The Foreign Service Journal, June 2024

22 JUNE 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Two articles in this collection, by Zed Tarar and Evanna Hu, challenge the State Department to think harder about its appropriate role in shaping the rapidly developing landscape of AI policy for the rest of the world. They examine AI as a policy question unto itself, rather than an internal tool. Another two articles, by Paula Osborn and Paul Kruchoski, focus on each of the authors’ experiences developing new tools to improve the quality of knowledge and decision-making in foreign policy. They evaluate the promise and peril of using AI tools and suggest that good evidence and data may be a prerequisite for improving American foreign policy. I encourage you to read each of these articles carefully; they’re all fantastic. Preserving the Essential Human Aspects of Diplomacy I should admit my bias here. I have argued in these pages before that the State Department would benefit from an upgraded culture of decision-making, that diplomacy should be “more science and less art,” and I run a think tank dedicated to that mission. But just as it would be a mistake to ignore the promises of scientific advancements, it would also be dangerous to disregard the “art of diplomacy.” Any experienced diplomat will tell you that navigating the international environment requires more than cold, hard calculations. Effective diplomacy requires creativity, a strong moral compass, a keen sense of politics, empathy, and a knack for building trusted relationships with people across cultures. These fundamentally human qualities need to be nurtured and celebrated in the hallways of Foggy Bottom. So, while we look toward the future of diplomacy, it is worth gazing over our collective shoulders to make sure that we do not leave behind what makes diplomats and the Foreign Service so great. Here are four areas in which foreign policy must remain an inherently human enterprise. Just as an artist interprets the world through their unique lens, capturing the essence of a scene with their brushstrokes, skilled policymakers practice their art to shape a more just and prosperous world. Defining National Interests. Every masterpiece starts with a vision. In foreign policy, this vision translates to defining national interests. This requires a deep understanding of our nation’s history, culture, and politics—including the priorities of the president and Congress. National interests emerge from a complex mosaic of security, economic, and normative priorities. These priorities constantly evolve with the changing global landscape. The artful diplomat must be able to identify these priorities, understand their interrelationships, and prioritize them strategically, making informed decisions about which brushstrokes to use and where to focus their efforts. Setting Goals. The world is not a coloring book with predrawn lines. Just as an artist explores an infinite variety of colors, mediums, and techniques, foreign policy demands creative solutions. Traditional approaches may not always suffice in a constantly evolving global landscape. One must constantly think outside of the box. This requires intellectual agility, the courage to challenge orthodoxy, and the willingness to embrace the unexpected. For instance, as scholar Naazneen Barma and her colleagues explain: “Scenario analysis constitutes the art of juxtaposing current trends in unexpected combinations in order to articulate surprising and yet plausible futures, often referred to as ‘alternative worlds.’” Living Our Ethics. A masterpiece reflects not just the artist’s skill but also vision and values. Foreign policy fundamentally requires moral considerations. Policy practitioners must balance light and shadow, carefully navigating the ethical complexities of international interactions. This involves recognizing the human cost of decisions and striving for solutions that uphold core values even in the face of trade-offs. This requires moral clarity, empathy for the diverse stakeholders involved, and the courage to make difficult choices. Interpersonal Skills. Foreign policy is ultimately about people. The art lies in building relationships, forging alliances, and navigating the intricate dance of diplomacy. The foreign policy practitioner must be a skilled communicator, their words carefully chosen to bridge cultural divides and build trust. They must possess a deep sense of empathy for their allies and opponents and the ability to appreciate the nuances of human emotions and motivations. This requires emotional intelligence, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build genuine connections Any new approach in diplomacy must be judged by its ability to help policymakers better understand the world.

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