In Their Own Voices

Cool Ben

The Official Podcast Channel of ADST — Capturing, preserving, and sharing the experiences of America‘s diplomats.

  1. 06/16/2020

    Dealing with a Leftist Dipsomaniac: The United States and Ecuador’s Carlos Arosemena

    In the 1960s, U.S. foreign policy had two bugbears: the Soviet Union and Cuba. The United States wished to prevent another Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro’s rise to power, through policies like the Alliance for Progress. As the United States continued to worry about potential leftist revolutions across the region, Ecuador became a setting for this battle over hearts and minds.

    13 min

  2. 05/13/2020

    Tex Harris Keep Your Hands Above Your Head

    Distinguished American diplomat Tex Harris recounts attempted intimidation by Argentine security forces in 1977, at the height of that country’s “Dirty War.” From the series "Tales of American Diplomacy" by the Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training. Because diplomacy matters now more than ever.

    5 min

  3. 04/27/2020

    Relationships - Women in the Foreign Service

    Women have been a fundamental part of the Foreign Service in both visible and invisible ways since its founding, making countless contributions.  These are the stories of trailblazing women in the Foreign Service and how they paved the way for the present.

    25 min

  4. 04/27/2020

    Brunei

    Brunei, one of the smallest, yet richest states in the world, is located on the island of Borneo, in the Indonesian archipelago.  Fewer than 500,000 people  live within its 22,00 square miles.  A new constitution in 1959 declared Brunei a self-governing state, while entrusting conduct of its foreign affairs to the United Kingdom.  Until 1994, when it asserted full independence.  Learn more about this modern-day sultanate.

    17 min

  5. 07/11/2019

    Nixon in China- A Question of Interpretation

    Nixon's "jowls were wobbling in anger" when a young foreign service officer, during Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China, saved the President from embarrassment by refusing to interpret. Here is the story.

    10 min

  6. 06/25/2019

    South Africa, DeKlerk and the End of Apartheid

    In a one-on-one meeting in 1989, future South African President F.W. DeKlerk told Hank Cohen, America's senior diplomat for Africa, that if elected he would free Mandela, un-ban the ANC, and end apartheid.  DeKlerk delivered.  Here is that story.

    7 min

  7. 06/05/2019

    Peace Baby: the First Drive from Egypt to Israel in 1980

    In 1980, James Larocco was a young American diplomat in Egypt--and a new father. His newborn daughter needed urgent medical treatment in Israel. The American ambassador told Larocco “Egyptian President Anwar Sadat called Israel’s Menachim Begin and they agreed that you will be the first family to drive from Cairo to Jerusalem.” Here is that story.

    7 min

  8. 05/23/2019

    William Harrop on Using Soccer Balls to Build Goodwill in Guinea

    As American ambassador to poor, socialist Guinea from 1975-77, William Harrop used a $25,000 discretionary fund and lots of soccer balls to promote goodwill. From the series "Tales of American Diplomacy" by the Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training. Because diplomacy matters now more than ever.

    4 min
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The Official Podcast Channel of ADST — Capturing, preserving, and sharing the experiences of America‘s diplomats.

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