David Petraeus talks terrorism, waterboarding & Trump
The former director of the CIA and leader of allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan took the stage in Indian Wells on Thursday night to talk about ISIS, torture, and keeping Americans safe.
This was the last of the Desert Town Hall Speakers Series the Berger Foundation put on and Gen. David Petraeus covered a wide range of topics including terrorism following the attacks in Brussels.
“What has to take place is intelligence, intelligence, and intelligence. That’s the key, it starts overseas with our foreign intelligence agencies, the CIA, NSA and a variety of others working with partner agencies in the counties where the various elements are located,” said Petraeus.
SEE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID PETRAEUS
The former Army general also has advice the candidates running for presidency. Especially since none of the front runners have any military experience.
“It’s also perhaps hearkens back to Teddy Roosevelt, to speak softly but carry a big stick and be sure that if you say you might use that big stick, and certain actions take place, you have to follow through,” said Petraeus.
Recently remarks were made by Republican presidential front runner Donald Trump where he said he supported waterboarding terror suspects.
“If you want information from a detainee you take on a very painstaking process. You become the detainees best friend and that is how you are going to get the most useful information. I think it’s fairly well documented that going beyond that may elicit information it may even get you useful information although that’s by no means proven,” said Petraeus.
General Petraeus also spoke with high school students from across the Coachella Valley many of them wanting to join the military. They told KESQ the actions that were taken in Brussels, Paris, and San Bernardino only make them want to serve their country more.
“I feel more motivation to join the military so that we can stop those kinds of things in the world,” said Anahi Roamn who is in JROTC at Cathedral City High School.
“[Terror attacks] don’t worry me at all, it just motivates me to do more than what’s expected, because I live here and the country gives me everything so it’s like me paying back,” said Michael De Leon of Cathedral City High School.
General Petraeus was the final speaker for this year’s Desert Town Hall Series. Next year’s line up has not been announced.
In November of 2012 Petraeus resigned as the director of the CIA following a scandal involving an affair with his biographer.
