    Understanding Iran's Protest Movement

    December 28, 2009

    Understanding Iran's Protest Movement

    Robin Wright, Jennings Randolph Senior Fellow, United States Institute of Peace interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Veteran journalist Robin Wright, who covered the 1979 Iranian Revolution, says Iran's disparate but resilient protest coalition is motivated by a desire to reform the country's governing system.

    See more in Iran, Democracy and Human Rights

     

     

    Nuclear Agenda Rising to Top of World Issues in 2010

    December 24, 2009

    Nuclear Agenda Rising to Top of World Issues in 2010

    Paul Lettow, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    A CFR expert on nuclear issues, Paul Lettow says President Obama's agenda will be heavily tilted toward nuclear issues in 2010. He says this is "the ideal moment for strong American leadership on these issues," and despite Obama's disappointment in not wrapping up a new START treaty by the end of the year, Lettow expects the treaty to be signed in early 2010.

    See more in Diplomacy, Proliferation, U.S. Strategy and Politics

     

     

    Opposition Ferment and Fragmentation in Iran

    December 21, 2009

    Opposition Ferment and Fragmentation in Iran

    Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    CFR's Ray Takeyh examines the unsettled nature of Iranian politics, pointing to a fractured opposition and a regime divided on how to proceed on talks over its nuclear program.

    See more in Iran, Democracy and Human Rights

     

     

    Hope of North Korea's Return to the Six Party Talks

    December 11, 2009

    Hope of North Korea's Return to the Six Party Talks

    Evans J.R. Revere, President and CEO, Korea Society interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    Evans Revere, an expert on Northeast Asia, says after U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth's recent trip to Pyongyang, North Korea may potentially reopen the door to Six Party Talks, given time.

     

    See more in North Korea, Diplomacy, Proliferation

     

     

    U.S.-NATO: Looking for Common Ground in Afghanistan

    December 9, 2009

    U.S.-NATO: Looking for Common Ground in Afghanistan

    Robert E. Hunter, Senior Advisor, RAND Corporation interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    NATO's European members are more worried about a reassertive Russia than the threat posed by Afghanistan, says expert Robert E. Hunter. This has become the basis for an "unspoken bargain" on supporting the Afghan war effort, he says.

    See more in United States, Afghanistan, NATO, NATO, Diplomacy

     

     

    Obama's Withdrawal Date a Controversial Gambit

    December 2, 2009

    Obama's Withdrawal Date a Controversial Gambit

    Stephen Biddle, Senior Fellow for Defense Policy, Council on Foreign Relations interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    CFR's top defense policy expert Stephen Biddle says President Obama's announcement of a date for U.S. forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan could draw fire from wary Democrats, but also conveys that the U.S. "is uncomfortable with long stays."

    See more in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Defense Strategy

     

     

    Nuclear Quagmire with Iran

    November 23, 2009

    Nuclear Quagmire with Iran

    George R. Perkovich, Vice President for Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    A leading arms control expert, George Perkovich says Iranian domestic disputes have apparently doomed its agreement to ship processed uranium out of the country. The UN Security Council, he says, must be prepared to  increase pressure on the regime.

    See more in Iran, Proliferation

     

     

    The U.S.-Russia Nuclear Thicket

    November 20, 2009

    The U.S.-Russia Nuclear Thicket

    Charles D. Ferguson, Philip D. Reed Senior Fellow for Science and Technology, Council on Foreign Relations interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    CFR nuclear arms expert Charles D. Ferguson says with an important nuclear arms control deadline approaching, the U.S.-Russia talks remain complicated by missile defense and verification issues.

    See more in Russian Fed., Arms Control and Disarmament

     

     

    Mixed Messages from Asia

    November 19, 2009

    Mixed Messages from Asia

    Elizabeth C. Economy, C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies interviewed by Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor, CFR.org

    Interview

    CFR's Elizabeth Economy says President Obama's first trip to Asia raised his credibility as a partner in the region and exposed insecurities among China's leadership.

    See more in Asia, U.S. Strategy and Politics

     
    • 819 items
  • The Global Oceans Regime

    GG Monitor

    Explore the international oceans regime with a new interactive from CFR's program on International Institutions and Global Governance.

    New Council Special Reports


    Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities

    Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities cover imageThis report explores how international legal rules regarding military force might evolve to better meet the challenges of mass atrocities.

    Enhancing U.S. Preventive Action

    Enhancing U.S. Preventive Action cover imageThe authors of this CSR explain why the United States needs to place greater emphasis on preventive action and how current organizational arrangements can be changed to meet that need.

    The United States in the New Asia

    United States in the New Asia cover imageThis report addresses pan-Asian and trans-Pacific architectures and guidelines for how the United States can revise its approach in order to consolidate and improve the efficacy of these Asian institutions.

    Complete list of Council Special Reports

    New Books

    How Enemies Become Friends cover Through compelling analysis and rich historical examples that span the globe and range from the thirteenth century through the present, Charles A. Kupchan explores how adversaries can transform enmity into amity, and exposes prevalent myths about the causes of peace.

    Start-Up Nation cover With the insights of geopolitical experts and investors, the authors examine Israel's adversity-driven culture to offer prescriptions for a global economy on the rebound.

    Forces of Fortune cover Vali Nasr reveals that there is a vital but unseen rising force in the Islamic world—a new business-minded middle class—that is building a vibrant new Muslim world economy and that holds the key to winning the cold war against Iran and extremists.

    Complete list of CFR Books

    David Rockefeller Studies Program Contacts

    For more information on the David Rockefeller Studies Program, contact:

    James M. Lindsay
    Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair
    +1.212.434.9626 (NY); +1.202.509.8405 (DC)
    jlindsay@cfr.org

    Janine Hill
    Deputy Director of Studies Administration
    +1.212.434.9753
    jhill@cfr.org

     

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