American Academy of Diplomacy

Press Release | Academy Rejects Allegations Against Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony Wayne | American Academy of Diplomacy In a statement issued on February 5, 2026, the American Academy of Diplomacy rejected allegations against Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony Wayne as false and malicious.

📢In a statement issued on February 5, 2026, the American Academy of Diplomacy rejected allegations against Ambassador (ret.) Earl Anthony Wayne as false and malicious. www.academyofdiplomacy.org/news/press-r...

Kurdish Collapse in Northeast Syria? Key Things to Watch Washington Institute experts assess the immediate fallout of the Syrian government’s advance into SDF-held parts of the northeast, including mutual disinformation campaigns, implications for the Islam...

Academy member Ambassador James Jeffrey shares his perspective on recent developments in Northeast Syria, highlighting the lack of clarity on the new Kurdish agreements. www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analy...

The Future of the WHO—and How the United States Can Shape It The United States will officially end its relationship with the World Health Organization on January 22, 2026. But this break potentially opens the way for the next phase of reform. A smart transition...

AAD member Dr. J. Stephen Morrison writes with Paul Friedrichs about the future of the WHO. They say, "The U.S. exit from the WHO will not make Americans healthier... But this break potentially opens the way for the next phase of reform." www.csis.org/analysis/fut...

YouTube video by Daniel Davis / Deep Dive Iran, EU & Trump, Greenland /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Chas Freeman

Academy member Ambassador Chas Freeman discusses President Trump's foreign policy agenda, including his proposed "board of peace." Amb. Freeman argues the U.S. is shifting towards coercion and instability abroad. www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXeW...

What we all could learn from Martin Luther King Jr. He was about more than just Civil Rights

Academy member Ambassador Charles Ray writes on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. He says, "By following King’s principles, we can honor his legacy and keep it alive while contributing to the creation of a more just and compassionate world." substack.com/home/post/p-...

Is There a US Strategy for the "Western Hemisphere"? Misunderstood history and imperial cosplay.

Academy member Dr. Philip Zelikow reflects on past American foreign policy decisions in the Western hemisphere, highlighting how incorrect interpretations of the past are being invoked to support current action. www.thefreedomfrequency.org/p/is-there-a...

American Diplomat: Strategic Patience: Can We Return to Diplomacy? Must our foreign policy be based on ego, resources and might-makes-right? Can we effectively meet future challenges with policies based on American values? Ambassador Mike Polt hopes so, and ASU is de...

In this latest episode of American Diplomat, Pete and Laura are joined by Academy member Ambassador Mike Polt to discuss the future of American foreign politics and whether future policies can still be effectively rooted in American values. americandiplomat.libsyn.com/strategic-pa...

There’s Never Been a President Like Trump on Israel Trump’s unmatched leverage over Netanyahu gives the prime minister little room to maneuver.

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...

How Do You Know You're Living in an Autocracy? Just Look Around You. The Steady State | Charles A. Ray

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-...

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...

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-...

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.

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...

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.

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...

A Special Meeting on Venezuela

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...

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.

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...

Iran’s Regime Is Unsustainable Political repression and a teetering economy have sparked widespread protests and chants of “Death to the Dictator.”

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...

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

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...

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

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...

HEADING FOR THE CLIFF THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS GROW

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-...

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...

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-...

Over the course of his career, the core of Amb. Berry’s work focused on humanitarian affairs and assistance, advancement of human rights priorities, and health care. He focused heavily on youth outreach and engagement, and on cultural heritage preservation, particularly in Nepal

He served as U.S. Ambassador to Nepal ('18-'22) and Namibia ('22-'25). He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and as the first Special Envoy for LGBT Human Rights ('15-'17)
📸Presentation of Credentials, Windhoek, Namibia

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.

YouTube video by TALKING WITH TVP WORLD France, Britain, and Ukraine agree on future security force plans | William B. Taylor

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

Addendum: Academy member, Ambassador Liliana Ayalde also served as Ambassador to Brazil from 2013-2017

Several AAD members have had postings in Brazil, and 7 of them have served as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil! Ambassadors Asencio, Shlaudeman, Levitsky, Hrinak (2002-2004), Danilovich, Shannon, and Chapman. Which countries do you want to learn about next? Leave us a comment!

The U.S. hosts an Embassy in Brasilia and 4 consulates. The Brazilian embassy is DC, with consulates across the U.S. The countries have named 6 Priority Areas of Cooperation: education, social inclusion, trade & investment, democracy & human rights, peace & security, and science!