This week, we are joined by Daniel Balke and Aaron Faust. Both are active founding volunteers of fp21 and have poured gallons of sweat equity into building the intellectual and organizational foundation of our young outfit. Our guests will introduce their background after they do that the conversation touches on the difference between training in foreign policy versus that in the military, possible ways of mobilizing outside expertise the possibility of bringing design thinking into the foreign policymaking process, especially when it comes to the design of decision memos. Finally, both Daniel and Aaron share their views on what constitutes success for fp21.

Alex Bollfrass interviews the Harvard Davis Center's Arvid Bell about creating realistic training environments for foreign policy practitioners. fp21 CEO Dan Spokojny reflects on events in Afghanistan.

The second part of Dr. Thomas Scherer and Dan Spokojny talking about their article, Foreign Policy Should be Evidence-Based.

Dr. Thomas Scherer and Dan Spokojny discuss their article, Foreign Policy Should be Evidence-Based.

Third and final part of the conversation between Dr. Vic Marsh and fp21 CEO Dan Spokojny.

Part 2 of the conversation between Dr. Vic Marsh and fp21 CEO Dan Spokojny.

Part I of a conversation between fp21 founder and CEO Dan Spokojny and Victor Marsh, Ph.D.

The second part of a conversation between fp21 founder and CEO Dan Spokojny with Maryum Saifee, who is currently a U.S. diplomat contributing in her personal capacity. Her views do not reflect her institutional affiliations. While on a two-year sabbatical from the foreign service, Maryum was a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow, Presidential Leadership Scholar, and Truman Center for National Policy Senior Visiting Fellow where she led a 30-person taskforce on State Department reform.

How can the State Department benefit from letting its career employees spend time in other institutions?

fp21 founder and CEO Dan Spokojny speaks with Maryum Saifee, who is currently a U.S. diplomat contributing in her personal capacity. Her views do not reflect her institutional affiliations. While on a two-year sabbatical from the foreign service, Maryum was a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow, Presidential Leadership Scholar, and Truman Center for National Policy Senior Visiting Fellow where she led a 30-person taskforce on State Department reform.

How can evidence improve diversity in the State Department—and what’s at stake for the national interest? The diplomat Chris Le and academic Thomas Scherer in conversation.