Tragic events in Libya resulting in the death of our U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens, Glen Doherty, Sean Smith, and Tyrone Woods.
They certainly were brave men among men for doing what diplomats do - stepping into the breach. A breach is by definition a rift, a rupture, a schism, a break...it is the antithesis of continuity, connection, or unity. A breach, by its very nature, is chaotic, uncertain, not harmonious and therefore is risky, perilous, even dangerous.
Much is made of the valor of soldiers who, with arms, stand in battle alongside their brethren in defense of others, or aggressively bring the battle to the enemy. But I wonder if any see the raw courage of those who enter perilous situations without armor or weapons, without the cavalry to protect them in order to extend a hand to strangers (who may or may not receive them) in order to build genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Ambassador Stevens and many faceless others have worked with like minded people in Libya to help strengthen them, to encourage them and teach them anything we know that can help them overcome their own countrymen who would rather take this fragile nation down the road of radical Islam, anarchy and align with less favorable partners. We learned on the original 9/11 that a few people from a small country with few resources and little education can hurt us dramatically. Who ever thought the Taliban in Afghanistan harboring a small group of Al Qaeda devotees would be so relevant to their own lives?
Our own national security is dependent upon our diplomats who find ways to weave together alliances and bring stability to strife-torn regions in ways that all our military hardware and personnel cannot do. Our diplomatic community accomplishes great things because they are willing to do what few others are - step into the breach.
Much has been said about the lack of security for the Ambassador and the people working for us. I'm sure much more will be said. But I wish more people understood that we accept higher risks to perform our duties out in the field every day than most people do in their own lives. We do it because we believe we can make a difference, for love of country and for the love of mankind. We know we cannot make the world a place of utopia, but we're willing to affect change where we have the opportunity. America should be proud of their diplomatic corp.
I'm sorry to say that most Americans have no clue what their diplomatic corp does for them. I am doubtful they appreciate us, or hold us in esteem even remotely similar to military forces. But I know that they were heroes, just like many others who work everyday in difficult, even dangerous circumstances that you will never know.
They certainly were brave men among men for doing what diplomats do - stepping into the breach. A breach is by definition a rift, a rupture, a schism, a break...it is the antithesis of continuity, connection, or unity. A breach, by its very nature, is chaotic, uncertain, not harmonious and therefore is risky, perilous, even dangerous.
Much is made of the valor of soldiers who, with arms, stand in battle alongside their brethren in defense of others, or aggressively bring the battle to the enemy. But I wonder if any see the raw courage of those who enter perilous situations without armor or weapons, without the cavalry to protect them in order to extend a hand to strangers (who may or may not receive them) in order to build genuine relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
Ambassador Stevens and many faceless others have worked with like minded people in Libya to help strengthen them, to encourage them and teach them anything we know that can help them overcome their own countrymen who would rather take this fragile nation down the road of radical Islam, anarchy and align with less favorable partners. We learned on the original 9/11 that a few people from a small country with few resources and little education can hurt us dramatically. Who ever thought the Taliban in Afghanistan harboring a small group of Al Qaeda devotees would be so relevant to their own lives?
Our own national security is dependent upon our diplomats who find ways to weave together alliances and bring stability to strife-torn regions in ways that all our military hardware and personnel cannot do. Our diplomatic community accomplishes great things because they are willing to do what few others are - step into the breach.
Much has been said about the lack of security for the Ambassador and the people working for us. I'm sure much more will be said. But I wish more people understood that we accept higher risks to perform our duties out in the field every day than most people do in their own lives. We do it because we believe we can make a difference, for love of country and for the love of mankind. We know we cannot make the world a place of utopia, but we're willing to affect change where we have the opportunity. America should be proud of their diplomatic corp.
I'm sorry to say that most Americans have no clue what their diplomatic corp does for them. I am doubtful they appreciate us, or hold us in esteem even remotely similar to military forces. But I know that they were heroes, just like many others who work everyday in difficult, even dangerous circumstances that you will never know.
