Overview:

Chapter 6 outlines a plan to transform the State Department into a more ideologically driven and less diplomatic agency, prioritizing the President’s agenda over the expertise of career diplomats and promoting a confrontational “America First” foreign policy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Political Control: The chapter emphasizes the need to staff the State Department with individuals who are ideologically aligned with the President, suggesting a purge of career diplomats and a prioritization of loyalty over experience.
  • Confrontational Posture: It advocates for a more confrontational approach to foreign policy, particularly with respect to China and Russia, suggesting a preference for using American power to assert dominance rather than engaging in diplomacy.
  • Rejection of Multilateralism: It criticizes international organizations and agreements, calling for withdrawing from or defunding those that are seen as eroding U.S. sovereignty.
  • Promoting Conservative Values: It advocates for using U.S. foreign policy to promote conservative social values, such as opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage, potentially alienating allies and undermining America’s global standing.

Critical Quote:

“The next Administration must take swift and decisive steps to reforge the department into a lean and functional diplomatic machine that serves the President and, thereby, the American people.”

Why It Matters:

This chapter reveals a vision for a more ideologically driven and less diplomatic State Department, potentially undermining America’s global leadership, damaging relationships with allies, and increasing the risk of conflict.

Red Flags:

  • Politicization of Diplomacy: Replacing career diplomats with political appointees based on ideology could lead to a decline in the quality and effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy.
  • Increased Global Tensions: A more confrontational approach to foreign policy could escalate tensions with China, Russia, and other countries.
  • Erosion of U.S. Influence: Rejecting multilateralism and alienating allies could weaken America’s global standing and its ability to address global challenges.

Bottom Line:

Chapter 6 outlines a dangerous shift in U.S. foreign policy, prioritizing ideology over diplomacy and potentially leading to a more isolated and less influential America in a world facing complex challenges.