Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab
“The unprepared mind cannot see the outstretched hand of opportunity.” - Alexander Fleming
Welcome
The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab (LDNS Lab) advances character-driven leadership, diplomacy, and national security education and training in support of the full range of university enterprises. Led by diplomatic and national security professionals, The Lab dedicates itself to learner-centered solutions and thought leadership through a global network of partners employing state of the art learning tools.
Upcoming Events and Programs
Global Literacy Masterclass - International Trade and the American Worker
October 17, 2023 from 12-1:30 p.m. AZ MST
A fact-based discussion of international trade and how it affects American workers. How can international trade create quality jobs for American workers and what are the negative effects? How can increasing trade and investment outside the United States serve American interests? What are your concerns about international trade?
Global Literacy Masterclass - Diplomacy First
November 1, 2023 from 12-2 p.m. AZ MST
A review of the development and execution of U.S. foreign policy from the ground up -- or rather the top down -- including a discussion of the value for U.S. diplomacy as the first and priority tool of America’s international engagement.
Global Literacy Masterclass - The U.S. and the World
November 20, 2023 from 12-2 p.m. AZ MST
An examination of the unique U.S. role in the world, how we got here, and where we are likely to go in the future.
Like in all our masterclasses, we strip away the jargon of international politics and speak in clear text about us as a people on an undeniably interconnected globe.
Announcements
LDNS Lab Newsletter
Thank you for tuning in to our first quarterly newsletter — designed to provide updates on LDNS Lab events, projects, research and opportunities for students and partners. With these newsletters, we aim to showcase more of what we do, and who we are. Whether you're an ASU student or alumni, staff, or community member, we look forward to connecting with you!
Congratulations to our 2023 MA-IAL Graduates!
Congratulations to the 2023 MA-IAL Graduates!
The ASU LDNS Lab team congratulates the following students on graduating from the M.A. International Affairs and Leadership program!
Brandon Axelrod, Muriel Batta, Austin Bennett, Shamiah Bullock, Kimberly Curry, Ismail Dashti, Sean Gallagher, Suzanna Gardner, Jacob Gleason, Emma Hager, Breck Heltzel, Nicolas Khonaysser, Thomas Koch, Logan Montel, Mallory Montour, Emily Muller, Stephen Salter, Tara Toone, Brian Valencia Arvizu, and Quinn Vlacich
We wish these students the best of luck as they continue their leadership journey in the field of international affairs.
Genocide Awareness Week
Members of the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab team are in Tempe this week for the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at ASU's Genocide Awareness Week.
Congratulations to Lab co-founder and former Amb. to Holocaust Issues Edward O'Donnell and LDNS Lab Fellow Devin Parker, who played a large part in hosting and organizing panels for this annual conference.
LDNS-Affiliated Panel Highlights:
Tuesday, April 18: "Persecuted and Displaced Youth in Displaced Persons, Refugee Camps" | “The Hazara Plight and Global Hazara Activism”
Thursday, April 20: "Diplomatic engagement on internally displaced persons, refugees, and the Yezidi and Uyghur genocides"
Lab Topics
Just Security
Crimes against humanity involve a specific set of grave human rights violations committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population (more on that below). If the United States is serious about fighting impunity for the repeated patterns of atrocities committed in Ukraine and many other situations around the world, it should close the crimes against humanity loophole in U.S. law as soon as possible.
ProPublica, ICIJ
In Montenegro, Ljubomir Filipovic, a political scientist and former deputy mayor of Budva, said Djukic helped spread chaos and dysfunction in a country that has struggled to establish an identity since it became a sovereign nation in 2006.
“He went beyond what an ordinary honorary consul would do. He went even beyond what an official diplomat would do,” said Filipovic, who tracked Djukic’s activities as consul. “The intention was to damage the social fabric of Montenegro — and he did that.”
BBC
LDNS Lab Distinguished Fellow Amb. Kurt Volker speaks on US aid in Ukraine in this video for BBC World.
FCW
How a short video speaks volumes about current U.S. approaches to diplomacy in China...