Moments in U.S. Diplomatic History

Passionate about science and research from an early age, Shirley Motaung’s thirst for knowledge drove her to overcome language barriers and racial inequalities. In 2006, after years as a lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to come to the University of California, Davis and study under Dr. Hari… Read More "A Science Pioneer in South Africa"

Foreign service officers typically must demonstrate adaptability and proactivity to accomplish their missions smoothly and effectively, but sometimes they find themselves thrust into circumstances where they must take their capacity to adapt and develop innovative, proactive solutions to the next level. Razvigor Bazala found himself in such circumstances during his service as Public Affairs Officer… Read More "Advancing Unity in the Aftermath of War – Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Mid-1990s"

Historically, Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs) have been working behind the scenes and supporting foreign service personnel who often serve in public-facing roles. They are therefore commonly called the “backbone” of the embassies, and their in-country expertise and continuity serve as valuable contributions to American diplomacy. In the first decade after World War II, the U.S.… Read More "The Secret ‘Backbone’ of the U.S. Embassy in Delhi, India"

Unlike many women’s stories that highlight the immense challenges women face, Alice Shurcliff highlights in her oral history advantages she enjoyed as a female working in intelligence. Shurcliff began working for military intelligence while still in college in the 1930s. She learned that due to the approaching war, military intelligence favored hiring women over men… Read More "Working as a Woman in Intelligence: Alice Shurcliff"

The year is 1986. A Senegalese farmer walks out in his field a short while after the drought season has ended and the rains have come. As he enters his crops, the field yields before him, bending as in the wind. But there is no wind. Instead, there are countless locusts that part before him… Read More "Senegal’s Locust Plague in the late 1980s"

This moment is one of four in a series about Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. relations in a world of post-Ukrainian independence. The series, “From 1991 to 2022: Russia, U.S., and Ukraine Relations,” explores how the post-Soviet Union era presented unique challenges to each nation’s foreign policy. The reignited tensions between Russia and Ukraine pose important… Read More "U.S.-Russia Competition in Ukraine in the ‘90s"

This moment is one of four in a series about Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. relations in a world of post-Ukrainian independence. The series, “From 1991 to 2022: Russia, U.S., and Ukraine Relations,” explores how the post-Soviet Union era presented unique challenges to each nation’s foreign policy. The reignited tensions between Russia and Ukraine pose important… Read More "Russia–Ukraine Tensions"

This “Moment in U.S. Diplomatic History” is one of four in a series about Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. relations in a world of post-Ukrainian independence. The series, “From 1991 to 2022: Russia, U.S., and Ukraine Relations,” explores how the post-Soviet Union era presented unique challenges to each nation’s foreign policy. The reignited tensions between Russia… Read More "Beginning a U.S.-Ukraine Relationship"

This “Moment in U.S. Diplomatic History” is one of four in a series about Russia, Ukraine, and U.S. relations in a world of post-Ukrainian independence. The series, “From 1991 to 2022: Russia, U.S., and Ukraine Relations,” explores how the post-Soviet Union era presented unique challenges to each nation’s foreign policy. The reignited tensions between Russia… Read More "Ukrainian Nationalism in an Independence Era"

Madeleine Albright The Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training mourns the passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. We send heartfelt condolences to her family and many friends and colleagues around the world. Hers was a remarkable life, marked by many “firsts” and decades of commitment to diplomacy. We were honored to have… Read More "The passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright"