Former U.S. ambassadors to Afghanistan and Russia under the Obama administration visited Paly U.S. Foreign Policy classes in October to speak about developments in international relations.

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Both ambassadors focused on post-war tensions, with former ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry discussing effects of the War in Afghanistan and former ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul examining consequences of the Cold War.

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Clay Volino, a senior taking the foreign policy course, said his understanding of foreign relations improved as a result of the two talks.

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“I better understood how American foreign policy goals such as economic development and public health around the world can conflict with each other,” Volino said.

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Instructor of U.S. Foreign Policy Adam Yonkers plans to offer similar opportunities to his students in the future.

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“It’s really important for Paly students to understand the intersection of diplomacy and policy,” Yonkers said. “You can see how policy, in terms of being rolled out, can somewhat get derailed.”

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Political scientist professor Francis Fukuyama will be visiting on Dec. 11, 2017.