American Ambassadors Live! Podcast

The Council of American Ambassadors was especially pleased to welcome Ambassador Bill Taylor, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, to our podcast American Ambassadors Live! Council and Board member, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe, moderated this important discussion. An expert in national security strategy, Ambassador Taylor walks listeners through key topics like the efficacy of U.S. economic pressure on...

The Council of American Ambassadors' President, Ambassador G. Philip Hughes, was joined by Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers to learn more about how the Trump Administration is communicating with the world in the age of artificial intelligence and social media. Their discussion touches on a range of topics, including the work of the State Department to protect digital free...

The Council of American Ambassadors was pleased to host former National Security Advisor (NSA) Robert O'Brien on our podcast, American Ambassadors Live! Ambassador (ret.) Jim Rosapepe (Romania, 1998 - 2001) hosted the podcast, diving into various issues that are central to President Trump's foreign policy and national security agenda.  We invite you to tune in for this engaging conversation. NSA O...

In this episode, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe moderates a conversation with Ambassador Mark Gitenstein to discuss the economic and security challenges facing Europe today. The discussion highlights the impact of EU tariffs on global trade and the ongoing war in Ukraine—issues that are shaping the future of transatlantic relations. Drawing on his experience as U.S. Ambassador to Romania and later to the...

In this episode, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe moderates a conversation with Ambassador Mark Brzezinski, son of the late Zbigniew Brzezinski, to discuss Edward Luce's new biography  Zbig: The Life of Zbigniew Brzezinski, America's Great Power Prophet . Together, they reflect on Brzezinski's extraordinary journey from Polish immigrant to one of America's most influential strategic thinkers, his pivotal r...

In this episode of American Ambassadors Live! , Ambassador Jim Rosapepe sits down with Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis of California—former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary—for a wide-ranging conversation on diplomacy, domestic leadership, and California's evolving role on the global stage. From her experiences confronting authoritarianism abroad to spearheading international trade and climate dipl...

Ambassadors Roundtable with Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley Reflections on U.S.-Brazil Relations and Diplomatic Service Join us for a special edition of our Ambassador Briefing Series as we welcome home Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, who concluded her service as the United States Ambassador to Brazil under President Joe Biden's administration. During her two-year tenure in Brasília, Amba...

This episode Ambassador Rosapepe interviews Meryl Gordon to discuss her most recent book The Woman Who Knew Everyone: The Power of Perle Mesta, Washington's Most Famous Hostess . The book brings new life to Perle's lavish life and society adventures in Newport, Manhattan and Washington, while highlighting her important, but nearly forgotten contribution to American politics and the feminist moveme...

Join Ambassador Jim Rosapepe in a conversation with this podcast's guest, Ambassador Nina Hachigian, who is the first US Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy.  Ambassador Nina Hachigian, shares with us the role of the US Representative for City and State Diplomacy defining subnational diplomacy as the official interactions of elected leaders of cities, states, counties, and regions...

Join Ambassador Jim Rosapepe on a journey with Ambassador Tom Loftus discovering a first-hand history in Norway, dealing with Russia, NATO, EU, and building diplomatic relationships and how each of these topics relates to our current world situation.   Ambassador Tom Loftus served as U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway from 1993 to 1998. A member of the Wisconsin Legislature from 1977 to 1991...

"Migration issues are going be some of the most important diplomatic issues of the 21st century, whether we agree or disagree on them, I think we just have to at least start by acknowledging that they really are important, and that and it's going to be hard to talk about foreign policy without talking about these issues." ~ Ambassador Chris Landau Listen or watch the podcast interview to understan...

Ambassador Ryan Crocker presents a frank assessment of the situation in the Middle East after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. He served as US Ambassador to 6 nations, (Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon). He serves today on the Afghanistan War Commission. Former President George W. Bush called him "America's Lawrence of Arabia" because of his extensive knowledge of the M...

Join Ambassador G. Philip Hughes and Ambassador Thomas Riley on American Ambassadors Live! with host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe in a debrief of the Council of American Ambassadors' recent Mission to the Balkans. The three countries visited during the Mission were: Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. Discussed in the podcast are the aspirations of each country to join the EU, the influence of China...

Join Ambassador Sondland on American Ambassadors Live! with host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe discussing Ambassador Sondland's recent book, The Envoy.  Ambassador Sondland shares his experiences while Ambassador to the EU, examining the real job of the ambassador, his relationship with President Zelenskyy, and the differences between career and political ambassadors.  Ambassador Gordon Sondland , t he...

Join Ambassador Siebert on American Ambassadors Live! with host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe in a discussion of Sweden's history, partnership with Peace, and the path to joining NATO.  

Joseph Cirincione joins American Ambassadors Live! host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe discussing the current nuclear threat. What are the risks? What should be the appropriate response to each risk? How would nuclear war unfold in an isolated location and or globally? What response with inherent ramifications is warranted? Joseph Cirincione a national security analyst and nuclear security expert for th...

Ambassador Tod Sedgwick joins American Ambassadors Live! host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe, considering a question for Slovakia and Europe, "What happens when, not if, Russia cuts it [gas] off?" Join them in a discussion of Slovakia's history to become the sovereign state it is now, Slovakia's military, and current energy situation. Also, learn how the Slovaks view the Russia/Ukraine war and what they...

Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher joins American Ambassadors Live! host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe, to discuss Poland's tenacity, courage, and leadership in regards to the current Ukraine/Russia war, Ukrainian refugees, and energy. Ambassador Mosbacher then goes on to describe the relationship of the European Union with Poland. She describes the EU as viewing the relationship with Poland as a "step-chi...

Ambassador John Emerson joins American Ambassadors Live! host, Ambassador Jim Rosapepe, to discuss Germany's perspective regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the energy challenges Germany faces, the impact of internal politics, and the Europe/China relationship. Ambassador John Emerson sees the Germany and Russia's relationship over the past 40-50 years as being schizophrenic. He goes on to explain...

Interested in joining the Foreign Service? Join Ambassador Rosapepe and Director of Talent Acquisition Jeff Smith as they discuss the updated hiring process. What is the Foreign Service? There was a change recently made to join the Foreign Service, what was it and what are the benefits? What are the opportunities and career paths for a Foreign Service officer? Learn the answers to these questions...

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and former Governor of Virginia, James Gilmore, joined American Ambassadors Live! Podcast host Ambassador Jim Rosapepe to discuss the ongoing situation in Ukraine and Russia's activities in the region.         

Former U.S. Ambassador to the European Union , Gordon Sondland, joined American Ambassadors Live! Podcast host Ambassador Jim Rosapepe to discuss his experiences and the state of U.S. foreign policy.      

Former Permanent Representative of the U.S. to NATO , Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, joined American Ambassadors Live! Podcast host Ambassador Jim Rosapepe to discuss the historic alliance and its current challenges.      

Former Ambassador to South Korea, Harry Harris, joined American Ambassadors Live! Podcast host Ambassador Jim Rosapepe to discuss his experience at post and the critical importance of the U.S.-South Korean partnership.