After George W. Bush’s 2006 meeting on the tarmac with Vladimir Putin, he famously declared “I looked the man in…
Environmental Issues: Tackling Air Pollution in Beijing
In addition to implementing U.S. foreign policy and expanding diplomatic relations, the State Department plays another very important role as…
China Invades Taiwan? No Chance!
“There is a sentiment that…we need to contain China to balance off its aggressiveness. That would be a disaster.” A…
From Armistice Day to Veterans Day: Honoring Veterans Who Became U.S. Diplomats
Annually, as a sign of respect, Americans observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day…
A Struggle for Power: Decolonization in Africa
After World War II, the idea of imperial colonization became increasingly stigmatized. Decolonization in Africa sometimes resulted in political power…
October 14, 1960—JFK’s Call to Service and Diplomacy
John F. Kennedy inspired generations of Americans toward a life of service starting with a few impromptu lines not many…
From START to Finish: Behind the Scenes of the Tense U.S.-Soviet Nuclear Disarmament in Reykjavík
The 45-year-long Cold War of protracted geopolitical contention between two global powerhouses helped determine the unprecedented magnitude of nuclear weapons…
Hooliganism with a Camera: How Photography Ended a Diplomatic Tenure in Moscow
An assignment in an authoritarian regime can be a tricky proposition for a foreign service officer. One would likely be…
The Siberian Pipeline
Imagine this: It is 1987, you are the president of the United States of America, your country is one of…
A Tale of Two Embassies—Microphones, Microwaves, and Bugs
In 1972, during the détente period in U.S.–Soviet relations, the United States handed the Soviets the key to its new…