Usild School of Foreign Affairs

Participating in one of the Foreign Affairs programs at the United States Institute of Leadership and Diplomacy (USILD) represent a unique and invaluable opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities that define global politics, security, and diplomacy; knowing that foreign policy general objectives is driven by the idea of guiding the activities and relationships of one state in its interactions with other states.  At the USILD, you will be treated as an aspiring diplomat since you will be given the opportunity to use diplomacy as a tool of foreign policy. Following the thought of Ranke, it is said that the development of foreign policy is influenced by domestic considerations, the policies or behavior of other states, or plans to advance specific geopolitical designs. Leopold von Ranke emphasized the primacy of geography and external threats in shaping foreign policy, but later writers emphasized domestic factors. Diplomacy is the tool of foreign policy, and war, alliances, and international trade may all be manifestations of it.

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Though distinct in focus, Usild foreign affairs programs emphasize on conveying skills on the essential role of diplomacy in preventing conflict and building a more secure, peaceful world. Together, these projects support research, teaching, and policy engagement for a diverse community of current and former diplomats, students, faculty, fellows, service members, and executives.