American Diplomat

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.

What’s Behind the Trump-Bukele Bromance? 04/24/2025

What’s Behind the Trump-Bukele Bromance? Is it simply mutual self-interest or is it Bukele's head start on the authoritarian’s handbook? Both? AmDip’s own Pete Romero breaks it down, with feeling! /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/36282370

Democracy Prevails! 04/17/2025

Democracy Prevails! Former US Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens answers the question: How was martial law defeated within hours and the would-be dictator impeached? Hint: The citizens, and the soldiers(!) said no. Putting up barricades with sofas and chairs, and grabbing a gun from a soldier, one woman asked, "Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?" Even the president accepted the rules set forth in the constitution. But why? For another one of Amb. Stephens's episodes with us, click . Vive la republique! /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/36213510

Universities in the Trump Crosshairs 04/10/2025

Universities in the Trump Crosshairs US colleges and universities are a battleground for First Amendment rights. Each side of the political spectrum wants to limit these rights for the other side. Now the Trump Administration has weaponized these issues by cutting grants and detaining students. Is there a neutral path forward? ASU honors student Sami Al-Asady breaks it down for us. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/36085455

DEI: Enemy of the People? 04/03/2025

DEI: Enemy of the People? Trump has led a relentless attack on Diversity Equity and Inclusion, saying it undermines a meritocracy. Former State DEI chief Ambassador Gina Abercrombie Winstanley asserts that equity and inclusion are simply effective management tools for molding smart teams. You be the judge. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35988585

South Africans Don't Like to be Bullied 03/28/2025

South Africans Don't Like to be Bullied And why does it matter how regular South Africans feel about US behavior toward their country? Ambassador Charlie Ray untangles the powerful dynamics within South Africa domestically and vis-a-vis the United States, and helps us understand what this means for our present and future. Plus: It's up to us to create our world and it all starts with voting. Always vote! /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35908655

We are Americans and we stand for something. 03/20/2025

We are Americans and we stand for something. What happens when the US washes its hands of its international obligations? Ambassador Mike Polt, Co-Founder of ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab, views our president as our chief diplomat and calls the Zelensky-Trump Oval Office meeting a pivotal moment. We have humiliated the rest of the world, including our friends. Now what? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35791455

How is Trump 2.0 Like An Onion? 03/17/2025

How is Trump 2.0 Like An Onion? A foreign policy grandmaster strategist? Or is our president guided simply by whim and spite, without a cohesive plan? Pete and Laura break it down. You be the judge. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35724215

Tariff Wars 03/06/2025

Tariff Wars Tony Wayne, former Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs and US Ambassador to Mexico, pulls apart the strands. First, what is an import? How many times would you guess a raw material or auto part crosses a Canadian or Mexican border in the process of making and assembling a car? 4? 5? Each crossing carries a 25% tariff. That’s a lot of crossings! And a whole lot of tariffs! And the point? To make our neighbors tougher on smuggling into the US things we don’t want such as fentanyl. But the drug trade runs two ways, depending largely on American-made guns that cross into Mexico. All three countries must work together or everyone loses. And what’s this about an external revenue service? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35563855

When Economists Wage War 02/28/2025

When Economists Wage War Diplomat and Author Edward Fishman reveals how globalization is giving way to zero-sum self-interest. Can we win the emerging economic warfare? Listen, and read his new book . /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35475260

USAID and the Fate of Gazans 02/20/2025

USAID and the Fate of Gazans Peace in the Middle East starts in Gaza and the West Bank. But beautiful parks and fountains and casinos…the Riviera of the Middle East, a beautiful vacation spot in what is now rubble? And somehow the US would own it. But what about all those Gazans, walking home along a highway, carrying all of their belongings, some with donkeys, on their way back to rubble. Enter USAID. In asymmetric warfare nothing, absolutely nothing, can defeat hearts and minds, and no one can impact those more effectively than USAID, at a minute financial cost. And this is how you neutralize the seduction of bad actors. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35367825

Mar-A-Panama? 02/13/2025

Mar-A-Panama? How many "Mar-a-" conquests will there be? US Ambassador (ret) to Panama John Feeley breaks it all down, with a quick review of the relevant past, and substantive, yet richly candid view of Trump’s foray into the Canal Zone today. Get smart on what is true and what is not true at all. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35276075

Mar-A-Greenland? What Do the Europeans Think? 02/06/2025

Mar-A-Greenland? What Do the Europeans Think? The Arctic is a serious US national security issue. NATO, particularly Denmark, agree and have offered significant resources to better secure the area from China and Russia. Will Trump accept these or hold out for Mar-a-Greenland? Can we divide the policy rhetoric from the policy outcomes? Luke Coffey, former adviser to the British defense minister and prior to that a US service member, now a fellow at the Hudson Institute, knows his brief! Bonus: Who was Eric the Red? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35177005

Trump 2.0: Is Humiliation the Point? 01/30/2025

Trump 2.0: Is Humiliation the Point? Was Trump’s big showdown with President Petro of Colombia a show of might and power, or was there another reality behind the smoke and mirrors? Pete has a thing or two to say about optics, policy and human lives, from the standpoint of the practice of diplomacy. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/35088520

"America First" Meets the Global Economic Machinery 01/23/2025

"America First" Meets the Global Economic Machinery Ambassador (and ASU professor) Ed O’Donnell offers a close look at the economic impacts of Trump’s foreign policies "Tariff is a beautiful word”, “The Chinese are going to take over the Panama Canal!” and "Drill, baby, drill." What’s the reality beneath the bombast, globally and in American households? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34976170

Looking Around the Corner Before It's Too Late 01/17/2025

Looking Around the Corner Before It's Too Late Predictive data help make us aware of conflicts and atrocities we can anticipate. Keith Noble, Director of the Office of Advanced Analytics in State’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, shares his work with State's Academic Centers for Conflict Anticipation and Prevention. How do students, undergraduates and graduates, work with State to inform solid policy? How can a young, passionate, smart person get involved? Go get ‘em, tiger! Uncle Sam needs you. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34888840

Syria: Money’s Gotta Flow 01/09/2025

Syria: Money’s Gotta Flow Welcome to 2025 from AmDip! Amb. Patrick Theros unpacks Syria for us, from the Halcyon 1970s of mini-skirts and old cars on the streets, to the chaos of the present day. What was the West’s role in Syria’s changes, and what should the US do now? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34788570

In Vodka Veritas! Encore! 01/02/2025

In Vodka Veritas! Encore! Ambassador Dick Hoagland, having served many years in Russia and former Soviet republics, has had ample opportunity to consider the high-stakes drinking game of vodka diplomacy. Bottoms up and happy New Year! /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34696600

2025: A Year of Frenemies? 12/26/2024

2025: A Year of Frenemies? Pete and Laura look back on their favorite episodes of the past year, covering cybercrime, space diplomacy and gangsterism among others. And what's to come in the new administration? Borders north and south, changes in the Middle East, and Ukraine. We expect challenges with adversaries, but more importantly, how will the new administration engage our friends? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34599535

Keeping Them Home: The Private Sector Steps Up 12/19/2024

Keeping Them Home: The Private Sector Steps Up Ambassador Luis Arreaga, Senior Advisor at the Partnership for Central America, brings companies such as Meta, Mastercard, Microsoft, together with the World Bank, NGOs and civil society organizations to address one of the root causes of immigration: lack of economic opportunity. The result speak for themselves: 90,000 jobs. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34503670

Global Agreement: Online Predators Dealt a Setback 12/12/2024

Global Agreement: Online Predators Dealt a Setback Ambassador Deborah McCarthy unpacks the benefits to the global community, particularly the American public, of the recently concluded UN Convention on Cybercrime. The mission: to better protect our children from predators and our data from thieves. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34412960

Fit for Purpose: Modernization at State 12/05/2024

Fit for Purpose: Modernization at State Got a leak? Call a plumber. Want security and prosperity for you and the family, call a diplomat. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma and Ambassador Mike Polt (Arizona State University) speak to gearing up the career Foreign Service to meet intensifying global challenges and explain why talent, experience and expertise matter more than ever. Listen and learn, also, what Little League has to do with diplomacy. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34300355

Our Friend Hosay and the Value of Immigration 11/28/2024

Our Friend Hosay and the Value of Immigration “I feel wonderful!” Hosay Erfani, who appeared on our show as the Taliban took over (, ), had a harrowing escape from the deadly regime. Now in the US for two years, she is an unbelievable young woman, turning adversity into opportunity, opportunity into success. Here is her tale. Bravo, Hosay! And happy Thanksgiving, all. Cheers! /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34195020

Disinformation's Sputnik Moment 11/21/2024

Disinformation's Sputnik Moment Nadya Bliss, the executive director of ASU’s Global Security Initiative, helps us understand disinformation from the ground up. What is the algorithmification of information and what are the technological incentives for its distribution? When is AI just fine, when is it a problem, how do we detect it and what should we do? What is the power of diplomats working together with technologists to keep us safe? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/34078781

Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel and Iran - the Pieces, Together 11/14/2024

Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel and Iran - the Pieces, Together We all recognize the intractability and tragedy of the Arab/Israeli conflict but what are the dynamics of Iran’s proxy forces, separately fighting Israel, working together? What is each of their relationship with Iran? And what will be the Trump impact? Ambassadors Jeffrey Feltman and Jake Walles, who spent decades in the Middle East, share stories. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33932547

The Trump Foreign Policy: First 90 Days 11/12/2024

The Trump Foreign Policy: First 90 Days Campaign promises - repatriating the undocumented, Mexico’s role in securing the border, tariff quid pro quos and NATO’s role in a Russian/Ukraine peace - will require expert diplomacy. Will the new administration be up to it? Secretary Tom Shannon, who led State in the first Trump administration, is here to tell us what Trump’s early days will look like. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33896617

I'm Going to Kathmandu - Encore 10/31/2024

I'm Going to Kathmandu - Encore Oh, the stress of the election! We're feeling the strain! So we thought we could all use a little break. Here's one of our earliest, most fun episodes. Larry Dinger regales us with tales of tires on fire, pollution, trekking, and one of the most bizarre episodes in monarchy in the world. Now Laura wants to join the Foreign Service and all of us want to go to Kathmandu. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33705942

War Criminals Held to Account 10/24/2024

War Criminals Held to Account David Scheffer, our country's foremost diplomat on war crimes, reveals the unstoppable forces seeking justice. The bad get badder and the good get better. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33597887

There Is Always Hope – Encore 10/17/2024

There Is Always Hope – Encore An inspirational story of personal redlines and resilience that has stuck with us: Ambassador John Feeley left a beloved job as US Ambassador to Panama, at the pinnacle of his career. Why? He could in good conscience act as the personal representative of a particular US President. John Feeley shares candidly the painful but surmountable experience of depression and recovery upon departure from the Foreign Service. May we all share as generously as our friend John. There is always hope. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33498642

Just Don’t Call Them, “the Baltics” 10/10/2024

Just Don’t Call Them, “the Baltics” Soviet occupation of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania ended 30 years ago but to many, it could have been yesterday. How secure are these states, and what will happen to them if Ukraine falls? Is there any change in security policy, in case of a Trump victory in the US? /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33406517

Viva la Presidenta! 10/03/2024

Viva la Presidenta! Out with the old, in with the new? Will Claudia Sheinbaum, new (and first female) President of Mexico, allow the departing leader AMLO to control her presidency, as designated successors of autocrats often do, or will she govern on her own terms? What will happen with all of those door-to-door check giveaways? Sheinbaum does not tip her hand. Amb. (Ret.) John Feeley guides us through Mexico’s new frontier. We watch with interest. /episode/index/show/americandiplomat/id/33314132

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