The Foreign Service Journal, September 2005

F O C U S S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 5 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 51 to balance security and openness at home and abroad. If that conversation has occurred at all, it has excluded many who can provide useful input. Nor has it yet addressed the big questions, such as how the makeover of the U.S. presence supports or undermines a long- term goal to expand public diplomacy — a key weapon in a war of ideas. At a time when too many are willing to cede decision-making to outside experts, when architects and landscape architects, who know how to design security that is less intrusive and possibly more effective, are being excluded from the planning process, it is increasingly important, as Justice Breyer says, to prevent the security mandate from turning our public buildings into bastions. Cause for Concern The obvious comparison between new U.S. embassy compounds and high-security prisons is cause for con- cern. If the State Department had implemented the Inman recommendations fully, it would have also aban- doned landmarks such as the London embassy, which lacks the specified 100-foot setback. Fortunately, that has not occurred. Unfortunately, however, the milita- rization of the embassy perimeter is sadly compromis- ing historic Grosvenor Square, the working home of America’s diplomats in London since the late-18th century. This, too, is cause for concern. It was once possible to dismiss embassy architecture as too far away to care about, but the world is smaller now — no place is far away with CNN — and history has shown that what happens to our foreign buildings also points to what happens to public buildings here at home. It is time to widen the openness/security conversation. Propaganda is a one-way conversation, but public diplo- macy, American-style, has to be a two-way conversation. If good architecture has the power to lift spirits and symbolize ideals, then it is time to recognize architecture once again as a tool of public diplomacy and make the most of it. As any politician can tell you, “being there” and “looking good” will always matter. n SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE AMERICA S I NCE 1 9 7 1 2005 represents our 35 th year helping to maintain America’s fleet of vehicles throughout the world. All of us at D & M consider it an honor to have worked with all of you through these years. We are aware of the importance of your official and private vehicles, forklifts, generators, tools and equipment. We look forward to continuing this service in a professional manner. We are here to help, just ask! Gary Vlahov www.dmauto.com (516) 822-6662; FAX: (516) 822-5020; E-mail: info@dmauto.com