Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner reflects on his dealing with former South African President Thabo Mbeki in formulating U.S. policy toward Zimbabwe from 2001 to 2003.

When I taught “American Foreign Policy” (30:061) at the University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) students would occasionally ask me which American policymaker I most admired.  I never knew whether the quest…

The text of George Washington's Farewell Address. (Courtesy the National Archives) Earlier today I noted the 215th anniversary of George Washington’s Farewell Address. It is best remembered for what…

Would you come out of retirement and put your record of never having lost an election on the line in a long-shot bid to be president? George Pataki is doing just that. The three-time governor of New …

Foreign service officers posted in embassies and consulates around the world send cables to Washington every day. Much of what they write is forgotten even before it is read at the State Department. …