Risk, Recruitment and Retention: Engaging Foreign Publics in High Threat Environments

In an era where "zero-risk" environments abroad no longer exist, how does the United States address the question of risk for American civilians who want to pursue productive careers in diplomacy and development? With non-state actors increasingly shaping the international system, how can American diplomats and development workers engage effectively in environments critical to the defense of U.S. national interests in the 21st century? And how do we recruit, retain and support a new generation of men and women to do so?

On October 24, the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy (ACPD), the McCain Institute and the Truman National Security Project-Center for National Policy hosted a special non-partisan meeting where diplomatic, military, media and NGO leaders from government and the private sector joined forces for a discussion on these issues and more. Join the conversation on Twitter with #FrontlineCivilians.

Watch the keynote address with Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker

For more information about this event, visit