Colin Powell's Complicated Legacy
Colin Powell, chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, makes a point about the entrenched Iraqi troops in Kuwait during a briefing at the Pentagon 23 January 1991, Washington, DC. AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Colin Powell, chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, makes a point about the entrenched Iraqi troops in Kuwait during a briefing at the Pentagon 23 January 1991, Washington, DC.
AFP via Getty ImagesColin Powell's life was marked by public service, first as a soldier in Vietnam and then eventually as President George W. Bush's secretary of state. By that time he had already held many prominent positions in government, including national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was the first African American to hold each of these roles.
But Powell's story will always be entwined with the Iraq War. Although he argued against the invasion in private White House meetings, he did see it through. And he famously defended the strategy on a national stage before the United Nations.
NPR National Correspondent Don Gonyea reports on Powell's enormous and complicated legacy.
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This episode was produced by Lee Hale. It was edited by Fatma Tanis, Matthew Ozug and Brianna Scott with help from Arnie Seipel. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.