In the 1960s, the U.S. was still grappling with its new role as a world leader. For nearly two decades,…
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…
Trying to Negotiate with the Iranians
Elizabeth Jones became the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan in 1995. On July 3, 1988 an Iran Air flight was making…
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…
The Sandinistas Return: Navigating the 2006 Nicaraguan Election
Few events illustrate the challenges of American diplomacy like a foreign election. Diplomats walk a fine line between promoting American…
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…
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…
The Lost Sense of Belonging: An Attempt to Fit in
Becoming a refugee often involves losing more than just one’s home country. Perhaps one of the most important is the…
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…