American Diplomat

Latest Episodes:

The Great Bill Burns is Back Mar 25, 2020

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Something inspiring for our days at home...Remember the capture of Osama Bin Laden? The Syria Red Line situation? What Laura remembers best from this previously aired episode with Bill Burns is the call to service. All of us can make this a better world, by staying at home when we must, through international service when we can, or via an infinite number of other ways.

Ralph Bunche, Accidental Diplomat Mar 18, 2020

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The life of Ralph Bunche, recently celebrated by the State Department as a Hero of US Diplomacy, as relayed by his grandson, Ralph Bunche III and UCLA professor Kal Raustiala. Bunche, academic, pathbreaker, civil rights activist, and early planner of the United Nations, handled crises occurring in the newly independent African nations and brokered the first armistice in the Middle East. He was the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Prize.

Tales from the Vault Mar 12, 2020

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Ambassador Romero, how would you describe your head? Your chin? And whose gaudy suit is that, covered in paint? (Not Pete's.) Passports from 100 years ago, a suit from a protestor's assault, and Chinese language flashcards from the 1930s, plus sooooo much more. Director Mary Kane and Public Historian Alison Mann talk share tales of these artifacts as well as the incredible diplomacy simulation learning program all offered at the National Museum of American Diplomacy.

We Are In! Mar 04, 2020

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Climate advocate Ambassador Bob Blake is back: Climate change, international business, government and our individual selves. No one can do everything but everyone can do something.

Democracy Wins! Feb 28, 2020

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In four days in April, Bob Service helps save Paraguay from dictatorship (this is the 1990s). Laura's favorite part: The psychology of diplomacy, of helping those caring human beings who may find themselves among the world's heads of state, faced with military overthrow.

A Student of Leadership Feb 21, 2020

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Most of us are not born with leadership skills, explains Marc Grossman, one of the highest-ranking career Foreign Service Officers ever. We learn to become leaders. We fail a lot, we pick ourselves up and knock on more doors, and we learn. (Laura loves this episode and is now ready to take over the world.)

All Peace is Local Feb 19, 2020

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In helping stabilize failing states, what do you do about disaffected, potentially dangerous citizens? How do you help citizens own their country's peace? Keith Mines, now with the U.S. Institute of Peace, is back with more on nation building. Laura's favorite takeaway: A good leader is empathetic.

Could This Happen to Me? Feb 14, 2020

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Eric Rubin, President of the Foreign Service Officers' "union", compares the treatment of Foreign Service Officers during the McCarthy era and support that is available today, during "the biggest political battle of a generation."

What is Nation-Building? Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

And why is it a bad word? How could Thailand kill 40 million chickens without a state? Former Foreign Service Officer Keith Mines, now with the U.S. Institute of Peace, explains all of this and why we care, drawing on his vast political, military, economic, and humanitarian nation-building experience.

Foreign Service Test? Quiz Show? You Decide. Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

Laura's Foreign Service Test, finally. Did she pass? Did she live? Were the questions fair? Were the examiners fair? Pete and Dave Rabadan are tough. Was Laura tough enough?

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