The Foreign Service Journal, September 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2019 25 F or many years, the value added of U.S. diplo- mats was knowing more about foreign coun- tries and foreigners than any other countries’ diplomats. American embassies were larger, better financed and better prepared than any other diplomatic service on earth. We were called on to prevent international disputes and help our allies (and foes) navigate their internal disagreements. Every day, American embassies took thousands of small steps to build institutions to serve and protect American interests. It’s what “preventive diplomacy” is all about. That was then. This is now . Recently I have seen our capacity to prevent conflict and build institutions sharply erode, particularly in countries where local knowledge is most needed. This makes it more difficult for us to foresee problems, much less shape solu- tions. Our aversion to risk means that we know less—in fact, we WeHave to Be There Anne Woods Patterson is a retired FSO who served as assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs from 2013 to 2017. She previously served as U.S. ambassador to Egypt from 2011 to 2013, ambas- sador to Pakistan from 2007 to 2010, ambassador to Colombia from 2000 to 2003 and ambassador to El Salvador from 1997 to 2000. The rise of risk aversion at the State Department has undermined U.S. diplomats’ ability to work effectively, with serious unintended consequences for national security. FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY BY ANNE WOODS PATTERSON ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MHJ