The Foreign Service Journal, December 2007

F O C U S D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 7 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 41 sonnel to operate outside the embassy and thus develop and sustain the relationships that are at the heart of diplo- matic engagement. Embassy structures, while important, are only one dimension of the embassy of the future. The commission underscores that the U.S. presence and our diplomacy are, at the core, about our people and their capacity to carry out their mission. As technology advances, so too will the capability of U.S. diplomats to operate independently beyond embassy compound walls. Communications and information-shar- ing capabilities should facilitate a decentralized diplomat- ic presence. Technology can also support a model that is substantially “optimized for the edges” — that is, one in which diplomats have the ability and authority to operate independently at the local level. Building new relationships between diplomats and their host-nation audiences depends principally on per- sonal interaction. Even with improved technology, there will continue to be a vital role for face-to-face contact in the same physical space. Security requirements will continue to challenge the ability to operate effectively in the field. The embassy of the future requires security, but the principal objective remains engagement. These twin objectives may be in tension, but trying to create a zero-risk environment will lead to failure. The U.S. presence of the future must be designed strategically and comprehensively for each country, on the basis of U.S. interests and objectives. The form of the design should follow function and should be resourced accordingly. This presence should be distributed, coordi- nated and connected. … The commission has sought recommendations that would be resilient against a range of possible futures. These recommendations underscore the need for growth and for change. Both Secretary Powell and Secretary Rice have promoted improvements to State Department operations. These recommendations build on those steps. They are practical recommendations that serve longer-