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PODCAST

American Diplomat

Ambassador (Retired) Pete Romero and Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

American Diplomat goes behind the scenes to hear real stories from diplomats who lived newsworthy events overseas. Experience the Cuban revolution, Central American insurgencies, the end of apartheid and more through the eyes of those who were there. A project of Arizona State University.

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All Episodes

39:46

Mexico’s Steel Magnolia

American Diplomat ·

2025/09/25

Polar opposites: Mexican President Sheinbaum – a fact-based scientist, an introvert, methodical, with high standards…and then there is Trump. Mexico expert Brian Naranjo explains how she manages to tame the beast.

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34:48

Estonia: Punching Above Its Weight

American Diplomat ·

2025/09/18

After repeated Russian invasions and/or occupations and with a population only 0.89% the size of Russia, how do you defend yourself, particularly in the age of hybrid warfare? Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur breaks it down. And, most importantly, how best to create tolerance for others’ views, when the goal is for us all to remain alive under the same sun?

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57:51

Trump: Bread and Circus

American Diplomat ·

2025/09/11

Use entertainment as political discourse, distort reality, mock adversaries, distract the public from the real issues. The Romans started it and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi put it on full throttle. Italy expert Steve Scherer shows us how elected populists gain and keep power.

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33:39

Human Rights, Twisted and Bent

American Diplomat ·

2025/09/04

What happens when our president operates from his own alternative reality? A growing Axis of Upheaval against us? Elizabeth Shackelford is back to clarify the moment.

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51:44

Reality Show: Canada

American Diplomat ·

2025/08/28

We fought, died, celebrated victories and become prosperous together. Canadians could count on us, until now. Journalist Steve Scherer walks us through the US boycotts and yes, the profound sense of betrayal.

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43:25

The Jihadi Whisperer

American Diplomat ·

2025/08/22

What prompts someone to become a violent Muslim extremist? Even more, what would get them to turn against their comrades? Counter-terrorism guru Brig Barker demystifies this dark world.

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41:29

The Hole in Putin’s Imperial Designs

American Diplomat ·

2025/08/14

Why is Kazakhstan safe from Russia? It juts into the heart of Russia and shares the longest continuous land border in the world. What is their secret? Ambassador Dan Rosenblum’s analogy: walking a tightrope.

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38:01

Ukraine: Does Moral Truth Still Exist?

American Diplomat ·

2025/08/07

What happens when you are instructed to treat the aggressor as an innocent? Former Ambassador Bridget Brink’s career reaches a fork in the road. What to do? Hint: Who’s running in the Michigan Seventh Congressional District? And most importantly, why?

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42:25

What Happened to the Man of My Dreams?

American Diplomat ·

2025/07/31

He's charismatic, he's exciting, he's strong. How do elected autocrats woo their publics and then destroy the very countries they promised to elevate? What happens to the populace? Kristie Kenney, ambassador to Ecuador, Thailand and the Philippines has a thing or two to say about these folks and the reasons that people elect them. Repost from 2020, with oddly entertaining postscript from Pete. Spolier alert: Things doesn't always turn out the way these guys expect.

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32:53

Encore: Who Lost China?

American Diplomat ·

2025/07/24

It is the 1950s. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his henchman Roy Cohn target and humiliate our diplomats for accurately reporting an eventual Mao victory in China. Jack Service and his family are at the center of the storm. Is history repeating itself before our eyes? Enjoy this snapshot of diplomacy that is more relevant today than it was when we first posted it in 2020.

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36:02

America Alone?

American Diplomat ·

2025/07/17

Secretary Rubio’s stated goal is to reduce our diplomatic corps by 15%. Does it stop there? After four years of whim and chaos will the world ever trust us to lead again? Will we have the expertise and talent? Ambassador Eric Rubin lays it all out for us.

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42:54

The Incredible Shrinking Trade Partner

American Diplomat ·

2025/07/10

What happens when tariff policy becomes a whim? Career commercial officer Dan Crocker peers into the chaos and breaks down the stakes for businesses and national security.

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22:56

The Last of the Cold Warriors is Gone - Now What?

American Diplomat ·

2025/07/03

The old approach to national security is breaking apart. Americans demand change. Young diplomats and global service professionals today have a once in a century opportunity to reshape how the US engages in the world. Amb. Tom Shannon is back to inspire and share his awesome insights. In his words, Liberate the Future. (FSJ Jan-Feb 2025)

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35:52

Attacks on Iran: Salvation or Quagmire

American Diplomat ·

2025/06/26

Will diplomacy come next? Will Trump and Netanyahu give the Ayatollah an off-ramp? Acting Secretary of State and Undersecretary in the first Trump administration Tom Shannon lists both sides' options and their likelihood of taking place. Will there be Iranian “retribution” and if so, what will it look like?

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50:15

Colombia: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

American Diplomat ·

2025/06/19

For decades Plan Colombia was the gold standard for tackling counter-insurgency. With the current spike in cartel/gang violence, are Colombians losing faith in their conciliatory, populist leader Petro? Is the current violence due to a legacy of armed groups? Does it just boil down to testosterone? Ambassador Kevin Whitaker breaks it all down for us.

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36:50

Are the Chinese Coming for You?

American Diplomat ·

2025/06/12

The Federal Government has a long-standing entity which reviews possible threats posed by foreign actors, investing inside the US. What happens when a small town decides to wreck a Chinese investment…prudence or a resurgence of the Red Scare? Security expert Nova Daly unpacks these questions and updates us on the impending deadline for TikTok…yes, the clock is ticking!

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30:36

Lebanon: Finally, A Ray of Hope, or Just a Flash Bang?

American Diplomat ·

2025/06/05

With Assad overthrown in Syria and the new regime freeing themselves of decades long sanctions will they be able to stop the flow of financing and weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon? Is this an opening to permit reform and true democracy in Lebanon or will it be another missed opportunity? Ambassador Ed Gabriel sets forth what is at stake in the region and for US interests.

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13:27

Have You No Sense of Decency, Mr. Secretary?

American Diplomat ·

2025/05/29

With so much disinformation flying around, Senator Chris Van Hollen sets the record straight and takes down Secretary Rubio at the same time.

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44:27

The Pastry Chef, the Hand Grenade, the OSS and Vietnam

American Diplomat ·

2025/05/22

From wartime to prosperity, Ambassador Ted Osius shares his personal experience of change in US/Vietnam relations since the end of the war 50 years ago. Best question: Why is Amb. Osius optimistic, even in today’s trade climate? Hint: Nothing is Impossible, the title of both Amb. Osius’s book and his previous episode with us. For bonus fun, enjoy the video of Vietnamese female rap artist Suboi!

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46:32

Politics of Retribution

American Diplomat ·

2025/05/15

How did a utopian vision for society lead to one of the bloodiest regimes in history, Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge? Why does it matter today? Was it mediocrity? Arrogance? Or is it just easier to seize power than it is to govern? Prof. Andrew Mertha of Johns Hopkins’ School of International Studies, whose new book Bad Lieutenants – out today, lays it out for us.

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430 results

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