American Diplomat Podcast

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

October 17, 2024

Behind the White House Curtain

Journalist and FSO (you read that correctly!) Steve Herman’s new book Behind the White House Curtain delves into the balance between, as Pete says, being the pitcher and the umpire at the same time. Especially during the Trump White House, what was it like to be “the enemy of the people”? Trump’s priority was to feed his base red meat, was he really out of control? Join us to hear Steve talk about his experience in this extraordinary dual role. (Published August 8, 2024)

August 1, 2024

Rivalry on Earth, Rivalry in Space

General Brook Leonard is back to focus on China as our competitor in space. What is rivalry in space – economic, military, both? And what can we learn from China’s holistic approach to space? The technological environment is rapidly changing and the stakes are very high. We are not the leader. How does diplomacy address this?

July 26, 2024

Space Diplomacy

Major General Brook Leonard joins us to parse “coopetition” in the 3rd space age. With vital interests ranging from movement of money to food security, space technology is moving faster than rules and norms. What are the red lines? There is no geographic separation in space as on earth, and no way to be sure what a communications satellite in space is actually doing. Will global powers follow the law of the jungle or establish rules of the road?

July 18, 2024

NATO Summit: Too Hot, Too Cold or Just Right?

NATO celebrated its 75th year anniversary last week. It doubled down on Ukraine support and the Alliance now sees Itself as the bulwark against growing anti-democratic regimes. Ambassador Kurt Volker, a Trump appointee, provides insight into what his former boss might do if re-elected.

July 11, 2024

Cognitive Warfare

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”?

July 4, 2024

More Travels With Pete – Huarani Part 2

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.

June 28, 2024

Starlink in the Amazon? Uh-oh.

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!

June 20, 2024

AI - Demon Taking Over, or Tool for Diplomacy?

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.

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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.

Learn more

Read Pete’s paper “Living Up to the American Idea,” published in the Foreign Service Journal’s September 2020 issue.
Pete testifies before Congress on the need for diversity in the Foreign Service. To read Pete’s full testimony, click here.
U.S. Ambassador (Ret.) Peter Romero speaks during Saturday’s “Foreign Service Day” at George Mason University.
Roles of Chief Diplomats
U.S. Diplomats Talk Brazilian Politics at Ford School
Peter Romero’s article “The Making Of Plan Colombia” as featured in the Jan/Feb 2018 Issue of “The Foreign Service Journal”
“The Hill: Here’s our plan to bring diversity and fairness to the Foreign Service” Co-authored by Peter Romero.
A good brief summary of the life of a US Foreign Service family.

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