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
Sep 18, 2018 • 30min
Tamil Genocide - History Repeats Itself?
Bob Blake offers an alternative to genocide, but his help is refused. How similar is the tragedy in Sri Lanka to the current crisis in Myanmar?
Sep 13, 2018 • 29min
Tamil Tigers - The Memory Still Haunts Sri Lanka
Want to go to jail in Sri Lanka today? Just mention the Tamil Tigers in a positive manner and you will be on trial. That's how upset people still are about the war that ended almost ten years ago. Bob Blake unpacks this time of terror in Sri Lanka.
Sep 8, 2018 • 32min
Russia - Is It Happening Here? Putin Consolidates Power
Sandy Vershbow, US Ambassador to Russia 2002-2005, recounts Putin's gradual seizure of power over more and more of the Russian State, leaving ordinary Russians with little, if any, voice in the policies that affect their lives.
Aug 30, 2018 • 26min
Russia - Is It Happening Here? "He Must Be Like Putin"
Conditions precedent and the rise of populist autocrat Putin, via Sandy Vershbow, US Ambassador to Russia, 2001-2005. Plus bonus Russian hit song "One Like Putin". Your internal soundscape may never be the same. The second country in American Diplomat's series, "Is It Happening Here?"
Aug 23, 2018 • 33min
Pete Goes Native - Second Part of Pete's Visit with the Indians
Pete visits the Huarani Indians, botches up a boar hunt, drinks the mystery drink chicha, and receives upon his departure a marriage proposal, ambiguously addressed either to himself one of the other fine young gringos. Follows first episode, titled "Cowboys and Indian at the Embassy."
Aug 16, 2018 • 38min
Cowboys and Indian at the Embassy
"Embassy death squads? Sure, I made that up!" ~ Moi, Huarani Indian and tribal ambassador
Aug 9, 2018 • 30min
Soybean Laura Goes to Washington
Trade, demystified. And accompanied by a stiff drink. Plus bonus song "Soybeans!" Shaun Donnelly tells all.
Aug 3, 2018 • 30min
Venezuela: Is it Happening Here? Chavez Takes Control
Once elected, how does Chavez systematically seize control of the politics and economy of his country, and how does this erode Fulano's choices and way of life?
Jul 27, 2018 • 35min
Venezuela: Is It Happening Here?
Brian Naranjo describes life for a middle-class voter during the lead-up to the election of Hugo Chavez, a former coup plotter who becomes the elected dictator of Venezuela. This is the first episode in a series within American Diplomat titled, "Is it happening here?"
Jul 19, 2018 • 11min
Is It Happening Here?
Pete and Laura introduce a new series within American Diplomat, in which they talk with diplomats who witnessed the beginning phases of democracy's doom and who can tell the story from the perspective of the individual voter who unwittingly elected a dictator.
