THE EMBASSY OF THE FUTURE George L. Argyros Marc Grossman Felix G. Rohatyn Commission Cochairs Anne Witkowsky Project Director 1800 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 T (202) 775-3119 • F (202) 775-3199 • www.csis.org A B O U T C S I S The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) seeks to advance global security and prosperity in an era of economic and political transformation by providing strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decisionmakers. CSIS serves as a strategic planning partner for the government by conducting research and analysis and developing policy initiatives that look into the future and anticipate change. Our more than 25 programs are organized around three themes: Defense and Security Policy—With one of the most comprehensive programs on U.S. defense policy and international security, CSIS proposes reforms to U.S. defense organization, defense policy, and the defense industrial and technology base. Other CSIS programs offer solutions to the challenges of proliferation, transnational terrorism, homeland security, and post-conflict reconstruction. Global Challenges—With programs on demographics and population, energy security, global health, technology, and the international financial and economic system, CSIS addresses the new drivers of risk and opportunity on the world stage. Regional Transformation—CSIS is the only institution of its kind with resident experts studying the transformation of all of the world’s major geographic regions. CSIS specialists seek to anticipate changes in key countries and regions—from Africa to Asia, from Europe to Latin America, and from the Middle East to North America. Founded in 1962 by David M. Abshire and Admiral Arleigh Burke, CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with more than 220 full-time staff and a large network of affiliated experts. Former U.S. senator Sam Nunn became chairman of the CSIS Board of Trustees in 1999, and John J. Hamre has led CSIS as its president and chief executive officer since 2000. CSIS does not take specific policy positions; accordingly, all views expressed herein should be understood to be solely those of the author(s). © 2007 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data The Embassy of the future / project cochairs, George L. Argyros, Marc Grossman, Felix G. Rohatyn ; project director, Anne Witkowsky. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 978-0-89206-508-0 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. United States—Foreign relations administration. 2. Information technology—United States. I. Argyros, George L. II. Grossman, Marc, 1951– III. Rohatyn, Felix G., 1928– IV. Witkowsky, Anne. V. Center for Strategic and International Studies (Washington, D.C.) VI. Title. JZ1480.E43 2007 353.1’30973—dc22 2007031146 The CSIS Press Center for Strategic and International Studies 1800 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006 Tel: (202) 775-3119 Fax: (202) 775-3199 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.csis.org CONTENTS Members, Embassy of the Future Commission II Project Staff III Preface IV Executive Summary VI Introduction: A New American Diplomacy 1 The Embassy of the Future 4 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Invest in People 8 2. Integrate Technology and Business Practices 15 3. Expand Knowledge and Information Sharing 19 4. Embrace New Communications Tools 23 5. Operate beyond Embassy Walls 27 6. Strengthen Platform and Presence Options 31 7. Strengthen the Country Team 47 8. Manage Risk 50 9. Promote Secure Borders, Open Doors 55 10. Streamline Administrative Functions 58 APPENDIXES Appendix A: About the Commission Members 60 Appendix B: Presenters at Full Commission Meetings 65 Appendix C: Working Session Participants and Other Contributors 66 Appendix D: Interviews 69 Glossary 72 MEMBERS, EMBASSY OF THE FUTURE COMMISSION The Center for Strategic and International Studies expresses its gratitude to the members of the commission: Cochairs LTG James R. Clapper, USAF (Retired)* George L. Argyros Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Chairman and CEO U.S. Department of Defense Arnel & Affiliates James Dyer Marc Grossman Consultant Vice Chairman Clark & Weinstock The Cohen Group Stuart E. Eizenstat Felix G. Rohatyn Partner Senior Adviser to the Chairman and Chairman Covington & Burling of the International Advisory Committees Charles A. Gillespie, Jr. Lehman Brothers Principal The Scowcroft Group Commissioners Richard L. Armitage Louis W. Goodman President Dean and Professor of International Relations, Armitage International School of International Service American University Anne L. Armstrong Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee Jamie Gorelick Center for Strategic and International Studies Partner WilmerHale Kenneth H. Bacon President A. Elizabeth Jones Refugees International Executive Vice President APCO Worldwide Stuart A. Bernstein Former Ambassador James R. Jones Cochairman and CEO Keith L. Brown ManattJones Global Strategies Chairman Council of American Ambassadors Kenton W. Keith Senior Vice President Prudence Bushnell Meridian International Center CEO Sage Associates * LTG Clapper served on the commission until April 2007, when he returned to government service. II THE EMBASSY OF THE FUTURE Alan P. Larson ADM Joseph W. Prueher, USN (Retired) Senior International Policy Adviser Consulting Professor and Senior Adviser Covington & Burling Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) Tara Lemmey CEO Cynthia P. Schneider LENS Ventures Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy, School of Foreign Service W. Robert Pearson Georgetown University Head, International Division The SPECTRUM Group BGN Francis X. Taylor, USAF (Retired) Chief Security Officer Thomas R. Pickering General Electric Company Vice Chairman Hills & Company PROJECT STAFF Staff Eric Lief Anne Witkowsky Senior Associate Senior Fellow and Project Director Mark Wong Peter Roady U.S. Department of State (Retired) Research Assistant Interns Kate Phillips Jessica Berlow Research Associate Brenna Dion Ashley Rasmussen Laura Gunderson Project Coordinator Zack Kahn Contributors Alexandra Knatchbull James A. Lewis Anand Prakash Senior Fellow and Director Technology and Public Policy Program MEMBERS, EMBASSY OF THE FUTURE COMMISSION & PROJECT STAFF III PREFACE The CSIS Embassy of the Future project was The commission’s goal was to create a vision launched in the fall of 2006 to explore the tension for an embassy of the future that could be realized between protecting U.S. diplomats and enabling by implementing practical recommendations for them to conduct their missions effectively. How today. Participants looked at how the diplomat’s can both diplomatic platforms and practices meet job is changing and then at the training, platforms, security objectives and best serve America? How technology, and business practices that tomorrow’s should the State Department equip and empower diplomats will need to promote and protect U.S. diplomats with the benefits of twenty-first U.S. interests. century technology? The commission met formally three times: in CSIS invited three highly respected individuals October 2006 to obtain baseline information and to serve as the study’s cochairs—George L. Argyros, chart the project’s course; in March 2007 to discuss Marc Grossman, and Felix G. Rohatyn—each of draft findings and recommendations; and in May whom drew on his experience as an ambassador 2007 to review the draft final report. In June 2007, to lead our discussions and investigation. CSIS commission representatives twice briefed the secre- expresses its gratitude to the 25 distinguished com- tary of state and her senior staff on the commission’s missioners who participated, including former senior draft recommendations. government officials, former career ambassadors and Project research was conducted in Washington noncareer ambassadors, retired military officers, and overseas. CSIS convened four working sessions: private-sector representatives, and academic experts. the first session addressed how the diplomacy of the This project developed from discussions between future will shape the needs for the embassy of the Henrietta Holsman Fore, undersecretary of state for future; the second examined business models for management, and Dr. John Hamre, president and overseas presence; the third discussed diplomatic CEO of CSIS. The commission and staff owe Under platforms and presence—from bricks and mortar Secretary Fore a special debt of gratitude for her to online outreach; and the fourth explored new active support of the project. The State Department technology. Working session participants included cooperated extensively with the commission, but commissioners, current and former State Depart- the findings and recommendations are those of ment and other government personnel, and other the commission. outside experts. The study was funded by the Una Chapman CSIS staff conducted a number of focus group Cox Foundation, an organization dedicated to meetings in Washington to generate and review furthering the U.S. Foreign Service. The project ideas for the project. These groups were composed benefited from the generous encouragement and of current State Department personnel ranging from support of the foundation’s trustees and in particular young professionals through senior management. from its executive director Ambassador Clyde Taylor. CSIS staff also interviewed a number of private- IV THE EMBASSY OF THE FUTURE sector executives to