June 17, 2019

Speaker: Ambassador Frederick Barton

   Event Summary:    

Dr. Matthew Shank conducted an interview with Ambassador Frederick Barton discussing his experiences and take on U.S. Peacebuilding, as described in his new book, Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World.

Ambassador Barton answered many of our questions, such as those regarding life as an ambassador and the behind-the-scenes nature of the peacekeeping work. He voiced his view on what guidelines we should follow in order to decide to become engaged in a crisis situation and which U.S. procedures are involved. Also important was the question of how we measure progress in a post-conflict situation most effectively.

Rick Barton further elaborated on the importance of engaging the public and helping Americans become more knowledgeable in this area. He addressed if and how immigrant communities originating from those conflict zones, other activists and community leaders, but also young people, can play a constructive role. However, it seems to be specifically important to further engage the middle generation, since this is the group that is often most prominently missing, as is also shown in the example of the World Affairs Councils, which are mainly attended by students and retirees.

Excerpt of the interview:

Jimmy Carter is the only U.S. president to complete his term without war, military attack or occupation.
Carter said the U.S. has been at peace for only 16 of its 242 years as a nation. Counting wars, military attacks and military occupations, there have actually only been five years of peace in U.S. history — 1976, the last year of the Gerald Ford administration and 1977-80, the entirety of Carter’s presidency.

Carter then referred to the U.S. as “the most warlike nation in the history of the world,” a result, he said, of the U.S. forcing other countries to “adopt our American principles.”

Not entirely disagreeing with this statement, Ambassador Barton nonetheless had a different perspective:

“I like to think of the United States as the most advantaged nation in the world. They don’t always invite the Russians into the room, or the Chinese… but the U.S. is often seen as having the potential to be a constructive force – which is a phenomenal advantage. And then, we also have the resources to do good things… so this book is not about non-engagement, but it suggests that we be much more thoughtful… more selective… and public communications is such an influential force right now, and we don’t use that.

The U.S. has been labeled the most warlike country, but the United States has really made a difference in a number of places that have shaped history…

I agree that we shouldn’t ‘force’ our principles, but in the recent conversation in America we have sort of put our principles in the back seat… It is our principles that are really most compelling. I love leading with our principles, but I do want to make sure we are faithful to them and we are actually living them.”

   Additional Ressources:    

“Peace Works: America’s Unifying Role in a Turbulent World”

_{“Immersed in more than 40 global conflicts over the past 25 years, Ambassador Rick Barton is among the world’s most skilled and experienced diplomats and peace-builders. His honest reflections and deep understanding of the lessons he learned challenges traditional approaches and defines smart new global options.”}

_{– Senator George J. Mitchell}

For a full book review, see here