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
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.
Apr 16, 2019 • 5min
Quick Bonus ep! Future of the Foreign Service
Miss us? Here's a midweek extra: Ashley Inman, a master's student at Georgetown who will become a US diplomat upon completion of her studies, shares her passion for service and her reasons for joining. Go, Ashley!
Apr 11, 2019 • 27min
The Diplomat Environmentalist
The life and (near) death of Indonesia's Palm Oil Pledge, a guy named Anderson and an air pollution monitor in Jakarta. Bob Blake works with private industry and government to foster lasting change in Indonesia.
Apr 4, 2019 • 46min
Ever Hear of Ebenezer Bassett?
Me, neither. Chris Teal, filmmaker, author and diplomat, shares the little-known tale of integrity and courage of the first African American diplomat, appointed 1869, preceding longtime friend Frederick Douglass by 20 years.
Mar 27, 2019 • 32min
Immigration Made Simple
Michele Bond parses immigration and solves the whole conundrum. So what's the problem? (Hint: Pete thinks it's us.)
Mar 21, 2019 • 40min
And How Long Will You Be Staying?
Courtesy, respect, denial (painful, but often true). Tourist visas to visit the US, with Michele Bond, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs. Can you guess why Pete is admitted and Laura is not?
