Ralph Bunche, Accidental Diplomat
The life of Ralph Bunche, recently celebrated by the State Department as a Hero of US Diplomacy, as relayed by his grandson, Ralph Bunche III and UCLA professor Kal Raustiala. Bunche, academic, pathbr...
18 Mar 202038min
Tales from the Vault
Ambassador Romero, how would you describe your head? Your chin? And whose gaudy suit is that, covered in paint? (Not Pete's.) Passports from 100 years ago, a suit from a protestor's assault, and Chine...
12 Mar 202030min
We Are In!
Climate advocate Ambassador Bob Blake is back: Climate change, international business, government and our individual selves. No one can do everything but everyone can do something.
4 Mar 202034min
Democracy Wins!
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 th...
28 Feb 202028min
A Student of Leadership
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...
21 Feb 202051min
All Peace is Local
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...
19 Feb 202049min
Could This Happen to Me?
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 poli...
14 Feb 202032min
What is Nation-Building?
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 ...
12 Feb 202050min
