20 JUNE 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL U.S. officials have indicated the agreement could unlock significant U.S. public and private investment, particularly in the region’s critical minerals resources. “A durable peace in the Great Lakes region will open the door for greater U.S. and broader Western investment,” Secretary Rubio said at the signing. The declaration builds on previous mediation efforts by the African Union, Qatar, and regional leaders. The United States has pledged to continue engaging both nations to uphold the principles outlined in the agreement and support efforts toward peace and economic integration. FSI Training Advances Economic Diplomacy Through partnerships with the private sector and interagency experts, the Economic and Commercial Studies division at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) offers programs focusing on real-world applications—prioritizing trade and commercial advocacy, energy dominance, and cyber and technology leadership. FSI engages industry leaders to provide insights into the challenges facing American businesses and how U.S. government tools can be utilized to anticipate opportunities and ensure reciprocal trade. Ranging from short webinars on current international economic topics to the flagship six-month economic studies course, the curriculum prepares foreign affairs professionals with foundational economic analysis skills and industryspecific knowledge to advance U.S. economic and commercial interests abroad. Courses, workshops, and webinars include Commercial and Advanced Commercial Tradecraft, Critical Minerals Workshop, International Trade – Policy and Implementation, Cyberspace and Digital Policy Tradecraft, Space Diplomacy Webinar Series, and Emerging Technologies and the Impact on Foreign Policy. For more information, please see FSI’s Sharepoint site or https://sis.fsi. state.gov. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Mark Parkhomenko. No Other Home Than My Trunks 100 Years Ago How could I ever guess that I was going to need woolen underwear and heavy blankets in Senegal? I have already been on the same latitude in the West Indies, and there I had thought that clothes were to be worn in order to look civilized. Fortunately, I always carry with me all my belongings as I have no other home than my trunks. I had preciously packed in an iron trunk all my heavy winter garments for the day I would have the privilege of returning to America; but it did not take me long after my arrival at Dakar to realize that the contents of the iron trunk were to be my African outfit. —Raymond Phelan, vice consul, from “Dakar” in the June 1925 edition of The American Foreign Service Journal.
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