Knowledge Bank

Carl Ford discusses his career and experiences working with Senator John Glenn and later with Secretary of State, Colin Powell. Ford outlines his background, including his transition from the military to the CIA and his eventual assignment to Senator Glenn's office as a foreign affairs fellow, focusing on East Asian studies and military affairs.

Ford describes his role in Glenn's office, highlighting key projects such as the Taiwan Relations Act and SALT II. He provides insights into Glenn's working style and his approach to foreign policy, particularly his interest in China and Taiwan. Ford also touches on Glenn's relationship with President Jimmy Carter, noting areas of disagreement. The interview covers Ford's involvement in Glenn's 1984 presidential campaign, where he assisted with fundraising and debates. Ford reflects on the challenges and dynamics of the campaign, as well as Glenn's interactions with his staff and other political figures.

Ford reflects on his tenure as the Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research under Colin Powell during the George W. Bush administration. He recounts the difficulties surrounding the intelligence assessments of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programs, emphasizing the lack of accurate research and the misleading information provided by the CIA and DIA. Ford describes his decision to leave his position to speak out against the intelligence failures that led to the Iraq War.