American Diplomat

Israeli security has been the third rail of public discourse. Support all that Israel does or Hamas owns you. The result: waning support. Joel Rubin is back to unpack how Trump is changing the script.

Joel Rubin, a Jewish-American political analyst and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, dives deep into the alarming rise of anti-Semitism. He shares personal insights from his Pittsburgh roots and the impact of the Tree of Life massacre on Jewish fears. Rubin connects recent global attacks and highlights a troubling normalization of anti-Semitic rhetoric. He discusses the role of online culture in amplifying violence and critiques major Jewish organizations for their focus on Israel over domestic issues, calling for greater unity across communities.

Must our foreign policy be based on ego, resources and might-makes-right? Can we effectively meet future challenges with policies based on American values? Ambassador Mike Polt hopes so, and ASU is developing a plan for the long game.

Why hasn't Trump decided to keep US boots on the ground? Let us count the reasons. Hint, it's not because it would be a bad look.

An oldie but a goodie and one of our very favorites, our annual New Year's special: In Vodka Veritas with Dick Hoagland. Ambassador Dick Hoagland, having served many years in Russia and former Soviet republics, has had ample opportunity to consider the high-stakes drinking game of vodka diplomacy. Break a bottle over the bow of 2026 and Happy New Year!

For the holidays, we asked diplomats to share their tales. We have Ken Quinn whose young kids' Christmas in Austria was saved by a team including the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a muslim Santa and a temporary North Korean "daugther". We have Peter Pham who, on his way home for the holidays from his post in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was diverted to Paris due to the US government shutdown, which turn of events led him to ensure the safety return of a recent Congolese Nobel Prize winner. And we have Kent Logsdon who shares a moving tale of singing in an ambassadors' version of a barbershop quartet the song War Is Over, when indeed, war had only just ended in that country. Have a lovely holiday season, everyone!

The Administration's new National Security Strategy document contains exaggerations, contradictions, insults, racism, posturing and slamming, which is to say nothing of the important topics it does not address. Amb. Charlie Ray takes the ideological manifesto apart for us, with discussion of the existential consequences for America and for our species.

Imagine a free and prosperous Venezuela. What would it take? We take you to a simulated White House Situation Room with diplomat and Venezuela expert Brian Naranjo. Are you ready for some ground truth?

The chainsaw was one thing. But the dog economists? Either way, $20billion is a nice bailout package for Argentina. Senior State Department economist Rich Sanders unpacks life in Argentina today, for their eccentric-in-chief and for the Argentine populace.

Mike Peay, a State Department lawyer and jazz pianist, dives into the fascinating world of cultural diplomacy through jazz. He discusses the Harlem Hellfighters' role in introducing jazz to Europe and how jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong navigated complex racial dynamics while promoting American values abroad. Peay highlights the motivations of these artists, their impactful tours across various continents, and how candid conversations about racial injustice enhanced America's soft power. A compelling blend of music history and social impact!