Under Biden, Diplomacy Is an Attractive Career Again - The New York Times - 1 views
www.nytimes.com/...-service-state-department.html
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The steady erosion of traditional American diplomatic principles under the Trump administration had taken a toll, he added.
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But when President Biden was elected, Mr. Luce said he was encouraged by the new president’s embrace of diplomacy, along with his nominations for senior foreign policy posts. Mr. Luce took the Foreign Service exam in February.
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And despite the rising interest, applicants have signaled the agency must tackle racism and improve diversity in the United States’ diplomatic ranks.
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Applications to the school’s graduate programs, including its masters of science degree in foreign service, jumped 40 percent this cycle,
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Foreign Service officers — who undergo a rigorous selection process that includes written exams, oral assessments, security checks and medical clearances — pledge to be nonpartisan as they become the machinery of foreign policymaking that political appointees rely on for expertise and continuity between administrations.
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During Mr. Trump’s tenure, his administration installed an “America First” policy, prioritizing domestic interests over foreign policy concerns and minimizing the importance of day-to-day diplomatic work.
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“That undercuts not only morale but also a policy process that depends on apolitical experts airing contrary views, however inconvenient they may be to the politically appointed leadership,
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“This is a critical time in terms of America’s role in the world. We need a strong, diverse and talented pool of people from which to select our newest diplomats and aid officers.”
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In the time between Mr. Biden’s election and his inauguration, the group grew by over 2,000 members,
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“President Trump was very unusual,” Mr. Whittier said. “That’s what completely put me off of joining the Foreign Service.”
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The Biden administration said that tackling the lack of diversity in the diplomatic corps would be a priority.
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When she brought up issues to State Department officials, they advised her against speaking out and transferred her to Mexico City, she said.
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“When you see more faces that look like you,” she said, “I think it definitely will bring more people to work in public service.”