Peter Bergen is the producer of “American War Generals,” a documentary looking back at a half century of America’s military battles.
Peter Bergen, an award-winning journalist, author, film producer and CNN’s national security analyst, will screen and discuss his new National Geographic Channel documentary “American War Generals” at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University next week.
Bergen’s film takes a look back at a half century of America’s military battles told by 11 active and retired U.S. Army generals, including Colin Powell, Stanley A. McChrystal, David Petraeus and Wesley Clark. Bergen is the author of four best-selling books about al-Qaida and an ASU professor of practice in the School of Politics and Global Studies.
The public screening is Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. in the Cronkite School’s First Amendment Forum on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus. Following the film, there will be a discussion with Bergen, retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley of the McCain Institute for International Leadership, and Daniel Rothenberg, Lincoln Fellow for Ethics and International Human Rights Law at the School of Politics and Global Studies.
“American War Generals,” produced by Bergen and Tresha Mabile, takes a look at the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Desert Storm, the Iraq War and the Afghanistan War through exclusive interviews with prominent American military leaders.
“I’m thrilled to show this film at the Cronkite School and look forward to a discussion of its themes with General Freakley and Professor Rothenberg as well as members of the audience,” Bergen said.
Bergen is a fellow at Fordham University’s Center on National Security and editor of the South Asia Channel on Foreignpolicy.com. His books have been translated into 20 languages and have been turned into three documentaries, one of which won an Emmy.
The screening of “American War Generals” is part of the Cronkite School’s weekly “Cronkite Night at the Movies,” where students view films about journalism. Faculty members introduce the film and lead a discussion after the showing. Cronkite School Dean and University Vice Provost Christopher Callahan will introduce Bergen’s documentary.
“We are excited to have Peter share his outstanding documentary with our students and faculty as well as the community,” Callahan said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about how our understanding of war has been shaped by the media.”
Fall 2014 “Cronkite Night at the Movies” Schedule
Sept. 3
“American War Generals”
Introduction by Peter Bergen, “American War Generals” co-producer
Sept. 10
“Walter Cronkite: Witness to History”
Introduction by Christopher Callahan, Cronkite dean and university vice provost
Sept. 17
“The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers”
Introduction by Peter Bhatia, Edith Kinney Gaylord Visiting Professor in Journalism Ethics
Sept. 24
“Shattered Glass”
Introduction by Retha Hill, New Media Innovation Lab director
Oct. 1
“Assignment China”
Introduction by B. William Silcock, Cronkite Global Initiatives director
Oct. 8
“All the President’s Men”
Introduction by Leonard Downie Jr., Weil Family Professor of Journalism and Washington Post vice president at large
Oct. 22
“Live from Baghdad”
Introduction by Michael Casavantes, Cronkite lecturer
Oct. 29
“Argo”
Introduction by Marianne Barrett, Cronkite senior associate dean and Louise Solheim Professor of Journalism
Nov. 5
“Nothing But the Truth”
Introduction by Andrew Leckey, Reynolds Endowed Chair in Business Journalism and Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism president
Nov. 12
“Good Night, and Good Luck”
Introduction by Mark Scarp, Cronkite faculty associate
Nov. 19
“Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”
Introductions by Steve Elliott, Cronkite News director of digital news, and Mark Lodato, Cronkite assistant dean and news director