In an unprecedented period of affluence and strength, the United States could be a uniquely influential force in helping to shape a more peaceful and prosperous world in which Americans can live, work, and travel. But a reluctance to spend money on its foreign affairs institutions and programs has left opportunities squandered, challenges unmet, and poses unnecessary risks to American interests, according to diplomats, military experts, NGOs, and academics gathered at Georgetown University on November 13 .

Sponsored by the School of Foreign Service's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, an all-day conference brought together 230 experts who have spent their careers working in the field of foreign affairs. The purpose of the conference was to take a critical look at government funding of the non-defense, non-intelligence foreign affairs budget which includes the State Department and foreign assistance. Americans are spending approximately $22 billion on the "soft power" of diplomacy, foreign aid, and other programs designed to promote US values and goals and prevent situations overseas from becoming threats to US interests. In contrast, the Defense Department is spending over $300 billion to deal with the security threats that have not been resolved through diplomatic means. While few conferees questioned the need for a robust defense capability, many argued that more resources should be devoted to the preventive side of the ledger.

The conference was divided into four separate panels. The first examines the nature of the challenges the United States will face in this new century. The second looks at how diplomats and soldiers cooperate overseas and examines the question of how national security could be affected by a weakened diplomatic capability. The third panel focuses on the twin needs for additional resources as well as effective reform in the foreign affairs agencies. And the last panel looks at the essential congressional component in the ability of the United States to garner the will and the resources to take advantage of the opportunities and meet the challenges of the new century.