American Diplomat Podcast

First-person storytelling from American diplomats who have participated in newsworthy events overseas. Real-life stories from behind-the-scenes of international diplomacy.

Arizona State University's American Diplomat – The Stories Behind The News podcast, co-hosted by Ambassador (ret.) Pete Romero and Ms. Laura Bennett have casual conversations with American diplomats about newsworthy events from around the world.

Our mission is to provide informative entertainment to the listening public from our nations’ diplomatic practitioners. The conversations with this elite cadre of career diplomats seek to give the listener a better understanding of the very human dimensions of those serving on the front lines of war, crises, and conflict around the world. 

Ambassador (retired) Pete Romero and Ms. Laura Bennett (a writer and videographer) host weekly, 20-40 minute podcasts featuring conversations with active duty and retired US diplomats. These intimate, lively and informative conversations center on the personal recollections and reflections…their stories…as they succeed, fail and enter the fray again to advance our national interests overseas. They discuss what they really think about dealing with foreign leaders and reveal their thoughts about dealing with tribal leaders, militias and thugs.

Latest Podcast Episodes

Years ago, many wondered what had become the purpose of NATO.  Not anymore!  General Doug Lute, former US Permanent Representative to NATO (also former Deputy National Security Adviser) brings us up-to-date on the significance of the organization's acceptance of Finland, rejection of Sweden, relationship with Ukraine,...
Today we are reposting one of our most informative episodes on China, which Laura often thinks of when analyzing today's global news:  Why does the West find China so confounding in matters of business and diplomacy? Phil Shull, retired Foreign Agricultural Service officer, explains: China’s culture and history may be...
Wait a sec!  Diplomacy is between countries, right? So why does State have a whole office for City and State Diplomacy? Ambassador Nina Hachigian, head of this brand new office, introduces this innovation in diplomacy. Often transnational issues such as economic inequality, climate change, pandemic response, and threats...
On April 26, President Biden will host the second state dinner of his presidency, with President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea.  Why is this only the second one of Biden's presidency?  Why is South Korea so important for US interests?  What are the economic and political pressures in Asia that impact South Korea that so...
Ambassador Kevin Whitaker is back to share his knowledge of the populist president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who has imprisoned thousands and violated human rights brazenly, all in the name of (rather effectively) curbing violence and bringing security to the people of his country.  Pete asks, is Bukele an...
Jimmy Carter is in hospice and Lizzy Shackelford is back to focus on human rights in foreign policy, the first rules for which began under Carter’s presidency.  Although the rules survive, our government continues to send military support and weapons to repressive regimes throughout the world. Why? Some say that our...
Argentina, 1970s.  The president catches a cold and dies.  Who succeeds him?  His VP, also his fifth-grade educated wife, selected expressly because she posed no threat to the president’s power.  So then what?  The word “disappeared” goes from being a verb form to a noun.  Thousands of people become the...
For Women's History Month, Ambassador Pru Bushnell returns with leadership tips for women.  A lot of power is theater, and we can use those trappings of power to lead with authority.  One, keep the alphas from using all the air time.  Two, don't throw a telephone across the room (leave that to Henry Kissinger); instead,...

The Podcast Team

Ambassador

Amb. Pete Romero had a twenty-five year career as a diplomat in the US Foreign Service. In his last three postings, he was head of our embassy in El Salvador, US Ambassador in Quito, Ecuador and Assistant Secretary of the Western Hemisphere Bureau at the US Department of State.

Co-Host

Laura Bennett has written, directed, produced and edited short films that have won 11 awards and screened at 35 festivals throughout the United States. Laura speaks Spanish, French and English and has traveled in five continents, often solo and working as a volunteer.

The Intern

The best interns in Washington DC work for the American Diplomat podcast. Angela Martins is an undergraduate in Communications. She is the webmaster of the American Diplomat web page. She also maintains and takes suggestions and comments regarding the podcasts.

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