Posts Tagged: foreign

America’s Other Army – Who Are They and What Do They Do?

“If you look up the word Army in the dictionary is a group of people. You don’t have to carry weapons to be an army. So a group of 13,000 people in the US Foreign Service in 275 embassies and consulates around the world is an army,” said Nicholas Kralev. Kralev is the author ofRead… Read more »

Preventing An “American Hiroshima”

The Department of Homeland Security and FBI recently issued a memo to its state and local law enforcement partners titled “No Specific Threat to American Jewish Community, Despite Recent World Events.” The intelligence document said in part: “We have no specific information that Iran or its surrogates are targeting Jewish organizations, facilities, or personnel inRead… Read more »

Digital diplomacy in Paris – workshop and panel

Last week the embassy of Israel in Paris, France, hosted an international workshop on the digital diplomacy. It was first such experience for us in the Israeli embassy, but what I learnt from our guests during the workshop was that it was also the case for many of them. While diplomats discuss this topic withRead… Read more »

Fluent in Mandarin? Consider a Consular Adjudicator Limited Non-Appointment with the U.S. Department of State

U.S. citizens who are fluent in Mandarin have an opportunity to apply to become a Consular Adjudicator. Work in U.S. embassies or consulates in China for up to five years. Learn about the possibilities. Visit http://goo.gl/EiLZ and apply no later than February 29 at Midnight EST. U.S. citizenship is required. The U.S. Department of StateRead… Read more »

Getting the digital debate going on #Londoncyber

Statistically, there’s (almost) certainly a correlation between chandeliers and successful diplomacy. I might not be able to prove it, but over the years, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has conducted its high-level business in high-ceilinged rooms, chandeliers all a-glitter above the men in suits. So the upcoming London Conference on Cyberspace is a very differentRead… Read more »

International and hyperlocal – taking the message to market

Occasionally, I’m asked to do presentations and discuss what the Foreign Office does, digitally speaking. The fact I never get asked twice by the same people is something I prefer to gloss over. What I try and get across in these explanations of strategy is that if we’re trying to communicate, we have to takeRead… Read more »

What a football club can teach the Foreign Office about social media

It’s not often that Joey Barton crops up in international diplomacy. For those who don’t know him, he’s a premiership footballer, currently with Newcastle United (though not for much longer). Talented, but bogged down with ‘anger management issues’, he’s in dispute with his employers for tweeting about internal issues. Transfer-listed and made to train onRead… Read more »

Remembering Larry Eagleburger

Lawrence Eagleburger, the only career FSO to serve as Secretary of State, died this past Saturday. I served in the Department during the time Mr. Eagleburger was Deputy Secretary, at the time the highest post in the Department a career diplomat could aspire to. I remember him for his unwavering support for those below himRead… Read more »