The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2017

14 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Toward A Stronger Association I t is fitting to open the NewYear with a reference to our member- ship. As a general musters his force before he contemplates an action, so the Foreign Service Association must know its strength if it is to be active and productive. The Association cannot progress if large numbers of potential members stand aside. Every added member means added strength—financially, of course—but most importantly in terms of brains and energy. It is a sad fact that many who take pride in their profes- sion do not vote in the elec- tions of their professional Association and do not partici- pate in efforts to strengthen professional skills, improve work- ing conditions, assist our children and protect our widows and retired personnel. —Excerpted from the Editorial, Foreign Service Journal , January 1967. 50 Years Ago agenda for President-elect Trump, which lists priorities for policy on the alliance. The AC reminds the president that, in his first national security speech as the Repub- lican nominee, he pledged to convene a NATO summit. The council recommends that he use that summit to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to defend Europe. Earlier, the Council released a “foun- dational” proposal to reform the National Security Council.The seven-point proposa l is based on extensive analysis and inter- views withmore than 60 senior foreign policy, defense and intelligence leaders who share a bipartisan concern that struc- tural and personnel failures in the critical National Security Council system are an important factor in the strategic confusion and poor execution that have led to serious mistakes in foreign and defense policy during the past two decades. The Carnegie Corporation and The National Interest commissioned a multi- part symposium to attempt to answer questions regarding the future of U.S.-Rus- sia relations under the new administration. This series of essays frompolicymakers, think tanks and academics offers analysis and possible steps the new administration can take to achieve détente. The Stimson Center has compiled the 2017 Presidential Inbox series, featuring contributions from experts analyzing the major challenges Pres. Trump will face in his first 100 days in office. Among the top challenges are improving the U.S.-China relationship, combatting returning for- eign terrorists and a strategy for transat- lantic trade. The nonpartisan series aims to “break the artificial boundaries that inhibit smart policymaking and promote division,” such as the divide between Republicans and Democrats. The American Enterprise Institute’s Derek Scissors hopes that Pres. Trump will usher in a new era of bilateral rela- tions with China as an economic partner and recommends that the United States start by reforming its domestic economic policy for a stronger long-term relation- ship with China. The Heritage Foundation has pub- lished the Mandate for Leadership series, offering conservative policy recom- mendations to the new administration. Part 1 addresses the 2017 Congressional Budget. Part 2 offers a policy agenda to achieve long-term goals, such as balanc- ing the budget and welfare reform, and Part 3 details priorities for the incoming president and steps to achieve them. The German Marshall Fund collected recommendations for the new adminis- tration from its policy experts in various European countries. The Asia Foundation released a report, “Asian Views on America’s Role in Asia: The Future of the Rebalance,” out- lining 10 top foreign policy recommenda- tions in Asia for the Trump administra- tion. These include maintaining a strong presence in the Asia Pacific, rethinking strategy on Korea and ratifying TPP. On its “Transition 2016” page, the Council on Foreign Relations presents 11 major foreign policy issues, from China and Cuba to the Islamic State and trade, bringing together Donald Trump’s stated views and CFR backgrounders on each issue. Also available are podcasts called “The President’s Inbox” on defense and building an administration, videos on climate change and how to stop the Islamic State, and the latest CFR analysis on various topics. The Foreign Policy Research Insti- tute released “8 Foreign Policy Questions Trump Needs to Ask” to formulate his policy and shape conversations with foreign leaders. The questions lead with: “Why has the best-funded and most professional military in U.S. history been unable to translate tactical victories into strategic success in Afghanistan?” n —Katherine Perroots, Editorial Intern