Estonia: Punching Above Its Weight
American Diplomat
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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Trump: Bread and Circus
American Diplomat
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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Human Rights, Twisted and Bent
American Diplomat
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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Reality Show: Canada
American Diplomat
We fought, died, celebrated victories and became 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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The Jihadi Whisperer
American Diplomat
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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The Hole in Putin’s Imperial Designs
American Diplomat
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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Ukraine: Does Moral Truth Still Exist?
American Diplomat
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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What Happened to the Man of My Dreams?
American Diplomat
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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Encore: Who Lost China?
American Diplomat
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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America Alone?
American Diplomat
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.
info_outlineSteve Herman, author of Behind the White House Curtain, is back to tell the tale of the time the Trump administration tried to seize editorial control of the Voice of America and turn it into a propaganda agency. Why is it in our interests as Americans for VOA to remain an independent, credible source worldwide, even covering negative events in the US? What are the risks to those, like Steve, who resisted the takeover? See also a review of his book in June's Foreign Service Journal.