American diplomacy has faced a combustible mix of unique challenges in recent years that have tested its agility and effectiveness. From domestic hurdles resulting from deep political divisions to a disorderly international landscape and multiple wars, those challenges are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

Nicholas Kralev, founding Executive Director of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, will reflect on American diplomacy's readiness to navigate and influence the complex world of the 21st century, as well as on the impact the U.S. presidential election in November might have on it.

Mr. Kralev has witnessed the conduct of U.S. diplomacy for more than two decades as a Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent travelling with Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and Madeleine Albright around the world. He also visited more than 80 U.S. embassies during the research for his books America's Other Army and Diplomatic Tradecraft.

This event will be introduced by Marie-Laure Salles, Director, and moderated by Christiana Parreira, Assistant Professor in the Department of International Relations and Political Science, at the Geneva Graduate Institute.