The Foreign Service Journal, March 2021

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2021 15 Podcast of the Month: Diplomatic Immunity (https://diplomaticimmunitylibsyn.com) G eorgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy has launched a pod- cast, Diplomatic Immunity. It features frank conversations with foreign policy experts about the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Produced by ISD Case Studies and Publications Editor Alistair Somer- ville and Director of Programs and Research Kelly McFarland, Diplomatic Immunity promotes ISD’s mission “to learn from the past and to connect academics and policymakers in search of solutions to emerging diplomatic challenges.” The podcast launched on Oct. 7, with an interview with former Deputy Secretary of State Bob Zoellick. Season 2 started January 27. U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown on Jan. 8 issued a powerful statement on the attack, and the imp or- tance of nurturing democracy—both in the United States and around the world. It read, in part: “After Wednes- day’s events, many people may question America’s right to speak out on issues of democracy around the world, and they are entitled to their perspective.” “As we know well,” Brown continued, “America’s democracy is not perfect, and the United States is not without fault. As protests across America this past summer demonstrated, much work remains to align our ideals with the everyday reality of many American. … “While our work begins at home, we will continue to share the lessons we have learned from our own experience as we look outward toward the world around us.” USAGM Leadership Sent Packing In December we reported that Michael Pack, then chief executive officer of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the U.S. Agency for Global Media, had continued to fire and sideline career staff at the Voice of America and other networks, replacing themwith Trump administration loyalists. But on Jan. 20, only hours after he was inaugurated, President Joe Biden ousted Pack; the following day, he removed Robert Reilly, whomPack had just tapped to head VOA the month before, as well as Elizabeth Robbins, Reilly’s deputy. Those appointments, facilitated by the involun- tary reassignment of career VOA staffer Elez Biberaj, had been part of a frantic effort in the waning weeks of the Trump administration to embed loyalists in key bureaucratic roles throughout the federal government. The last straw appears to have occurred on Jan. 11, when Reilly not only invited Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to speak at VOA but decreed that all agency channels would carry those remarks live, worldwide. Citing COVID-19 concerns, Reilly banned outside media from covering the indoor event, but required VOA staff to attend. That prompted the Government Account- ability Project to send a letter on behalf of VOA whistleblowers, calling the event “a violation of law, rule and policy.” Secretary Pompeo bitterly complained about that critique during his presentation, which extolled the Trump administra- tion’s successes. He did not mention the pandemic, the violence that had rocked the Capitol just days before, or President Trump’s role in encouraging the chaos. Instead, he lectured his captive audi- ence for “demeaning America” instead of telling foreign audiences that the United States is still “the greatest country in the world.” Pompeo also endorsed Pack’s bizarre claim that 40 percent of all VOA journalists have never been properly vetted, adding that he saw no reason VOA should hire non–U.S. citizens to “tell America’s story.” No questions were allowed after the remarks or the brief on-stage conversation with Reilly that followed. Patsy Widakus- wara, who covers the White House for VOA, was reassigned just hours after the event for trying to engage with Pompeo, who refused to respond to her. President Biden has tapped Kelu Chan, a journalist who has worked at VOA for nearly 40 years, as Pack’s interim replace- ment. Chan, in turn, named Yolanda Lopez, another longtime VOA journal- ist, as that network’s acting director. And Widakuswara was put back on the White House beat. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Cameron Woodworth, Steve Honley and Shawn Dorman.