During the Vietnam War, U.S. policies were wildly unpopular, but American civil society’s actions—like the Civil Rights Movement— kept us attractive. FSOs today face similar challenges but remain vital in showcasing our values through their work. ... I’ve always been impressed by the quality and dedication of FSOs. Keep your spirits up because the work you do is essential, even in times of policy discontent. —Former United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Joseph S. Nye, during a Jan. 6 forum on “Public Diplomacy and the Future of Soft Power” cosponsored by the Public Diplomacy Council of America and George Washington University. Contemporary Quote include a directive requiring all U.S. foreign assistance activities to align strictly with the president’s foreign policy goals and putting a halt to assistance spending. Another executive action calls for an extensive review of federal contracts and grants to nongovernmental organizations engaged in foreign assistance as the new administration looks for programs it deems inconsistent with U.S. interests. While the administration argues that these measures will better align U.S. efforts with its strategic objectives, critics caution that they may disrupt long-term development goals and strain international partnerships. A complete list of presidential actions can be found at https://www.whitehouse. gov/ presidential-actions. Global Engagement Center Shuts Down The State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), a central office for countering foreign disinformation, shut down on Dec. 23, 2024, after Congress failed to renew its funding. With a $60 million budget and 120-member staff, the GEC has since 2016 focused on coordinating U.S. efforts against propaganda campaigns targeting national security and stability. Despite its record of success, the GEC faced sharp criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers and Trump adviser Elon Musk, who accused it of overreach and censorship. Funding for the center was removed from a last- minute federal spending bill, leaving the U.S. without a dedicated disinfor- mation-tracking unit for the first time in eight years. Its work included calling out Beijing for spreading falsehoods about COVID19 and Taiwan and highlighting Russian campaigns to destabilize U.S. influence in Africa and justify the war in Ukraine. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) defended the GEC, calling it “indispensable” to U.S. national security. However, opposition within the GOP, bolstered by political shifts after the November elections, led to the center’s closure. U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan The U.S. government has declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are committing genocide in the country’s ongoing civil war, marking a significant policy shift. Sanctions were imposed on RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) as the group faces accusations of ethnic killings, mass rapes, and systematic destruction targeting civilians. The RSF’s actions have exacerbated what the International Rescue Committee calls “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” T his month, we feature The Foreign Affairs Interview, a biweekly podcast that explores the critical forces shaping global politics. Hosted by Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, the editor of Foreign Affairs and a former member of the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff, the podcast brings listeners into conversations with influential thinkers and policymakers. One episode features former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, who reflects on his tenure managing the increasingly contentious U.S.-China relationship and the challenges of navigating diplomacy in an era of great-power rivalry. Another recent episode features political scientist Francis Fukuyama discussing the state of global democracy following Donald Trump’s re-election. Kurtz-Phelan also engages outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reflects on his tenure during a period marked by major geopolitical upheaval, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. For more information, visit https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreignaffairs-interview. Podcast of the Month: The Foreign Affairs Interview The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement. THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 11
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODIyMDU=