The American Academy of Diplomacy

Having secured 14 votes in favor, the UN Security Council put forward a "draft resolution that demanded an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip." The resolution failed to pass due to a veto by a permanent member, the US.

Washington officials are increasingly concerned with the "co called 'axis of authoritarianism' involving China, Russia, North Korea and Iran." As a result, "Beijing’s evolving ties with these nations present serious challenges to U.S. interests in an already complex, and in some ways deteriorating, geostrategic environment."

In honor of #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth, we highlight Mr. M. Franklin Keel, the first Native American Foreign Service Officer commissioned by the U.S. Diplomatic Corps. Mr. Keel rose to the Federal Senior Executive Service, the highest rank in the U.S. Civil Service. Mr. Keel represented the Chickasaw Nation throughout his career, and was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2017.

"Current and former NATO officials are still struggling to get a read on" Matthew Whitaker, Donald Trump’s pick for NATO ambassador who has "no prior experience in diplomacy or national security." One European defense official noted: "He’s an unknown. We’re not really sure who he is and can’t say whether that’s a bad or good thing.”

President-elect Trump has named Matt Whitaker as his choice as Ambassador to NATO, an alliance that he has previously criticized as "obsolete". Whitaker, a former acting Attorney General in the first Trump administration, has defended the alliance in the past and expressed strong support for Ukrainian military aid. https://lnkd.in/e2sKv-PP

AAD Member and former Ambassador J. Peter Pham examines how the second Trump administration could approach foreign policy in Africa amidst economic instability, security concerns, and great power competition on the continent. "Africa is more important than ever to the national interests of the United States," he argues, necessitating "working together with willing and capable partners on the African continent" for joint prosperity. https://lnkd.in/evRY8bG9

In this throwback episode of the American Diplomat podcast, Ambassador Pete Romero recalls his time in Honduras. He talks about his time with the Huarani Indians and other encounters while serving abroad! #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

To detect AI-generated content, the State Department announced a new "government-wide task force" comprised of "more than 20 federal agencies." A spokesperson added, “the U.S. government is committed to seizing the promise and managing the risks of AI. Improving digital content transparency measures at home and abroad is a critical component of that effort.”

AAD Member and former Ambassador Chas Freeman examines President Biden's decision to allow American-provided missiles in Ukraine to complete long-range strikes into Russia. He also discusses Russia's response and how the incoming Trump administration may change course. https://lnkd.in/eXu7tKgY

AAD Member Stephen Morrison moderates a panel of experts on UNRWA's future and what could happen to relief operations in Gaza if the agency is forced to cease operations. They also discussed two laws passed in Israel in October that remove UNRWA's protections and operationality in Israel in January. https://lnkd.in/e6vxC6v2