American Diplomat

Latest Episodes:

My Job is to Keep You out of Jail Sep 30, 2020

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What's the difference between a political appointee ambassador and a career ambassador? Increasingly, these ambassadorships are offered as rewards for large political campaign contributions. How can these appointments go awry? Harry Geisel helps us count the ways.

The World's Blindest Power? Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

9/11/2012, Benghazi, Libya, an attack on our diplomatic mission, killing four, including our ambassador. The legendary Tom Pickering led the first investigation (of ten), and it was not a pleasant report to write. But, as a consequence of these events, is the world's strongest power now the world's blindest power?

Ukraine is Not Dead Yet Sep 17, 2020

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And neither is worldwide democracy, thanks in part to the very fine-tipped pen and tiny notebook of Ambassador William Taylor, a key source in the Congressional investigations into the Ukraine corruption affair of the last year. Democracy lives another day!

Second Annual AmDip Greatest Hits! Sep 10, 2020

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Need a mood lifter? We do! Laura likes our music selects so much that she's listening to this one twice! Go back to simpler times (say, 2019) with AmDip, then sing along to our Covid-era theme song. Love, Pete and Laura

Colombia: Bloodless Theater in the Jungle Sep 03, 2020

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Ambassador Whitaker tells the story of how the Colombian government fooled the guerrillas into releasing long-held hostages... an operation that would make Hollywood proud.

A Grandfather's Love and Legacy Aug 27, 2020

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Desiree Cormier, one of our favorite guests, is back to share stories learned of her grandfather's life since his recent passing. We hear not only how he shaped Desiree's life of public service, but also how his very personal commitment to the American anti-apartheid movement and the Black Lives Matter chapter in Los Angeles continue to impact change. One person can make so much difference to so many.

Bonus Episode - The Lovely Miriam Gutierrez Aug 25, 2020

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Who really holds the Foreign Service together? Spouses, who raise children and start their lives again and again every couple of years in support of their partners' career. Miriam Gutierrez is perhaps the loveliest of them all. Here's her story.

The Day Beirut Exploded Aug 21, 2020

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Were the recent explosions in Beirut the last straw, the end of the corrupt political elites, or a new opportunity for militant political party Hezbollah? Ambassador Patrick Theros parses beautiful Lebanon, once heralded as the Paris of the Middle East, now on fire.

TikTok: Dance Party or Trojan Horse? Aug 13, 2020

Show notes

Is Trump's forced sale of TikTok to an American company another China-bashing "Kung Flu" episode, or does the tech giant pose a genuine national security threat? Nova Daly, former chairman of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, breaks down the complexity of this deal.

Quiz: What Do Bernie and Trump Agree on? Aug 05, 2020

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Trade! Similar attitudes about trade protections. Is a free trade agreement a free-for-all or a deal to optimize countries' competitive advantage? (Hint: Remember Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations? Or did you snooze during that segment of 11th grade?) Controversy aside, Tony Wayne and Shaun Donnelly break down the impact of trade on human lives and campaign politics.

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