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American Diplomat

Feb 28, 2020

In four days in April, Bob Service helps save Paraguay from dictatorship (this is the 1990s).  Laura's favorite part:  The psychology of diplomacy, of helping those caring human beings who may find themselves among the world's heads of state, faced with military overthrow.  


Feb 21, 2020

Most of us are not born with leadership skills, explains Marc Grossman, one of the highest-ranking career Foreign Service Officers ever. We learn to become leaders. We fail a lot, we pick ourselves up and knock on more doors, and we learn.  (Laura loves this episode and is now ready to take over the world.)


Feb 19, 2020

In helping stabilize failing states, what do you do about disaffected, potentially dangerous citizens?  How do you help citizens own their country’s peace?  Keith Mines, now with the U.S. Institute of Peace, is back with more on nation building.  Laura's favorite takeaway:  A good leader...


Feb 14, 2020

Eric Rubin, President of the Foreign Service Officers' "union", compares the treatment of Foreign Service Officers during the McCarthy era and support that is available today, during "the biggest political battle of a generation."


Feb 12, 2020

And why is it a bad word?  How could Thailand kill 40 million chickens without a state?  Former Foreign Service Officer Keith Mines, now with the U.S. Institute of Peace, explains all of this and why we care, drawing on his vast political, military, economic, and humanitarian nation-building...