100 episodes

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 the Una Chapman Cox Foundation in partnership with the American Academy of Diplomacy.

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

    • Education
    • 4.8 • 222 Ratings

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 the Una Chapman Cox Foundation in partnership with the American Academy of Diplomacy.

    A "More Perfect" Union

    A "More Perfect" Union

    No union is perfect, but it helps to try. Authoritarians worldwide exploit their citizens' need for public safety to gain and hold power. If you can't walk out of the house at night, bring the guy who makes the streets safe! But then what happens when your loved ones start to disappear? Pete and John Feeley discuss recent examples in the Western Hemisphere, but the phenomenon threatens democracies and human rights worldwide.

    • 48 min
    Lawfare and the International Criminal Court

    Lawfare and the International Criminal Court

    The basis of the International Criminal Court is a treaty, written in part by the United States and signed by 123 countries worldwide.  Why is the US not a signatory?  Is this for some abstruse legal reason, or did the US actively undermine the treaty?  David Scheffer is back to help us understand the machinery of the ICC.

    • 27 min
    Putin: Indicted War Criminal

    Putin: Indicted War Criminal

    BRICS, the economic alliance of nonwestern powers, just met in Johannesburg, with Putin conspicuously disinvited. Why? Putin is a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and South Africa, a member of BRICS but also a signatory of the ICC, is obligated to arrest Putin upon his arrival there. A complex situation! Which commitment to serve? Are war criminals today at greater risk of accountability than once upon a time? Amb. David Scheffer, a creator of the ICC, is optimistic.

    • 28 min
    A Dictator, An Election, and US Interests

    A Dictator, An Election, and US Interests

    Cambodia just "elected" another term for the ruling party, allowing the 38-year dictator Hun Sen to maintain dynastic rule for many years to come. The West does not like this. But what really are our economic, security and even humanitarian interests in the region? How might we reframe our thinking to best promote them?  Amb. Charlie Ray is back to discuss. And here's our previous episode with him, Golf with a Dictator, which gives a real-life story of a time he was right.

    • 36 min
    China, National Security and Our Economy

    China, National Security and Our Economy

    Following the unprecedented executive order by the Biden administration limiting US investment in Chinese tech companies, Cathy Novelli, veteran US diplomat and Apple executive, highlights the balance between protecting our national security and preventing unintended economic consequences. Some people may promote a solution of simply decoupling our economy from China’s, but good policy is in the nuance even if it doesn’t make juicy sound bites.  As a closer, we have The Winner Takes it All from Abba.

    • 39 min
    From Deportee to AID

    From Deportee to AID

    Jesse Gutierrez, USAID officer at Mission Somalia, says it best himself: "I had slept on the floor, been homeless, used subpar health facilities, and been separated from my family as a kid. I empathize with and relate to refugees and USAID’s beneficiaries because I have been in their shoes." Hear his moving tale of humble but unwavering perseverance and positivity. And here's his article in the Foreign Service Journal.  Enjoy!

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
222 Ratings

222 Ratings

JMF212 ,

Helped lead me to become a diplomat

I first started listening to this podcast a few years ago. The interview and stories expressed made me interested in being a foreign service officer, and it kept me interested throughout the gruelling application process. I’m happy to report that I am now a foreign service officer preparing to head out for my first overseas post! I still listen and love this podcast even now!

Sarita7981 ,

We’re talking ?

If your going to keep the tag line “we’re talking “ then say it like you mean it, or cut it out. It sounds like your rambling through script that you don’t care about. Please fix it

northwest supercaster ,

I love This!

Wondering about an out reach program to all high schools in the USA to create a starting line for work in the Foreign Service or other types of state craft. So students could begin to to develop vision, for what the path to a career like that looks like?

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