Department of State
288 Articles
Deprofessionalizing the State Department Is a Threat to National Security
One reason for the continuation of senior staff across administrations is because it takes time to build the human capital required, and an experienced diplomatic corps is an essential…
A Brief Reflection on the War in Gaza as the Biden Administration Ends
Subjecting the policies of the Biden administration to evaluation and criticism is not only fair but healthy. But if the objective is to do better in the future, we will fail unless…
Why Palestinian Families Are Suing the State Department for Failing to Enforce the Leahy Law
The plaintiffs in Amal Gaza, et al v. Secretary Antony Blinken, et al have a single demand of the State Department: obey the law.
Questions for Senators (and Journalists) to Ask Secretary of State Nominee Marco Rubio
Experts suggest questions for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's confirmation hearing for Trump's pick for Secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio.
The US State Department Should Prioritize the Human Rights Reporting Gateway
The Human Rights Reporting Gateway can help the State Department enforce the Leahy law by providing key information from NGOs and victims.
A Model Leahy Law Legal Memo on Assistance to Israeli Security Forces
A model Department of Defense action memo illustrates what a faithful application of the Leahy law to an alleged gross human rights violation in Israel would look like.
Do Sanctions Work? It Depends. Burma and the West Bank Might Be Models.
The question shifts the focus from the far more critical issues of whether policy goals are clear and realistic and if sanctions can help.
US Should Learn from Afghanistan and Vietnam Withdrawals to Better Protect Vulnerable Allies
Congress should learn from Afghanistan and look to historical precedents when pursuing reform for noncombatant evacuation operations.
The State Department Reform Commission: A Once in A Generation Opportunity to Reform American Diplomacy
The Commission to Reform and Modernize the State Department has a historical opportunity to build something better. Here are four questions it needs to consider.
The New Intelligence Community Directive on Prepublication Review: Important Reforms and Critical Omissions
The ODNI's prepublication review directive improves several important aspects of the system, but fails to make certain critical changes.
Expert Explainer: The US for the first time submits a formal brief to the International Criminal Court on the ‘Situation in Palestine’
A Q&A with Todd Buchwald, former U.S. Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice at the U.S. Department of State.
The State Department’s Wrong Decision to Exempt IDF Unit from Leahy Law Ineligibility
Former State Department official critically analyzes State Department's decision to drop Netzah Yehuda unit from Leahy Law sanctions.