Diplomacy Lessons: Realism for an Unloved Superpower (Hardcover)

by John Brady Kiesling (Author)
Key Phrases: counterterrorism cooperation, diplomats cannot, political counselor, United States, State Department, President Bush (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"What we learn from his lively, often witty and incisive report is invaluable." --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
John Brady Kiesling, a twenty-year veteran of the foreign service, publicly resigned his position as political counselor of the U.S. Embassy in Athens in February 2003 to protest the Bush administration’s impending invasion of Iraq. He believed that the security, economic, and moral costs of this war, including the blackening of America’s image abroad, would far outweigh any benefit to the American people. In Diplomacy Lessons, Kiesling reminds readers that U.S. power does not rest on military might alone and that anger at America has real consequences for U.S. national interests.

The security and prosperity of the American people depend on efficient cooperation with foreigners on a range of issues, not only terrorism and nuclear nonproliferation but also trade policy, environmental protection, and even public health. The policy decisions of America’s foreign partners are driven by domestic politics, just as they are in the United States, and effective U.S. diplomacy requires understanding these political realities. An unloved superpower faces significant costs, both economic and strategic, in the pursuit of its interests. Kiesling calls for a return to realist policy making that recognizes the limits of U.S. power and uses thoughtful diplomacy to legitimize our security requirements in the eyes of our international partners.

This book is, at heart, an argument for how to best achieve America’s goals abroad. Kiesling’s passionate critique of current U.S. foreign policy and his prescriptions for restoring American influence and legitimacy will interest anyone concerned about the future of U.S. and world affairs.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Potomac Books Inc. (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597970174
• ISBN-13: 978-1597970174
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #742,197 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A public American voice of which we can be proud. A hero who can tell his story with humility, panache and wit. WOW, September 6, 2006

By	Christine A. Counelis "Xine" (Athens, Greece) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Nearly every page has nuggets of insight cleverly embedded in examples that kept me smiling through my tears. Genuine honorable patriotism - that's what invoked my tears of awe. It's a wonder to have a public American to be proud of. Brady Keisling is one. All honor to him.
Brady Keisling's voice deserves the widest possible audience. Americans can be so proud of his courage. Keisling's advice and history needs to be heard by those who can use it to save-or salvage U.S. respect abroad. Brady deserves a spot on the high level team of advisors to the next administration. And we deserve to be represented by his impeccable devotion to a better world. Secretary of State is probably too bureaucratic a slot, but whoever that is should listen very very closely to what Brady Keisling has to say. He's got the'brains, humility, skepticism and commitment' (what he says a real leader needs) as well as a dazzling command of language and the finest standards of true patriotism.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Diplomacy Lessons by John Brady Kiesling, September 27, 2006

By	W. Grainger Hunt (McArthur, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Brady Kiesling's Diplomacy Lessons are exactly what they say they are, and nowhere have I seen a clearer explanation of how America has gone wrong in its dealings with the rest of the world. The latter, it appears, is far more intricate and in need of care than the current administration would have us believe. On the contrary, the skill and wisdom with which our career diplomats interact with foreigners is a primary factor optimizing our place in the world and in all that serves the best interests of America. Playing fast and loose these past five years with so essential and hard-won a system of good will and reciprocity has been an incalculable blunder. Kiesling carefully explains, often by citing examples from his own long experience in Greece and elsewhere, the principles of effective diplomacy and how we might regain our footing through smarter behavior. His book should be required reading for anyone concerned with foreign policy and, indeed, it promises to be a fine gift for that favorite smirking blowhard who thinks he understands the world.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great lesson practical diplomacy, October 19, 2006

By	M. Barroll "(Peggy)" (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Brady is an old college friend of mine, and I was eager to buy his book when the security-clearance guys let it out. I was not disappointed. Brady tells a good story, and has some good stories to tell. Through his many examples of diplomatic life and diplomatic problems, he provides an insightful analysis how foreign policy is really implemented on the ground--and how it can easily fail.

While the US may have enough brute force to demand things and bully other countries into complying, the costs we pay for such behavior (in future hostility and non-cooperation) are high. For example: our earlier bullying over the Iraq invasion and the International Criminal Court have left us with few allies at a time when we really need international help to bail us out of the mess we face in Iraq. Intelligent diplomacy offers alternative to out-and-out bullying, and would have been useful back in 2002.

Brady is a intelligent and witty writer. Some of the security clearance redacts also provide unwitting humor. For example: will we ever know what John Bolton's unsavory bureaucratic habits suggest?