Best Writer/Producer Laura Bennett Podcasts (2025)

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Milei: Man or Maniac? 34:24

Play Pause

20h ago34:24

34:24

The chainsaw was one thing. But the dog economists? Either way, $20billion is a nice bailout package for Argentina. Senior State Department economist Rich Sanders unpacks life in Argentina today, for their eccentric-in-chief and for the Argentine populace.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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From Harlem Hellfighters to The Jazz Ambassadors - A Tale of Hope 50:05

8d ago50:05

50:05

State Department lawyer Mike Peay traces how, during a time of deep racial conflict, black American jazz artists went overseas to promote the American experiment, winning the hearts of millions with their music and personas, but would it improve race relations at home? We share this episode once more to lift our hearts on Thanksgiving day.…

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Space: Catching Up to the 21st Century 49:40

18d ago49:40

49:40

There are no embassies in space, so why diplomacy? Space is everywhere on earth – in financial transactions, food supplies, GPS – and it is key to hybrid warfare, particularly in US competition with China. Space demands agreements before conflicts get hot. Major General Brook Leonard is back to help us understand the facts and the strategic implica…

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The Discord Rebellion - Nepal 33:42

25d ago33:42

33:42

Nepalese democracy is strong but its economy is not. Social platforms gave voice to the aggrieved. When the government threatened access, young folks got down to business, and they got it done. How? Amb. Peter Bodde unpacks.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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We'll Be Back 39:06

1M ago39:06

39:06

Senator/Ambassador Jeff Flake, one of POTUS' first targets, tells us why he believes that inclusiveness will win in the US and beyond.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Insurrection Act: Can the Courts Stop Trump? 25:59

1M ago25:59

25:59

POTUS has wide discretion in sending the standing military into American streets. Public and international law expert John Bellinger examines what our courts will do if he tries to deploy them.By Amb. (ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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POTUS Attacks Venezuelan Soil…So what? 27:41

2M ago27:41

27:41

Ex-National Security Council lawyer John Bellinger takes us into a hypothetical White House Situation Room to advise on the shaky legal grounds for any future attacks on Venezuela. Does Trump care?By Amb. (ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Gaza Peace Plan: What Could Go Wrong? 34:37

2M ago34:37

34:37

Amb. Patrick Theros is back to parse just how the Gaza Peace Plan will likely unfold and why Trump will have to marshal his inner Tony Soprano to get it done.By Amb. (ret) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Most Dangerous Place to be in DC? 29:46

2M ago29:46

29:46

Between Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize. Israel's Bibi crossed a redline with his attack on Qatar. The fabulously knowledgeable Amb. Patrick Theros parses this moment and its significance.By Amb. (ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Venezuela: The President's Flotilla 45:18

2M ago45:18

45:18

Blowing up small boats to stop drug trafficking? Or is it like swatting flies with a blowtorch? And what about those drug-laden planes still flying north? Ambassador James Story sets the record straight.By Amb. (ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Mexico's Steel Magnolia 39:46

2M ago39:46

39:46

Polar opposites: Mexican President Sheinbaum – a fact-based scientist, an introvert, methodical, with high standards…and then there is Trump. Mexico expert Brian Naranjo explains how she manages to tame the beast.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Estonia: Punching Above Its Weight 34:48

3M ago34:48

34:48

After repeated Russian invasions and/or occupations and with a population only 0.89% the size of Russia, how do you defend yourself, particularly in the age of hybrid warfare? Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur breaks it down. And, most importantly, how best to create tolerance for others' views, when the goal is for us all to remain alive unde…

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Trump: Bread and Circus 57:51

3M ago57:51

57:51

Use entertainment as political discourse, distort reality, mock adversaries, distract the public from the real issues. The Romans started it and Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi put it on full throttle. Italy expert Steve Scherer shows us how elected populists gain and keep power.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Human Rights, Twisted and Bent 33:39

3M ago33:39

33:39

What happens when our president operates from his own alternative reality? A growing Axis of Upheaval against us? Elizabeth Shackelford is back to clarify the moment.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Reality Show: Canada 51:44

3M ago51:44

51:44

We fought, died, celebrated victories and became prosperous together. Canadians could count on us, until now. Journalist Steve Scherer walks us through the US boycotts and yes, the profound sense of betrayal.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Jihadi Whisperer 43:25

4M ago43:25

43:25

What prompts someone to become a violent Muslim extremist? Even more, what would get them to turn against their comrades? Counter-terrorism guru Brig Barker demystifies this dark world.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer LAURA BENNETT

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The Hole in Putin's Imperial Designs 41:29

4M ago41:29

41:29

Why is Kazakhstan safe from Russia? It juts into the heart of Russia and shares the longest continuous land border in the world. What is their secret? Ambassador Dan Rosenblum's analogy: walking a tightrope.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Ukraine: Does Moral Truth Still Exist? 38:01

4M ago38:01

38:01

What happens when you are instructed to treat the aggressor as an innocent? Former Ambassador Bridget Brink's career reaches a fork in the road. What to do? Hint: Who's running in the Michigan Seventh Congressional District? And most importantly, why?By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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What Happened to the Man of My Dreams? 42:25

4M ago42:25

42:25

He's charismatic, he's exciting, he's strong. How do elected autocrats woo their publics and then destroy the very countries they promised to elevate? What happens to the populace? Kristie Kenney, ambassador to Ecuador, Thailand and the Philippines has a thing or two to say about these folks and the reasons that people elect them. Repost from 2020,…

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Encore: Who Lost China? 32:53

5M ago32:53

32:53

It is the 1950s. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his henchman Roy Cohn target and humiliate our diplomats for accurately reporting an eventual Mao victory in China. Jack Service and his family are at the center of the storm. Is history repeating itself before our eyes? Enjoy this snapshot of diplomacy that is more relevant today than it was when we fir…

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America Alone? 36:02

5M ago36:02

36:02

Secretary Rubio's stated goal is to reduce our diplomatic corps by 15%. Does it stop there? After four years of whim and chaos will the world ever trust us to lead again? Will we have the expertise and talent? Ambassador Eric Rubin lays it all out for us.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Incredible Shrinking Trade Partner 42:54

5M ago42:54

42:54

What happens when tariff policy becomes a whim? Career commercial officer Dan Crocker peers into the chaos and breaks down the stakes for businesses and national security.By Amb. (Ret.) Pete Romero & Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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The Last of the Cold Warriors is Gone - Now What? 22:56

5M ago22:56

22:56

The old approach to national security is breaking apart. Americans demand change. Young diplomats and global service professionals today have a once in a century opportunity to reshape how the US engages in the world. Amb. Tom Shannon is back to inspire and share his awesome insights. In his words, Liberate the Future. (FSJ Jan-Feb 2025)…

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Attacks on Iran: Salvation or Quagmire 35:52

6M ago35:52

35:52

Will diplomacy come next? Will Trump and Netanyahu give the Ayatollah an off-ramp? Acting Secretary of State and Undersecretary in the first Trump administration Tom Shannon lists both sides' options and their likelihood of taking place. Will there be Iranian "retribution" and if so, what will it look like?…

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Colombia: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory 50:15

6M ago50:15

50:15

For decades Plan Colombia was the gold standard for tackling counter-insurgency. With the current spike in cartel/gang violence, are Colombians losing faith in their conciliatory, populist leader Petro? Is the current violence due to a legacy of armed groups? Does it just boil down to testosterone? Ambassador Kevin Whitaker breaks it all down for u…

Writer/Producer Laura Bennett Podcasts

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American Diplomat

Ambassador (Retired) Pete Romero and Writer/Producer Laura Bennett

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Project Blue Book: The Official Podcast

SYFY WIRE

1
Milei: Man or Maniac? 34:24

1
From Harlem Hellfighters to The Jazz Ambassadors - A Tale of Hope 50:05

1
Space: Catching Up to the 21st Century 49:40

1
The Discord Rebellion - Nepal 33:42

1
We'll Be Back 39:06

1
The Insurrection Act: Can the Courts Stop Trump? 25:59

1
POTUS Attacks Venezuelan Soil…So what? 27:41

1
The Gaza Peace Plan: What Could Go Wrong? 34:37

1
The Most Dangerous Place to be in DC? 29:46

1
Venezuela: The President's Flotilla 45:18

1
Mexico's Steel Magnolia 39:46

1
Estonia: Punching Above Its Weight 34:48

1
Trump: Bread and Circus 57:51

1
Human Rights, Twisted and Bent 33:39

1
Reality Show: Canada 51:44

1
The Jihadi Whisperer 43:25

1
The Hole in Putin's Imperial Designs 41:29

1
Ukraine: Does Moral Truth Still Exist? 38:01

1
What Happened to the Man of My Dreams? 42:25

1
Encore: Who Lost China? 32:53

1
America Alone? 36:02

1
The Incredible Shrinking Trade Partner 42:54

1
The Last of the Cold Warriors is Gone - Now What? 22:56

1
Attacks on Iran: Salvation or Quagmire 35:52

1
Colombia: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory 50:15