Off Duty Diplomat

Welcome to the final installment for part 1 of the "Conflicted" series! This week we are zooming in on one of the longest-standing conflicts in the modern world: India and Pakistan. This conflict ties together several concepts we have been discussing this season (and before); colonial aftermath, sectariansism, economic leverage, and nuclear balance of power. We close out with a general discussion and review of whether the conflict was preventable and what the future between the antagonists will likely include. I hope you find the episode informative and interesting!

Did you know the Angolan Civil War was one of the last Cold War proxy wars? It drew involvement from the U.S. and the USSR (as you might have expected), but did you know that China, the DRC, South Africa, and Cuba also got involved? The Angolan Civil War touched many major foreign policy movements and issues over the 25 years it lasted, and many people don't know anything about it. Hopefully, you learn something listening to this episode, I know we learned a lot making it!

Welcome to a new series from the Off Duty Diplomat Podcast! The 'Conflicted' series will cover conflicts you may have seen in the news. Alexis and Fallon offer details and context on what these conflicts mean for you as a global citizen. We start with the series of uprisings and revolutions across the Middle East and North Africa that began in 2011, commonly called “the Arab Spring”.

Alexis describes her diplomatic security training. She and Fallon go through the long list of safety information Foreign Service officers need to know in the modern era. We discuss kidnapping, first aid, explosives training, and more!

Alexis and Fallon reflect on season 3 and dive into the details we missed during the main season. We also tease a bit of our upcoming seasons and episodes!

In the final episode of season three, Alexis and Fallon go deep into what the experience of working at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul meant and the legacy of the work.

In this episode, we explore the two great calamities that occured during and after my tour at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan- COVID and the Taliban returning. We also say goodbye to Reda and Muzhgan.

Living in a war zone- how do you know when you're safe? In this epsiode we discuss the micro and the macro of secruity living at the former U.S. Embassy in Kabul Afghanistan.

Alexis delves into the lifestyles of the American diplomats behind the walls of the fortress-Embassy in Kabul. What does it mean to be in a place without really engaging with that place? How would it look to give up almost everything in your life to do your job?

Ever wondered what US diplomats did in Afghanistan before the pull-out? Alexis walks you through her job as assistant cultural affairs officer, which mostly centered on managing grants (aka giving away money).

In this episode Alexis explains how she moved to Afghanistan in 2018 and the process of starting work at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Season 3 of the podcast starts with a Q+A between Fallon and Alexis all about Afghanistan! Learn something new, while Alexis sets the stage for her final overseas tour as a diplomat.

Welcome to the most candid episode of the podcast to date! Alexis looks back on her time in Israel and tells the stories that didn't make the main feed...Be warned, there's plenty of "colorful" language in this one.

Alexis and Fallon close out season 2 with a discussion of the main takeaways from Alexis’ tour.

Alexis, Nitzan, and Lisa wrap up their reminiscences of working at the Embassy in Israel. Plus, Alexis looks ahead at the next step in her career: Afghanistan.

Ever wondered what it was like to work with the Trump White House? Alexis tells you ALL about it…

What happens at an Embassy when a Secretary of State visits? When the President visits? Alexis gives you a behind-the scenes look at what it takes for working-level diplmats to support a VIP visit.

What does an embassy press officer do? Alexis explains the work of a deputy spokesperson, and the unique complexities of being a first time manager in a totally new country and culture.

Alexis explains the process of moving overseas for her second diplomatic assignment at the Embassy in Israel. She also describes the process of learning Hebrew, and introduces you to two of her former colleagues from that time, Lisa and Nitzan.

Alexis and Fallon are back for season two of the podcast! In this epsiode we do a Q&A about Israel to help set the stage and give some context for the rest of the season. Play along and see how many you get right!