The Foreign Service Journal, November 2015

14 NOVEMBER 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SITE OF THE MONTH: Case Studies in Diplomacy ( http://casestudies.isd.georgetown.edu/) T he Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at George- town University, in cooperation with the Pew Research Center, advanced the application of the case study method of instruction to international affairs in the mid-1980s. Based on the case study method used at business schools, ISD case studies address the unique needs of the instruc- tor presenting the wealth of themes and processes that comprise diplomacy. They are suitable for students from high school through graduate school. Over the past six months, with assistance from FSJ Contributing Editor Steve Honley, ISD has overhauled its entire website, including the Case Studies page. Visitors to the site—whether instructors seeking material for classes, students or anyone interested in learning about the real- world application of diplomacy in a host of arenas—now enjoy access to nearly 250 cases. (Instructors who register to join the site’s Faculty Lounge can download the case studies free of charge; all other customers pay a flat $3.50 for each.) Written by senior practitioners directly involved in the events or academics well-versed in them, these case studies tell compelling stories. But they also represent a rigorous effort to bring the dynamics and nuance of diplo- macy in action—its successes and its failures—into the classroom. They can be used either as standalones or to augment regular course material. In addition to background on the specific issue or event, each case study offers detailed examination of the key players and the challenges and options available to policymakers. The structure for instruction can be thematic, geographic or era-specific. Many of the cases include teaching notes and other guides on their use. Founded in 1978, ISD brings together diplomats, other practitioners, scholars and students from across and beyond Georgetown University to explore global chal- lenges and the evolving demands of diplomatic statecraft, to better understand the nexus of theory and practice, and to enhance and expand an appreciation of the critical role of diplomacy in national policy formulation and implemen- tation. —Susan Brady Maitra, Managing Editor Alliance for Peacebuilding—predicts that the increase in military spending in lieu of development dollars will not only result in the atrophying of the aid agency’s effectiveness, but will also come at an exorbitant cost (in both monetary and national security terms). The 17 goals include ending poverty in all its forms everywhere; achieving gen- der equality and empowering all women and girls; ensuring access to clean water and sanitation, as well as affordable and clean energy; building resilient infra- structure, promoting sustainable indus- trialization and fostering innovation; making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; protect- ing, restoring and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems; and, strengthening and revitalizing global partnerships. —Maria C. Livingston, Associate Editor State Magazine Going All Digital I n October, the State Department stopped printing State Magazine . Moving forward, the publication, which has been issued for 68 years, will be all digital. With a total of 604 printed issues, State debuted in March of 1947 as News Letter from the Director General of the Foreign Service. A major goal of the transition is to pursue greener publishing practices, in line with the department’s overall effort. According to State ’s September issue, each annual subscription consists of 242 printed pages; last year, a total of five million pages were printed, felling 927 trees and releasing 322,941 pounds of greenhouse gases into the air. Online publication will eliminate these environmental costs entirely, along with the costs of printing and mail- ing. Staff will be free to more effectively employ multimedia elements, including audio and video, for an interesting user experience. The October 2015 issue, and all subsequent issues, can be downloaded through the Apple App Store on iOS