84 SEPTEMBER 2023 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL of long-term interagency engagement. While the Foreign Service and military often must focus on problems in the headlines, this chapter shows how diplomatic efforts categorized as “soft power” or “smart power” build the trust and cooperation needed for positive interactions. The third section, “Lessons from Practitioners,” examines military diplomacy in alliance relationships and operations, and the challenges diplomats face in a changing global landscape that includes counterterrorism and humanitarian emergencies. It also addresses situations faced by military personnel who engage in diplomatic activities and the importance of both country and interagency cultural awareness in successful military diplomacy. FSJ readers may notice former colleagues in this section, especially, as the authors include Joanne Cummings, Heather Steil, Alison Storsve, and Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann. It may also be the section Foreign Service families find most interesting because it reflects the experiences and challenges many diplomats had—or may have. Diplomats considering being a political-military adviser—known as a POLAD—and officers and enlisted personnel who will serve at a U.S. embassy, including as the defense attaché, should read the chapters on those two roles to get both a basic understanding of the positions and examples of how their experience can be used in another agency. The book begins and ends with words of advice for future practitioners from Amb. Kosnett. While it seems a shame that people need to be told to respect and listen to each other, set realistic goals, and build trust, the experience and research of the authors show these reminders are needed—for those in boots and in suits. n Robin Holzhauer is the senior editor at “Diplomatic Diary” and consults on communications, entrepreneurship, and foreign affairs issues. She previously served as a U.S. Foreign Service officer, worked as a journalist, and founded a not-for-profit public relations firm. During her 23 years in the Foreign Service, assignments included Russia, Kosovo, Venezuela, Lebanon, and Gabon, and Washington, D.C., Rhode Island (at the Navy War College), and Connecticut (at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy).
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