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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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1) Embassy Message Traffic
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Operational Communications
Day to day administrative, travel, financial data. Visas granted, name checks, etc. (Consular section) Intelligence activities (CIA and others, restricted channels) Law enforcement matters (LegAtt/DEA/Customs in their restricted channels.) Reporting Informing Washington about what is happening in the country. Headlines Diplomatic meetings Reactions to US programs Activities of non-governmental groups conducting diplomacy in the area (e.g. Carter center, NGOs, religious groups etc. |
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2) Reporting and Analysis
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Types of Reporting
Factual What is happening. Different groups cover the same material Biographic State and Military both do this Analytical Attempts to explain what it all means to Washington |
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3) Reporters
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Types of Reporting
Factual What is happening. Different groups cover the same material Biographic State and Military both do this Analytical Attempts to explain what it all means to Washington |
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4) Sources for Reporting
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The press (with analysis that explains)
Direct interviews: Office visit, lunch, group meeting Leaks People with an agenda e.g. anti-government Observation: Attending speech or meeting, watching a rally or riot Visits to an organization or place of interest Bias: always an issue of concern |
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5) Biographic Reporting
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Leadership reporting (Politicians and Appointees)
Potential leaders (up and comers) Military commanders Party functionaries and thinkers State department does civilians primarily DOD does lots of military Assess regular contacts Anyone selected for training in the USA |
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6) Analytical Reporting
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Attempts to explain the meaning of events or statements. Provides an on the ground evaluation of the facts.
Not to be confused with formal analysis which is done in Washington. Can be thought of as a field commentary Intelligence reporting: field comments or evaluations by senior officer on the scene |
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7) Classified or Not?
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Straight reporting of facts need not be classified, but commentary frequently is, particularly when unflattering.
People speaking in confidence (protect source) Analysis leading to policy proposals is classified Reporting that reflects US next steps or maneuvering is usually classified |
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8) Intelligence Reporting
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DOD reporting from their activities
Defense attaches from their overt contacts Insert officers working with local units DOD HUMINT in some areas CIA reporting from clandestine sources and from local services FBIS reporting from media and press SIGINT reporting FBI reporting in the future? |
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9) Areas in need of reform
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Policy planning based on accurate reporting before it becomes a crisis
Washington-centric policy making that ignores field input is destined for failure Greater continuity and predictability of US policy based on clearer definition of our policy interests Greater regional expertise to improve our understanding and fine tune our policy An argument for specialization in foreign service careers |
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10) Strategy and Diplomacy
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Sound policy planning requires a clear idea of where one wants to go and solid information on what is happening.
Much of our policy has been short term and does not reflect what Freeman calls a grand strategy Internal political pressures are important The daily “in box” problem Current events and Washington Post drive policy Given our position in the world, is it reasonable to assume that our policy won’t be constantly nuanced? |
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11) Continuity
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New administrations and new appointees want to fix something
Can be healthy, silly, dangerous or just irritating Career people want to focus on continuity Can be healthy, uninspired, counterproductive or comforting It all depends on the situation |
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12) Building Regional Expertise
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More people want to spend their lives in Europe than in Africa
Generalists tend to get promoted Top managers are almost always generalists Being really good in a small place tends to be less valued than working in a big, complicated embassy |
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13) Diplomats are representatives of the State
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Their main duty is to be an officer of the state
They are bound to execute decisions by “reason of state” May not substitute their own morality for that of the state Does not equate into doing illegal acts |
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14) Reason of System
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Idea that maintaining international order is an important element of state policy
Diplomacy, covert action, military force may all be justified as reason of system |
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15) Reason of Relationship
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Just staying in touch with an adversary is an end in itself.
Pass messages Collect information Decisions may be made as result of our relationship with a third nation |
