The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

30 DECEMBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL longstanding problems that affect the specialists within the Foreign Service. AAD is beginning a new study to suggest some solutions in these areas. We hope the department will consider what we put forth. FSJ: How successful has the Foreign Service been in increasing diversity? Should that be a priority? How can the foreign affairs agencies retain minority talent once those individuals are in the Foreign Service? REN: The State Department has been trying hard to increase diversity, but still faces problems. Recently it has lost too many highly qualified officers at the senior level, including a dispro- portionate number of diversity officers. Recruitment of diverse candidates is starting to pick up again, but a number of problems remain at the senior level. FSJ: How would you describe the state of the Foreign Service as an institution today? REN: The Foreign Service is troubled as an institution. There is a sense—whether justified or not—that there is a suspicion of professionals, not only in the Foreign Service but across the government. The appointment of David Hale as under secre- tary for political affairs is a praiseworthy exception, but I am told that we are unlikely to see any more serving senior officers appointed to senior positions in the department. An institution which is visibly distrusted is bound to suffer doubts. Neverthe- less, the Foreign Service is full of dedicated individuals, deter- mined to serve the nation. I believe it will come through this difficult period as it has done in difficult periods in the past. FSJ: How has the role of the Foreign Ser- vice changed? REN: The explosion of Cabinet agencies working abroad has led to a diminution in State’s lead role in the formulation of policy. Many factors have gone into this, including the fact that we now deal with many issues —from trade to climate—that have major domestic implications. One cannot make foreign policy without taking into consideration domestic policy, although if one only looks at domestic issues the result may be bad foreign policy. Some of this can be improved, but it cannot happen by law or executive decree. State will have to earn back a leading role through the quality of its work. This is much too large a question to be answered in a paragraph, but adequate staffing, budgets and professional education are all part of the answer. FSJ: What advice do you have for active-duty diplomats who may feel that diplomacy has been sidelined in recent years as mili- tary power and political expediencies take center stage? REN: Diplomacy remains indispensable. That is the nature of the problems we face today. The limits of military solutions are clear—particularly to our own military, who are well aware of the need for partnership in policymaking and execution. I believe this reality and the general tiredness of Americans with long-lasting wars will bring diplomacy back to the fore. Diplo- mats should not lose hope. Their services will continue to be needed. Frustration is understandable. Despair is not. FSJ: Are you discouraged or optimistic for the future of the Foreign Service and professional diplomacy? REN: I am optimistic. That is a basic requirement of diplomacy, or the immensity of the challenges we confront would overwhelm us. America needs its best men and women in the diplomatic service, whether as Foreign Service officers and specialists or in the Civil Service. Whenever I am asked, I continue to urge people to join, to get into the game. American Academy of Diplomacy President Ambassador Ron Neumann, left, moderates a Q&A session with Ambassador Joyce Barr and Ambassador William Brownfield, 2018 inductees to the National Defense University’s Hall of Fame.