In emerging democracies like Russia, in authoritarian states like Iran or even Yugoslavia, journalists play a vital role in civil society. In fact, they form the very basis of those new democracies and civil societies.

If you have a child, I said, you have a responsibility at least to stay alive.

Here in the United States, our profession is much maligned, people simply don't trust or like journalists anymore and that's sad.

There are some situations one simply cannot be neutral about, because when you are neutral you are an accomplice. Objectivity doesn't mean treating all sides equally. It means giving each side a hearing.

But 17 years ago, I arrived at CNN with a suitcase, with my bicycle, and with about 100 dollars.

I believe America will always win the war. It's a superpower that no one can challenge. The real challenge is for the United States to win the peace.

Mostly, as I said, a desire to do a bit of good, and the quaint notion that this is what we signed up for, this is the business that we have chosen.