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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 12, 2019 • 30min
Freedom for Ethiopian Jews
It's 1991 in Ethiopia. President Mengistu and the rebels are at war. Drought and famine are killing thousands. As Charge d'Affaires in Addis Ababa, Bob Houdek oversees the evacuation of 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel, and why? Because, as Bob explains, "Immigration is one of the fundamental human rights under the UN convention."
Aug 5, 2019 • 31min
Think About a Career in Public Service
Bill Burns says it best: "This is exactly the moment when you need to attract the best in our society to lives in public service, whether it's in the State Department, the US military or elsewhere. I am a passionate believer in that." We are, too! Uncle Sam needs you.
Aug 1, 2019 • 34min
Bill Burns - The Back Channel
Burns shares stories from his engaging new book, The Back Channel.
Jul 23, 2019 • 29min
Glamping with the Masters of the Desert
Plus, a few good works. Vicki Huddleston gets around in the Sahara, and even gets the women a place inside the tent. So where did all these terrorists come from?
Jul 18, 2019 • 37min
Mali - Most Dangerous Peacekeeping Mission on Earth
Vicki Huddleston, our ambassador in Mali (not to be confused with Bali), helps us understand the Sahel, the Sahara, and their vast range of inhabitants. Everyone got along so well, so how did this land become what the UN now calls the most dangerous mission on earth?
Jul 11, 2019 • 35min
Sandinismo 2.0
Now that Ortega is back, how is the revolution going? Nicaraguans are being shot, hauled off and denied medical services, while the president's coffers swell. A how-to kit, on how to steal democracy.
Jul 3, 2019 • 20min
Liberation Day, Nicaragua!
We have Independence Day, and for Nicaraguans Liberation Day is just as important. Celebrated July 19, this is the day the Sandinistas overthrew the Somoza dynasty in 1979. But what really is a Sandinista, and what's up with their leader Daniel Ortega now? Most importantly, how is life today for Nicaraguans?
Jun 27, 2019 • 32min
Ajani Husbands, Dreadlock Diplomat
Grass to tree roots: Ajani helps us understand how the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott in 1955 impacts lives today in Eritrea and the area that is now South Sudan.
Jun 21, 2019 • 31min
AIDS - Health Diplomacy
Jimmy Kolker is back to tell us how, as Ambassador to Uganda, he helped stem the spread of this deadly disease and save scores of human lives.
Jun 13, 2019 • 32min
12 Days in the Hotseat
How did Tom Shannon end up Secretary of State for 12 days? How do transitions work, when one president leaves and another takes office?
