Former US Secretary of State John Kerry: We face a special challenge in America

We face a special challenge in America.


James Naughtie speaks to veteran US politician John Kerry about
the state of American politics and his long career at the top of
global affairs.


As well as standing for president himself as the Democratic
candidate in 2004, he served as Secretary of State in the Obama
administration and as Joe Biden’s climate envoy.


Secretary Kerry was at the centre of some of the most significant
global crises in recent history from Iraq to Iran and Syria. He
still believes one of America’s greatest foreign policy mistakes
was invading Iraq in 2003 without first seeking formal approval
from the US Congress.


He is forthright in his views on America today, saying he has
never seen anything like what the country is living through. He
describes politics as defined by greed and insensitivity, and
guided by the lowest aspirations. For his Democratic party to
return to power once more, he challenges them to face and address
the issues the American people care about, including immigration.


Thank you to the Politically team for its help in making this
programme. The Interview brings you conversations with people
shaping our world, from all over the world. The best interviews
from the BBC. You can listen on the BBC World Service, Mondays
and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can listen to The Interview as
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wherever you get your podcasts.


Presenter: James Naughtie Producers: Lucy Sheppard, Giles Edwards
Editor: Nick Holland


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(Image: John Kerry. Credit: Reuters)