INSIDE THE WORLD OF MODERN DIPLOMACY
By CAITLYN PHUNG
Embassy Election Night Spectacular? Not in 2020
As Americans voted, guests weren’t invited to celebrate the occasion at most U.S. overseas posts for the first time in decades.
By ROBIN HOLZHAUER
The End of Imperial Diplomacy
The peak of American power at the end of the Cold War is unlikely to be approached again anytime soon. Here’s advice for a recovering superpower.
By NICHOLAS KRALEV
U.N. Fails Its ‘Responsibility to Protect’ Civilians in Syria
Russian and Chinese obstructionism puts millions at risk of starvation and disease. The Covid-19 pandemic makes things much worse.
By CHRIS EHLING
When Diplomacy and Ethics Collide
During my Foreign Service career, I often faced choices that pitted my personal morals against what the organization required or demanded.
By CHARLES RAY
Expeditionary Diplomacy: Was It Worth It?
With Iraq and Afghanistan still dangerous and badly governed, a resounding yes eludes diplomats who served in war zones.
By NICHOLAS KRALEV
Why Politicians Don’t Trust Diplomats
Both Republican and Democratic political leaders have harbored suspicion and distrust of professional diplomats for decades.
By NICHOLAS KRALEV
How U.S. Border Agents Mistreat Black American Diplomats
A notation in a diplomatic passport that the bearer is a U.S. ambassador isn’t enough to earn us respect and courtesy.
By CHARLES RAY
Playing ‘Three-Dimensional Chess While Riding a Bicycle’
Most of us communicate across cultures every day. A guide to the professional applications of cross-cultural communication for diplomats.
By JACK ZETKULIC
A Diplomat’s Life: No Bomb Drop or Sharpshooter Here
Diplomacy isn’t magic fairy dust you sprinkle on international crises when they erupt. It’s a skill and a day job. It’s quiet and unassuming.
By ELIZABETH SHACKELFORD