When The World Was Their Beat

Jeff Schechtman

Tales and wisdom from three foreign correspondents who covered conflicts across decades, when journalism drove the global narrative.

What happens when you bring together three veteran foreign correspondents, each carrying decades of wisdom, scars, and tales from the world’s most dangerous places?

In this timely gathering, WhoWhatWhy hosts a conversation among these long-time journalists:

William Dowell, former NBC, ABC, and Time magazine correspondent, who covered conflicts in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iran, and Beirut; he is now the international editor for WhoWhatWhy.

Greg Dobbs, Emmy Award-winning ABC News correspondent, who reported from over 80 countries, covering everything from apartheid’s aftermath in South Africa to the lingering wounds inflicted by Agent Orange in the jungles of Vietnam.

James M. Dorsey, scholar-journalist who brings nuanced analysis to the world’s most turbulent regions, from Middle Eastern soccer politics to real-time global complexities; he is a frequent contributor to WhoWhatWhy

From experiencing near death in Vietnam to dodging machete-wielding rebels in Tehran to witnessing chaotic drug raids in Colombian jungles, these veterans share harrowing stories of survival, near-misses, and the peculiar brotherhood of war correspondents who seem to show up in every global hotspot.

The far-ranging conversation explores how journalism has evolved, the unique role boots-on-the-ground reporters once played as unofficial diplomats in hostile territories, and the increased dangers facing today’s intrepid correspondents.

Despite their hard-earned cynicism about current events, the three remain surprisingly optimistic about humanity’s long-term prospects.

For a full text transcript go to https://whowhatwhy.org/podcast/when-the-world-was-their-beat/