This was a great piece even though it felt like the ending should have been the beginning. Unnecessary long wars, Trump, and internal dissemination of purposeful doubts and falsehoods has done their number on our international diplomacy. As former Peace Corps, I'm a big believer in the soft tools, though they are only as good as the people and resources you put into it. Is this all fixable? Yes, but it will take strong leadership and a more involved citizenry.
This was a great piece even though it felt like the ending should have been the beginning. Unnecessary long wars, Trump, and internal dissemination of purposeful doubts and falsehoods has done their number on our international diplomacy. As former Peace Corps, I'm a big believer in the soft tools, though they are only as good as the people and resources you put into it. Is this all fixable? Yes, but it will take strong leadership and a more involved citizenry.
The "involved [and informed] citizenry" may be the ultimate existential issue we face.
There's enough of us who care to make a difference however we can. Keep writing!