Interviewee: Colin Powel
Interviewer: Tavis Smiley
Date: January 07, 2008

Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and retired general of the United States Army. He was former United States Secretary of State (2001-2005) under President George W. Bush, the first African American to be appointed to the post. A highly-decorated military officer, Colin Powell was also Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Army in 1989 and was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989-1993. His successful leadership in Operation Desert Storm and Operation National Shield during the Gulf War, which drove the Iraqi army out of Kuwait, catapulted him to national prominence.

Born on April 5, 1937 to Jamaican immigrants, Colin Powell was raised in the South Bronx. He obtained his BA from the City College of New York and subsequently obtained his MBA from the George Washington University post his military service in Vietnam.

Colin Powell is a prominent veteran and celebrated war hero. He was dispatched to South Vietnam as a second lieutenant and was awarded a total of 11 military honors for his service, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and the Legion of Merit. Moderate, calm, and diplomatic, Colin Powell was appointed as National Security Adviser by President Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1989. He was promoted as a four-star general during the term of George H. W. Bush. He would serve his last military assignment as the 12th Chairman of Chiefs of Staff, the highest position in the Defense Department.

Admired for his moderate stance on military matters and as a brilliant military strategist, Colin Powell is known for advocating solutions that minimize casualties while maximizing success in military operations. This approach has been called the “Powell Doctrine.”

Colin Powell stepped down as Secretary of State during George W. Bush’s second term as President, presumably over serious hesitations over the approach on the Iraq War. Still unresolved over issues pertaining to the Iraq War, Colin Powell, who is registered as a Republican, chose to endorse Democrat Barack Obama for the 2008 presidential bid.