Rebalancing U.S. Foreign Policy: The State Department and Congressional Fellowships
by Travis Sharp [contact information]
October 5, 2009
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Abstract
The Department of Defense’s growing control over U.S. foreign policy is partly attributable to its highly organized and efficient legislative operations, which are far superior to those of the State Department and allow the Pentagon to dominate State in the zero-sum game of congressional budgeting. By 2009, the Pentagon plans to quadruple the number of military fellows it sends to Congress as part of a complete revamping of its legislative affairs office. If it does not take similar action, the State Department risks being completely overshadowed by the Department of Defense. This might further diminish the State Department’s ability to enlist support on Capitol Hill for its policy and budgetary priorities. This essay argues that in order to reclaim its proper place alongside the Pentagon as the chief incubator and executor of U.S. foreign policy, the State Department must strengthen its legislative affairs activities, and thereby its relationship with Congress, through the improved utilization of congressional fellowships for Foreign Service Officers.
Travis Sharp 202-546-0795 ext. 2105 tsharp@armscontrolcenter.org
Travis Sharp is the Military Policy Analyst at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. He has published articles on defense policy in scholarly journals, internet magazines, and local newspapers, and has appeared on or been quoted in media venues such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, CNN, and Al Jazeera.