“Scud Stud” Arthur Kent on Waging War With Iran: “We Have to Be Deeply Worried”

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1991 marked a significant shift in television news with Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait under the command of President Saddam Hussein, leading to the Persian Gulf War. This conflict was pivotal as it was the first time satellite technology allowed viewers worldwide to witness a major international crisis unfold live in their homes. This event catapulted CNN, which had started broadcasting in 1980, into a global, round-the-clock news powerhouse. The war also propelled numerous media personalities into stardom, with Arthur Kent, a charismatic Canadian war correspondent, gaining fame for his live reports during the Scud missile attacks, earning him the moniker “Scud Stud.

At 71 years old, Kent resides in his native province of Alberta, not too far from where he initially ventured into journalism as a reporter for The Calgary Herald. He shares that he remains active, maintaining his membership with the International Federation of Journalists, albeit behind on his subscription fees. However, his membership at the National Press Club in Washington is still valid.

Having heard rumors of President Trump considering U.S. military engagement in Israel’s air strikes against Iran, I, as an ardent follower, sought Kent’s astute perspectives on the potential consequences that might unfold. Interestingly, the Scud Stud, beyond his charismatic persona, emerges as a thought-provoking analyst.

The Gulf War revolutionized news reporting. Today, as the U.S. considers involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict, we find ourselves in a significantly different media landscape. Traditional network and cable news has changed dramatically since then. Can it handle the challenges of potentially covering our next Middle East war?

It’s crucial to recognize the severity of the ongoing conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, and now between Iran and Israel, along with the rapid pace of information dissemination and the politicized nature of news coverage. I find it truly remarkable to observe the dedication and bravery demonstrated by journalists. There’s no scarcity of individuals ready to immerse themselves in these complex narratives. For instance, Christiane Amanpour, Wolf Blitzer at CNN, Anderson Cooper reporting live from Tel Aviv, Lyse Doucet and Jeremy Bowen at BBC, and the younger generation like Clarissa Ward, Jeremy Diamond, and Quentin Somerville at CNN and the BBC. I can’t help but be moved by their experiences in Ukraine; it’s as if my heart leaps to my throat. And let me tell you, the reports from Quentin Somerville on trench warfare in Ukraine are nothing short of intense.

Currently, when it comes to covering stories about Iran, there’s no lack of individuals eager to delve into the subject matter. However, it presents significant challenges. For several decades, Iran has been a challenging territory to navigate, and this complexity has only increased in recent years following the demonstrations that have taken place over the last three years.

Would it be impossible to even get in there?

It seems that people have made it happen, as CNN has successfully sent Fred Pleitgen and their team to Tehran.

What questions would you ask of our lawmakers?

As someone who’s reported on the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq, the first question I’d pose is when will these politicians realize what even their top generals are saying? It’s a risky game to solely rely on air power, especially if we’re considering joint action with the current Israeli government in an attempt to change Iran’s regime. If you’re planning to use air power aggressively against Iran, be prepared to send troops as well, because things could get messy quickly.

Currently, journalists are bringing up similar questions as they did back then during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. This makes me feel that everyone should take this situation very seriously, considering our collective memory of the manipulation of information and distortion of truth by certain political, intelligence, and military figures to misrepresent the threat, as seen with Colin Powell’s case. It is also important to recall how both the Bush administration in the U.S. and Blair government in the U.K. twisted intelligence reports to generate a more pro-war sentiment. Therefore, it is essential for us to be vigilant about this issue now.

Yesterday, Christiane was on CNN interviewing Iran’s deputy foreign minister. He stated that if the U.S. attacks them, they would be compelled to respond in kind. Christiane emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Iranians yearn for freedom, just like us. It’s impossible not to notice their intelligence, warmth, and wit when you visit Iran. After all, this is the same country whose filmmakers have captured our hearts with their artistic talents, as demonstrated by this year’s Palme d’Or winner. These are people who crave and deserve freedom.

As a gamer, I can’t help but wonder if this is the moment for a revolution to triumph. The fact that the Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is being sent to the area has me on edge. All this deadly weaponry being shipped in, yet no clear solutions are appearing. That’s where journalists like us step in, trying to find answers amidst the uncertainty.

Instead of traditional news outlets, more and more individuals are turning to platforms like X and various social media for their news updates. However, the question remains: can we trust the authenticity of what we’re viewing, or is it accurately represented as it should be?

Social media, largely unregulated and passively controlled by those amassing vast fortunes from them, will struggle to match traditional media in terms of trustworthiness.

But they are losing audience. Budgets have been slashed. Journalists laid off.

The lack of trust (crisis of confidence) should be addressed by journalists, editors, proprietors, and owners alike. I might just be a lone voice, but I would like to advise all media corporations that believe they can easily abandon traditional broadcast news or cable news channels to reconsider. The enduring worth of our legacy media lies in the wisdom and honesty they provide when navigating through the misleading information (fakes) that are becoming increasingly prevalent and uncovering the genuine facts that truly matter.

In this version, I’ve tried to keep the original meaning while using simpler language, breaking it down into shorter sentences for easier reading.

Is Iran on the brink of being able to create a functional nuclear weapon, or is that not the case? This issue carries grave implications for everyone involved. In these critical times, it’s crucial for individuals to rely on reliable news sources for clarification and comprehension.

For those who didn’t live through the First Gulf War, can you explain what made your reporting stand out and contributed to your fame? Why did that particular coverage revolutionize news broadcasting?

For those who weren’t around during the First Gulf War, can you describe why your news coverage was so unique and helped make you famous? What was it about that time period’s coverage that made such a big impact on news broadcasting?

1990 marked the turn of the season to winter, followed by early 1991. At that time, we found ourselves in Saudi Arabia. Our equipment was state-of-the-art satellite technology, allowing us to transmit our cameras and video recorders back to London and New York, broadcasting our signal worldwide. However, our coverage was heavily restricted by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabian governments. They kept us 200 miles away from the front line, which was Kuwait, having been overtaken by Saddam Hussein’s army.

However, not long after the onset of the aerial conflict, Saddam Hussein initiated the use of Scud missiles – essentially advanced Soviet rockets, akin to muscle cars in rocket warfare. Although they were basic in design, these missiles could carry a 2000-pound payload, making them potentially harmful. He targeted Israel and Saudi Arabia, including our base in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, which was defended by the initial version of the Patriot anti-ballistic missile system.

One evening, while broadcasting an aircraft taking off from an airbase to bomb Iraqi positions in Kuwait, marking the start of the war, we encountered unexpected loud explosions – rockets being launched nearby and intercepting incoming Scud missiles without destroying them. At that moment, we were live on NBC during the halftime of the AFC final NFL game. In the third quarter, the Bills had a 30-point lead when an attack occurred. As a result, about 55 million Americans watching the football game suddenly switched to us. It was as if this event dropped right onto our broadcast.

Initially, we found ourselves 200 miles away from the main event, but our CBS News colleague, Bob Simon, and his team disregarded the rules to venture into Kuwait. They were subsequently captured by Iraqi forces. We broadcasted a segment featuring Bob’s bold words, “Our mission is to report the story, and their objective is to hinder us. Let’s find out who prevails.” That was true grit. They were ultimately freed, but they endured tremendous hardships during that ordeal.

Hey there! So, I’ve heard my gaming handle “Scud Stud” quite a bit lately. Got any clue when folks started tagging me with that moniker? And how has this new label affected my journey as a gamer? It’s intriguing!

It seems that a young producer, who worked at the NBC station in San Francisco, suddenly said something one evening.

On the air?

Initially, we transmitted a joke from New York to San Francisco during our internal communications. However, it quickly spread beyond our team and entered common usage. This kind of dark humor often arises during conflicts, and we found it amusing while reporting the war. The nickname wasn’t something we deliberately focused on, but the audience’s positive response to our coverage increased our airtime. As a result, I was given the opportunity to host extended news specials on NBC. However, none of us viewed these nicknames as significant or meaningful.

Did the actions or comments made towards you during or after the war make you feel objectified, and if so, did they continue to bother you afterwards?

To be honest, there was only one instance where it turned into a problem for me – when someone decided to taunt me with the nickname “Scud Stud.” It seemed like they were doing it out of envy or resentment. But you know what? I learned to just let it slide off my shoulders like water off a duck’s back.

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2025-06-19 21:55