Antiquated bureaucratic structures and processes deprive American foreign policy of expert advice. The success of public health officials during the Covid-19 crisis offers three inspirations for reform at the State Department. By fostering subject-matter expertise, government experience, and an apolitical dedication to policy success in its diplomats, US foreign policy can achieve its objectives more effectively.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the United States, the coronavirus crisis has elevated a <\/span>bureaucrat, Dr. Anthony Fauci, into <\/span>the public spotlight coveted by politicians.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shattering the American romance with outsiders shaking up\u00a0<\/span>government bureaucracy,\u00a0<\/span>h<\/span>is impressive leadership in this crisis owes much to his non-partisan expertise and a lifetime of public service.\u00a0The U.S. response to Covid-19 leaves much to be desired, but Dr. Fauci has been a steady and trusted voice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fauci\u2019s success as a government insider offers lessons for how to prepare America\u2019s foreign policy managers for similar moments of high-stakes statecraft. In contrast to the U.S. public health bureaucracies, career officials in foreign policy are not being cultivated to play a Faucian leadership role in a future international crisis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding the sources of Dr. Fauci\u2019s success can help reverse-engineer and replicate the model of a competent crisis manager in the State Department:\u00a0<\/span>subject-matter expertise<\/b>,\u00a0<\/span>government experience<\/b>, and an\u00a0<\/span>apolitical dedication to policy success<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The science of diplomacy<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a crisis, or even the regular course of business, political leadership needs access to in-depth expertise. America\u2019s foreign policy process, which emphasizes political savviness, connection, and experience, is simply not geared to deliver it. Public health has much to teach about integrating expertise in political processes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Fauci\u2019s authority derives from the depth of his expertise.\u00a0As an accomplished researcher, he\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>widely<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>referred<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to as the <\/span>\u00ab<\/span>nation\u2019s leading expert on infectious disease<\/span>\u00bb<\/span>. He has led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for nearly forty years and has a proven track record of fighting infectious diseases.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0<\/span>Few of us can judge Dr. Fauci\u2019s immunological expertise, so we rely on signals from within his profession.\u00a0The scores of independent research and policy institutions where he conducted his research and top peer-reviewed journals where he published are proof of his sterling reputation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0<\/span>By comparison, foreign policy expertise is difficult to demonstrate. Academic and research accomplishments are not seen as a useful indicator of foreign policy expertise.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n