Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower

by John Brady Kiesling

John Brady Kiesling, a twenty-year veteran of the foreign service, publicly resigned his position as political counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Athens in February 2003 to protest the Bush administration’s impending invasion of Iraq. He believed that the security, economic, and moral costs of this war, including the blackening of America’s image abroad, would far outweigh any benefit to the American people. In Diplomacy Lessons , Kiesling reminds readers that U.S. power does not rest on military might alone and that anger at America has real consequences for U.S. national interests.The security and prosperity of the American people depend on efficient cooperation with foreigners on a range of issues, not only terrorism and nuclear nonproliferation but also trade policy, environmental protection, and even public health. The policy decisions of America’s foreign partners are driven by domestic politics, just as they are in the United States, and effective U.S. diplomacy requires understanding these political realities. An unloved superpower faces significant costs, both economic and strategic, in the pursuit of its interests. Kiesling calls for a return to realist policy making that recognizes the limits of U.S. power and uses thoughtful diplomacy to legitimize our security requirements in the eyes of our international partners.This book is, at heart, an argument for how to best achieve America’s goals abroad. Kiesling’s passionate critique of current U.S. foreign policy and his prescriptions for restoring American influence and legitimacy will interest anyone concerned about the future of U.S. and world affairs.

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[The Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another LONG overdue book - this one from the Bush-Cheney administration - that while speaking to a different time, in many ways talks about things that led right to the Tea Party obstruction of President Obama, then later evolved into Trumpism.

A great look at how a Superpower once held in high regard globally, even by those who disliked it (due to how it conducted itself, and a greater consistency between policy at home and pronouncements abroad), can decline with self-inflicted wounds to its credibility.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY was into this kind of thing when I was growing up - Kiesling is the name to know when discussing US relations with every other superpower. However, now there's so much else I'm interested in learning about.

[Nicholas Whyte]

http://nhw.livejournal.com/822773.html

[Brenden]

Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower by John Brady Kiesling (2006)

[Julia]

Started this shortly after it came out, will get back to it... Sometime.