American Ambassadors: A Guide for Aspiring Diplomats and Foreign Service Officers

Description

If you ever wondered who becomes an American ambassador and why, this is the book for you. It describes how Foreign Service officers become ambassadors by rising up through the ranks, and why they typically make up about 70 percent of the total number of ambassadors. It also covers where the other 30 percent come from―the political appointees who get the job because they helped elect the president by supporting him as a campaign contributor, a political ally, or a personal friend. It explains why, despite being illegal and a threat to national security, selling the title of ambassador remains a common practice that is also unique to the United States. It considers why some suggestions for reform are misguided, what might be done, and why who the president is matters so much in determining how well the United States will be represented abroad. This updated and revised edition of Jett's classic book not only provides a timely overview of American ambassadorship for Foreign Service Officers, aspiring diplomats, and interested citizens, but also calls for much-needed reform, describing the dire implications of failing to change our ambassadorial appointments process for the future of American diplomatic practice and foreign policy. ADST-DACOR Diplomats and Diplomacy Series Praise for the First Edition Praise for the Second Edition Preface to the Second Edition Acknowledgments My Introduction to Diplomatic Life Contents List of Figures List of Tables 1 A Brief History of the Title The Early years—The Sometimes-Able Amateurs of a Third-Rate Power The Middle Years—A Player on the World Stage Recognizes the Need for Better Diplomats The Past 60 Years—Professionalization Hits Its Limit 2 Becoming an Ambassador—The Foreign Service Route The Foreign Service Route The First Steps for a Career Ambassador Getting to the Top And Getting to the Top Is Not Enough Grabbing the Brass Ring 3 Becoming an Ambassador—The Political Route 4 The Last Steps—Clearance and Confirmation 5 What an Ambassador Does Woody Was Right—Showing Up Matters Don’t Beat the Staff Really—Don’t Beat the Staff The Job Is Not What You Make It You Can Do Too Much as Well as Too Little You’re Not in the Army Now … or the Air Force Planning Counts, Even When It Isn’t Easy 6 Where Ambassadors Go Women Race and Ethnicity Sexual Orientation Religion Personal Preference 7 Why It Matters and How It Might Be Changed Resources and Efficiency Public Diplomacy American Exceptionalism Globalization Tax Treaties Law of the Sea Rights of the Disabled Rights of Children The Disadvantage of Globalization Reforming the State Department The Case Against Trump How It Might Be Changed Why It Might Not Get Much Better Appendices Appendix A: Questionnaire for Presidential Appointees, Obama Administration, November 2008, Trump Research Questionnaire 2020 I. Professional Background II. Publications, Writings, and Speeches III. Relationships and Affiliations IV. Financial Information V. Tax Information VI. Legal and Administrative Proceedings VII. Domestic Help VIII. Miscellaneous 2020 Trump RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE Appendix B: AFSA Guidelines for Successful Performance as a Chief of Mission Introduction Role of the Chief of Mission Constitutional and Legislative Authority Work of the COM Challenges Recommended Guidelines for Successful Performance as a COM Working Group Appendix C: Treaties Pending Before the Senate as of 2014 and 2019 Treaties Pending as of October 22, 2019 Appendix D: Provisions of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 SEC. 207. 15 CHIEF OF MISSION— SEC. 304. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEFS OF MISSION— Appendix E: Presidential Letters of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission President Trump’s Letter President Obama’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission President George W. Bush’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission Detailed Instructions President Clinton’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission President George H. W. Bush’s Letter of Instruction to Chiefs of Mission Appendix F: Countries with Danger Pay Allowance Appendix G: Countries with Hardship Differentials Appendix H: Inspector General’s Personal Questionnaire for Inspections PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE Workplace and Quality of Life Questionnaire Appendix I: Reform Reports and Their Recommendations Appendix J: Foreign Service Promotion Statistics 2020 Index