S4 E9 A Legacy of Partnership with Ben Rhodes

Sabaidee and Hello! Welcome to another episode of LEGACIES. My name is Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications here at Legacies of War.Today’s conversation sits at the intersection of history, diplomacy, memory, and moral responsibility.As many of our listeners know, food and land are central to who we are. For communities in Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam — and in war-impacted countries around the world — land is life. It feeds families. It sustains culture. It carries memory. And sometimes, it carries the remnants of war.A decade ago, in 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Laos — a historic moment that acknowledged both the pain of the past and the possibility of partnership. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S.–Laos Comprehensive Partnership — a milestone that invites reflection. How far have we come? What responsibilities remain and opportunities can we build? To explore these questions, we’re honored to welcome Ben Rhodes — Co-host of Pod Save the World, New York Times contributor, Author of All We Say, After the Fall, and the World As It Is, Former Obama speechwriter, Deputy National Security Advisor, and Emeritus Board member of Legacies of War.Ben was there in 2016. He helped shape the diplomacy of that moment. He has spent years thinking and writing about America’s role in the world — about conflict, consequence, and the possibility of a more just foreign policy.Today, we’ll talk about his journey — from his early years to the White House and what it means now, ten years later, to continue the work of healing land held hostage by war.Order All We Say: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717294/all-we-say-by-ben-rhodes/Visit Legacies of War: https://www.legaciesofwar.org/