The American Academy of Diplomacy

This Fun Fact Friday learn more about Frances E. Willis! Frances E. Willis was the first woman to make the Foreign Service a career. She rose through the ranks quickly and eventually became Ambassador to Switzerland under President Eisenhower. Willis was the first American woman to work through the foreign service to become an Ambassador and to receive Senate confirmation for the title “Career Ambassador.” Willis was recognized by the USPS in 2006 and was one of the six "Distinguished American Diplomats" honored with a stamp.?

AAD member Larry André discusses the highs and lows of USAID from its creation under the Kennedy administration to President Trump's move to shutter the agency. He emphasizes the future need for aid programs if the U.S. hopes to retain its influence. https://lnkd.in/ekKCYWap

AAD member J. Brian Atwood makes the case that USAID is the US' "most conspicuous manifestation of our nation’s 'soft power'" and that its efforts help avert crises internationally. https://lnkd.in/enPgqM3r

AAD President Ambassador Neumann and member Gregory Starr argue that cuts and closures of diplomatic outposts based on "poor assessments of diplomatic needs or ideology" will weaken American security, prosperity, and safety of citizens abroad. While trimming could be useful in some regions, reinforcement and adjustments must also be made in others. https://lnkd.in/gxcgY3Yw

AAD member Andrew Natsios argues that USAID missions are "The most powerful instruments of U.S. influence" and discusses the benefits USAID provides to the US and abroad and the danger of losing influence to China and Russia.? https://lnkd.in/gjRwBtmJ

Monday afternoon, the Trump administration fired most of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace. USIP President and CEO, George Moose, was also fired on Friday.

AAD Member Daniel Fried, Benjamin Schmitt, and Richard Morningstar discuss future relations with Russia. They say, "Trump may yet convince Putin to agree to an immediate, unconditional cease-fire [with Ukraine]. If he does not, the United States should increase pressure to force Putin to the negotiating table and accept terms essential to a sustainable peace."

President Trump plans to speak to Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. This will follow Steve Witkoff's meetings with Putin last week. Witkoff said, "'The two sides are a lot closer today than they were a few weeks ago. We narrowed the differences.'"

AAD member Amb. Kenneth Quinn wrote a tribute to Frank Wisner. He reflects on his time with Ambassador Wisner saying, "Frank was my image of what a Foreign Service Officer should be: highly intelligent; sophisticated; extremely well educated; personally engaging; fascinated by and endlessly curious about the country and the people; genuinely interested in the individuals who worked for him; and, most importantly for me, prepared to judge you solely based on the quality of your work." https://lnkd.in/e5pnzpJH

For today's #MondaysWithMembers, we are highlighting Ambassador Deborah Malac! Ambassador Malac served as the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia and later to Uganda and has earned the Cobb Award at the State Department for her work in promoting commercial diplomacy. Swipe through to see pictures from her career! ??"Commercial diplomacy is an important part of an Ambassador's work. Here is a family photo following the signing of the Project Framework Agreement for $3.5 billion oil refinery between a U.S.-led consortium and the Government of Uganda." ??"My fellow women Ambassadors and Heads of International Agencies collaborated closely to advance women's leadership at all levels of Ugandan society.? We established an awards program to highlight the many amazing young Ugandan women making a difference in their communities and professions." ??"Following a long string of unsolved deaths and disappearances of Ugandan women in the capital city of Kampala, my French colleague and I participated in a "Women's March for Uganda" to call for justice for these victims." ??""The 2014-25 West Africa Ebola epidemic hit Liberia hard.? As Ambassador I led all U.S. Government Ebola response activities in-country.? Here UN Ambassador Power and USAID OFDA Director Konyndyk and our DART team visit an Ebola Treatment Unit." ??"During the visit of then Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Thomas-Greenfield, we visited an Ebola treatment unit supported by USAID.? We were fortunate to witness the release of an Ebola survivor whose tiny baby had also survived the disease." ??"USAID funded the installation of a small-scale solar energy project for an entire village in rural Liberia. The system brought light to homes, the school, and community center enabling children to study. I turned on the light to inaugurate the system." #WomensHistoryMonth