Thank you for this piece, and thank you to your aunt for her decades of service to our country. My dad was a career Foreign Service officer. Like your aunt, he served both Republican and Democratic administrations, and he had respect for both. As an individual, he leaned liberal, but he had tremendous praise for George HW Bush and others that he worked with in Republican administrations. Were he alive today, he would be horrified by the gutting of our foreign policy infrastructure.
This administration has no respect for — indeed no belief in — non-partisan expertise. They are driven by power and the desire to dominate, so they do not trust people who are motivated by different ideals.
This gives me hope, thank you! I have a family member who has worked for the State Dept as a contractor for over 20 years. He and I don't agree politically on most things. For example he thought the sentencing for the Jan 6ers was too harsh (don't get me started). I recently asked him how the State Dept is under this administration and his words "it is a complete sh*t show".
Coming from USAID after 30 years in many different capacities, I liked what the Ambassador had to say. But I would also say, I used to do Humanitarian/Food Assistance and I feel like what is missing here is a good explanation of soft power. With State to some extent and particularly with USAID we essentially had so many good will relationships with governments and local leaders in communities in health, economic, and disaster assistance programs. This is all now minimalized and the Russians and Chinese have taken over (look at West Africa for example). Our relationships helped to build many partnerships, including economic and development. For example many foreign government leaders received training in the US on IVLP programs and other economic and local governance exchanges with cities programs. There was so much good going on and all of it has been lost. The baby was thrown out with the bath water.
I appreciated reading the interview with Amb. Jones. What a great lady! Her words sound wise, measured, and somewhat helpful, based on her wide-ranging experience. Thank you!
Thank you for such a great piece, Andrea❣️ So interesting, inspiring and hopeful! I always thought my aunts were and are amazing but I think you hit the jackpot. What an interesting life and what huge contributions❣️Thank you to you both 🙏🙏
Thank you for helping me believe there are smart and learned people who make this situation more clear to me. I will look to find ways to help those in need until the government do their job.
Thank you for this piece, and thank you to your aunt for her decades of service to our country. My dad was a career Foreign Service officer. Like your aunt, he served both Republican and Democratic administrations, and he had respect for both. As an individual, he leaned liberal, but he had tremendous praise for George HW Bush and others that he worked with in Republican administrations. Were he alive today, he would be horrified by the gutting of our foreign policy infrastructure.
This administration has no respect for — indeed no belief in — non-partisan expertise. They are driven by power and the desire to dominate, so they do not trust people who are motivated by different ideals.
They are also driven by the wrongheaded thinking of the Christian Nationalist hatemongers , as well.
Wonderful interview with a great diplomat. Thank you!
This gives me hope, thank you! I have a family member who has worked for the State Dept as a contractor for over 20 years. He and I don't agree politically on most things. For example he thought the sentencing for the Jan 6ers was too harsh (don't get me started). I recently asked him how the State Dept is under this administration and his words "it is a complete sh*t show".
Coming from USAID after 30 years in many different capacities, I liked what the Ambassador had to say. But I would also say, I used to do Humanitarian/Food Assistance and I feel like what is missing here is a good explanation of soft power. With State to some extent and particularly with USAID we essentially had so many good will relationships with governments and local leaders in communities in health, economic, and disaster assistance programs. This is all now minimalized and the Russians and Chinese have taken over (look at West Africa for example). Our relationships helped to build many partnerships, including economic and development. For example many foreign government leaders received training in the US on IVLP programs and other economic and local governance exchanges with cities programs. There was so much good going on and all of it has been lost. The baby was thrown out with the bath water.
Thank you for service Amb. Jones. Excellent interview Andrea!
Excellent interview. Loved it
What a great interview. Your aunt provided me with some hope for the future.
I appreciated reading the interview with Amb. Jones. What a great lady! Her words sound wise, measured, and somewhat helpful, based on her wide-ranging experience. Thank you!
Thank you for such a great piece, Andrea❣️ So interesting, inspiring and hopeful! I always thought my aunts were and are amazing but I think you hit the jackpot. What an interesting life and what huge contributions❣️Thank you to you both 🙏🙏
Thank you for helping me believe there are smart and learned people who make this situation more clear to me. I will look to find ways to help those in need until the government do their job.
Great interview, Andrea and some very hopeful ideas from your Aunt.