Originally, an embassy referred to an ambassador and staff who were sent to represent and advance the interests of their country with another country's government. Today, an embassy is the nerve center for a country's diplomatic affairs within the borders of another nation, serving as the headquarters of the chief of mission, staff and other agencies. An embassy is usually located in the capital city of a foreign nation; there may also be consulates located in provincial or regional cities.
Our esteemed speaker began his 31-year foreign service career with a return to Vietnam as a district senior advisor, followed by tours of duty in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Denmark, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Mexico and Kosovo. In his original tour of Vietnam he won the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in combat.
Bruce holds an BA, University of Nevada, Reno; and a MPA, Harvard University. He taught at UCLA (while the Diplomat in Residence there). Additionally, he is a lecturing professor Also offers short courses at FGCU Renaissance Academy related to the Vietnamese expansion in Indochina, French colonization and the Vietnam war.
Bruce will lead us in understanding how our embassies around the world; protect and advance national interests abroad, interpret foreign events as they relate to the U.S. and the effects of those events to others, the protection of American citizens, the advancement of commercial interests, and preparing for the worst when actions of other nations (or our own nation) threatens U.S. interests and our citizens as well as the citizens of our allies.