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Uploaded on December 22, 2016
There
is one group, in addition to the pollsters and pundits, that has been
completely confounded and disoriented by the recent election: the
Washington diplomatic corps. Imagine how they feel knowing they must
send back reports to their respective capitals full of insights and
analysis of the foreign policy of the Trump administration.
Photo: Penn State School of International Affairs
The
diplomats should put down their bottles of antacids and relax. Their
job has really become much easier. All they have to do is follow the
rules of this new reality.
In
the past, Washington has always been a difficult place for foreign
emissaries to navigate. That was because policy was made in a
marketplace. It was not a marketplace of ideas, but of interests. It was
difficult to understand because it was a game anyone could play.
Interested parties attempted to wield their influence to secure a result
that was favorable to their clients. The side with the best lobbyist
won, but the outcome was unpredictable and often contentious.
Now Washington has really become much simpler. Here are the only things that the diplomatic corps needs to keep in mind.http://www.washdiplomat.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14599:op-ed-what-now-satirical-advice-to-diplomats-from-an-ex-ambassador&catid=1552&Itemid=428
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