American Diplomat Podcast

Real U.S. diplomats share the untold truths behind world events—what went right, what went wrong, and what you’ll never see in the news.

Want to know what it’s really like on the frontlines of international diplomacy?  Each week, Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero and co-host Laura Bennett sit down with active and retired US diplomats to pull back the curtain on the gritty, human side of international affairs.  From dealing with foreign leaders to navigating the chaos of war zones, these diplomats share the stories that drive the headlines.  

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Latest Podcast Episodes

Pete and Laura look back on their favorite episodes of the past year, covering cybercrime, space diplomacy and gangsterism among others.  And what's to come in the new administration?  Borders north and south, changes in the Middle East, and Ukraine.  We expect challenges with adversaries, but more importantly, how will the new administration engage our friends?  
Ambassador Luis Arreaga, Senior Advisor at the Partnership for Central America, brings companies such as Meta, Mastercard, Microsoft, together with the World Bank, NGOs and civil society organizations to address one of the root causes of immigration: lack of economic opportunity.  The result speak for themselves: 90,000 jobs. 
Ambassador Deborah McCarthy unpacks the benefits to the global community, particularly the American public, of the recently concluded UN Convention on Cybercrime.  The mission: to better protect our children from predators and our data from thieves.
Got a leak? Call a plumber. Want security and prosperity for you and the family, call a diplomat. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma and Ambassador Mike Polt (Arizona State University) speak to gearing up the career Foreign Service to meet intensifying global challenges and explain why talent, experience and expertise matter more than ever.  Listen and learn, also, what Little League has to do with diplomacy.
“I feel wonderful!”  Hosay Erfani, who appeared on our show as the Taliban took over (They Will Cut Our Heads, Of course; And What of Our Friend Toobah?), had a harrowing escape from the deadly regime.  Now in the US for two years, she is an unbelievable young woman, turning adversity into opportunity, opportunity into success.  Here is her tale.  Bravo, Hosay!   And happy Thanksgiving, all.  Cheers!
Nadya Bliss, the executive director of ASU’s Global Security Initiative, helps us understand disinformation from the ground up.  What is the algorithmification of information and how does it actually work?  When is AI just fine, when is it a problem, how do we detect it and what should we do?  What is the power of diplomats working together with technologists to keep us safe?
We all recognize the intractability and tragedy of the Arab/Israeli conflict but what are the dynamics of Iran’s proxy forces, separately fighting Israel, working together?  What is each of their relationship with Iran?  And what will be the Trump impact?  Ambassadors Jeffrey Feltman and Jake Walles, who spent decades in the Middle East, share stories.
Campaign promises - repatriating the undocumented, Mexico’s role in securing the border, tariff quid pro quos and NATO’s role in a Russian/Ukraine peace - will require expert diplomacy. Will the new administration be up to it? Secretary Tom Shannon, who led State in the first Trump administration, is here to tell us what Trump’s early days will look like.

The Podcast Team

Ambassador and Co-Host

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.

Producer and 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.

Sound Engineer

Lorenzo Wilkins heads SD33/Art Direction and Design, focusing on identity, publication and marketing design.  His client list includes the former UPN television, Fox television, PBS, Spike Lee's 40 Acres & a Mule, the NAACP, the National Society of Black Engineers, Jane Firor & Associates, City First Bank of DC, the Education Trust and several political campaigns.

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