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
Jun 21, 2019 • 31min
AIDS - Health Diplomacy
Jimmy Kolker is back to tell us how, as Ambassador to Uganda, he helped stem the spread of this deadly disease and save scores of human lives.
Jun 13, 2019 • 32min
12 Days in the Hotseat
How did Tom Shannon end up Secretary of State for 12 days? How do transitions work, when one president leaves and another takes office?
Jun 6, 2019 • 35min
Slip Out the Back, Jack
We revisit Pete's stories about Naples, with a couple of bonuses at the front. Happy summer!
May 30, 2019 • 40min
Money, Money, Money
Social Democracy in Northern Europe, not to be confused with socialism of any stripe. And what is socialism, anyway? With Ambassador Jimmy Kolker. Plus knowledge test: What fabulous 70s band brought us the name of this episode?
May 23, 2019 • 35min
Bromance? Trump and Brazil's Bolsonaro
Peas in a pod? Or something much more complex? As it happens, each country is different, even if each would-be strong man looks much the same. Join Tom Shannon and Melvin Levitsky for an expert look at a fascinating polity. Part of our "Is It Happening Here?" series.
May 16, 2019 • 41min
What, More Feeley and Brownfield?
Will Cops-in-a-Box keep Fulanita home? What else do these guys have for us?
May 9, 2019 • 23min
Foreign Service Day
You think of your loved ones first: Honoring the lives of those who sacrificed theirs in the line of service. With remarks from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the story of Ambassador Jonathan Addleton.
May 2, 2019 • 42min
Here I Am, Now What?
What happens when Fulanita arrives? And what is this wall, really? And what do drugs have to do with all of this? Bill Brownfield and John Feeley, together with Pete, unpack the deets in our second of three episodes on the border. Plus, a barnyard narco song you do not want to miss.
Apr 25, 2019 • 34min
Fulanita's Progress, An Immigration Tale
Episode One, in which John Feeley, Bill Brownfield and Pete lay it all out: How and why does Fulanita, our Guatamalan every-gal, end up at the US border with young son Javier, delivered by the cartels' fancy coach service?
Apr 18, 2019 • 26min
Plastics
Remember the movie The Graduate? Fifty-two years on, here's where we are with plastics. It ain't pretty, but Bob Blake is on the job.
