The old approach to national security is breaking apart. Americans demand change. Young diplomats and global service professionals today have a once in a century opportunity to reshape how the US engages in the world. Amb. Tom Shannon is back to inspire and share his awesome insights. In his words, Liberate the Future. (FSJ Jan-Feb 2025)

Will diplomacy come next? Will Trump and Netanyahu give the Ayatollah an off-ramp? Acting Secretary of State and Undersecretary in the first Trump administration Tom Shannon lists both sides' options and their likelihood of taking place. Will there be Iranian "retribution" and if so, what will it look like?

For decades Plan Colombia was the gold standard for tackling counter-insurgency. With the current spike in cartel/gang violence, are Colombians losing faith in their conciliatory, populist leader Petro? Is the current violence due to a legacy of armed groups? Does it just boil down to testosterone? Ambassador Kevin Whitaker breaks it all down for us.

The Federal Government has a long-standing entity which reviews possible threats posed by foreign actors, investing inside the US. What happens when a small town decides to wreck a Chinese investment…prudence or a resurgence of the Red Scare? Security expert Nova Daly unpacks these questions and updates us on the impending deadline for TikTok…yes, the clock is ticking!

With Assad overthrown in Syria and the new regime freeing themselves of decades long sanctions will they be able to stop the flow of financing and weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon? Is this an opening to permit reform and true democracy in Lebanon or will it be another missed opportunity? Ambassador Ed Gabriel sets forth what is at stake in the region and for US interests.

With so much disinformation flying around, Senator Chris Van Hollen sets the record straight and takes down Secretary Rubio at the same time.

From wartime to prosperity, Ambassador Ted Osius shares his personal experience of change in US/Vietnam relations since the end of the war 50 years ago. Best question: Why is Amb. Osius optimistic, even in today's trade climate? Hint: Nothing is Impossible, the title of both Amb. Osius's book and his previous episode with us. For bonus fun, enjoy the video of Vietnamese female rap artist Suboi!

How did a utopian vision for society lead to one of the bloodiest regimes in history, Cambodia's Khmer Rouge? Why does it matter today? Was it mediocrity? Arrogance? Or is it just easier to seize power than it is to govern? Prof. Andrew Mertha of Johns Hopkins' School of International Studies, whose new book Bad Lieutenants – out today, lays it out for us.

Acting Undersecretary for Management, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, had a front row seat to the twenty-something DOGE Musketeers and their slash and burn approach to "re-organizing" venerable national security infrastructure. Tibor reflects on that and opines on whether the worst is over.

Overseas, mugged, sick, arrested, who are you going to call and will there be anyone to answer? Tom Yazdgerdi, the President of AFSA, the State Department labor union, fears what budget cuts will mean for traveling Americans.