Sasha Barbagat

What are the stories that come from that time in that immediate and, you know, six to 12 month aftermath of a conflict that's flared up and then flared back down?

How do you remain impartial when you're reporting on conflicts, when you are bearing witness to the height of human suffering?

How can you turn that part of your brain off to be a journalist and to be impartial in those moments?

Yeah, it's such an interesting perspective.

I was struck by your term balance and it's this idea that each side has equal weight.

On the one hand, on the other hand, I think it's very... Because it's a conversation that we've had a lot, especially since October 7 and the outbreak of the war in Gaza, I think with journalists who maybe haven't had to report so extensively on conflicts before going, how do I cover this?

in a balanced way, but also balance, as you said, isn't necessarily the answer.

And we rely on people like you who are there, as you said, in the dust and in the heat getting those stories.

I'm curious to know what the worst situation you feel like you've ever found yourself in reporting on these conflicts, wherever you felt that you were just not safe.

And I'm sure it's happened a lot of times, but what's one that stands out to you?

It's interesting you saying that viewers thought you didn't look scared enough.

I can understand why people would be surprised that you don't portray that fear.

It is your job.

You're obviously able to compartmentalize or at least, you know, work through that fear to be able to present and do your job.

Have you ever had a moment, though, where you've gone, this just isn't worth it anymore?

Yeah.

How has working in war zones for most of your career impacted you personally, do you think?

Do you feel privileged that you have that perspective that so many other people just don't and will never have?

Before we let you go, it feels like we're in kind of an unprecedented time when it comes to global conflicts, at least for people who are my age, millennials and Gen Xs and even Gen Z, they feel like

people make the joke, I just want to live in precedented times.