On June 22, 2017 Dorothy Ngutter, a Diplomat in Residence for the Northwest Region of the United States, and Evan G. Reade, a former U.S. Foreign Service Officer came to World Affairs to discuss with the Summer Institute students their experiences working in the Foreign Service. Through several articles as well as discussions with the speakers, students were able to get a grasp on American diplomacy and the various career paths the Foreign Service can provide. Below is a student’s reflection on meeting with the Foreign Service professionals and their class discussions.
I think the discussion our group had before we met Evan Reade and Dorothy Ngutter was extremely interesting, particularly the portion where we discussed whether America’s diplomatic presence overseas has had a more positive or negative influence, and whether it would be disadvantageous or advantageous for our presence to decrease and allow other countries to create their own path and make their own decisions. What I thought was interesting is that there seemed to be an overall agreement that the USA has had a detrimental and destructive presence many times in foreign countries, when it has tried to become involved and change the system or the government. Many times, America becomes involved for reasons that are only beneficial to itself, and therefore the changes we make may negatively affect the inhabitants of that country, and we still make these changes because the U.S. will stand to gain something. I think this can be clearly seen with the example of when the CIA became involved in overthrowing Mohammed Mossadegh and reinstating the Shah in Iran during the coup d’état of 1953. Mossadegh, although a harsh leader, was good for his people, and kept their best interests in mind when he tried to nationalize the oil reserves that Britain had claimed in Tehran. However, he was not strict about the presence of communist parties within Iran, and so the U.S.A. was terrified that there could be a communist movement under Mossadegh. Thus they became involved in order to protect their own interests, and reinstated the Shah, who was more concerned with following U.S. orders and satisfying America than correctly leading the country. I think this situation is one very important example of when America’s diplomatic presence caused more harm than good, and was disadvantageous.
However, it is impossible to say that America’s diplomacy is only disadvantageous and has a negative influence, because it has played a major role in the development and progression of many other countries in the world. It may even be that the example set by America--in all aspects of life: government, behavior of the people, business, etc.--is stronger and more influential than the U.S.A.’s actions or diplomacy (http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/america’s-purpose-and-role-changed-world-0). America is usually known as the most desired place to live in the world, because of all its aspects that characterize it as a free country and one in which people can achieve their dreams and find success. Additionally, its democracy poses an example to many other foreign countries that have yet to establish their own democracy, and seek to follow its lead. America is the land of immigrants, meaning that many people travel from all over the world to reside within its borders, and many times, if people return to their homeland, they bring a piece of the U.S. with them, whether it be ideas of democracy or business or the economy.
Therefore, although it may seem that America and its diplomacy has been the cause of much conflict within foreign countries, and has had a greater negative influence, the mere presence and life of the American culture has played a major role in helping the rest of the world. As George Kennan said: “the most important influence that the United States can bring to bear upon internal developments in Russia will continue to be the influence of example” (http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/america’s-purpose-and-role-changed-world-0). As long as the United States continues to abide by its own principles and values, it can continue to have a positive impact on the rest of the world.
- Anastasia Ahani
Comments
Post a Comment