Project

Reimagining US Diplomacy

Elevating diplomacy as a tool of US statecraft

About the Project

The Reimagining US Diplomacy project seeks to restore diplomacy to a central role in US foreign policy. Doing so involves finding areas where the United States can better engage with partners, bringing in ideas from outside of government, and helping policymakers develop effective strategies to advance US interests. Of particular focus are aspects of diplomacy where the United States has untapped strength, such as cultural and commercial diplomacy, and measures to improve global public health. The project will also consider reforms to the State Department and other parts of government that can improve the ability of the United States to accomplish its diplomatic objectives.

Research & Writing

Commentary

The meeting between the leaders could mark the point at which China’s global role is recognized by the United States
May 11, 2026

Issue Brief

Considering the diplomatic opportunities and risks of hosting the world’s biggest sporting events.
March 20, 2026

Report

Examining methods for utilizing U.S. culture for diplomatic engagement.
December 2, 2025

Issue Brief

Examining possible directions for U.S. assistance and their geopolitical consequences.
September 19, 2025

Commentary

The Trump administration risks undermining U.S. security if it follows Israel into war.
June 18, 2025

Video

Amb. Lu discusses how his wide-ranging career led him to representing the United States at the United Nations.
June 2, 2025

Video

Amb. DeLaurentis details his part in the opening of Cuba and the consequences of the United States again cutting ties.
March 18, 2025

Video

Amb. Ted Osius discusses how connecting with people across Vietnam helped build ties with the country.
March 18, 2025

Video

Amb. Bodine speaks about the effort to coordinate an international response to attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf
March 18, 2025

Commentary

Experts outline insights to improve U.S. diplomacy and modernize State Department operations.
March 6, 2025

Policy Memo

If the trend of increasing conflict is to be reversed, the United States needs an emboldened approach to diplomacy.
November 20, 2024

Report

The United States has not invested in nor deployed the diplomatic resources necessary to advance its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
November 14, 2024

Commentary

More needs to be done by the State Department to connect with the American public to develop a broad constituency that supports its diplomatic efforts.
September 9, 2024

Policy Memo

The State Department needs a process to distribute its experts to the places they are needed most.
March 9, 2023

Commentary

The US government will have to show concrete forms of commitment for its call for UNSC expansion to be credible.
October 5, 2022

Policy Memo

Given the challenges of space and space governance, some degree of cooperation with China on civil space activities will almost certainly be necessary and need not compromise national security.
June 16, 2022

Policy Memo

Washington has an opportunity to advance US diplomatic goals and commercial interests by bringing music to the world.
March 24, 2022

Policy Memo

The success of the mRNA vaccines gives the United States an opportunity to rebuild its soft power.
February 1, 2022

Policy Memo

The U.S. should engage in a bolder type of security engagement that relies more on civilian participation, which will help to bolster the reform of security institutions.
August 4, 2021

Sub-Projects