THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2024 13 UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the pact’s transformative potential, stating: “We cannot create a future fit for our grandchildren with a system built by our grandparents.” The Pact for the Future introduces important changes, including the most significant push for UN Security Council reform since the 1960s. These reforms aim to improve the council’s effectiveness and redress Africa’s historical underrepresentation. It also marks the first multilateral commitment to nuclear disarmament in more than a decade. On the digital front, the Global Digital Compact sets a global framework for artificial intelligence (AI) governance, focusing on connecting all people to Gaza and Syria Case Studies at GW’s Elliott School On Oct. 15, the Middle East Policy Forum at The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs met to discuss “State Department Dissent: Gaza and Syria as Case Studies.” Ambassador (ret.) William Roebuck and political scientist and former FSO Annelle Sheline, PhD, shared their experiences and reflections on dissenting against U.S. policies in the Middle East. Amb. Roebuck recounted his dissent during the 2019 Turkish invasion of Kurdish-held areas in Syria, where he was stationed as a senior U.S. adviser. Roebuck’s memo, which was leaked to the media, expressed his opposition to the U.S. response to Türkiye’s actions and highlighted the betrayal felt by Kurdish forces, who had been important U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS. Roebuck said his dissent helped repair U.S.-Kurdish relations and raised international awareness of Türkiye’s plans to depopulate Kurdish areas. Sheline discussed her resignation from the State Department, in March 2024, in protest against U.S. support for Israeli military operations in Gaza. Having served in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor until her resignation, she voiced concerns about how unconditional U.S. support for Israel was damaging America’s global reputation. Sheline pointed to the internal dissent within the department, citing the resignation of her colleague, Josh Paul, as an early indicator of widespread discontent. The event, moderated by Ambassador (ret.) Gordon Gray, included a Q&A session in which both speakers advised mid-level diplomats on how to balance personal values with career aspirations. Roebuck and Sheline stressed the importance of being honest with oneself and knowing when to take a stand or leave if one’s work conflicts with deeply held principles. Pact for the Future at UN Summit On Sept. 22, 2024, world leaders at the United Nations’ Summit of the Future adopted the Pact for the Future, marking a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. This comprehensive agreement includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, laying the foundation for modernized international cooperation designed to address current and future global challenges. T his month’s featured podcast, Conversations, is produced by the Lowy Institute, Australia’s leading international policy think tank, and offers a deep dive into the complex and evolving world of international diplomacy and security. In one of the highlighted episodes, “Hostage Diplomacy,” the Lowy Institute’s Sean Turnell—himself wrongfully imprisoned in Myanmar for two years—joins national security expert Lydia Khalil to explore the rise of hostage-taking by both state and nonstate actors. This episode covers the devastating personal effects of hostage diplomacy, the geopolitical stakes, and what can be done to combat this growing threat. Another must-listen is the “South China Sea Series,” in which Michael Mazarr from the RAND Corporation joins Susannah Patton, director of the Lowy Institute’s Southeast Asia program, to examine U.S. strategy in the region. With rising tensions between the United States and China, this episode sheds light on the complexities of the South China Sea disputes and explores how the U.S. can address China’s growing influence and support its ally, the Philippines. Mazarr argues for strategic planning in the face of potential territorial gains by China, offering a nuanced look at U.S.-China relations. Each episode of the Lowy Institute’s podcast brings expert voices to the forefront, with a mission to give Australia a greater voice on the world stage. Podcast of the Month : The Lowy Institute’s Conversations The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement.
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