The Foreign Service Journal, October 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2015 13 Diplomats Need to Connect with the American Public O ne of the reasons the position of the United States in the world is now being challenged is that the role of its military establishment has become unjustifiably large in comparison with the other instrumentalities of a successful foreign policy. In its relationship with Congress, the Department of State has been handicapped by the doctrine of separation of powers which denies an active role to the legislature, thereby enabling it to sit back and criticize irrespon- sibly. Many Senators and Representatives still have a tendency to speak extemporaneously on certain key issues, an aspect of our national life which will probably continue to be true since it is rooted in constitutional practice. … A final word might be appropriate on what the U.S. diplomatic establish- ment can do to improve its domestic image. Most importantly, the Depart- ment of State, under the guidance of the White House, should exercise greater initiative and competence in explaining to the American people the issues of which it has the best understanding and is most capable of offering a convinc- ing and effective presentation. —James A. Ramsey, from his article, “The Strengths and Weaknesses of American Foreign Policy,” in the October 1965 FSJ . 50 Years Ago tor General found that the government “cannot demonstrate that the program is improving the U.S. economy and creating jobs for U.S. citizens.” Others argue that DHS is not qualified to assess business plans and the finan- cial backgrounds of investors and those seeking funding, and point out that there is very little regulation of the regional centers handling the EB-5 cases. —Shannon Mizzi, Editorial Intern Reinterpreting U.S. Hostage Policy R eactions were mixed to President Barack Obama’s June 24 announce- ment of a change in how the govern- ment interprets its “no concessions to terrorists” policy, which dates back to the 1970s when President Richard Nixon refused to give in to the demands of the terrorist organization Black September. Nixon’s refusal to release Palestin- ians in all foreign jails resulted in the death of two senior U.S. diplomats and three other hostages in Khartoum. It also cemented the government’s approach to dealing with terrorists and dramatically limited what private citi- zens could legally do in such cases. Fear is a bad adviser. —German Chancellor Angela Merkel, at the University of Bern, Sept. 3, in response to an individual who expressed fear that refugees would bring more Islamist terror to Europe. Contemporary Quote