@fp21org

fp21 is an independent, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to transforming the process and institutions of American foreign policy.

 Washington, DC
fp21.org
Joined May 2020
  • Tweets281
  • Following317
  • Followers714
19Media
New Episode! @DanSpoko of @fp21org joined the podcast to discuss the state of State- can better knowledge management and learning and accountability processes at Foggy Bottom yield a more restrained foreign policy? Check it out! open.spotify.com/episode/4VW… podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas…
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In today's #MustRead, @DanSpoko lays out four questions that the Commission to Reform and Modernize the State Department needs to consider to set itself on a successful path. Read more @just_security ⬇️justsecurity.org/103200/stat…

The State Department Reform Commission: A Once in A Generation Opportunity to Reform American...

Here are four questions the Commission to Reform and Modernize the State Department needs to consider to build something better.

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The Commission to Reform and Modernize the State Department has a historical opportunity to build something better. Former US diplomat @DanSpoko (@fp21org) poses four questions it needs to consider. justsecurity.org/103200/stat…

The State Department Reform Commission: A Once in A Generation Opportunity to Reform American...

Here are four questions the Commission to Reform and Modernize the State Department needs to consider to build something better.

justsecurity.org
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Here's our original article proposing the FFRDC for State: xitter.cf/fp21org/status/1549101…
fp21@fp21org18 Jul 2022
It’s time for @StateDept to get serious about research for diplomacy. @DanSpoko and @alexandrablum6 propose a new foreign-policy focused Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). A short 🧵(1/5) fp21.org/publications/lets-g…

Let's Get Serious about Research for Diplomacy: A proposal for a foreign policy-focused FFRDC — fp21

The Department of State has a knowledge problem. Few diplomats have the time or training to conduct serious research, nor is any office dedicated to answering central questions like, “When does U.S....

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This month we talked with @DanSpoko, whose think tank, @fp21org, pushes for more rigorous citation of poli-sci sources in State Department memos, decisions, etc.
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We've discovered at @fp21org that it can be challenging for policymakers to find high-quality academic research. That's why Thomas Scherer (@LtTLS) and coauthors created this excellent guide to seeking academic research like an expert.🧵 fp21.org/publications/how-to…

Raiding the Ivory Tower: How to Seek Academic Research Like an Expert — fp21

Smart policymakers know that foreign policy should be informed by the best available evidence. Too often, however, the policy process fails to seek evidence from academic research. Here are some tips...

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How many wars could be prevented, and how many lives saved, if only we could inject our best knowledge into the bloodstream of policymaking? Here are 5⃣ lessons about how external expertise can positively impact the policy process.🧵 fp21.org/publications/lesson…
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As the 118th Congress reconvenes, @fp21org remains convinced that the work to upgrade diplomacy remains urgent. We created this database to equip legislators with a comprehensive resource of past attempts to improve the State Department. Check it out! 🧵 fp21.org/publications/legisl…

Legislating Diplomatic Reform: A Database of Bills — fp21

Congress has shaped the legal authorities of the Department of State at regular intervals throughout American history, equipping American diplomacy to lead in the face of evolving international...

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The 2024 State Department Authorization Act was just signed into law. Legislators took aim at many of the issues @fp21org has prioritized in recent years, pressing the State Department to continue to modernize. fp21.org/publications/congre…

Congress Passes State Department Authorization for Third Year in a Row — fp21

Dan Spokojny : The Department of State Authorization Act of 2024 was passed by Congress and signed into law, marking the third year in a row diplomacy gets a facelift. Legislators took aim at many of...

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Introducing @fp21org's Situation Room, a policymaking simulation built on a new evidence-driven platform. 🎯Your task: weigh the evidence and decide whether to offer a US security guarantee to Taiwan in the face of Chinese aggression. 🧵(1/9) fp21.org/lab#situation
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For decades, experts have called for reforming the @StateDept, resulting in dozens of proposals. This reservoir of knowledge often goes unused as the same old ideas are recycled. @fp21org tackled this by assembling a database of prior reform proposals 🧵 fp21.org/publications/databa…

Learning From History: A Database of Prior Reform Proposals at State — fp21

Toby Weed: fp21 created this database of State Department reform recommendations as a resource for those working to reform US foreign policy process. Too many would-be reformers proceed without...

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The policy process at @StateDept is mystifying, even to those within the process. @fp21org contributor & former Army FAO Jeff Jager enters the maze and finds himself concerned by duplication, contradiction, and turf battles. Is there a better way? (1/5) fp21.org/publications/foreig…

American Foreign Policy Decision-Making at the Agency Level: The Department of State as Exemplar? —...

Jeff Jager: To coordinate and collaborate on national security issues, the State Department’s clearance process ensures that all possible stakeholders have to sign off on anything that State does....

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Toby Weed has a confession: he was trained as a mathematician. 😯🫢🤯 @fp21org's research assistant has been "shocked" by foreign policy's discomfort and even hostility to the idea of measurement... (a🧵) fp21.org/publications/foreig…

To Quantify Or Not to Quantify? Foreign Policy Needs Measurement — fp21

Foreign policy establishment needs to follow the example set by other fields and incorporate quantitative measurement into its analytical and decision-making processes. By measuring the phenomena and...

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After years of Covid, #UNGA is back as the largest diplomatic gathering in the world. But does face-to-face diplomacy really matter? @fp21org's Sanjana Patel weighs in with a survey of the available research: fp21.org/publications/face-t…

Does UNGA Matter? Examining the Research for Face-to-Face Diplomacy — fp21

Sanjana Patel : Is face-to-face diplomacy merely a symbolic practice, or does it hold unique value to meaningful shape international affairs? This article surveys evidence on the value of face-to-f...

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The @CIA was born 76 years ago today. In that time, the relationship between intel and policymaking has not evolved. A 'firewall' still exists between the two worlds. @fp21org's new report suggests it's time to evolve: (a🧵) fp21.org/publications/intell…

Intelligence and Policymaking: The Opportunity for a More Collaborative Approach — fp21

This paper explores the implications of a more collaborative and connected approach to intelligence analysis and policy formulation. I consider a model in which analysts and policymakers are co-loc...

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Do you ever feel like there's a glass ceiling preventing your promotion @StateDept? The team at @fp21org just published a revealing analysis of demographics and job categories in the Foreign Service. Here's a🧵on what we learned: (1/12) fp21.org/publications/dos-di…

New State Department Diversity Data Exposes New Challenges and Opportunities — fp21

How diverse is the State Department? Recently released State Department demographic statistics leave much to be desired. We attempt to fill this gap by analyzing and estimating the historical gender...

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Know any talented young folks looking to get a start in the foreign policy communications world? @fp21org is hiring a PAID intern for the fall. Details here: fp21.org/collaborate

Collaborate with us — fp21

Interested in working with fp21? Do you have an idea for reform? A media inquiry? We are excited to hear from you.

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Our newest: The @StateDept recently updated rules for the reentry of recently departed Foreign Service Officers. Many would jump at the chance to return to the Department *IF* empowered to apply their new leadership, technical, and substantive skills. fp21.org/publications/incent…

Incentivize Highly Skilled FSOs to Return to Foggy Bottom — fp21

Dan Spokojny : The State Department recently announced updated rules for the reentry of recently departed Foreign Service Officers. Many would jump at the chance to return to the Department if...

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When presidents & leaders can communicate directly with one another, why bother with diplomats? David Lindsey's answer is counterintuitive but compelling... Check out my full review of his new book with @HDiplo: issforum.org/essays/PDF/E516… A short 🧵(1/7)
Delegated Diplomacy: How Ambassadors Establish Trust in International Relations. By David Lindsey.

ALT Delegated Diplomacy: How Ambassadors Establish Trust in International Relations. By David Lindsey.

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Great report from @fp21org's @sophiabrownh: The Rogers Act (which turns 100 next year!) paved the way for the American diplomatic service to become the world’s most influential. Yet many of the problems that it sought to address have reemerged 🧵(1/7) fp21.org/publications/histor…

Historical Lessons for State Department Reform — fp21

Sophia Brown : The Rogers Act, which turns 100 next year, paved the way for the American diplomatic service to become the world’s most influential. Yet many of the problems that the Rogers Act sought...

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