

Diplomatic Immunity
Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, Georgetown University
Diplomatic Immunity: Frank and candid conversations about diplomacy and foreign affairs
Diplomatic Immunity is a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University. We bring you "frank and candid" conversations on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers globally. We talk to current and former diplomatic officials, scholars, and analysts and seek to understand how best to foster international cooperation in an age of global crises.
Hosted by Dr. Kelly McFarland
Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Jarrett Dang
Design by Rebecca McFarland and Alistair Somerville
Music by Gabe Swarts
This podcast is supported by funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Bridging the Gap Initiative.
Diplomatic Immunity is a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University. We bring you "frank and candid" conversations on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers globally. We talk to current and former diplomatic officials, scholars, and analysts and seek to understand how best to foster international cooperation in an age of global crises.
Hosted by Dr. Kelly McFarland
Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Jarrett Dang
Design by Rebecca McFarland and Alistair Somerville
Music by Gabe Swarts
This podcast is supported by funding from the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Bridging the Gap Initiative.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 1, 2021 • 46min
ICYMI: "The Tunisian People Have Spoken" - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10, Part 1
In case you missed it, here's one of our favorite conversations from season 2. Part 1 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Tunisia: A conversation between Ambassador Gordon Gray and Youssef Cherif. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Tamara Cofman Wittes. Listen to Part 6, A Conversation with Stephanie Williams: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-6-a-conversation-with-stephanie-williams-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 5, Syria: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-5-the-tinder-is-dry-uprisings-and-repression-in-syria-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 4, Libya: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-4-uprisings-civil-war-and-hope-in-libya-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 3, Yemen: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-3-revolution-transition-and-collapse-in-yemen-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 2, Egypt: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-2-tahrir-square-and-beyond Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Voice of America, the Obama White House, Julius H on Pixabay, the Free Music Archive, and Soft and Furious Supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York https://isd.georgetown.edu/news/diplomatic-immunity/ Originally released: April 21, 2021

Jun 9, 2021 • 54min
The Role of the Deputy Secretary of State with Steve Biegun
Diplomatic Immunity: Frank and candid conversations about diplomacy and foreign affairs Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter @GUDiplomacy. Send any feedback to diplomacy@georgetown.edu. Season 2, Episode 13: For the final episode in season 2, ISD Director of Programs and Research Kelly McFarland talks to former Deputy Secretary of State Steve Biegun. Biegun, who served in this role and as special representative for North Korea during the Trump administration, discusses the deputy's day-to-day role, the challenges the State Department faced bringing American citizens home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and domestic polarization under the Trump administration. Additional insights from ISD Rusk Fellow and FSO Hammad Hammad. Episode recorded: Friday, April 20th, 2021.

Jun 2, 2021 • 37min
Diplomacy and the Future of World Order with Chet Crocker, Lise Howard, and Ana Palacio
Diplomatic Immunity: Frank and candid conversations about diplomacy and foreign affairs Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Twitter @GUDiplomacy. Send any feedback to diplomacy@georgetown.edu. Season 2, Episode 12: Kelly McFarland talks to Chet Crocker, Schlesinger Professor of Strategic Studies at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and a member of the ISD Board of Advisers. Chet combines the academic and practitioner perspective, having previously served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. Alongside Fen Osler Hampson and Pamela Aall, he is the co-editor of a new collection of essays, Diplomacy and the Future of World Order, published in May by our friends at Georgetown University Press. We were also joined by two of the book’s chapter authors: former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ana Palacio, and Georgetown international affairs professor and ISD Board member Lise Howard. They discuss the scenarios the authors present in their book, as well as the concept of “peace and conflict diplomacy” as a tool for states to manage others' conflicts, cope with great power competition, and deal with threats to the state system overall. Purchase Diplomacy and the Future of World Order on the Georgetown University Press website: http://press.georgetown.edu/book/georgetown/diplomacy-and-future-world-order Discussants also referenced Richard Haass and Charles Kupchan's recent article in Foreign Affairs, "The New Concert of Powers How to Prevent Catastrophe and Promote Stability in a Multipolar World." Episode recorded: Friday, April 23rd, 2021. This episode was sponsored by UN-Scripted, a podcast from PassBlue, an independent media organization covering the UN. Listen here: https://www.passblue.com/podcasts-about-the-united-nations/

May 26, 2021 • 46min
Part 6: A Conversation with Stephanie Williams - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Bahrain, Libya, and regional dynamics: A conversation about the Arab Spring and its aftermath across the region with Stephanie Williams, former U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Bahrain and Libya, and latterly the UN's chief mediator on the ground in Libya. Presented by Kelly McFarland, Hammad Hammad, and Alistair Somerville. Part 6 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Listen to Part 5, Syria: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-5-the-tinder-is-dry-uprisings-and-repression-in-syria-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 4, Libya: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-4-uprisings-civil-war-and-hope-in-libya-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 3, Yemen: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-3-revolution-transition-and-collapse-in-yemen-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 2, Egypt: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-2-tahrir-square-and-beyond Listen to Part 1, Tunisia: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-1-the-tunisian-people-have-spoken-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Music by Gabe Swarts Episode recorded: Friday, March 26th, 2021

May 19, 2021 • 1h
Part 5: "The Tinder is Dry" - Uprisings and Repression in Syria - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Syria: A conversation about the Arab Spring and its aftermath between Ambassador Robert Ford and Syria activist Maya Haddad. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Ambassador Mark Storella, former deputy assistant secretary of state for population, refugees, and migration. Part 5 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Listen to Part 4, Libya: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-4-uprisings-civil-war-and-hope-in-libya-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 3, Yemen: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-3-revolution-transition-and-collapse-in-yemen-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 2, Egypt: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-2-tahrir-square-and-beyond Listen to Part 1, Tunisia: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-1-the-tunisian-people-have-spoken-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Julius H on Pixabay, Soft and Furious, the Free Music Archive, and Surhofi

May 12, 2021 • 48min
Part 4: A Broken State, Civil War, and Governance in Libya - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Libya: A conversation about the Arab Spring and its aftermath between Ambassador Gene Cretz and Libyan civil society activist Mohamed Almenfi. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Rita Stephan. Part 4 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Listen to Part 3, Yemen: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-3-revolution-transition-and-collapse-in-yemen-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Listen to Part 2, Egypt: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-2-tahrir-square-and-beyond Listen to Part 1, Tunisia: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-1-the-tunisian-people-have-spoken-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Julius H on Pixabay, the Free Music Archive, and Surhofi Rita Stephan's new co-edited volume, Women Rising: In and Beyond the Arab Spring, is available here: https://nyupress.org/9781479846641/women-rising/

May 5, 2021 • 59min
Part 3: Revolution, Transition, and Collapse in Yemen - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Yemen: A conversation about the Arab Spring and its aftermath between Ambassador Jerry Feierstein and Yemeni scholar Ibrahim Jalal. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Ambassador Barbara Bodine, Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Rita Stephan. Part 3 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Listen to Part 2, Egypt: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-2-tahrir-square-and-beyond Listen to Part 1, Tunisia: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-1-the-tunisian-people-have-spoken-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Julius H on Pixabay, the Free Music Archive, and Surhofi Rita Stephan's new co-edited volume, Women Rising: In and Beyond the Arab Spring, is available here: https://nyupress.org/9781479846641/women-rising/

Apr 28, 2021 • 42min
Part 2: Tahrir Square and Beyond - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Egypt: A conversation about the Arab Spring and its aftermath between Ambassador Anne Patterson and Mohammed Soliman. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Tamara Cofman Wittes and Rita Stephan. Part 2 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Listen to Part 1, Tunisia: https://diplomaticimmunity.libsyn.com/part-1-the-tunisian-people-have-spoken-diplomacy-and-the-arab-spring-at-10 Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Voice of America, Julius H on Pixabay, the Free Music Archive, and Surhofi Rita Stephan's new co-edited volume, Women Rising: In and Beyond the Arab Spring, is available here: https://nyupress.org/9781479846641/women-rising/

Apr 21, 2021 • 46min
Part 1: "The Tunisian People Have Spoken" - Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10
Tunisia: A conversation between Ambassador Gordon Gray and Youssef Cherif. Presented by Kelly McFarland and Alistair Somerville. Additional commentary from Tamara Cofman Wittes. Part 1 of a Diplomatic Immunity mini-series, Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Additional audio from Voice of America, the Obama White House, Julius H on Pixabay, the Free Music Archive, and Soft and Furious

Apr 14, 2021 • 2min
Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Trailer
A new mini-series from Diplomatic Immunity: Diplomacy and the Arab Spring at 10 - Origins and Legacies of Revolution, launching April 21st. Diplomatic Immunity, a new podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision makers around the world. Produced by Alistair Somerville and Kelly McFarland Production assistance by Jonas Heering Design by Rebecca McFarland, Jonas Heering, and Alistair Somerville Music by Julius H/Pixabay