Post Archives

On November 15th, 2017, the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy (ISD) hosted Ambassador James Dobbins (SFS’63) for an installment of the Distinguished Practitioners Series. Amb. Dobbins recently published his memoir, Foreign Service: Five Decades on the Frontlines of American Diplomacy. Amb. Dobbins served under 10 presidents and 13 secretaries of state during his 50-year career in the US Foreign Service. He served as Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, Special Assistant to the President for the Western Hemisphere, Special Adviser to the President, Secretary of State for the Balkans, and Ambassador to the European Community. He is currently a…

ISD hosted presidential historian Jeremi Suri for a discussion based on his new book, The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office. Suri argued, “Diplomacy takes time….Presidents who are in charge of it, don’t have time for it. That’s the problem—that’s the problem with the system.”

Institute for the Study of Diplomacy hosted Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, for a conversation on Africa’s position on the world stage. Thomas-Greenfield highlighted the problems and opportunities facing the continent in the near future as part of the Distinguished Practitioner Speaker Series. She shared her perspective from a 35-year career in the Foreign Service including the Ambassadorship in Liberia and a life that has been intertwined with Africa since her first visit in 1978.

On November 3, 2015, Special Envoy to the Colombian Peace Process Bernard Aronson joined Ramon Escobar, ISD Rusk Fellow for a discussion: “Is Colombia’s Long War Drawing to an End?” This event was co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies. Aronson helped promote the first successful democratic elections in Nicaragua and an end to the contra war and a negotiated settlement of the war in El Salvador. In addition during Aronson’s tenure: Panama was liberated from the dictatorial rule of General Manuel Noriega; the United States helped Colombia defeat Pablo Escobar and the Medellin cartel; Latin America emerged from…

In the first Distinguished Practitioner Discussion Series of the 2015 fall semester, ISD was pleased to host Joe Cirincione, President of Ploughshares Fund for a discussion about the historic Iran deal. Moderated by Bernadette Meehan, ISD Rusk Fellow, the conversation centered around the efforts (from both inside and outside the government) that are necessary in order to create, communicate, and carry out such a major diplomatic achievement. Joseph Cirincione is president of Ploughshares Fund, a global security foundation. He is the author of the new book Nuclear Nightmares: Securing the World Before It Is Too Late, Bomb Scare: The History and…

United States Ambassador to Sweden Mark Brzezinski addressed the need for action on climate change, the importance of using new techniques and methods in diplomacy and the importance of Arctic policy. Mr. Brzezinski was confirmed to this position by the United States Senate on October 18, 2011. Mr. Brzezinski has had a distinguished career in both public service and the private sector. Most recently, he has been a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of McGuireWoods law firm, specializing in anti-corruption law. In this capacity, Mr. Brzezinski has helped U.S. companies comply with laws regulation the way business is conducted overseas.…

Congressman Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), sworn in on January 6, 2015, is part of a new generation of leaders in Washington, and among the youngest. A decorated former U.S. Marine with four combat tours in Iraq, Rep. Moulton is a graduate of the Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government. Featured in the 2007 award-winning documentary “No End in Sight,” he asked of us all at the end, “Is this the best that America can do?” Not content to sit on the sidelines and wait for an answer, Mr. Moulton decided to run for office and do something about…