American Diplomat

Says Richard Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, his job is to help create "the most effective, capable, inclusive, diverse department so that we can deliver for the American people," and so that we can, together with the rest of the world, solve borderless, urgent problems such as climate and cybersecurity. Verma, also former US Ambassador to India, explores our ties with the world's largest democracy.  Did you know that India's constitution, like ours, begins: "We the people..."?  

The atrocities are breathtaking.  But once Israel starts picking up the bodies in the smoking rubble of whatever is left of Gaza, then what?  Will Gaza return to Israeli occupation?  Will there be some form of UN occupation?  The Arab League?  So much of diplomacy is one bad choice or another bad choice.  Ambassador Ron Neumann weighs in with a rich and penetrating understanding of the intractable conflict in Gaza and in the region more broadly.

This podcast episode explores the rise and fall of Robert Menendez, a powerful senator from New Jersey. The hosts discuss his personal growth, the debate on negotiation, and the falling out between Menendez and another individual. They also delve into the corruption allegations and the narrative of denial and apology.

Major General Spider Marks, formerly head of military intelligence for Korea, opines on Putin's recent meeting with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. A game changer?  No!  But what would be? And while you're here, learn why most democracies last about 250 years and how they usually implode. 

No union is perfect, but it helps to try. Authoritarians worldwide exploit their citizens' need for public safety to gain and hold power. If you can't walk out of the house at night, bring the guy who makes the streets safe! But then what happens when your loved ones start to disappear? Pete and John Feeley discuss recent examples in the Western Hemisphere, but the phenomenon threatens democracies and human rights worldwide.

The basis of the International Criminal Court is a treaty, written in part by the United States and signed by 123 countries worldwide.  Why is the US not a signatory?  Is this for some abstruse legal reason, or did the US actively undermine the treaty?  David Scheffer is back to help us understand the machinery of the ICC.

BRICS, the economic alliance of nonwestern powers, just met in Johannesburg, with Putin conspicuously disinvited. Why? Putin is a war criminal indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), and South Africa, a member of BRICS but also a signatory of the ICC, is obligated to arrest Putin upon his arrival there. A complex situation! Which commitment to serve? Are war criminals today at greater risk of accountability than once upon a time? Amb. David Scheffer, a creator of the ICC, is optimistic.

Cambodia just "elected" another term for the ruling party, allowing the 38-year dictator Hun Sen to maintain dynastic rule for many years to come. The West does not like this. But what really are our economic, security and even humanitarian interests in the region? How might we reframe our thinking to best promote them?  Amb. Charlie Ray is back to discuss. And here's our previous episode with him, Golf with a Dictator, which gives a real-life story of a time he was right.

Following the unprecedented executive order by the Biden administration limiting US investment in Chinese tech companies, Cathy Novelli, veteran US diplomat and Apple executive, highlights the balance between protecting our national security and preventing unintended economic consequences. Some people may promote a solution of simply decoupling our economy from China’s, but good policy is in the nuance even if it doesn’t make juicy sound bites.  As a closer, we have The Winner Takes it All from Abba.

Jesse Gutierrez, USAID officer at Mission Somalia, says it best himself: "I had slept on the floor, been homeless, used subpar health facilities, and been separated from my family as a kid. I empathize with and relate to refugees and USAID’s beneficiaries because I have been in their shoes." Hear his moving tale of humble but unwavering perseverance and positivity. And here's his article in the Foreign Service Journal.  Enjoy!