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National Interest vs. Human Rights: John Bolton on U.S.-Saudi Ties
August 25, 2026
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John Bolton has served in Republican presidential administrations going back to Ronald Reagan, and most recently was President Trump’s National Security Advisor during his first term.
In this episode of The FRONTLINE Dispatch, hear an extended interview between Bolton and veteran FRONTLINE correspondent Martin Smith on Trump’s foreign policy, the rise of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and the administration’s response to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The interview was originally conducted for Smith’s 2026 documentary The Crown Prince & the President and has been edited for length and clarity.
A video version of this interview is available on FRONTLINE’s YouTube channel.
The Crown Prince & the President is available to stream now on FRONTLINE’s website, FRONTLINE’s YouTube channel, and the PBS App.
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