Conclusion

Abstract

Towards the end of the period covered by these chapters the value of the resident ambassador was called into question, not least by some American foreign policy-makers. Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote an article in 1970 called ‘The diplomat is an anachronism’¹ and George Ball, the former Under-Secretary of State, wrote that ‘jet planes and telephones… now largely restricted ambassadors to ritual and public relations.’² The twentieth century certainly brought many challenges to the resident embassy. Diplomatic exchanges increasingly took place through international organisations, at summits and during foreign ministers’ meetings, while news of most world events could readily be gathered from the media. And while it is clear that ambassadors weathered the storm — by the end of the century there were more than ever — arguments about their value still rage.³ What light does the role of British Ambassadors in Washington throw on this question?