Eleanor Finch
The United States' diplomatic power has been in decline for some time, with the country's foreign policy becoming increasingly militarized. The Defense Department's budget is 30 times larger than that of the State Department, and the number of military grocery store workers outnumbers Foreign Service officers. The Iraq War is a prime example of the U.S.'s original sin of the post-Cold War order, where military intervention was prioritized over diplomacy. To bring American diplomacy back from the brink, the State Department needs renewal. Congress must invest in making the State Department a model workplace, promoting diversity, deepening expertise on crucial issues, and ensuring that career diplomats are not sidelined. The United States must also address inequality and injustice faced by Americans of color to uphold its values of equality and diversity, which are key advantages in advancing American interests worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diplomacy should be the primary instrument of American power | N/A |
| Congress must invest in making the State Department a model workplace | N/A |
| Cultivate diversity | N/A |
| Deepen expertise on crucial issues | N/A |
| Ensure career diplomats are not sidelined | N/A |
| Address inequality and injustice faced by Americans of colour | N/A |
| Rebuilding the United States' infrastructure of diplomacy | N/A |
| Congress should write a new Foreign Service Act | N/A |
| Equip the State Department with the right people, capabilities, and organizational structure | N/A |
| Address lopsided budgeting between the Defense Department and the State Department | Defense Department budget is 30 times the size of the State Department's |
| Modernize the Department of State | N/A |
| Revitalize diplomatic engagement and public diplomacy efforts | N/A |
| Update the physical and IT infrastructure | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
The need for a diplomacy-first foreign policy
The United States' foreign policy has become increasingly militarized over the years, with the Defense Department budget being 30 times the size of the State Department's. This has resulted in a "militarization of diplomacy", where military action is prioritized over diplomatic solutions. The Iraq War, for example, was a result of this mindset and is considered America's "original sin" of the post-Cold War order.
The United States needs to shift its focus back to diplomacy as the primary instrument of its power. Diplomacy is the most effective tool for advancing American values and interests, especially when facing 21st-century challenges such as COVID-19, climate change, transnational corruption, rising authoritarianism, and nuclear proliferation. These issues cannot be addressed by military might alone and require international cooperation.
To strengthen its diplomatic efforts, the United States should start by investing in its diplomats and the State Department. This includes cultivating diversity, deepening expertise on crucial issues, and ensuring that career diplomats are not sidelined. Congress should also work on modernizing the State Department, including updating physical and IT infrastructure, to create an effective 21st-century workforce.
Additionally, a new Foreign Service Act should be created to reimagine diplomacy for this new era of shared global challenges. This act should equip the State Department with the right people, capabilities, and organizational structure to advance American values and interests effectively. It is important to note that this undertaking will require a long-term commitment from both Congress and the American people.
By prioritizing diplomacy and investing in its diplomatic infrastructure, the United States can effectively address the complex challenges of the 21st century and restore its global leadership position.
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Rebuilding the US' infrastructure of diplomacy
Rebuilding the US infrastructure of diplomacy will be no easy feat, but it is necessary. The US has relied too heavily on its military might and economic power in recent decades, and this has come at the expense of diplomacy. The US State Department, the principal agency in charge of American diplomacy, has been sidelined and underfunded compared to the Defense Department.
To rebuild the infrastructure of diplomacy, the State Department must be modernized and empowered. This includes updating physical and IT infrastructure to support a 21st-century workforce. The department should also cultivate diversity, deepen expertise on crucial issues, and ensure that career diplomats are not sidelined. Congress should also pass a new Foreign Service Act that reimagines diplomacy for a new era of shared global challenges, such as COVID-19 and climate change. This Act should equip the State Department with the right people, capabilities, and organizational structure to advance US values and interests in the 21st century.
Additionally, the US should address the inequality and injustice faced by Americans of color, as its diversity is a real advantage in advancing American interests around the world. The US is a nation of immigrants, and this diversity fosters a deep moral and personal connection with people in faraway lands, which is an advantage over adversaries.
The rebuilding of US diplomatic infrastructure will require a long-term commitment from both Congress and the American people. It will be a challenging and ambitious undertaking, but it is crucial to restoring US global leadership and addressing the shared challenges of the 21st century.
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Addressing the militarization of US diplomacy
The United States' foreign policy has become militarized over generations, resulting in a Defense Department budget that is 30 times larger than that of the State Department. This imbalance in budgeting not only reflects the country's priorities but also increases the likelihood of military action being the first response, rather than a last resort. The United States has been at war since 2001, with thousands of American soldiers and innocent civilians killed, and trillions of taxpayer dollars spent, yet stability and security remain elusive.
The militarization of US diplomacy can be traced back to President Bill Clinton's push for rapid NATO expansion into the former Soviet bloc, despite prior commitments and strong Russian objections. This expansion was seen as premature and unnecessarily provocative, failing to address Russia's growing sense of insecurity and grievance. The destructive combination of US wishful thinking, military power, and ideological self-righteousness reached its peak with the Iraq War, which Burns refers to as America's "original sin" of the post-Cold War order.
The United States never fully recovered the diplomatic capital lost in Iraq, and consistently over-relied on its military power to achieve policy goals. Even critics of the Iraq War assumed that the US had underutilized its military might, failing to recognize the diplomatic deficit. US leaders frequently encouraged skepticism toward diplomacy, as seen during the Obama administration's negotiations with Iran, when members of Congress recklessly called for military intervention.
To address the militarization of US diplomacy, Congress must prioritize and invest in the State Department, making it a model workplace that cultivates diversity and expertise on crucial issues. A new Foreign Service Act should be written to equip the State Department with the right people, capabilities, and organizational structure to advance US values and interests in the 21st century. This ambitious undertaking will require a long-term commitment from both Congress and the American people.
By empowering the State Department and promoting diplomatic leadership, the United States can better address the global challenges of the 21st century, such as climate change, an expansionist Russia, global competition from China, and democratic backsliding.
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The role of diversity in advancing American interests
The United States is a nation of immigrants, founded on the ideal that all people are created equal, and that anyone, from any background, can be an American. This diversity is a significant advantage in advancing American interests globally. To leverage this advantage, the United States must address the inequality and injustice faced by Americans of colour daily.
Diversity brings a range of backgrounds and experiences, races, religions, ethnicities, and countries of origin, which is a competitive advantage for the United States in the world. Failing to utilise this diversity hampers foreign policy and the ability to advance American interests.
The State Department, as the oldest executive agency, needs renewal. Congress must invest in making the State Department a model workplace, cultivating diversity, and deepening expertise on crucial issues. A diverse and inclusive State Department can better reflect the country and strengthen its diplomatic efforts.
To rebuild the United States' infrastructure of diplomacy, Congress should pass legislation that equips the State Department with the right people and capabilities. This includes promoting initiatives for a diverse and representative workforce, such as paid internship programs. By investing in its diplomats and embracing diversity, the United States can more effectively advance its interests and values on the world stage.
In conclusion, diversity is a key asset for the United States in advancing its interests globally. By addressing inequality, investing in its diplomatic infrastructure, and promoting initiatives for a diverse workforce, the United States can leverage its diversity to strengthen its position in the world.
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The importance of investing in the State Department
Investing in the State Department is crucial to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the nation's values. By embracing diversity, the State Department can leverage its advantage of being a nation of immigrants, fostering deeper connections with people worldwide. This diversity strengthens America's position in advancing its interests globally and addressing inequality and injustice faced by Americans of color.
Additionally, investing in the State Department is essential to modernize its infrastructure. This includes updating physical and IT infrastructure to support a 21st-century workforce, ensuring that diplomats have the necessary tools and resources to effectively engage with the world. Modernization also entails revitalizing diplomatic engagement and public diplomacy efforts, ensuring America's presence and influence on the global stage.
The State Department plays a pivotal role in protecting U.S. citizens, promoting American businesses, and rallying allies. By investing in the State Department, Congress can empower diplomats to negotiate and secure America's interests effectively. This includes providing the necessary political support and ensuring that career diplomats are not sidelined, recognizing their invaluable contributions to advancing American values and interests.
In conclusion, investing in the State Department is imperative to bring American diplomacy back from the brink. By prioritizing diversity, modernization, and empowerment, the State Department can become a model workplace, effectively addressing the complex challenges of the modern world and ensuring America's global leadership.
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Frequently asked questions
Climate change, an expansionist Russia, global competition from China, and democratic backsliding are some of the key challenges that American diplomacy must navigate.
American foreign policy has become increasingly militarized over generations, with the Defense Department's budget 30 times larger than that of the State Department. This has resulted in a reliance on military power to achieve policy goals, as seen in the Iraq War.
The State Department, the oldest executive agency, has suffered from a lack of investment and a need for modernization. The number of military grocery store workers exceeds that of Foreign Service officers, and the diplomatic corps requires a more diverse and representative workforce.
Congress should pass legislation, such as a new Foreign Service Act, to equip the State Department with the necessary resources, capabilities, and organizational structure. They should also address issues of diversity and inclusion, as well as improve embassy security and construction.
Diplomacy is essential for advancing American values and interests, particularly in the face of complex 21st-century challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and rising authoritarianism. It provides a means to build alliances, promote cooperation, and find peaceful solutions to conflicts.
