May 1 2026
Commentary
Lessons Learned from Middle East Diplomacy by Daniel C. Kurtzer
The Regime Change America Got Right by Christopher Datta
Planlosigkeit in the Persian Gulf by Luke Zahner
Redesigning US Assistance to Africa in the Post-USAID Era by Mark G. Wentling
Eisenhower’s Public Affairs Legacy by Rick Ruth
Diplomatic Clarity and the Western Sahara File: Lessons from US Envoys by Mohamed Elbaikam
Eyewitness
The Cardinal’s Bath by Donald Kursch
Linguistic Competence and Diplomacy: Was Bulgaria Really the Sixteenth Soviet Republic? by Jonathan Rickert
The Diplomat as Reality TV: How Accurate Is It? by Melissa Clegg-Tripp
February 2026
The Editor’s Page Commentary The Invasion of Venezuela: A Serious Mistake and a Rupture of Traditional US Policies by Thomas E. McNamara Performative Realism: The Dangerous Turn in US Foreign and Defense Policy by Matthew Frederick Public Diplomacy in Single-Party … Read more
The Editors Page
The Trump administration’s assault on our nation’s professional diplomatic service continues. As of mid-July, of 195 ambassadorial positions in the State Department, 107 are currently vacant. The administration has still not nominated ambassadors to India, Indonesia, or Brazil—three of the five most populous countries in the world–to Germany, Russia, or Ukraine.
Ambassador William C. Harrop, 1929 – 2025
Ambassador Harrop’s memorial and a reception to follow will be held at Fox Hill Residences, 8300 Burdette Road, Bethesda, MD 20817 on Saturday, June 28, from 3:00–5:00 PM. There will be valet parking, as parking at Fox Hill is limited, … Read more
Diplomacy in Crisis: The Cost to America and the World
A Statement by the Board of American Diplomacy
In Memoriam: Ambassador Anthony “Tony” Quainton
Former ADP Board Member
The Editor’s Page
Raymond F. Smith The Commentary section of this issue offers perspectives on the practice of diplomacy that range from the historical through the contemporary to considerations of future challenges. Thomas E. McNamara offers a perspective on the Monroe Doctrine that … Read more
Remembering Ambassador Frank Crigler and the Origins of the American Diplomacy Journal
The board of directors of American Diplomacy Publishers mourns the death on May 16 of Frank Crigler, the originator and co-founder of our journal.
Statement of Support for U.S. Diplomats
This Statement of Support for U.S. diplomats, first issued October 22, 2019, has been signed by several hundred former USAID employees.
September 1 issue
New items for September 2019
Ambassador Jack and Rebecca Matlock Archives Open at Duke University
In February, Duke University Libraries celebrated the opening of the Jack and Rebecca Matlock Papers, an extensive record of a long and distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service.
American Diplomacy has a new home
American Diplomacy is moving to a new URL. We regret that some links and images from the archives may not be available during the transition.
In Memoriam: William B. Bader
A Person of Integrity Passes from the Scene
by Dr. William P. Kiehl, Contributing Editor
A note from the president of American Diplomacy
American Diplomacy Journal is proud to introduce our new Editor, Beatrice Camp, and give our warmest thanks and best wishes to Csaba Chikes our previous Editor.
Jazz Ambassadors
The United Nations designates April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. The U.S. has used jazz in diplomacy since the 1950s, when the U.S. Information Agency created the Jazz Ambassadors program to send leading American Jazz musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, and Duke Ellington to perform overseas. An exhibit commemorating this program, created by Meridian International Center, is now on view at the U.S. Diplomacy Center in Washington, DC.
Summer 2018 issue
The United Nations designates April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. The U.S. has used jazz in diplomacy since the 1950s, when the … Read more
President’s Note
Diplomacy has been under heavy fire this year. The U.S. president’s policies, appealing to a strongly conservative and nationalist base, have unsettled allies and confused (and perhaps encouraged) adverseries. Our own magazine began its third decade this year facing … Read more
The General & the Ambassador A Conversation
Our aim is to have Americans see how important it is that the United States be present on the global stage. We hope the series encourages people to join public service to represent our great nation abroad in … Read more
Krasno Events Series & YouTube Channel
Richard M. Krasno Distinguished Professorship at UNC-Chapel Hill Prof. Klaus W Larres KRASNO EVENTS SERIES November 8, 2017 Dear Friends and Colleagues, It is a great pleasure sending you the video links to our recent events. Further below, please find links to … Read more
Ten former Directors General ask the SFRC to oppose Stephen Akard’s nomination as DG
Ten former Directors General of the State Department oppose the confirmation of Stephen Akard as Director General. The ten, whose service covers more than a quarter century, hold Mr. Akard to be unqualified for the position for which he has … Read more
