Reports & Papers

Increasing American Diplomatic Power

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An American flag amongst flags of many nations.
An American flag amongst flags of many nations.

Introduction 

The United States faces a pivotal juncture globally, a moment President Biden often refers to as an inflection point. The international landscape is complex and often dangerous. We face a dizzying array of traditional challenges from state and non-state actors, along with emergent transnational threats like climate change, pandemics, and the use of advanced technologies to surveil, steal, and misinform. The global post-World War II architecture to maintain peace is under great strain, as evidenced by Russia’s unlawful assault on Ukraine, and as more nations compete for more power and a seat at the global high table. 

So, yes, the world is certainly at an inflection point, and the choices we make today about our most fundamental values – safeguarding democracy, stability, and prosperity for all – will shape the trajectory of our country and global community for generations to come.

In an era of global interconnectedness, heightened competition, and growing authoritarianism, the United States must be at the vanguard to lead, build relationships, and deepen cooperation worldwide. U.S. leadership and American diplomacy in particular, will be even more critical in the months and years ahead. This reality underscores the importance of the State Department, which since the inception of our republic, has worked tirelessly to carry out diplomacy and advance U.S. interests abroad. 

As the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, I see our foreign service officers, civil servants, and locally employed staff embracing this mission daily. It is not easy. Our 81,000 employees in nearly 300 locations around the world are responding to the rapidly changing global landscape, responding to the needs of Americans, and continuing to shape and lead. But with the changes around us, the State Department must change and adapt too – that means building new capabilities around our critical missions, developing new skills, continuing to attract the best workforce, and utilizing new technologies. This is what formed the basis for Secretary Blinken’s modernization effort at the State Department which he launched three years ago. This is a good time to take stock on how we’ve done, and what work remains.

About the Author 

Richard R. Verma serves as the Deputy Secretary of State for Management & Resources at the U.S. Department of State. In this role, he acts as the Chief Operating Officer of the Department, and leads the Department’s efforts on modernization, foreign assistance, policy towards India, support for Ukraine’s economic recovery, and a wide range of other workforce and strategic issues. 

Recommended citation

Verma, Richard. “Increasing American Diplomatic Power.” October 31, 2024