American Diplomat

Ambassador Dan Foote departed the State Department over a crisis of conscience relating to recent events in Haiti.  Why, and what actually happened from his perspective?  

The Zambian government has no love for its country's LGBTQ community. When repressions go simply too far to ignore any longer Ambassador Dan Foote speaks up, and for political reasons on both continents is forced to return home.  Any regrets?  Of course not. LGBTQ rights are human rights and everyone on earth deserves those.

We're back with some of Pete's jokes (Laura laughed, we promise) and our annual show featuring stories of Thanksgiving overseas.  Enjoy!  Stay well!  ~Pete & Laura

An eye for an eye and pretty soon everyone is blind, said Mahatma Gandhi, now quoted by Ambassador Tibor Nagy who is as expert as he is compassionate in his discussion of the current conflict in Ethiopia. Are we witnessing a genocide, presided over by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy? Does it matter? Why did Abiy receive the Nobel Prize?  

Dave Harden, formerly of USAID, compares service within AID to the mainstream Foreign Service (where is most of the money and the leadership opportunity, for example?), and connects the economic dimension of international development to American domestic politics.  Harden is running for Congress, using his development experience and lifelong knowledge of rural voters' needs.  

Inclusive, powerful leadership.  Colin Powell not only engaged Americans of every level on his team, but also eased the worries of potential adversaries.  Powell led with insight into human needs for respect and belonging.

Humility, respect, sense of humor, honor, but above all, empathy.  Colin Powell is remembered by many who loved him.  Tune in for stories of the man he was.

Ted Osius retired from his post as US Ambassador to Vietnam when asked to implement covertly-devised deportation policies he found morally repugnant and un-American.  Hear about his crisis of conscience and also of the heroic service of senators John McCain and John Kerry, Vietnam vets who did the right thing at great political cost.  And read Ted's new book "Nothing is Impossible: America's Reconciliation with Vietnam".

It's 1990, and Ian Brownlee, out walking his dog, meets a man whose visa application he had refused just that very morning. The man is about to swim across the river to his probable death, so Ian advises him of a much safer spot to cross, about 200 yards thataway. These are the old days of immigration. When and how did immigration become a multibillion dollar business and a hot-button in domestic politics?  Ian is the expert.

But what of the rest of her countrywomen?  Here's a quick midweek update with our Afghan friend Toobah, in her words.  Enjoy!