American Diplomat

Ambassador (and ASU professor) Ed O'Donnell offers a close look at the economic impacts of Trump's foreign policies "Tariff is a beautiful word", "The Chinese are going to take over the Panama Canal!" and "Drill, baby, drill." What's the reality beneath the bombast, globally and in American households?

Predictive data help make us aware of conflicts and atrocities we can anticipate. Keith Noble, Director of the Office of Advanced Analytics in State's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, shares his work with State's Academic Centers for Conflict Anticipation and Prevention. How do students, undergraduates and graduates, work with State to inform solid policy? How can a young, passionate, smart person get involved? Go get 'em, tiger! Uncle Sam needs you.

Welcome to 2025 from AmDip! Amb. Patrick Theros unpacks Syria for us, from the Halcyon 1970s of mini-skirts and old cars on the streets, to the chaos of the present day. What was the West's role in Syria's changes, and what should the US do now?

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. Bottoms up and happy New Year!

Pete and Laura look back on their favorite episodes of the past year, covering cybercrime, space diplomacy and gangsterism among others. And what's to come in the new administration? Borders north and south, changes in the Middle East, and Ukraine. We expect challenges with adversaries, but more importantly, how will the new administration engage our friends?

Ambassador Luis Arreaga, Senior Advisor at the Partnership for Central America, brings companies such as Meta, Mastercard, Microsoft, together with the World Bank, NGOs and civil society organizations to address one of the root causes of immigration: lack of economic opportunity. The result speak for themselves: 90,000 jobs.

Ambassador Deborah McCarthy unpacks the benefits to the global community, particularly the American public, of the recently concluded UN Convention on Cybercrime. The mission: to better protect our children from predators and our data from thieves.

Got a leak? Call a plumber. Want security and prosperity for you and the family, call a diplomat. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma and Ambassador Mike Polt (Arizona State University) speak to gearing up the career Foreign Service to meet intensifying global challenges and explain why talent, experience and expertise matter more than ever. Listen and learn, also, what Little League has to do with diplomacy.

"I feel wonderful!" Hosay Erfani, who appeared on our show as the Taliban took over (They Will Cut Our Heads, Of course, And What of Our Friend Toobah), had a harrowing escape from the deadly regime. Now in the US for two years, she is an unbelievable young woman, turning adversity into opportunity, opportunity into success. Here is her tale. Bravo, Hosay! And happy Thanksgiving, all. Cheers!

Nadya Bliss, the executive director of ASU's Global Security Initiative, helps us understand disinformation from the ground up. What is the algorithmification of information and what are the technological incentives for its distribution? When is AI just fine, when is it a problem, how do we detect it and what should we do? What is the power of diplomats working together with technologists to keep us safe?