nkralev on March 31st, 2010

NEW: Ambassadorship to Russia goes political

“Going political” is a phrase used in the U.S. Foreign Service to indicate career diplomats’ frustration that yet another ambassadorship has been taken from them and given to a political appointee. For 20 years, the post in Russia has been reserved for professionals because of its difficulty and sensitivity — but that’s about to change…


MORE DIPLOMACY STORIES

APR 21, 2011: Who qualifies to be a U.S. ambassador?

APR 05, 2011: The greatest understated U.S. diplomat

FEB 07, 2011: Why are political ambassadors tolerated?

NOV 30, 2010: Diplomats in the news for wrong reasons

NOV 11, 2010: Where are my ex-secretaries of state?

SEP 17, 2010: EU diplo corps gets messy before launch

AUG 12, 2010: My trips with Clinton back in the news

JUL 30, 2010: Political ambassadorships hold at 30%

JUL 23, 2010: Clinton pulls off diplomatic rarity in Asia

JUL 02, 2010: Who thought spying on U.S. was dead?

JUN 20, 2010: Foreign Service school adds 100 classrooms

JUN 01, 2010: Clinton mentions my last day at State

MAY 07, 2010: Obama keeps distance from tribunal

APR 29, 2010: Cuts to State Dept. budget ignite interparty row

APR 21, 2010: U.S. offers India new nuke concessions

APR 15, 2010: U.S. downplays extremism in foreign outreach / WATCH VIDEO

MAR 11, 2010: State plans new public diplomacy posts

AUG 03, 2009: Clinton goes off script abroad, ‘clarifications’ follow

JUL 10, 2009: Career diplomats protest Obama appointments

JUN 18, 2009: Gay diplomats get key benefits

MAR 02, 2009: Clinton weathers job’s long flights

FEB 23, 2009: In air with Clinton on first trip abroad

FEB 22, 2009: Candid Clinton off script overseas

DEC 10, 2008: Press ready for Obama, Clinton travel

Continue reading about Obama administration

nkralev on March 19th, 2010

Part 1: Momentous change brings new challenges to Bulgaria

Part 2: True German unity proves elusive

Part 3: Poland embraces past and moves ahead

This special section was first published by The Washington Times

Continue reading about 20 years after the Berlin Wall’s fall

nkralev on March 3rd, 2010

Part 1: Powell: ‘I am on the president’s agenda’

Part 2: Diplomats fight stuffed-white-shirt image

Part 3: Diplomacy adapts to new threats

Part 4: Cultural diplomacy pays off, envoys say

Part 5: Consular services changed after 9/11

Part 6: Embassy bombings spur security boost

Part 7: Diplomatic reorientation

Part 8: Ups and downs of diplomatic life

Continue reading about Foreign Service: America’s other army