Velshi is using a very common, well-known media tactic of talking over his guest, moving from one subject to another before the original subject Velshi brought up was answered, and being outwardly combative (a la Hannity, O'Reilly, et al). It's meant to confuse the guest and put him/her on the defensive. It is NOT meant to find answers and/or get to the truth. I'm actually sorry Cohen wasted his time on this show because Cohen needs forums which allow him to clearly state his positions and professional opinions.
+Pete Mangum I had more respect for Al-Jazeera because of some really good reporting in the past. But this is sad. When did they decide to adopt the "FOX NEWS" style of theater? You are right, Bill O'Reilly immediately came to mind!
Al Jazeera is a Qatari-bought, created, and funded organization, and - of course - Qatar is a compliant serf of the US Government. Al Jazeera carries the US's water as much as it criticizes some other US policies. Just a few years ago, the network was cheerleading for the US-backed “moderate democratic opposition” in Syria starting a civil war against the government in Damascus. Washington and Al Jazeera found themselves on the same page in Egypt as well, backing the Muslim Brotherhood government of President Mohammed Morsi that replaced Hosni Mubarak in late 2011. But then the US threw Morsi under the proverbial bus, and endorsed a takeover by General Al-Sisi. Recent revelations from the Snowden Archive show that the NSA put an Al Jazeera bureau chief in Islamabad, Pakistan on the terrorist list back in 2012, based on his phone calls and movement patterns. Ahmad Muaffaq Zaidan was deemed a member of "both Al Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood," because his movements, as revealed through metadata, resembled that of couriers used by the terrorist group. In reality, Zaidan was doing his job as a journalist, which included interviewing people such as Osama Bin Laden. Al Jazeera America made sure to play by the US establishment rules, trying to be a “respectable” network and even getting awards for its coverage. However, it also ran stories criticizing the US military for recruiting immigrants and then denying them citizenship; or an editorial by South Africa’s ambassador to Washington, Ebrahim Rasool, who dared to describe the US foreign policy as "inconsistent and historically reliant on militarism." So, my guess is that Al Jazeera is trying to play both sides of the guitar, which doesn't work in my opinion.
+Pete Mangum Well, it's clear that all one needs is a little knowledge of the background facts and recent history, and it begins to make sense! Thanks for taking the time to explain it.
Well said. This interviewer is disgusting and has little or no respect for his guest, he really likes his own voice. Thanks for uploading Pete. Blessings to you from Ontario, Canada
It isn't as likely to change anybody's mind as much as a more reasonable approach, though, the way Stephen Cohen handled it. It might have been if he hadn't responded as definitively.
Thank you for exposing this turd of an interviewer.You know, the media, over the past decade or so, has metamorphosed from proper journalism into obvious mouth-pieces (and in this case an aggressive one) for the six major corporations that control mainstream media. Just as soon as I encounter this tactic, I leave the site. To my way of thinking, when an interviewee comes up against this tactic, he should politely explain his reasons why he cannot partake in the interview, set his mike aside and calmly walk away.Perhaps he/she feels they can insert some logical and relevant points when they're able to squeeze in a word edgewise? Or demonstrate just what a façade is taking place? They must have done their homework and know who they're up against.
***** Just yesterday I watched another interview like this: the CBC interview of Anthony Hall by David Gray. This was an inquisition masquerading as an interview. Professor Hall was yet another teacher suspended (and likely blacklisted) for his research and open debate on "the holocaust" in his classroom. That our schools are pressured by the b'nai brith organization is appalling, to say the least. I no longer listen to CBC radio, as it appears they are towing the "establishment" line.
I do exactly the same thing you do. When I watch or read an article from the main stream press, the minute they start insulting the intelligence of their audience with their propaganda, I walk away. The Internet has exposed the mainstream media and they have lost all credibility. It's no longer journalism.
I'm always amazed at these media talking-heads who are so arrogant as to even think they can go up against a demonstrable expert and win the day. Cohen - of course - put him in his place (in a gentlemanly and scholarly way), and also showed just enough incredulity and exasperation to underline what a regime-toady and stenographer Velshi is.
Lmao Stephen put his arm around him at 12:33 Really amazing guy Stephen. Instead of getting angry & storming out he fights through it and shows goodwill to the other guy. Got to admire Cohen for that.
As a reporter, this guy trampled all over Stephen Cohen before he was able to express his point of view. I am sure that this "reporter" may already know Cohen's position, bias or not but the viewer does not. This is an example of a "reporter" placing himself center stage when it is not about him. Didn't this guy used to work for FOXNews?
The TV host thinks talking more/louder equates to winning the conversation. Just shows he doesn't want the other guy to get his valid points across coherently.
What the hell is wrong with this interviewer? I wanted to listen to what Stephen Cohen had to say and all I got was this bloody reporter interrupting all the time! Respect to Professor Cohen. I'd have walked out!
+Vlada Stankovic Al-Jezeera is a WESTERN news agency? No. But, I think some of their reporters may have received their "journalism" training in the USA, though...
II II Now I understand what you meant by "Western", and I accept your analysis. I was watching a report, live from Al Jezzerra, when the US started shelling their News Bureau!
I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you. Personally I don't watch Al Jazeera. I have them on the same do not ever watch as CNN, FOX, MSN, CBS, NBC, ABC etc. Russian TV is where its at and the street level journalists of RU-vid.
Tuned in because I like to hear what Cohen has to say. Agree with most here that the interviewer was X-tremely rude to his guest and his style reminds me of Bill what'shisname on fox.
I love it when know nothing journalists argue with esteem scholars as if their opinions are just as valuable because it reminds me of the internet. Why bother having someone like Stephen Cohen on at all? He could had just accepted someone who walked in from the street for all the deference he gave to Dr. Cohen's expert opinion, but I guess the point is that this wouldn't have served his ego.
I found Dr. Cohen's restraint amazing in the face of this smug, bloviating, propagandistic "journalist" who clearly wants an ad hominem shoutfest rather than a scholarly take on geopolitics. Heaven forfend we might actually learn something about legitimate Russian motives and perhaps, gasp, even agree with them.
My problem with Stephen F Cohen is that he is WAY to kind to the US. IS was never the greatest threat to world peace. ITs always been the US. But even when Cohen keeps on the kid gloves when criticizing the US, he is still smeared. Its disgusting to do this to a man who's first priority is peace.
The best method for an incompetent interviewer to drill his point across is to try to shut up the other party in order not to expose your stupidity and ignorance. In this case, you don't invite the best american Russia specialist on your show to talk about Russia so that it will magnify it 10 times over.
what is the name of this presenter? I'm so ashamed for him, he's so genuinely uneducated he has no clue whatsoever what is going on in the world. at first I thought he was pretending but he actually believe what he's saying, this young man is a sad case of ignorance.. I have the utmost respect for Steven Cohen he's a very knowledgeable and sane person unlike a lot of these mad people walking around in suits these day
This has nothing to do with journalism, this a mockery of any intelligent person.The thing that makes me laugh and amazes me of how democracy and human rights are misused is that Saudi Arabia is part of a human rights commitee. If there is a country that has a bad trackrecord of human rights issues, then it is Saudi Arabia who' s financing Wahabism around the world and harboring and training the extremist muslim fighters. The big problem is that in Western Media there is no real democracy , it should be called hypocracy, because a country can't be a fascist state, or have any other stamp on it ,evil as hell as long they cooperate with the Pro Western World, no problem. Saddam p/e was ok when he did what the West wanted him, when he just tried to get out he was a villain. Journalism ought to be fair, give chances to all sides to express their opinion and let the viewer make up his mind! What happens here and in general news broadcast is forcing an opnion on the viewer, brainwashing him.We live in a dangerouw time and I am afraid that we already have a WWIII on our hands.
great respect for Russian Scholar Stephen Cohen I would like to point out when he describes Putin as a counter puncher Putin holds a black belt in Judo and Obama needs to realize this because when Obama reaches in to poke at Russia Putin will defeat his moves every time using his own momentum and Obama will end up with his face on the ground every time because Obama is a Dandy and no Dandy has ever beat a Judo Black belt who is also a chess player.
Why are those journalists trying to teach the greatest American authority on Russia what's going on in Russia? It's amazing. It's like they are trying to beat him into submission with complete nonsense.
There are only a bare handful of interviewers who can even keep up with Dr Cohen. I'm not sure listening to a real professor lecturing an ill-mannered child is even remotely entertaining.
As Slick Willy might once have said, "Ah feel Cohen's pain...". What point was the ambusher-interviewer trying to make? Why such disrespect toward Cohen?
What's the point of having a guest when they aren't allowed to speak and make their point? Just forego guests and spew out what you want to hear, which is obviously to hear yourself speak
Why does CNN not let Steve speak? CNN has their agenda to get their story out there & ignoring what their guest has to say. Crazy way to have an open discussion.
This guy is everything that I hate in these pundits posing as journalists. He invites an expert with a different vision in order to try to bend him, humilliating him a throw up his own garbage over the audience. He can't care less about trying to inform his audience. "Russia! Russia! Russia!" Continually interrupting totally out of order, like a crazy parrot. I admire the almost supernatural pacience, composing and civility of mr. Cohen facing this maniac.
Time code 12:13 Knock out by Stephen Cohen....BAM. Check out the guys face when Cohen starts about the producers...hahahahaha pricelessssssss baby, magnificent move by Cohen!!!!
It would take a team of people watching this on a loop a week to figure out exactly how many times this reporter flip flopped his stance on the issues to discuss, miss quoted the guest, or just out right put words in the guest mouth. The following week would be have to be spent counting the amazing amount of times the reporter interrupted the guest and falsely accused him of taking a stance he clear states over and over again he doesn't. Live one on one talks through social media with the person of interest will be the future. Modern day press can not keep up with what people really want to know because modern day Press...Doesn't exist. What you have now are paid for advertisements for the party being damaged. Kind of like the old infomercial at 2 a.m. from years past. Journalism is Dead.
"Ali Vesch on target", oh boy how we turn the truth upside down at every chance we get these days.That was a precisely planned, premeditated attack on the truth...you spent all this money and wasted your own and everyone else's time. Honestly, just give up, whatever you are trying to achieve you're not going to get it this way. Everybody can see you're totally chaotic on purpose.
It is people like Ali that gets us closer to a nuclear confrontation. Putin is not a nice human being. I get it. But we have lots of very ‘unnice’ people around the world and we deal with them. Ali does not make the world a safer place.
This anchor won't shut up. Why interview someone if you aren't going to let them talk and then ask them fifty questions back to back they are not allowed to answer.
This guy can barely work in a serious company a full day before he gets fired, but gloriously he is working as an anouncer in an int news channel; this shit is called media...
Man! Ali has to learn when to talk and when to listen. Nothing like playing whack a mole without a hammer... a brilliant man reduced to stammering to complete a sentence or make a point. Sad.
