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Free online lectures: Explore a world of ideas

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American Foreign Service Association

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), established in 1924, is the professional association of the United States Foreign Service. AFSA's principal missions are to enhance the effectiveness of the Foreign Service, to protect the professional interests of its members, to ensure the maintenance of high professional standards for both career diplomats and political appointees, and to promote understanding of the critical role of the Foreign Service in promoting America's national security and economic prosperity.

www.afsa.org

  • Observing the 20th Anniversary of German Reunification: Impact on Diplomacy and the Foreign Service

    Thu, Oct 28, 2010
    General Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Advisor, Ambassador Rozanne Ridgway, former Ambassador to East Germany, and Marvin Kalb, former Chief Diplomatic Correspondent for NBC News discuss the German reunification process and how the historic events of 1990 impacted the Foreign Service, foreign policy, diplomacy and commerce.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    American Foreign Service Association

  • Ambassador Jack Matlock: How Myths and Ideologies Led America Astray—and How to Return to Reality

    Thu, Nov 4, 2010
    Ambassador Jack Matlock discusses his highly acclaimed latest book, *Superpower Illusions: How Myths and Ideologies Led America Astray—and How to Return to Reality*, published in 2010 by Yale University Press. This book corrects some pervasive myths about the Cold War, and re-examines Soviet-American diplomacy of the 1980s. In reassing the key decisions made by Reagan and Gorbachev that led to a thawing of relations between the two countries, Matlock critiques the analyses of other authors like Francis Fukuyama, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Samuel P. Huntington. Surveying American foreign policy in the years since the fall of the Soviet Union, Matlock argues that the September 11 attacks could have been prevented if a competent, alert administration had been in office.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    American Foreign Service Association
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    Fredrik Stanton: Great Negotiations

    Mon, May 24, 2010
    Fredrik Stanton discusses his book, *Great Negotiations: Agreements That Changed the Modern World.* In this book, Stanton argues that diplomatic negotiations have provided pivotal moments on which U.S. foreign policy and its development have turned. He cites the Treaty of Paris, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the 1986 Reykjavik Summit among others.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    American Foreign Service Association
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    Legislative Views of the American Foreign Service

    Tue, Jun 15, 2010
    In a discussion moderated by Andrea Mitchell of NBC News, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) offers legislative views of the Foreign Service, and addresses some important questions facing Foreign Service professionals today: How can the foreign affairs agencies and AFSA convince the relevant committees and members of Congress to fund and support the needs of the Foreign Service, ensuring that the appropriate resources are provided in order for diplomacy and development to succeed?
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    American Foreign Service Association
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    Daryl Copeland: Guerrilla Diplomacy

    Mon, Sep 20, 2010
    Daryl Copeland discusses his book, *Guerrilla Diplomacy: Rethinking International Relations*, in which he charts the course for a new kind of diplomacy, one in tune with the demands of today's interconnected, technology-driven world. Eschewing platitudes and broadly rethinking issues of security and development, Copeland provides the tools needed to frame and manage issues ranging from climate change to pandemic disease to asymmetrical conflict, and weapons of mass destruction. The essential keystone of his approach is the modern diplomat, able to nimbly engage with a plethora of new international actors and happier mixing with the population than mingling with colleagues inside embassy walls. Through the lens of "Guerrilla Diplomacy", Copeland offers both a call to action and an alternative approach to understanding contemporary international relations.
    Forum Network
    Partner:
    American Foreign Service Association