Is Diplomacy Back? Making the Case to the American People.

• Author: Thompson-Jones, Mary

Title: Is Diplomacy Back? Making the Case to the American People

Author: Mary Thompson-Jones

Within hours of being sworn in, President Joe Biden put the United States on track to rejoin the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization. A week later, he signed a new START Accord with Russian President Vladimir Putin, extending the nuclear missile nonproliferation treaty for another five years. These actions--along with many others--were important messages to a world that had grown accustomed to seeing America walk away from treaties.

Why would Biden prioritize the international community? Americans are far more concerned about the pandemic, the events of January 6, the faltering economy, and scores of pressing domestic issues. Clearly, the early attention was a chance to give substance to his inaugural promise that--we will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again.

Biden underscored the change of focus in a speech to the State Department in which his now-familiar line,--diplomacy is back,? has become a rallying cry for a crowd eager to resume the day-to-day operations that underpin diplomacy. They can now proceed with the confidence that their work will be valued by the boss.

But the more interesting message is the one that the President and his national security team are sending to the rest of America. Biden unveiled his Interim National Strategic Guidance in early March with the admonition that--we must also demonstrate clearly to the American people that leading the world isn't an investment we make to feel good about ourselves. It's how we ensure the American people are able to live in peace, security, and prosperity. It's in our undeniable self-interest."[1]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken's first major speech promised foreign policies that --make your lives more secure, create opportunity for you and your families, and tackle the global crises that are increasingly shaping your futures."[2] And National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that--putting the middle class and working people at the center of our foreign policy isn't just good from a strategic perspective, it's just good common sense, and good, decent values as well."[3]

This is a defensive line of argument. The willingness to take on the burden of proof and desire to fall back on domestic justifications is a departure from past administrations. The fact that Biden feels it necessary is a commentary on how far diplomacy has fallen from the comprehension and esteem of Americans. Taking international relations to Main Street is not entirely new--for years, scores of foreign service officers on home leave have spoken at venues ranging from the Rotary Club to high school civics classes to connect the dots between their work overseas and the communities from which they hail. What is new is a Washington effort to do the same thing on a national scale. It's fair to ask: Why is this message needed? How easy is it to make the case? And, will it work?

Why is the Message Needed?

The answer to the first...