American Diplomat

How did a utopian vision for society lead to one of the bloodiest regimes in history, Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge? Why does it matter today? Was it mediocrity? Arrogance? Or is it just easier to seize power than it is to govern? Prof. Andrew Mertha of Johns Hopkins’ School of International Studies, whose new book Bad Lieutenants – out today, lays it out for us.

Acting Undersecretary for Management, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, had a front row seat to the twenty-something DOGE Musketeers and their slash and burn approach to “re-organizing” venerable national security infrastructure. Tibor reflects on that and opines on whether the worst is over.

Overseas, mugged, sick, arrested, who are you going to call and will there be anyone to answer? Tom Yazdgerdi, the President of AFSA, the State Department labor union, fears what budget cuts will mean for traveling Americans.

Is it simply mutual self-interest or is it Bukele's head start on the authoritarian’s handbook?  Both?  AmDip’s own Pete Romero breaks it down, with feeling!

Former US Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens answers the question: How was martial law defeated within hours and the would-be dictator impeached?  Hint: The citizens, and the soldiers(!) said no.  Putting up barricades with sofas and chairs, and grabbing a gun from a soldier, one woman asked, "Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?"  Even the president accepted the rules set forth in the constitution.  But why?   For another one of Amb. Stephens's episodes with us, click here.  Vive la republique!

US colleges and universities are a battleground for First Amendment rights. Each side of the political spectrum wants to limit these rights for the other side. Now the Trump Administration has weaponized these issues by cutting grants and detaining students. Is there a neutral path forward? ASU honors student Sami Al-Asady breaks it down for us.

Trump has led a relentless attack on Diversity Equity and Inclusion, saying it undermines a meritocracy. Former State DEI chief Ambassador Gina Abercrombie Winstanley asserts that equity and inclusion are simply effective management tools for molding smart teams. You be the judge.

And why does it matter how regular South Africans feel about US behavior toward their country?  Ambassador Charlie Ray untangles the powerful dynamics within South Africa domestically and vis-a-vis the United States, and helps us understand what this means for our present and future.  Plus:  It's up to us to create our world and it all starts with voting.  Always vote!

What happens when the US washes its hands of its international obligations?  Ambassador Mike Polt, Co-Founder of ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab, views our president as our chief diplomat and calls the Zelensky-Trump Oval Office meeting a pivotal moment.  We have humiliated the rest of the world, including our friends.  Now what?

A foreign policy grandmaster strategist? Or is our president guided simply by whim and spite, without a cohesive plan? Pete and Laura break it down. You be the judge.