The American Academy of Diplomacy

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

AAD Member and former Ambassador Tibor Nagy discusses the upcoming Presidential transition and how the bureaucracy prepares for a new administration. "Every Presidential turnover affects the nearly three million civilians employed by the U.S. Government," he notes, "but this one is sending tremors across the workforce." https://lnkd.in/e23Cxb6T

In an interview with the Federal News Network, Jacqueline Musiitwa, USAID’s deputy assistant administrator for the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, talked about the agency's efforts to support African nations' fight against climate change. She highlighted how USAID deploys "evolving technologies to help us better understand changes and trends, but also to help us disseminate information based on networks that [local institutions] already have." https://lnkd.in/e_5kDv3r

Today is our Program and Finance Assistant Sienna's birthday! We celebrated in our office with cake and we are so grateful for all the work she does to keep our organization running smoothly. Thank you Sienna, and happy birthday!

The State Department’s Global Engagement Center, focused on disinformation campaigns abroad, operates on a tight budget that "is set to terminate at the end of the year." Although "supporters say the GEC fulfills an important role in State Department operations and U.S. diplomacy," Republican critics in Congress "may allow authorization to lapse."