American Academy of Diplomacy
@acadofdiplomacy.bsky.social
Former ambassadors and leaders in foreign policy working to support and strengthen U.S. diplomacy. Reposts ≠ endorsements; articles are views of authors
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Hello BlueSky! We are the American Academy of Diplomacy, a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC. We are a membership-based organization of foreign policy experts dedicated to strengthening American diplomacy. We share articles written by members, fun facts about diplomacy, and more!
AAD member Amb. Kurtzer and Aaron David Miller discuss how Trump has flipped the script when conducting foreign policy in Israel. They write, "No president in any administration... ever compelled an Israeli prime minister to accept a U.S. peace initiative." carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
There’s Never Been a President Like Trump on Israel
Trump’s unmatched leverage over Netanyahu gives the prime minister little room to maneuver.
carnegieendowment.org
January 16, 2026 at 9:09 PM
AAD member Amb. Kurtzer and Aaron David Miller discuss how Trump has flipped the script when conducting foreign policy in Israel. They write, "No president in any administration... ever compelled an Israeli prime minister to accept a U.S. peace initiative." carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Academy member Ambassador Tibor Nagy contends that there is a new world order, one that more closely resembles the pre World War I era than the U.S.-created post World War II “rules-based” global system. www.lubbockonline.com/story/opinio...
From Africa and the Middle East to Venezuela, Tibor Nagy predicts 2026
In this opinion column, Tibor Nagy looks ahead through 2026 for his annual predictions and questions if this will be the new normal.
www.lubbockonline.com
January 16, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Academy member Ambassador Tibor Nagy contends that there is a new world order, one that more closely resembles the pre World War I era than the U.S.-created post World War II “rules-based” global system. www.lubbockonline.com/story/opinio...
AAD member Amb. @charlesray45.bsky.social questions whether America is descending into autocratic rule. He draws parallels between Donald Trump’s political power plays and those of autocratic regimes, questioning how close we may be to a full-blown autocracy. substack.com/home/post/p-...
How Do You Know You're Living in an Autocracy? Just Look Around You.
The Steady State | Charles A. Ray
substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:37 PM
AAD member Amb. @charlesray45.bsky.social questions whether America is descending into autocratic rule. He draws parallels between Donald Trump’s political power plays and those of autocratic regimes, questioning how close we may be to a full-blown autocracy. substack.com/home/post/p-...
Academy member Ambassador Luigi Einaudi highlights the parallels between the 1989 Operation Just Cause in Panama with recent developments in Venezuela. www.csis.org/podcasts/35-...
Operation Just Cause and Venezuela | 35 West | CSIS Podcasts
In this episode, Christopher Hernandez-Roy sits down with Ambassador Luigi Einaudi to discuss the overthrow of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and its implications for U.S. policy towards Venezuela...
www.csis.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Academy member Ambassador Luigi Einaudi highlights the parallels between the 1989 Operation Just Cause in Panama with recent developments in Venezuela. www.csis.org/podcasts/35-...
Canadian PM Mark Carney has begun his visit to China to renegotiate tariffs and repair trade relations. Chinese officials see this as an opportunity to find common ground amidst concerns about American decisions regarding Venezuela and Greenland. apnews.com/article/chin...
China urges Canada to break from US influence as Carney visits Beijing
China is hoping President Donald Trump's economic and military actions against other countries will weaken the U.S.-Canada relationship.
apnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Canadian PM Mark Carney has begun his visit to China to renegotiate tariffs and repair trade relations. Chinese officials see this as an opportunity to find common ground amidst concerns about American decisions regarding Venezuela and Greenland. apnews.com/article/chin...
Academy member Ambassador Luigi Einaudi discusses how American activities in Venezuela could weaken America's position internationally without substantial financial benefit for either nation. bcfausa.org/venezuela-an...
bcfausa.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Academy member Ambassador Luigi Einaudi discusses how American activities in Venezuela could weaken America's position internationally without substantial financial benefit for either nation. bcfausa.org/venezuela-an...
The State Department is suspending immigrant visas to 75 countries to prevent excessive reliance on American welfare systems. This builds on a proposed rule from November and is not expectedly to adversely effect tourist visas for sporting events later this year. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
State Department halts immigrant visa processing for 75 countries
The pause will not directly affect processing of tourist visas or visas for attendees of the World Cup, although those travelers could face other restrictions.
www.politico.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:11 PM
The State Department is suspending immigrant visas to 75 countries to prevent excessive reliance on American welfare systems. This builds on a proposed rule from November and is not expectedly to adversely effect tourist visas for sporting events later this year. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
Academy chairman Ambassador Thomas Shannon gave a witness testimony to the HFAC Democrats' Special Meeting on Venezuela. He said, "As we look deeper into the future, we need to understand better the nature of the regime we are working with." democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/2026/1/a-spe...
A Special Meeting on Venezuela
democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov
January 15, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Academy chairman Ambassador Thomas Shannon gave a witness testimony to the HFAC Democrats' Special Meeting on Venezuela. He said, "As we look deeper into the future, we need to understand better the nature of the regime we are working with." democrats-foreignaffairs.house.gov/2026/1/a-spe...
AAD member Amb. @ambgordongray.bsky.social shows the similarities between Iran's protests and the 2011 Arab Spring. He says, "deteriorating economic conditions and widespread alienation are two characteristics today’s Iran shares with the Arab Spring." nationalsecurityjournal.org/is-iran-head...
Is Iran Headed Towards a Persian Spring?
Is Iran next? A former US Ambassador compares 2026 protests to the Arab Spring. See why the fall of Assad puts Tehran on the brink.
nationalsecurityjournal.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:59 PM
AAD member Amb. @ambgordongray.bsky.social shows the similarities between Iran's protests and the 2011 Arab Spring. He says, "deteriorating economic conditions and widespread alienation are two characteristics today’s Iran shares with the Arab Spring." nationalsecurityjournal.org/is-iran-head...
Academy member Robin Wright discusses the anti-government demonstrations in Iran and the instability of their regime. She writes, " A new generation of martyrs is being created." www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
Iran’s Regime Is Unsustainable
Political repression and a teetering economy have sparked widespread protests and chants of “Death to the Dictator.”
www.newyorker.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Academy member Robin Wright discusses the anti-government demonstrations in Iran and the instability of their regime. She writes, " A new generation of martyrs is being created." www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...
AAD member and 2025 Annenberg Award winner Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield shares the lessons she has learned throughout her illustrious career. She says, "Over my 40-year career, I’ve determined that people are the greatest tool in our diplomatic toolbox." afsa.org/peoples-amba...
The People’s Ambassador—A Conversation with Linda Thomas-Greenfield
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield became the 31st winner of AFSA’s Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award in an October 1, 2025, ceremony at Georgetown University. She was honored for her...
afsa.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:19 PM
AAD member and 2025 Annenberg Award winner Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield shares the lessons she has learned throughout her illustrious career. She says, "Over my 40-year career, I’ve determined that people are the greatest tool in our diplomatic toolbox." afsa.org/peoples-amba...
Academy member Ambassador William Burns speaks on his career and recent shifts in geopolitics. He says, "I would argue that we still have a better hand to play than any of our rivals. The question is how do we play it?" www.ft.com/content/0f49...
Former CIA director William Burns: ‘Imitating autocrats is not a winning formula’
The ex-spy chief on the risks of Trump’s operation in Venezuela, what the US gets wrong about regime change — and why Putin badly misjudged Ukraine
www.ft.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Academy member Ambassador William Burns speaks on his career and recent shifts in geopolitics. He says, "I would argue that we still have a better hand to play than any of our rivals. The question is how do we play it?" www.ft.com/content/0f49...
Academy member Ambassador Chas Freeman joins an emergency roundtable on the future impact of the intervention in Venezuela. He says, "If alliances are no longer reliable, nations will hedge or simply abandon them." www.youtube.com/live/nj1xmBN...
It’s Worse Than You Think: The Implications of the Attack on Venezuela & How to Bring the World Back
YouTube video by EIR News Service
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Academy member Ambassador Chas Freeman joins an emergency roundtable on the future impact of the intervention in Venezuela. He says, "If alliances are no longer reliable, nations will hedge or simply abandon them." www.youtube.com/live/nj1xmBN...
Academy member Ambassador W. Robert Pearson argues the Trump administration's rhetoric on Venezuela, Ukraine, and Greenland is dangerous for the global order. He says, "The result is a constant state of tension and uncertainty." substack.com/home/post/p-...
HEADING FOR THE CLIFF
THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS GROW
substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Academy member Ambassador W. Robert Pearson argues the Trump administration's rhetoric on Venezuela, Ukraine, and Greenland is dangerous for the global order. He says, "The result is a constant state of tension and uncertainty." substack.com/home/post/p-...
Academy member Ambassador Patrick Theros writes about the US National Security Strategy and its implications for the Gulf. He says, "What Washington frames as restraint registers in the Gulf as uncertainty." gulfif.org/buckle-your-...
Buckle Your Seatbelts: The U.S. National Security Strategy and the Coming Turbulence in the Gulf - Gulf International Forum
On December 4, the Trump administration released its National Security Strategy, presenting it as a corrective to decades of American overreach. The document rejects “forever...
gulfif.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Academy member Ambassador Patrick Theros writes about the US National Security Strategy and its implications for the Gulf. He says, "What Washington frames as restraint registers in the Gulf as uncertainty." gulfif.org/buckle-your-...
For this week's #mondaywithmembers, we would like to introduce one of our newest members, Ambassador (ret) Randy W. Berry! Amb. Berry served for 32 years as a Foreign Service Officer, most of it spent on overseas postings in South Asia and Africa.
📸Speaking to press corps, DC.
📸Speaking to press corps, DC.
January 12, 2026 at 5:07 PM
For this week's #mondaywithmembers, we would like to introduce one of our newest members, Ambassador (ret) Randy W. Berry! Amb. Berry served for 32 years as a Foreign Service Officer, most of it spent on overseas postings in South Asia and Africa.
📸Speaking to press corps, DC.
📸Speaking to press corps, DC.
Academy member Ambassador William Taylor discusses the security declaration between France, Britain, and Ukraine. He says, "It's a strong statement of intent" by the European states. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gIT...
France, Britain, and Ukraine agree on future security force plans | William B. Taylor
YouTube video by TALKING WITH TVP WORLD
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Academy member Ambassador William Taylor discusses the security declaration between France, Britain, and Ukraine. He says, "It's a strong statement of intent" by the European states. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gIT...
#DidYouKnow that the world of diplomacy is filled with unique vocabulary? Check out some of the most common terms, such as ambassador, embassy, consulate, and cable. What other words, phrases, or acronyms should we explain next? #FunFactFriday
January 9, 2026 at 3:58 PM
#DidYouKnow that the world of diplomacy is filled with unique vocabulary? Check out some of the most common terms, such as ambassador, embassy, consulate, and cable. What other words, phrases, or acronyms should we explain next? #FunFactFriday
Happy #ThrowbackThursday This week we're taking a look at U.S.-Brazil relations and how they've evolved and spotlighting our members who served as Ambassador to Brazil!
January 8, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Happy #ThrowbackThursday This week we're taking a look at U.S.-Brazil relations and how they've evolved and spotlighting our members who served as Ambassador to Brazil!
Today, in 1978, the U.S. returned St. Stephen’s Crown to Hungary. The crown was held in Ft Knox during WWII. The return was made citing evidence of Hungary’s steps to improve its human rights record, namely, religious expression and facilitation of communication and travel.
January 6, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Today, in 1978, the U.S. returned St. Stephen’s Crown to Hungary. The crown was held in Ft Knox during WWII. The return was made citing evidence of Hungary’s steps to improve its human rights record, namely, religious expression and facilitation of communication and travel.
Hello BlueSky! We are the American Academy of Diplomacy, a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC. We are a membership-based organization of foreign policy experts dedicated to strengthening American diplomacy. We share articles written by members, fun facts about diplomacy, and more!
January 6, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Hello BlueSky! We are the American Academy of Diplomacy, a 501c3 nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC. We are a membership-based organization of foreign policy experts dedicated to strengthening American diplomacy. We share articles written by members, fun facts about diplomacy, and more!