Putin and the Presidents: John Bolton (interview) | FRONTLINE

John Bolton served as national security advisor to President Donald Trump from 2018 to 2019. He was previously the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and is the author of The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir.
The following interview was conducted by the Kirk Documentary Group’s Michael Wiser for FRONTLINE on Sept. 29, 2022. It has been edited for clarity and length.
This interview is being published as part of FRONTLINE’s Transparency Project, an effort to open up the source material behind our documentaries. Explore the transcript of this interview, and others, on the FRONTLINE website: www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/in...
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Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers and by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Additional funding is provided by the Abrams Foundation; the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Park Foundation; the Heising-Simons Foundation; and the FRONTLINE Journalism Fund with major support from Jon and Jo Ann Hagler on behalf of the Jon L. Hagler Foundation, and additional support from Koo and Patricia Yuen.

[@tomberger8628]

I now view the one-hour Frontline documentary as the lead-in to these much more valuable in-depth interviews. Thank you PBS for producing such amazing online content.

[@Scrapiron10]

Really? Hook line and sinker! Gulp How’s that fake propaganda after taste?

[@carcanoM9138]

Bolton’s hilarious 7:53 “we have your favorite room for you Mr.Bolton” and he say I knew what that meant lol (more bugs than a New York apartment) -electronic 😂

[@billbernhard3582]

Kudos to Michael Wiser, FRONTLINE, and PBS !!! Nobody does honest, revealing news better than PBS !

[@thecollegepointthecp8062]

“I don’t think Trump fully understood the history of Ukraine and Russia….or much else in history” Around the 40 minute mark. Bolton goes right to the point. I love the dry delivery with full sincerity about an American President

[@samueljohnson6152]

I remember Bolton fighting with every fiber of his being propping up the Iraq war.

[@ggates5859]

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to write love letters to Korean dictators.” -Some dead wise person.

[@WJWeber]

I thought it was hilarious he thought Finland was a part of Russia.

[@djordjelezajic8435]

@WJWeber Finland was part of Russia, and they were even liberated by Russians from Sweden.

[@CaminoAir]

@@djordjelezajic8435 America was a British colony. That is historical. Finland is not a part of Russia. It doesn't excuse Trump that he might have heard something about Finland's circumstances 80 years ago.

[@Dayjob351]

John Bolton comes off as a strong policy adviser not a “war monger” as the media portrayed him. I admire him and his efforts.

[@xBINARYGODx]

gee, its almost like you dont create your view of someone based on one interview - but hey, it lets you say he is a nice guy, so nevermind anything else he has said or done. He says some really dumb crap in here - that thing about the KGB people being better than the "conformist" people in other agencies is neolib/neocon brain rot. But that IS who Bolton comes off best to right now.

[@Dayjob351]

Ok....your ignorance on my position is evident.

[@wizzyone6789]

he is a strong policy adviser. But he is also definitely a war-monger.

[@bsepide1]

They killed 1 mil Iraqis that had no weapons of mass destruction, and he calls it in this interview "only positive, as it was one more rogue regime that had been eliminated" as a response to Putin being alarmed by this sudden destruction of an entire nation. If this is not a war monger I don't know what is.

[@Dayjob351]

After the first Gulf War a no fly zone was put in place. Sadam kept shooting at the Jets which was a clear and present violation of the reason the first war stopped. That's it....the weapons of mass destruction was a stupid move to sell the American public on a second war and unnecessary. I respect your view respect mine.

[@kisfekete]

PBS really hit it out of the park with these Frontline interviews. I love these in-depth takes, they are much more informative than the hot takes on news channels.

[@loishawkes1238]

Don't take your eye off the ball. Frontline has a nice series here. But there's a much bigger issue. The story is that Putin is losing his war, is desperate, and is threatening nuke strikes against Ukraine, Europe, and even the US. We have an old, sick, KGB nutjob on our hands and we have to come to grips with how to subdue him. This is the touchiest nuclear year since 1962 and the Missiles of October.

[@BryanHalo123]

Bolton is only hot takes. What he would have done to stop Russia in Georgia or Ukraine is full of bluster but nothing of substance. Dishonest and stupid.

[@stemill1569]

What info you got? He is a liar. There is no secure information to get. Except that every political decision he was involved in was wrong. Yes...sometimes he probably says something that is right...but even a blind chicken finds a corn. This show is pure probaganda.

[@creamydistortion]

@Nic Otero gay

[@MelissaThompson432]

I might not agree with his conclusions, but he's a clear-headed thinker and not shy about sharing those conclusions. He gave me things to think about.

[@paulcock8929]

He is a warmongering walrus.

[@Kyrkby]

Yeah, Bolton's a warhawk, but he's not a idiot, far from it. I was shocked about what he revealed about Trump though, didn't know things were THAT bad behind the scenes.

[@northrupn10b]

Interesting how this guy was villified by a lot of folks in the media and in all his Frontline interviews seems to be a super well-informed no nonsense person. He has the ability to remove emotions from the discussion and look at both sides without much bias.

[@seanmoran2743]

Oh please 🙄 He recently spoke about the many coups he took part in and directed He’s a Globalist with the blood of hundreds of thousands of people on he’s hands

[@joelswfx]

PBS These interviews are amazing. Great stuff. Hearing Bolton speak himself and the questions posed to him. Outstanding! Please keep these amazing interviews coming.

[@joelswfx]

Michael Wiser Is an amazing interviewer

[@mrderp1292]

I'm old enough to remember when this man was considered a bloodthirsty neocon warmonger and pariah for helping push us into the Iraq and Afghanistan debacle that killed, I dunno, like half a million people? No biggie, I guess. Talking about Putin has turned him into a wise and noble saint of a man.

[@RobBCactive]

In many interviews I have seen Bolton comes over as very narrow and naive, rather limited and blind to political realities compared to other senior officials. It's only a few minutes in and he is sticking to their Iraq policy, which is quite incredible given what we know today and their failure to prepare for occupation and how Bremmer was appointed. Later there's little sign of reflection on policy and how realistic it was, no sense of argument of multiple cases just Bolton right and everyone else wrong. The essence of NATO is compromise to further collective security, as Bolton quoted Churchill the point about allies being frustrating but the worst is not to have them, comes to mind. So Bolton's zealous approach, simply cannot work, he actually creates the fissures that undermine his goals

[@jb894]

You love war

[@B_Bodziak]

@@joelswfx I have no idea what he looks like, but hosts on news networks could learn something from him, particularly not interrupting those he is interviewing....(looking at you Morning Joe)!

[@gunnarkarlsson3615]

John Bolton claims that the current US administration failed to deter Putin from invading Ukraine and we can all draw that conclusion. But it would have been of interest in this context to hear which measures Bolton believes would have had a deterrent effect.

[@RPSartre01]

Remember this is the guy who helped design the American war against Iraq.

[@DarkFox2232]

Like yanking their puppet's leash so Minsk agreements were upheld. That would have been enough. But as was admitted by multiple heads of western countries involved. Those were not meant to bring peace. Those were to build up The Ukraine for war. And Russian SMO was started just days before Ukraine's plan to blitzkrieg Donetsk and Luhansk was to start. Would Russia wait for Ukraine to start their offensive, there would be tens of thousands of dead civilians before 1st Russian soldier entered those territories. And battle lines would not be on Ukrainian trench lines, but in middle of large cities in Donetsk/Luhansk. Civilian losses would be magnitude larger within 1st month than they are after year, now. US is orchestrator of this conflict. Western signing parties of Minsk agreements are accomplices. Don't get it wrong, we re on wrong side of history here. Even if we will write history books.

[@alexguolo5872]

Which measures? Maybe following the Minsk agreement to start lol?

[@alexguolo5872]

@@RPSartre01 95% of the comments here are bots man

[@LittleBlueOwl318]

Zelenskyy could've prevented Putin's invasion if he'd just gone along with Trump's plan to make up lies about Biden. Zelenskyy didn't... he stood firm and spoke the truth. Putin invaded, unprovoked, after Trump lost the 2020 election. Pure retaliation on behalf of his BFF. Trump/Putin have no honor. Neither does Bolton and 99% of the GOP. Zelenskyy has tons! Slava Ukraine! 🇺🇦

[@noelsplectrum9]

The fact he’s still getting interviewed without an orange jumpsuit is frightening

[@paulsmythe7620]

Welcome to Amerika

[@towTruck42]

why do people hate this guy?

[@EddieBlueHalen]

The neolibs are having their Bolton Love Affair ❤️. Get a room you perverts 😂

[@jimbo43ohara51]

Bolton seems a little naïve. Its clear that Putin was always just a wolf in sheep's clothing, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.

[@gigie555]

@@towTruck42 Because he is the modern equivalent of Dr Stangelove. A neocon with a mission to make other countries in the mold of the US, or to die trying.

[@davidsmethurst422]

This was a superb interview with a breathtaking range of knowledge from the guest. I was spellbound listening

[@gregbors8364]

He’s still trying to justify the US invasion of Iraq. He’s a disgusting war hawk

[@colindixon9916]

Shut up John!😎

[@alan-]

Im not a fan on Bolton's politics but I was pleasantly surprised by how candid he was in the interview.

[@barsnack7999]

war criminal bolton

[@azdinz5757]

He's a mentally ill war criminal , nothing smart or attractive about him , just a thug.

[@LondonWater]

I actually appreciate these long form interviews. If you can read people well, it unveils a lot.

[@specialK319319]

Completely agree with you. I can usually tell how intelligent someone is after ~2 mins, but these long form interviews reveal so much more than just intelligence.

[@ttacking_you]

Yeah that Bolton is always trying to cover his own ass and tow the party line! " Huh? Oh no it was a GOOD thing Putin was kgb . I totally exonerate bush because Putin changed blah blah woof woof..."

[@pennydavis9494]

@@specialK319319 o

[@dannypomeroy9255]

Did you figure out he's all about War yet....if not then go back n listen again lol

[@ttacking_you]

@@dannypomeroy9255 I figured out he knows he doesn't have a chance in hell of winning the presidency if he announced his candidacy on the BBC of all networks

[@Sailordude9980]

PBS.......thank you for these videos

[@LisaNH934]

Thank you again Frontline/PBS

[@tekannon7803]

It has to be said that this interview is one of the best I have ever listened to and the interviewer has to be among the greatest ever to be on a televised interview. And: judging from former Ambassador John Bolton's performance and inner-knowledge of the workings of his government and his analysis of President Trump, Obama and Biden, there is no doubt Bolton is a gifted geo-political analyst. One comes away from the interview thinking out loud how magnanimous and strategic and capable a president Mr Bolton would be should he ever try to run for president. Every single question was precision-guided and every single response by the former Ambassador clarified the dusky areas of international politics like a spot light shining into the dismal abyss of the real goings-on behind closed doors of international politics. He outlines President Putin as no other before him. Not having absolutely any knowledge or savoir faire in international politics of any kind, I am sticking my neck out to say that as someone living 2,000 kilometers from Kiev, here is how I see the war being over this coming August or at least severely diminishing it in size. If you want to confront an adversary you have to know what is his Achilles Heel. President Putin will throw in the towel, abandon his military folly, retire his forces back into Mother Russia when Crimea goes back in Ukrainian hands. Retired Lt. General Ben Hodges has said that the Ukraine will be able to take Crimea as a prize in 180 days more or less. Crimea must go back in Ukrainian hands he also adds, because if Russia controls Crimea, Odessa will forever be at the mercy of Russian naval forces in Sevastopol and the coastal cities of Ukraine, like Mariupol, will be forever under Russian domination. Crimea must fall and when it does President Putin will have his train go off the tracks politically and his grass roots support will evaporate.

[@joelhenderson4450]

Speaking of people responsible for unjustified invasions… I find it hard to be grateful of John Bolton.

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

The world is complicated, grow up

[@jmy7622]

@@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849 How old are you? I'm grown up and know what we've done for decades.

[@EddieBlueHalen]

Neolibs say the enemy of my enemy is my friend! Azov Nazis, anyone? 😂

[@farzana6676]

​​@@EddieBlueHalen MAGA morons say autocratic dictators engaged in empire building are my friends. Putin, anyone? 😂

[@EddieBlueHalen]

@@farzana6676 and yet Azov Nazis will die in Bakhmut.

[@minka6]

Excellent interview. "Trump asked if Finland was part of Russia" no words here....

[@TonyRedunzo]

Perhaps Trump wanted to buy Finland from Russia and build some golf courses on the tundra like he offered to buy Greenland from Denmark. "Greenland is a bigly island and it's green, just look at the name-GREENland, all the best greens for my new golf course in the new town I'll build, in the new capital of Greenland, I'll called it Golden Mushroom, Greenland. Everyone knows I build the best courses and the Eskimos who live there really want to play golf, and they probably can't afford the membership fees but they can work there, for $2 an hour." -Donald J. Trump, in his sales pitch when negotiating with the Danish Prime Minister.

[@alexokunnur8946]

Finland was part of Russia. Didn't you know it?

[@VNExperience]

@@alexokunnur8946 I highly doubt Trump would have known that. I'm going on a limb here and say very few Americans know European history that well.

[@Ksyusha1]

@@alexokunnur8946 Finland kicked Russia’s ass.

[@alexokunnur8946]

@@VNExperience few Americans know anything at all about the world not Europe only. But they have Hollywood and now Netflix! So why bother? :-)

[@Benjamin-wm8jd]

I don't agree with John Bolton on several things but I do think he centers his beliefs around how to make America stronger and how to advance American interests. He also saw serving in government as a duty. I can respect that.

[@thiernoibrahimabah8451]

Finally!!! understanding the meaning of information, factual information!!! And making it available at a large spectrum, this medium est great and you are doing a great job!!!

[@AwkwardKnob]

I think John Bolton is a super slimy dude but I find myself very grateful for his first-hand accounts of some truly insane moments in history and a glimpse into the backroom thinking of the people involved who run the World. I don't think he's a liar. I think he's just a super slimy dude. He takes a certain pride in what he does, like a Tom Clancy novel character. This is a really enlightening interview, thank you PBS

[@wills2140]

I have my doubts about Bolton's "truths", but I do believe you have nailed how to perceive him : A true Tom Clancy old school governmental "hawk" character. Good comment!

[@user-mv6he6gl8m]

Even though you might not agree with him (lol) he spells it out the way he sees it. Have to respect the man.

[@nzs316]

He did take a knee to the dark lord.

[@jungleboy1]

i wish tom clancy was still alive. His fictional stuff always turns out to become reality. He was so good at judging characters, scenarios and espionage at the highest levels.

[@TiempoNuevo-ew7ty]

Sometimes I don't think our leaders get the truth much more than we the people do. The CIA, FBI, Network New Media... create the situation and the narrative. example: do the American People now realize that Germany/England now have tanks on Russian Soil. Bolten has the Ukraine - Russian story completely wrong. Most Americans have no clue what is going on in the Ukraine... They believe the lies. Bolten doesn't know it all either. Bolten is pretty darn good at twisting and tweeking. LOL well the USA Corporation is a real threat. WHEN have Americans ever kept a Treaty? If we have, which treaty was that?

[@inappropriatern8060]

Anybody else spend half the interview trying to imagine Bolton without the mustache?

[@talk-supersix-seven6021]

Imagine how different his personality would seem if he had hair down to his ears like banning and no facial hair his personality would be read from a totally different lens

[@williamyoung9401]

🤣 YES!!! OMG, I thought I was the only one!!!! HAHAHA! Thanks, George Carlin! =P

[@Saltatory_]

One of the best geopolitical series ever compiled. Thanks so much.

[@calesmith3673]

Great interview. Sums it up very nicely

[@joela.4058]

Excellent interview

[@Irevanix]

I don't really care for Bolton- he is more interested in enriching himself, than working with integrity. However I appreciate these interviews all the same.

[@Pantherlvr44]

Hey PBS … just watched this after your interview with Julia Ioffe. You HAVE to have an interview with both of them together… the insight to Putin and Russia’s motives would be insane! Interview of the century! … seriously … you really do!

[@olgak4347]

Very interesting! A perspective on many presidents that I have not heard before

[@NipponStiqqyPaint]

Ambassador Bolton’s mustache game has always been strong.

[@Treysorable]

That stash has some strong diplomacy in it

[@anothersucker-Youcantfixstupid]

Real life Ned Flanders

[@SassanMedia]

He is Mustache lipped fool

[@Lili-is4xf]

@@anothersucker-Youcantfixstupid 🤣🤣🤣

[@Diossvk]

PBS you are amazing. Thank you. These interviews are just amazing.

[@B_Bodziak]

I agree! I wish there was a separate notification when one of these interviews is posted instead of being lumped in with everything the channel posts.

[@vaibhavsajith4267]

Lol nice joke 😂

[@oomahuntressprotectress848]

thanks for the Show ,PBS..

[@oomahuntressprotectress848]

John, exPresident George W. Bush pulled America out of Afghanistan but ya blame it on our Joe whydontcha

[@ForNika]

I didn't like John Bolton till this Interview. He's intelligent and experienced. Thank you for easing my mind!

[@ivansalazar5448]

Bolton intentionally forgets the biggest mistake when dealing with Ukraine was to relinquish their nuclear arsenal.

[@markkujantunen8298]

They did not control the launch mechanism. They only had silos and missiles within Ukrainian territory.

[@viktorias63]

@@markkujantunen8298 nukes are nukes, if we had them, we would of never been attacked. But the west pressured Ukraine for some bs guarantee with Russian terrorist.

[@micheley2140]

I think the questions are just as intriguing as the answers

[@davo6263]

Good interviewer and interviewee. Well done FRONTLINE. If we like it or not, we need these long form interviews to work through the nuance of geopolitics.

[@jmy7622]

America forces it's veiws on the world. This Ukraine mess was started by our C.I.A. COUPE in 2014 and thats when the killing started. When was the last time we weren't making war on small countries, we're in Syria now stealing their oil, we commit war crimes every where we go.

[@williamyoung9401]

What world is this man living in? (8:47)

[@blackstreet221]

this hit so hard. John Bolton speaks with so much fluidity and clarity around serious topics.

[@truthstar8754]

Suckers are born everyday

[@blackhibiscus1876]

He understands and has influenced a lot in geopolitical tractions of interest to the US - the murk that comes with it as well.

[@davidprice7162]

He spent years telling you there were WMDs, overthrowing Libya was a good idea and that the Maidan coup was a great idea. You are both embarrassing ignorant.

[@B_Bodziak]

I have a feeling Bolton gets very frustrated being in discussions with others that don't have his aptitude for foreign affairs.

[@als1023]

@@B_Bodziak Or his level of intelligence and insight. Thanks for posting, great comment !

[@celticman1909]

Don't share Bolton's politics. I do respect him as one would a worthy adversary. Don't like that he put his duty to report aside to profit from a book on the Trump fiasco, but he is a knowledgeable Foreign Policy expert with very strong observational and analytical skills.

[@OutnBacker]

John Bolton is the guy you keep in a box for when all else fails.

[@celticman1909]

@@OutnBacker Yes, a very dark and remote box indeed.

[@ThunderAppeal]

Hes neither competent nor an expert. He loves beaucracy more than his country. Bolton is a modern day goebelles without his adolf.

[@Wargasm644]

Lol. Bolton is a tool. A relic of the past that only speaks the language of a politician. A backward thinker of the highest order.

[@jmy7622]

Bolton is a person who should never be in public forums ever.

[@kilmer009]

I am NOT a fan of Bolton, and you can tell he was taking cheap-shots at anyone Dem related. However he's also obviously quite intelligent, an experienced and involved politician at the peak echelon of foreign affairs. This insight was not only ultra clear but also confirms and aligns with everything else one would learn about current geopolitics, and really clears away the bullshit we're bombarded with on social media. Thank you PBS Frontline.

[@creamydistortion]

He's okay for a white guy.

[@timfify]

I think you are right. he is another "it wasn't my fault " guy.

[@gramma677]

Bolton nearly derailed the North Korea peace talks, he's not very intelligent or focused.

[@kilmer009]

@@gramma677 ... You've been caught up in misinformation if you think Trump could have done anything positive with North Korea. The entire video literally demonstrates that Bolton understood global politics on a fundamental level. Trump was a buffoon bull rampaging in the China shop. He was trying to shimmy up to global autocrats and dictators, but NOT strategically. IE Putin took advantage of this and befriended him, and look, now we learn that Trump exposed critical national military secrets to Russian agents. Bolton knew any "deal" with NK was a joke. Kim just wanted to be seen with the White house Pres on the world stage because it gave him legitimacy. Supporting Trump might as well be a giant flag that you're easily manipulated by people with narcissistic personality disorder and blatant liars. Please stop doing that and understand how misinformation works and is generated to destabilize the Western coalition. Trump is a Russian asset and a threat to America and frankly the planet.

[@lupemerritt5522]

Bolton’s language skills are impeccable. Great interview!

[@paulheydarian1281]

Too bad he's got a rotten brain.😏

[@JJ-or5jc]

wish Mr. Bolton would run for president in 2024; with his diverse backgrounds and extensive knowledge in many important area in US politic, profound understanding of the current world situation; he is absolutely no non-sense, he would be a great president;

[@paulheydarian1281]

@@JJ-or5jc He would start WWIII. I wonder if the Military Industrial complex would secretly endorse him.🤔

[@lilhyena7534]

hes the biggest warmonger ever 😂

[@paulheydarian1281]

You're correct. I listened to this interview, twice. John Bolton is very articulate, and extremely knowledgeable about American foreign policy. He would make a good addition to any Republican administration. I doubt the Democrats would approach him to work with them. The main problem remains that he's extremely pro-U.S. intervention. I doubt he's willing to change his views. I don't know if Bolton mentioned George W. Bush, looking into Vladimir Putin's eyes and peering into his soul. I suppose Bush could be forgiven, since he was a recovering alcoholic.

[@cheche1852]

Amazing interview, thanks!

[@williamyoung9401]

The ending was fantastic...what a joy to look forward to. 😔 What a legacy the baby boomers left for us. Thanks for that... 🙃 Oh, and we also have to solve global warming, the energy crisis, the water crisis, the food crisis, the peace crisis...is there a crisis they haven't left us with? I feel like we're on the verge of a second dark age...

[@rochesterjohnny7555]

Fantastic series

[@feca4654]

One may not appreciate or even dislike Bolton, but the man is deep and focused. Doesn't mean he's always right, but even disagreement appeals for insight

[@pellman87]

Love these!

[@Wildrover82]

Love the insight you get from these interviews.

[@juniorroselynroselyn3277]

How it’s love if now pbs are working for our governments spreading hate against Russia This guy is a close minded

[@4X10S]

@@juniorroselynroselyn3277 He's literal definition of a war criminal, this guy is not just close minded, he's been fascistic in every single action he took while he was in power. I'm amazed that he's giving interviews instead of rotting in a jailcell.

[@B_Bodziak]

I think Bolton confirmed a few things that many of us believed, personally. For example, "Trump would approve doing anything if he thought it was something Obama had not done." A second term would be a "Revenge Tour 2.0".

[@steveharrigan7811]

@@4X10S Bolton is 100% pure weasel

[@markusmath3421]

Bolton is a war criminal

[@mrandersson2009]

Said I loved you, but I lied 'Cause this is more than love I feel inside Said I loved you, but I was wrong 'Cause love could never ever feel so strong Said I loved you, but I lied

[@Runeansfelt]

More of this. John Bolton was insightful one of the better interviews I think.

[@SchnellTim]

Agreed. But his answers about Obama’s policies weren’t very intelligent.

[@farzana6676]

​@@SchnellTim He was exactly correct about both Trump and Obama. Your hero Obama was not the smartest operator out there. But he was still smarter than Trump.

[@SchnellTim]

@@farzana6676 He wasn’t, though. 19:55 - It was a bit ignorant of John Bolton to criticize Obama for attempting to be, of all things, a peacekeeper, as a new president, especially after the fiasco of Bush looking into Putin's "soul". At 20:20 , criticizing Obama's response as "weak". It wasn't. Russia sent in units not wearing uniforms - so they couldn't be connected back to Russia - to fight against Ukraine. Figuring out how to support an ally who is fighting an enemy - the latter of whom has ultimate deniability over their foreign involvement - isn't an easy call; nuance in a president’s response is necessary

[@farzana6676]

@@SchnellTim Obama showed weakness when Putin needed to be shown strength. Obama's weakness precipitated the Crimea invasion in 2014 and subsequently the 2022 invasion. KZbin "John Mccain BBC Putin" interview from 2014 speaking about Obama's weakness and predicting the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

[@theresehopkins1581]

Thank you for explaining it all so eloquently!!! Oh, so much pain would have been avoided!!! My father's family escaped Russia over a hundred years ago... none of what has transpired surprises me... you never leave a gray area... never show weakness. To do so is inviting disaster. They underestimated what kind of mindset they were dealing with. Leopards don't change their spots. In listening to John Bolton talk, I'm pleased to know that I was not the only one to have spent 4 years in a state of nausea.

[@erikvanderheeg5729]

Always interesting to listen to Mr Bolton.

[@jimcameron2511]

Yes, from the perspective of abnormal psychology. His contributions to the ABM treaty withdrawal and the Iraq invasion, alone, place him in the category of worst people we ever allowed near the reins of power.

[@farzana6676]

​@@jimcameron2511 He was right about getting Russia amd Putin though. Had Ukraine been allowed into NATO, this invasion would never have happened.

[@alan-]

While was very partisan about obama and biden, he was very clear and honest about what a dumb car crash Trump was. Really appreciate his honesty and insights.

[@banjohombre]

@@jimcameron2511 Bullfrogs

[@TRamone01]

Bolton is right when characterizing Putin's assessment of Trump.

[@Jeanne90275]

Putin didn't have the guts to attack Ukraine while Trump as in office, though.

[@reginasemenenko148]

@@Jeanne90275 The war began in 2014.

[@Lee.S321]

@@Jeanne90275 I bet Putin is kicking himself for not invading Ukraine during the Trump presidency. At the start of the conflict Trump (& his SoS Mike Pompeo) had nothing but praise & admiration for Putin's brazen move, so it's hard to imagine there would have been such a large US-led coordinate effort to isolate Russia, both politically & economically, under Trump. Much of the developed world has rallied behind Ukraine, & (sadly stated as a Brit) it takes US leadership to achieve this. All it would have taken was an ego stroking & Trump would have rolled over like a Weeble, i'm sure Putin recognises this & wished he'd done this 4 years earlier.

[@Snugggg]

@@Jeanne90275 you're repeating an line but have failed to give any evidence to support the claim, just like everyone else who makes the claim. what ever makes you think Putin was in anyway deterred by Trump?

[@x-raymind7778]

@@konstancjaseifried7862exactly

[@JustAsPlanned1]

As a Ukrainian I can tell that this guy understand Russians. Never show weakness to them. Trump was wrong to fire him. And Biden should've chosen him as a national security advisor.

[@scottjenkinsjr]

lol. never listen to ukrainians. they can screw up any business 😂

[@mmeeddddddozzzzzzz3421]

But he also misses the point that if Trump had been in office, he (Trump) would have given the keys to Ukraine to Putin. So the results would have been maybe a war that lasts 2-3 weeks, instead of how long it's lasted today. In short it would have been a replay of Poland being invaded by Russian and Germany, where the Poles fought bravely, but nevertheless lost. Another analogy would have been the invasion of France by Germany.

[@JustAsPlanned1]

@@mmeeddddddozzzzzzz3421 I think Trump would indeed try to make a deal with Putin but he would be greatly surprised to hear how much Putin wants. Many people forgot this but before the war Putin demanded NATO to throw out a half a dozen countries form the alliance so there could be "peace". So my idea is that if Trump would hear such nonsense he wound make a 180 degree turn and help Ukraine, and he would convince his supporters that it's a good idea and easily affordable. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of Trump. But I don't believe he would volunterely do such stupid and harmful thing like giving Ukraine to Putin. He doesn't like to be seen as week.

[@derekbaker777]

John Bolton is certainly not ignorant of geopolitics, and knows his history well and I like him.

[@romadolnyckyj1706]

No words required ❗️

[@mattjames7272]

Great interview

[@williamyoung9401]

He's still a nut, but he said one crucial thing. It was as easy to say, "Obama did/didn't do this, do/don't do that." What a great way to manipulate a POTUS. I'm glad Trump was that dumb... (39:47)

[@0nickers0]

excellent interview... i learned a lot thk you 🤗

[@Unexpectedperspectivesnow]

Thanks for this most interesting interview.

[@Phenomental1ty]

John Bolton is a war hawk. He's in his element when talking about this kind of stuff. 🤣

[@foresight87]

He sounds so reasonable in this.

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

The real world

[@Phenomental1ty]

@@foresight87 Bolton has assisted in process of foreign coups overseas, however.. yes I agree with you. John does seems reasonable and he is. Whether me, you and anyone likes this guy or not, he is fulfilling his occupation.

[@foresight87]

@@Phenomental1ty The way he comes across in this interview is in stark contrast to many of his other statements and positions (tear down the UN, start war with Iran etc.).

[@Have_A_Nice_Day242]

Bolton is a NEOCON OG war hawk for sure. Yet did not have the personal courage and dedication to his country to testify before the impeachment hearings.🤔

[@inhocsignovinces8061]

John Bolton is a wise man. Great interview.

[@AM-sm9ol]

Of course, before you use a word like "wise", you should know what that word means!

[@charliepe2701]

John is one of those that you hate for the right reasons but have not other than admire him for the same reasons.

[@Sphere723]

I think in terms of values you can't really fault him. He hates despotism and authoritarianism (and thus he can't stand Trump) But in terms of understanding foreign perspectives he's a bit clueless. He falls pretty clearly into that sort of neo-con tradition that wants democracy for the world, but doesn't want to take the time to understand the world.

[@MrZombiekiller23]

He's a disgusting war criminal rresponsible for millions of deaths, he says it didn't bother him about Putin gaining power because the US helped install Putin as he described starting the process with George H.W.

[@TK-OK]

No.

[@bobmcgrath1272]

Quite simply the best analysis I’ve heard

[@leansolicitor]

Watching this man speak makes me think of a line from T.S. Eliot: "Do not let me hear of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly."

[@KernowekTim]

👍

[@joshuataylor3550]

I guess this comment made you feel better about your meaningless existence

[@farzana6676]

But you are not hearing of the wisdom of old men. You are hearing directly from the old man.

[@gordonliu3972]

Great interview.

[@stevesmith342]

Thanks so much Frontline 💯♥️,these are just awesome interviews and everyone learns so much ! Absolutely brilliant!

[@dixonpinfold2582]

The remark at the 14-minute mark concerning Canada is quite right and surprisingly candid. At the official level, Canada frequently makes out like a bandit in its arrangements with the US, and gets away with being tediously sanctimonious. That's its consolation. In the areas of cross-border flow of talent and of companies bashing it out cross-border, Canada does not make out so well. All in all, nobody much resents the other party for the things that go their way, and on the whole it is a situation much to be admired.

[@baukebaljeu8636]

Great stuff!

[@jamesjames4652]

"Mr Bolton we have reserved you favourite room." I knew what THAT meant!😄

[@bryangeake5826]

Once in the KGB always in the KGB!! Putin Order XYZ to Marriot Hotel. Room for Bolton will be visited by Special Operatives of FSB, every convenience will be afforded them and no interference with 'special acoustic equipment installation' will be tolerated!! Signed Vlad!

[@davidcavalier8104]

In this interview the interviewer did not ask John Bolton what he would have done to prevent the Ukraine invasion... I would like to know that.

[@bryangeake5826]

@@davidcavalier8104 I think that depends on when! If it was something on the lead up to the 2022 invasion only a warning of NATO will react as if Ukraine was a member state!

[@karwashblark7499]

What did it mean?

[@jamesjames4652]

@@karwashblark7499 That the room is bugged.

[@logicman72]

Imagine being this close to have NATO disbanded

[@adriancline-bailey3301]

Great content!

[@jeromyj]

I would hope this interview goes viral. The people and government need to hear this insightful,naked truth.

[@bannistergb]

I haven't always agreed with John Bolton, but in this talk I think he's very right. He's also very informative on his review of US approaches with Putin. In his statesmanship he is as important to the US as Generals Petraeus, Clark and Hodges are to our military.

[@juniorroselynroselyn3277]

This man is another brainwashed by big war corporations to hate and make wars a stupid and a closed mind person without personality a parrot he is a anti-Russia a bully

[@arjalanarayan]

Yes

[@Street_photographyGK]

the fact that a person like bolton that has admitted that he was overthowing legal elected govermenets giving interviews instead being in jail is UNBELIEVABLE..

[@OutnBacker]

What do you prefer to believe? That an empire like the US can mainatin your lifestyle while handing out marshmallows to its adversaries? Or, to have men like Bolton who don't sleep while you get to?

[@loduke3905]

Yah... that was NEVER once said. Ya THIRSTY Russian CUCKOLD

[@mrc6081]

Excellent interview, amazing incite and more.

[@pgg93gabl45]

These are an excellent series of interviews! Well done!

[@kludgedude]

Trump was a fool to hire this guy

[@russmiller4801]

Excellent interview. Mr. Bolton delivered accurate, detailed answers in a format relevant to the post Soviet. If President Donald J. Trump truly desired peace through strength, he would have used his most potent asset at the time: National Security Advisor: the Honorable John Bolton..

[@dutchmaster5637]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Wildvideonyc]

This is a very rare case of Frontline allowing a conservative to fully explain his thoughts instead of assaulting him with leading and argumentative questions. As a result we get a complete insight into Bolton's thought process. Even if you tend to dislike his policy approach you need an interview like this to fully grasp why a guy like Bolton advocates for certain policy positions.

[@jimcameron2511]

Dislike his policy approach? Oh, you mean the Iraq War and the withdrawal from the ABM treaty? Or was there something I missed? He and his lot gave us much of the twisted world we live in today.

[@featherfiend9095]

Your response undermines that there is value in understanding his thought process. I agree with you that the Iraq war was a humongous mistake, but that doesn’t mean we should blindly disregard his views. They have a rationale to them as well and it always easier to criticize from hindsight. I can still respect this intelligent man (which clearly reveals itself in this interview and which is so blatantly hidden in our mainstream news because of how stupidly political it is) and still disagree with him on several points.

[@gregparrott]

Excellent PBS series of interviews related to Ukraine. A lot of ambassador Bolton's views are overly aggressive, yet I respect the logic and clarity of his rationales. As for his comments about trump...spot on. "Trump doesn't do policy" I remember in the 2016 debates, trump was asked about the priorities on modernizing the nuclear triad. It was crystal clear that Trump didn't even have a clue what the triad was.

[@B_Bodziak]

Sad to say, Trump had and has less knowledge on foreign affairs than an average 7th grader...and that's being generous. Unfortunately, many in his base have been fooled into believing he is a "stable genius".... The only way he will ever be a stable genius is if he gets an advanced degree in Horse Husbandry. Putin could have done major damage to the US, the world, using Trump. Although, I'm not a Bolton fan, it was people like Bolton who caused Putin to hold back. I would love to hear how Putin describes Trump in private...

[@JohnDough-yr2zt]

Well he thinks we should exert our power, that’s his opinion. But he definitely earned his position; he’s no dummy.

[@gregparrott]

@@B_Bodziak I think I know the answer. The FSB called those who could unwittingly support Russia "Useful Idiots".

[@7ElevenAlphaCentauri]

In these dangerous times we need politicians that are aggressive on our side.

[@cbskwkdnslwhanznamdm2849]

every time someone decides to sit and listen to Bolton they end up agreeing with him and liking him more and more. Go figure.

[@peterhumphrys]

14:10 ff "we have a sphere of influence in Canada but we don't tell them what to do, I mean they tell us what to do more than we tell them what to do, in a sense." As a Canadian I just have to laugh my head off at this comment and note that emphasis should be put on the final phrase "in a sense"

[@zybobzybaker2141]

Right on Peter.

[@alexokunnur8946]

yeah... Like "You should bend us more and do whatever suits you". This is " they tell us what to do" in a sense.

[@DavidDuVivier]

What more should one expect from a (neocon) walrus?🤣

[@peterhumphrys]

@@DavidDuVivier Could you explain that comment to me, a walrus is a pretty big a bit odd looking animal, slow and lumbering around, if I understand it correctly, is it something to do with the wiskers/stash?

[@nessb8994]

Translation: they tell us what to do but we don't give a damn and do the complete opposite.

[@MAJOR-D]

These interviews are outstanding as PBS IS And frontline

[@mohammedalnahyan4604]

7:55 "which I knew what that meant " meaning the rooms were equipped with surveillance devices

[@contemplativeidiot1]

We'd almost be disappointed if they weren't haha. Russia isn't that incompetent lol

[@jaybazad6292]

Thank you for sharing this. It brings value into our own perspectives.

[@B_Bodziak]

Absolutely. This interview was conducted in late September of 2022. I think that it's important to know from the start of this interview.

[@tpeterson9140]

Really amazing interview. All the answers and questions were great. Well done.

[@williamyoung9401]

Why is he obsessed talking about the ABM treaty? Why would a rational mind believe that more nuclear proliferation would be a good thing for the world, and if both the U.S. and Russia agreed to a non-treaty, that nuclear proliferation would bring us closer together? This guy is a nut.

[@deejay4922]

I used to distrust this person as way too hawkish but over time, I feel he's proven himself as a true patriot, only concerned by what is in the world's best interests. Go John Bolton.

[@johns.7297]

John Bolton should join a debate with John Mearsheimer. How about two polar opposite views.

[@joeroganpodfantasy42]

Oh they would agree 99% of the time. Bolton idea is USA is the hegemone and others should bend to our will. Mearsheimer says it's a multipolar world so we have to give and take. If we see ourself as big power Russia does too so that leads to ww3.

[@meatrealwishes]

I’m not sure how debate is possible with Mearsheimer. The guy doesn’t acknowledge the environmental evolution of public admin, US and Russia.

[@user-oc6dh2yp2w]

Mearshheimer is a Russian agent of influence in the US academia. He should be investigated. Most likely, he gets a lot of cash from unknown sourced.

[@johns.7297]

He is an American academic, an international relations scholar from the realist school of thought.

[@gregbors8364]

I’m pretty sure I saw this guy eating clams in the Bering Strait

[@randyboisa6367]

LOL

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Whatever one's political biases or inclinations, it is increasingly obvious that someone like Bolton is what the U.S. and the world now need in the presidency.

[@markminister2599]

Great Interview

[@magnuspetrini8528]

Mr Bolton is ,as always presenting a sharp mind. Impressive to say the least. He understands all aspects of global relations. Thanks.

[@tselisomokhali3088]

Like recognising that AH as president of Venezuela?

[@maxIam369]

Good interview. The way was conducted was great. Clear questions ... and clear answers

[@B_Bodziak]

I have enjoyed all of the interviews in this ongoing interview series.

[@BryanHalo123]

Wrong. Bolton was never challanged on his assertion R's would be better than D's at stopping Putin. More tough talk with no brains.

[@dbarker79]

But yeah, great content PBS!

[@liamobrien6151]

Bolton deserves more credit than he gets. He's pretty accurate here.

[@BlueBaron3339]

As others have noted, these interviews provide more detailed insight than the final product. And John Bolton delivers the unambiguous view of a hawk which, sadly, is often the necessary approach. But, oh how he loves his pen 😄

[@philthompson8574]

You've been hawking the world for the past 80 years the body count is at least 10 ,000,000

[@joecool9739]

What was hawkish about anything he said?

[@BlueBaron3339]

@@joecool9739 That's a very good question. The whole hawk/dove distinction is fundamentally flawed. But he clearly favors military solutions to foreign policy problems more than many of us would. But few of us are decision makers in these matters. And we don't have all the facts.

[@joecool9739]

@@BlueBaron3339 You didnt answer my question Provide timestamps for "hawkish" moments in the interview

[@spinyfur]

Also very self serving. Blaming Obama for US cynicism online while never mentioning Republicans tells me that he’s a just a partisan.

[@PharisaerWatch]

Wow.....respect PBS. In general, you "reported" on Bolton topics like he is the devil. Not providing any context or letting him defend himself in a setting like that. Now? Letting him speak himself and not interrupting. Asking great questions which are trying to grasp what was going on behind the scenes. Thank you. Afterall, I hope this kind of interview procedure continues and we can hope to see more of interesting content that increases broader understanding of certain situations

[@pensamientosdeuncubanoamer7921]

Now this man…he’s on point!!!

[@thomasschwarz1973]

Great interview. I hope he becomes president of the USA. He understands democracy and the flavors of dictatorship.

[@olabodeadeleye4771]

As always the clarity of ambassador Bolton is highly admirable.

[@TomBatemanRT85]

Please post the long form interview with former US Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor! The man has the voice of authority!

[@eddieshoffner1531]

I read Bolton’s book. It give great insight. He is honest and truthful in my opinion. He is articulate. He presents what occurred while he served trump in a very good account of what he saw.

[@nessb8994]

When Putin speaks with an English speaker, he does the translation for the translator.

[@merdivore8277]

Where as TFG wants a cheeseburger.

[@OutnBacker]

he has done the same with a German translator.

[@B_Bodziak]

It's a part of Putin trying to maintain control and to have the upper hand. It gives him a few extra moments to reply. I'm not sure if it's better for him to show his hand by correcting his translator or it'd be better for him to not do the correction. It seems it's be better for him to not point it out, but his ego gets ahead of him.

[@dayerotth8273]

@@B_Bodziak Who's ego r u Tolkien about

[@michaelburggraf2822]

Putin is a child of the KGB through and through. Regarding his education he's fascinating. Regarding his ethics it's ruthlessly rooted in Stalinism. The West was and is still believing naïvely that every conflict can be solved by negotiations, free trade and capitalism. Putin's biggest challenge isn't the West. It's the competition between the Russian military forces and a multitude of intelligence agencies operating like states within the state of Russia. It's the intimately pervasive presence of corruption in every part of administration, economy, intelligence operations and the military-industrial complex. As soon as Putin will get a grip on those issues Ukraine and the West would probably have to face seriously more difficulties than they're doing now.

[@kidmohair8151]

you can't trust this guy any farther than you can throw him. Bolton is a founding partner of the Cheney-Wolfowitz-Rumsfeld school of "diplomacy", which itself, was a continuation of the Dulles Brothers' active overthrow school. As for the US not telling other countries what to do? Such measures are not taken *directly* by the US government (that we know of), but broad hints, in the form of economic coercion and other strong arm tactics, are certainly a large part of the tool kit. Do it our way or else... "nice country you got here...shame if something were to happen to it"

[@renshiwu305]

"Active overthrow" - like World War II. Versus reactive non-overthrow - see the extant dysfunctions of China, North Korea, Cuba, Iran, and, of course, Russia. Jimi Hendrix might have been a public masturbator who died at the ripe old age of 27 from a barbiturate overdose, but he was wise enough to recognize this observed truth: "When the power of love overcomes the *love of power,* the world will know peace." Those systems which enshrine the state as the focus and font of society - fascism, communism, _derzhavnost_ (for the fans of Russia) - are the ones that tend to commit horrendous acts and spread them abroad. As such, regime change tends to be a necessary factor in securing peace (internally, regionally, globally). The reason the center-left made such pathetic Cold Warriors is because they don't really see (present tense) the problem with government-by-Politburo. The founding fathers of the European Union grasped the wrong end of the stick in their postwar environment. Rather than saying, "Hey, an overbearing and aggrandized state apparatus like they had in Nazi Germany is a bad thing," they said, "Nationalism is a bad thing!" The nation is the largest political unit that can function democratically. Note that the European Union is a non-national, non-democratic superstate. The European Union hasn't gone Nazi, but the means to metamorphose into a Nazi state should be opposed, not just the ends.

[@TheLocalLt]

All of those guys worked for Ronald Reagan, and his foreign policy is maybe the most successful in American history. They may make their mistakes but there’s no doubt they take security policy seriously

[@kidmohair8151]

@@TheLocalLt yup, so successful that he created the conditions for tsar vlad to become who he is today...

[@TheLocalLt]

@@kidmohair8151 who Reagan? Or Bolton?

[@kidmohair8151]

@@TheLocalLt ronnieraygun, with the unthrowable bolton as a later junior partner