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

Tricks, tricks, tricks.  General Robert Schmidle, expert in cognitive warfare, helps us understand that although this has gone on for centuries, what’s different today is the scope and scale.  How do you fight it?  Bonus question:  What famous statesman said, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on”?
Recently the indigenous of the Amazon have been gifted with Starlink, but to what effect? Years ago, Pete visited a similar community, botched up a boar hunt, drank the mystery drink chicha, and received upon his departure a marriage proposal, ambiguously addressed either to himself one of the other (finer?) young gringos.  Which is worse, Pete or the Internet?  Give us your thoughts on whether Starlink is a gift or curse for the Marubo via our socials or via voicemail on our website.
Years ago, Pete visited the Amazon and made friends with some very remotely located people.  His visit raised questions: Did he do the right thing? Now others, far more remote, have been visited by Elon Musk’s Starlink – by their own request!  With an updated perspective, we repost this gem from our early days recording American Diplomat. First of two in a series. Give us your thoughts on whether Starlink is a gift or curse for the Marino people via our socials or via voicemail on our website.  Enjoy!
What does expertise look like in diplomacy with recent rapid changes in technology?  Will AI replace diplomats?  What is AI good at, and where is it dangerous?  Large language models are great for brainstorming but can they replace relationships and judgment?  Tune into Dan Spokojny, former diplomat, now Ph.D. and CEO of the nonprofit FP21, while he breaks it down for us.
Finally, a home at State for what we have learned about global conflicts.  Will it make us smarter?  Will we demand deeper buy in from Allies and friends?  Or do we continue to treat each conflict as a “one-off”? Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mark Iozzi joins us from State's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations to share his story from concept to implementation of the innovative Global Fragility Act.
We talk about cultural diplomacy, but what about diplomacy in culture?  Laura (MFA, Film and Television, NYU) loves movies and TV, and best of all, Laura loves movies and TV about geopolitics.  What do the last fifty years of diplomacy in media tell us about diplomacy in society?  About society more broadly?  And why do so many movies about diplomats turn into spy movies before the second act?  Funny you should ask!  Here's a compendium of said movies for superfans like us, and once you listen to our episode, you may love movies as much as Laura does.…
State Department lawyer Mike Peay traces how, during a time of deep racial conflict,  black American artists went overseas to promote the American experiment, winning the hearts of millions, but would it improve race relations at home?
“Hugs, not bullets”, that is AMLO’s mantra for the cartels. This, while homicides have risen to historic highs. Our man in Mexico, retired Ambassador Tony Wayne, is back to discuss the good fight. Will democracy or autocracy win in the June 2 elections?

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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