The American Foreign Serviceand its Role in a Modern and Globalized WorldJosh Rector

The Evolution of the American Foreign Service Since the United States was first recognized as an independent nation by England in 1783, the foreign policy of the United States has been an important and necessary institution in preserving American stability abroad and in shaping our nation. Whether it is to promote international economic interests, protect American citizens abroad, or encourage stability in foreign nations, the diplomats of the United States Foreign Service have responded to the world’s international events and crises. However, the first era of American diplomats were part of a fledgling America struggling to stabilize and reaffirm its national identity in the midst of greater, more established European powers. The “embryonic United States… was dispatching amateurs as envoys.” These amateurs lacked much political and diplomatic tact that is essential to a successful Foreign Service agent.

An era when the efficiency of American diplomats was hampered by an immature nation and an era when the true benefits and potential of the American Foreign Service could be realized can be isolated to the time periods before and after the Rogers Act in 1924, respectively. Prior to the Rogers Act, the American’s Foreign Service Association was made up of the Consular Service, responsible for regulating and promoting trade and protecting citizens abroad, and the Diplomatic Service, in charge of assigning and directing its diplomatic officers abroad. Together, the two associations presented even more shortcomings than they could individually. The two services struggled to meet the growing demands of the world entering a modern phase of globalization when they were burdened by inefficient management that resulted from having departments in separate buildings.

The first and oldest American Consulate La Maison Fenwick in Quai de Chartrons, Bordeaux, France

The Harry S Truman War Department Building in Washington, D.C., the first new Foreign Service building since the 1924 Rogers Act.

What Exactly does the American Foreign Service Do? To obtain a greater level of understanding American Foreign policy and the American Foreign Service, it is essential to answer the question: What exactly does the Foreign Service do? What justifies American intervention in a global issue like the Arab Spring, and what sort of action can we expect American diplomats to take in such an international event.

Public Diplomacy Officer

A public diplomacy officer reaches directly to the public, seeking to build understanding and support of U.S. policies by using all tradi-tional and social media, such as websites or educational, cultural and sports programs.

Consular officers have two responsibilities: helping citizens domestically by issuing pass-ports and visas and addressing any challenges facing US citizens travelling, conducting businsess, or living abroad.

Consular Officer

Economic officers are given the mission of promoting economic growth and stability in foreign countries. While their primary focus is to work with foreign governments to negotiate new trade laws, they are also in charge of securing internet freedom commitments, funding scientific advances, and protecting the environment.

Economic OfficerPolitical OfficerPolitical officers are keep the ambassador up-to-date with a country’s latest events and circumstances, whether that entails a fluctuation in the economy, relations between religious or social groups, or even the success of a Foreign Service sponsored supply drive.

Management officers are in charge of all embassies, consular or diplomatic mission operations. Keeping track of all resources, whether it is people, money, or real estate that is used in a mission’s operation also falls under the responsibilities of a management officer.

Management Officer

The Necessity for a Proactive Foreign Service

The career of a Foreign Service officer entails more than just reporting to Washington: the job now requires Foreign Service officers to represent U.S. interests across the globe and as former American diplomat Marc Grossman puts it, “to serve really on the frontlines of U.S. national security.” Foreign Service officers are now charged with daunting tasks such as enforcing human rights laws or advocating sustainable development. They are duties Foreign Service officers were not

expected to perform forty years ago, and one of the main reasons for this change in the Foreign Service is the contemporary state of communications technology. The global level of communication and surveillance enabled by these technologies requires an equally global and proactive Foreign Service. The world has entered an era where it is strategically necessary for America to have diplomats that are prepared to capitalize on an opportunity or are ready to counter a possible threat to

American security.

Essentially, the American Foreign Service works through its five main branches (economic, consular, political, management, and public diplomacy) to do anything and everything that can aid the security and prosperity of America. Their goal is to provide a stable condition for trade and security to be conducted between the

United States and the world. By improving the interests of other countries, the American Foreign Service indirectly protects American interests.

U.S. Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry tours Pakistan province in Afghanistan. On one of the stops, Eikenberry hands out school supplies at a newly constructed school for boys and girls.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Peruvian President Humala shake hands following meeting, media statements in Lima, Peru.

“Proactively investing in stronger societies and human welfare is far more effective and efficient than responding after state collapse.”

-Nicholas Kralev

The Influence of the Arab Spring

Hundreds of thousands of protestors gather in Tahrir Square, Egypt to seize the democracy and human rights they deserve

Government Overthrown

Government Overthrown Multiple Times

Civil War

Protests and Governmental Changes

Major Protests

Minor Protests

Other Protests

A Map of the Arab Spring

Hundreds of thousands of protestors gather in Tahrir Square, Egypt to seize the democracy and human rights they deserve

Uses of Power in the Arab Spring After gaining a better understanding of the American Foreign Service, the next step is to investigate its involvement in the Arab Spring. What justifies American intervention in this series of revolutions? The main reasons why the American Foreign Service can substantiate its claimed right to be involved in the Arab Spring protests are the following: to protect key American financial interests in the Middle East, secure America’s national security, and enforce human rights laws because the United States stands as one of the world’s most major democracies.

President Barack Obama speaking at the National Defense University in Washington, DC on the brutality of Muammar Ghaddafi and the actions the U.S. and its allies have taken against him

USS Barry launches a missile while operating in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn

A much more direct line of support for the Arab Spring revolutions came from American military aid on March, 19 2011. Operation Odyssey Dawn, possibly “the biggest assault on an Arab regime since the invasion of Iraq in 2003,” was a united effort of Western allies including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to destroy key defensive targets that posed a threat to rebels and citizens in Libya. Protected by humanitarian guidelines, the operation was meant for Western powers to “enforce the will of the United Nations and deny the Libyan regime the ability to use force against its own people.” This evidence supports the idea that the United States played a critical role in weakening the Libyan military and therefore helping the rebels overthrow Muammar Gadhafi.

Although not always perceived as an important factor, public support from the United States for the Arab Spring has contributed to furthering democratic efforts in the Middle East. President Obama was backed by Prime Minister Cameron and President Sarkozy when he voiced an urgent desire for change in a Middle Eastern government. Obama, Sarkozy, and Cameron expressed that “the world would have committed an unconscionable betrayal if the Libyan leader is left in place.” By declaring that he wanted Gadhafi to “go and go for good,” Obama, supported by Cameron and Sarkozy, helped define Muammar Gadhafi as an international threat to democracy.

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