Ideas
Pompeo’s Choice: Denounce the McFaul Handover, or Lose the World’s Trust
The world is watching to see if he has the courage and the political savvy to truly be a leader in his Department, in this administration, and around the globe.
Ideas
America’s Moment of Truth With North Korea Is Coming
Mike Pompeo’s visit wasn’t it. But the visit hinted at what it might look like.
Policy
US to India: Buy American, Not Russian
Officials hope Delhi’s $15 billion in US arms deals over the past decade are just the beginning.
Threats
Pompeo Declares Economic War on Iran
The U.S. secretary of state vowed “unprecedented financial pressure in the form of the strongest sanctions in history.”
Ideas
Seize This Moment for Afghan Peace Talks
In spite of recent attacks, the Taliban has signaled willingness to bend from its hardline past. The Trump administration should take advantage of the opportunity
Science & Tech
Facebook Just Blocked This Cambridge Analytica Affiliate. Why Does It Still Have a State Department Contract?
Strategic Communications Laboratories worked with Cambridge Analytica, which reportedly used social-media data to target likely Trump voters.
Ideas
Why Did Trump Fire Tillerson Now?
The specific timing of the move—following the secretary of state’s split from the president to condemn a Russian attack in the U.K.—raises questions about its motive.
Policy
State Department Lost 12% of its Foreign Affairs Specialists in Trump’s First 8 Months
The department also lost 6 percent of its overall workforce in the first year of the new administration.
Science & Tech
State Dept. Reverses Course, Plans to Launch Cyber and Digital Economy Bureau
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson earlier shuttered a cyber coordinator’s office with similar duties.
Business
What ‘Buy America’ Looks Like at an Overseas Air Show
State Department officials say they’re upping their presence at the Singapore Airshow this week as part of the administration’s push to sell more arms abroad.
Ideas
Rex Tillerson's Syria Policy Is Sensible—But It's Fanciful
The resources the administration is willing to commit are at yawning variance with its ambitious goals.
Policy
Senators Press State Dept. to Drop Hiring Freeze and Shine Light on Reorg Plan
Reforms could hurt 'America's Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals' and put diplomacy at risk, one letter says.
Ideas
As AI and Cyber Race Ahead, the State Department Is Falling Behind
Technology is reshaping the global order. America’s diplomats need to start thinking ahead.
Ideas
Rex Tillerson Must Go
If he does remain, it will be yet another sign of the collapse of self-respect among those who are now willing to serve in senior positions in government.
Science & Tech
Analysts Are Quitting the State Department’s Anti-Propaganda Team
The Global Engagement Center is struggling to keep up with its missions: countering ISIS recruitment and Russian disinformation.
Policy
Former State Dept. Cyber Coordinator Says It Was a Mistake to Close His Office
Chris Painter worries the United States is stepping back from its role as a global cyber leader.
Ideas
US Cyber Diplomacy Has Bigger Problems Than the Closure of its Coordination Office
The Trump administration isn’t making it a foreign policy priority.
Science & Tech
State Dept Will Still Run Int’l Cyber Policy, Even If It Closes Cyber Office
A White House official also outlined how federal agency leaders will be held accountable for network breaches.
Ideas
Trump’s Afghanistan Reset Needs a Soft-Power Mission, Too
Reconciliation and peace-building can only occur if there is an open dialogue and people are working towards a shared, communal interest.
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