PILLAR III: PRESERVE PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH Diplomacy and Statecraft Priority Actions PRESERVE A FORWARD DIPLOMATIC PRESENCE: Our Competitive Diplomacy diplomats must be able to build and sustain rela- Across the competitive landscape, America’s dip- to-face diplomacy cannot be replaced by tech- tionships where U.S. interests are at stake. Face- lomats are our forward-deployed political capa- nolog y. Relationships, developed over time, bility, advancing and defending America’s inter- create trust and shared understanding that the ests abroad. Diplomacy catalyzes the political, United States calls upon when confronting secu- economic, and societal connections that create rity threats, responding to crises, and encour- America’s enduring alignments and that build aging others to share the positive networks of rela- bu r d e n for t a ck l i n g t h e t ion sh ips w it h pa r t ners . world’s challenges. We must D iplom ac y su s t a i n s d ialogue and fosters areas of Diplomacy is indispensable to cooperation with compet- identify and implement solutions itors. It reduces the risk of costly miscommunication. D iplom ac y is i nd is p en s- to conflicts in unstable regions of the world short of military enable for wa rd- deployed field work beyond the confines of diplomatic facilities, including partnering with military colleagues in con- involvement. It helps to galvanize flict-affected states. ment solut ion s to con- allies for action and marshal the ADVANCE AMERICAN INTERESTS: f licts in unstable regions collective resources of like-minded I n t h e on goi n g c ont e s t s of the world short of mili- nations and organizations for power, ou r d iplomats to address shared problems. must build and lead coali- able to identify and imple- tary involvement. It helps to galvanize allies for action and marshal the collective tions that advance shared i nt er e s t s a n d a r t ic u lat e resources of like-m inded America’s vision in interna- nations a nd orga n iza- tional forums, in bilateral tions to address shared problems. Authoritarian relationships, and at local levels within states. states are eager to replace the United States Our diplomats need additional flexibility to oper- where the United States withdraws our diplo- ate in complex conf lict-affected areas. mats and closes our outposts. CATALYZE OPPORTUNITIES: We must upg rade ou r d iplomat ic capabi l i- Diplomats must iden- tif y oppor tu n ities for com merce a nd coop - ties to compete in the current environment and eration , a nd faci lit ate t he cu lt u ra l, educa- to embrace a competitive mindset. Effective diplomacy requires the efficient use of limited tiona l, and people-to-people exchanges that resources, a professional diplomatic corps, modern create the networks of current and future polit- and safe facilities, and secure methods to commu- ical, civil society, and educational leaders who nicate and engage with local populations. will extend a free and prosperous world. 33