INSIDE THE WORLD OF MODERN DIPLOMACY
By VIRGINIA BLASER and DON KILBURG
Cyber Diplomacy and Writing the Rules of an Invisible Domain
The challenge of regulating state behavior and preventing conflict in cyberspace is as daunting as it’s urgent.
By HELI TIIRMAA-KLAAR
The Intricacies of Diplomatic Negotiations
Negotiating in diplomacy cannot be isolated from the overall relationship with the other party.
By THOMAS R. PICKERING and NICHOLAS KRALEV
PEPFAR: The Most Effective Health Diplomacy Program in History
Technical expertise and diplomatic skill complement each other to prevent and combat diseases.
By JIMMY KOLKER
Even in Retirement, Diplomats Maintain Global Friendships
We are trained to develop and cultivate relationships in the countries where we serve, so we can manage official ties.
By PATRICIA NORLAND
Advice for New Political Ambassadors from a Foreign Service Veteran
Career diplomats want all ambassadors to succeed, because we view their success as our own.
By GORDON DUGUID
Foreign Service Promotion Process Falls Short of Diversity Goals, Audit Finds
Implementation of a new report’s recommendations is in doubt under the next administration.
By CHARLES RAY
Diplomacy Through the TV Screen During U.N. Leaders Week
A State Department spokesman goes behind the scenes of a media marathon as heads of state meet in New York.
By SAMUEL WERBERG
Lifting the Curtain on Economic and Commercial Diplomacy
The set of duties and skills required of diplomats working in economic affairs is known as economic tradecraft.
By LISA KUBISKE
Political Tradecraft: The Main Instrument in the Diplomacy Toolbox
Good officers seek to align other countries’ interests with their own.
By EUNICE REDDICK and GINA ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY
Running a Mini-Government at Diplomatic Missions Abroad
Managing multiple agencies overseas is an uphill battle, but working as one team is essential.
By CHARLES RAY and JANICE JACOBS
How the Lack of Diplomatic Doctrine Impairs Statecraft
Policymakers become fixated on policy and fail to focus on the process and methodologies needed to carry out that policy.
By CHAS W. FREEMAN
Diplomacy’s Hallmark: ‘Patient Accumulation of Partial Successes’
A diplomatic service is the steward of national interests, but few outsiders know what happens in an embassy.
By NICHOLAS KRALEV
Coping with the Extremes of Consular Work in the Foreign Service
Evacuations from the Covid-19 epicenter in China and the advancing Taliban in Afghanistan pushed us to the limit.
By ALAN EATON
The First Practical Diplomacy Textbook Is Out. What Took So Long?
“Diplomatic Tradecraft” focuses on the knowledge and skills that in the past could be learned only on the job.
By NICHOLAS KRALEV
From Mars to Venus: My Journey from Soldier to Diplomat
I experienced a bigger culture shock than I did as a young Black Texan in Germany in the 1960s.
By CHARLES RAY
Resign or Remain: Some Diplomats Face a Taxing Dilemma
There is always tension between trying to affect change in a bureaucracy quietly and resigning publicly to protest a policy.
By ROBERT DOWNES
Scenes from New Year’s Eve in the Foreign Service
Instead of celebrating, U.S. diplomats have contended with bombings, coups d’état, technology fears and other unwelcome disruptions.
By ROBIN HOLZHAUER
Parents Choose a Diplomatic Career. Their Children Live It.
Empowering our kids with some say in our moves from Europe to Central America to Africa proved immensely beneficial.
By VIRGINIA BLASER
Why Global Citizenship Education Should Become U.S. Policy
Few teachers try to fill the gap between what their students want to learn about the world and what schools mandate.
By JANETTE NEUMANN
Diplomats Acquire Unique Skills. Are They Applicable Elsewhere?
The ability to gather, analyze, synthesize and communicate information clearly is their best asset, former diplomats say.
By WILLIAM CASON