foreign service high school essay contest

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The HSFSA's first essay contest has successfully taken place! More essay competitions will take place in the future!

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American Foreign Service Association: National High School Essay Contest

Deadline to apply: March 15, 2017

The 2017 National High School Essay Contest has begun! This is the 19th year of this prestigious contest, which encourages high school students to think about important international issues and learn about The United States Foreign Service.

This year, we throw the spotlight on a clear and present challenge: The growing number of refugees and internally displaced persons around the world. The contest challenges students to imagine themselves as a member of the Foreign Service posted to one of four countries that are directly affected by this crisis, and to propose solutions. Click here for more details on the topic .

AFSA welcomes the continuing support of our fantastic contest partners: The United States Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea, and the National Student Leadership Conference. They make possible the fantastic prizes for our winner and runner-up. The winner receives $2,500, a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet the Secretary of State, and full tuition for a Semester at Sea educational voyage. The runner-up receives $1,250 and full tuition for the NSLC’s International Diplomacy summer program.

Eligibility for AFSA’s 2016 National High School Essay Contest is limited to high school students of U.S. citizenship, in grades 9-12, whose parents are not members of the Foreign Service.

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• Youth & Education

Youth Scholarships

The VFW is dedicated to promoting patriotism and investing in our future generation. If you are a democracy-loving high school student interested in a $35,000 college scholarship or a patriotic middle school student interested in winning $5,000, these scholarships may be for you.

Voice of Democracy

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, download the  2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring  local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "Is America Today Our Forefathers' Vision?"

About the 2023-2024 winner ...

Sophia Lin, a high school junior at BASIS Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, was named the 2023-2024 Voice of Democracy first place winner. Sophia's speech on the theme, "What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy?" won her a $35,000 college scholarship. Sophia was sponsored by Scottsdale VFW Post 3513. Watch as Sophia delivered her speech during the VFW's Parade of Winners award  ceremony or read it here .

Want to catch up on everything that happened this year? You can watch the full Parade of Winners ceremony which was streamed live on Facebook, or see this year's complete list of winners .

Patriot's Pen

Each year, nearly 68,800 students in sixth through eighth grades enter the VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance to win their share of nearly $1 million in state and national awards. Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000! 

The essay contest encourages young minds to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen by the VFW Commander-in-Chief. Before submitting your essay,  download the 2024-2025 entry form here  and find your sponsoring local VFW Post  as applications must be turned in by  midnight, Oct. 31 . 

The 2024-25 theme is:  "My Voice in America's Democracy?"

Bryant Day, an eighth grade student from Ashland, Ohio, was named the 2023-2024 Patriot's Pen first place winner. His essay on the theme, "How Are You Inspired by America?" won the national first place $5,000 award. Bryant was sponsored by VFW Post 9943 and its Auxiliary in Mansfield, Ohio.

Watch as Bryant delivered his winning essay during the VFW's Parade of Winners streamed live on Facebook, or read  his essay here.  See the complete list of 2024 national winners .

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2023-2024 VOD Winners

Voice of democracy entry form, voice of democracy national scholarship listing, 2023-2024 patriot's pen winners, patriot's pen entry form, patriot's pen national scholarship listing, sponsor a youth scholarship.

VFW Post 1736 announces winners of student Americanism competitions

T he Veteran of Foreign Wars & Auxiliary Post 1736 recognized winners of their student competitions on Americanism at an awards ceremony held Thursday at the St. Frances Cabrini School Activity Building.  

Three teachers from an elementary school, middle school and high school were each honored with the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award. 

Jessica Waits, at teacher at Rapides Academy, learned before the ceremony that she won The Smart.Mahr VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award for middle school teachers on the district and state level as well as locally. 

“I am surprised and honored,” she said. “I love what I do. I love my kids. My students inspire and challenge me to be better and do better every year. This is my 16th year of teaching.”

Phoenix Magnet Elementary School teacher Kelsey Simmons won in the elementary school category and Tioga High School teacher Cade Richardson won the high school category in the local competition.

In addition to helping veterans, one of the other main purposes of the VFW is to promote Americanism, said Post Commander Rodney Barnett. 

“We thank you for this opportunity to get your kids to learn about Americanism,” Barnett told parents and others gathered at the ceremony. One of the ways they do that is through programs like this one. 

“We had 1,654 entries for the program this year,” said Linda Kieffer, Auxiliary president and Americanism chair. 

Competition categories included Coloring of the American Flag, Drawing of the American Flag, Drawing of an Historical Event and Essay on How I Honor Veterans for elementary school students. Winners from each school who had students entered were announced in addition to overall winners in each category. 

Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students wrote essays on “How Are You Inspired by America” for the Patriots Pen contest. St. Frances Cabrini School eighth grader Ciara Winkey-Reed placed first. Stella Soprano of Our Lady of Prompt Succor placed second, Isabella McDaniel of Rapides Academy placed third and Eve Henry of Our Lady of Prompt Succor placed fourth. 

“I’m greatly inspired by immigrants. I’ve grown up around immigrants,” said Ciara. “Most of the people who go to this school who have inspired me are immigrants.” 

She read a few lines from her essay. 

“Immigrants often leave behind familiarity, culture and comfort to chase the American dream, showcasing incredible courage and commitment. Their ability to overcome obstacles is a constant source of inspiration.”  

Ciara is glad to live in America because if she didn’t, she doesn’t think she would have a Catholic education. She said she made the decision to convert to Catholicism when she was in the third grade. 

“I do believe if I did not come to this school, and I did not live in America, I would not have the free speech that I do to say, ‘I’m Christian. I love going to a Catholic school,’” she said. 

Ciara read another paragraph from her essay that she said was her favorite. 

“America has granted me an opportunity where my dreams are not only vivid, but also attainable.”  

High school students wrote essays on “What Are the Greatest Attributes of Our Democracy” for the Voice of Democracy contest. Rapides High School senior Jada Ortega placed first. Micah Cole of Pineville High School placed second and Ruben Kho of Holy Savior Menard placed third. 

Ortega has a love for writing and was encouraged by her teacher to enter the competition. She plans to attend LSUA and major in psychology. 

Both Jada's and Ciara's essays will go on to the state competition and from there, the winning essays will be sent to national competition.

Overall winners in Coloring of the American Flag are Rayleigh Pitt of Grace Christian, first place; Olivia Coutee of Tioga Elementary School, second place and Brantley Ball of Alpine Christian, third place. 

Overall winners in the Drawing of the American Flag are Tinsley Hilger, first place; Tate Dodge, second place and Harper Ducote, third place. All are students at Our Lady of Prompt Succor. 

Overall winners in Drawing of an Historic Event are Jase Ducote, first place, and Aven Chaveas, second place, both with Our Lady of Prompt Succor; and Catherine Townsend of Phoenix Magnet, third place. 

Overall winners of the How I Honor Veterans essay contest are Chaslynn James of Poland Junior High, first place; Mason Wug of Ball Elementary, second place; and Leon Weekly of Tioga Elementary School, third place. 

Winners of each school in the Coloring of the American Flag are: Leal Leglue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Daisy McKay of Poland Junior High, Aubree Coutee of Verda Elementary, Emily Letherman of St. Frances Cabrini, Bella Evans of Ball Elementary, Owen Roberts of Georgetown High, Brantley Bell of Alpine Christian, Dasmyn Butler of Phoenix Magnet and Olivia Coutee of Tioga Elementary School. 

Winners of each school in the Drawing of the American Flag are: MaKaylee Maloy of Georgetown High, Tristan Rachel of Verda Elementary School, Samyaya Cowens of St. Frances Cabrini, Charlotte Cal of Ball Elementary, Mason Bailey of Alpine Christian, Tinsley Hilger of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Payton Carmouche of Poland Junior High, Ada West of Phoenix Magnet and Zoe Telliferoender of Tioga Elementary. 

Winners of each school in the Drawing of an Historical event are: Sarah Roberts of Georgetown High, Major Sykes of Verda Elementary, Kia Guillot of St. Frances Cabrini, Jaxson Young, Ball Elementary, John Johnson, Poland Junior High, Jase Ducote Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Major Starr of Phoenix Magnet and Kristopher Reed, Tioga Elementary. 

Winners of each school in the “How I Honor Veteran essay” contest are: Aubrey Arnold of Georgetown High, Annabelle Sharbino of Ball Elementary, Lucas Stilley of Verda Elementary, Charmiya Keller of St. Frances Cabrini, Chaslynn James of Poland Junior High, Bryce Louviere of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Leon Weekly of Tioga Elementary School and Madison Hinson of Phoenix Magnet. 

“We thank you for this opportunity to get your kids to learn about Americanism. And the VFW is constantly pushing, we have people in Washington D.C., that are vigilant and they push legislation to make sure that our veterans are taken care of.” 

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: VFW Post 1736 announces winners of student Americanism competitions

Four Students Win Seventh Annual KBHF Essay Contest

Four high school students from across Kansas have won $500 each in the seventh annual Kansas Business Hall of Fame essay contest. The contest was open to students in Grades 9 through 12 in Kansas with entries from homeschooled students also accepted.

Original essays were based on research of a Kansas Business Hall of Fame honoree inducted into one of two categories: Historical or Contemporary. Inductees can be found at www.ksbhf.org . Students could read about the inductees and choose one that inspired them. They were encouraged to use their own personal thoughts and views that best pertained to the theme and themselves. Sixty-six entries from 14 Kansas high schools were judged by a panel of business professionals and business faculty.

Below are the four winning authors and the KBHF inductee they wrote about:

• Addilyn Bruns, freshman, homeschooled, Topeka, inductee Arthur Capper
• Aubryn Garriott, senior, Olpe High School, inductee Bill Kurtis
• Lucy Krebsbach, freshman, homeschooled, Meriden, inductee Charles Walker
• Benjamin Soyka, senior, Leavenworth High School, inductee Warren Augustine Bechtel

The prize money totaling $2,000 was graciously donated by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Winning authors were mailed or presented their certificates.

Dr. James Leiker, KBHF Board Chair, said, “The Kansas Business Hall of Fame is proud to honor these students and their instructors, who, through these essays, help us better understand the rich tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation that our state has fostered.”

The winning students will be invited to the KBHF Induction Ceremony on Thursday, June 13, in Cremer Hall on the campus of Emporia State University, where they will receive their prizes.

The KBHF Board would like to thank the following judges: Susan Elliott, Beth Ginter, Paul Grimes, Sherriene Jones-Sontag, Connie Lindell, Jeff Muldoon, John Rich, Butch Sim, Ed Bashaw and Jim Shepherd.

About the Kansas Business Hall of Fame: Housed in Emporia State University’s School of Business Cremer Hall, the Kansas Business Hall of Fame recognizes business leaders who have added to the prestige and growth of Kansas. By identifying outstanding examples of business leadership, the Hall of Fame shares these stories of success and innovation through representative displays. The Hall of Fame creates an awareness and appreciation of Kansas' rich heritage of business leadership. The Board is made up of individuals from all over the state of Kansas with representatives from universities, community colleges, and private and public businesses. For more information, please go to www.ksbhf.org .

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United States Institute of Peace

Contests for students.

The U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) is committed to educating the next generation of peacebuilders about the U.S. role in preventing and resolving conflicts around the world, and about the important part that young people can play as engaged global citizens.

Starting in 1987, USIP challenged students to think critically about global issues of conflict and peace through the National Peace Essay Contest (NPEC). Now, USIP is building upon the legacy of the NPEC (which was wrapped up in 2014) by partnering with other organizations on a range of initiatives that inspire students to learn more about global peacebuilding and to put their own good ideas into action.

Make sure to explore our other resources for students, teachers, and the broader public by visiting the Public Education section. 

Academic WorldQuest

Each year, the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) engages more than 4,000 high school students across the U.S. in its signature quiz contest that tests their knowledge of global issues and foreign policy in 10 categories. Since 2016, USIP has been a co-sponsor of this national contest, ensuring the inclusion of a peace and conflict category in Academic WorldQuest each year. 

For the 2021 competition, USIP’s category is  “Exploring Peace in a World of Conflict,”  with featured resources that blend research, data, and real-life examples of peacebuilding in action. For more information, check out our Academic WorldQuest page! 

National High School Essay Contest

As a successor to USIP’s own National Peace Essay Contest, USIP has since 2015 partnered with the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) on its annual National High School Essay Contest. The contest engages high school students in learning and writing about issues of peace and conflict, and encourages appreciation for diplomacy’s role in building partnerships that can advance peacebuilding and protect national security. 

The winner of the contest receives a $2,500 cash prize, an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to meet leadership at the U.S. Department of State and USIP, and a full-tuition paid voyage with Semester at Sea upon the student’s enrollment at an accredited university. The runner-up receives a $1,250 cash prize and a full scholarship to participate in the International Diplomacy Program of the National Student Leadership Conference. 

Explore the 2022 essay contest topic, “Partnerships for Peace in a Multipolar Era,” download this year’s contest study guide , and learn more about the essay contest here. 

Participate in the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People!

The Goi Peace Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (MEXT), is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024 International Essay Contest for Young People. This prestigious competition invites Kenyan youth to share their narratives on the theme "My Experience of Overcoming Conflict."

The contest aims to foster a global culture of peace and sustainable development by encouraging young minds to reflect on their personal encounters with conflict and how they have navigated through adversity. Through this platform, participants have the opportunity to inspire and be inspired, showcasing resilience and innovative perspectives that contribute to positive change.

To participate, interested individuals are encouraged to visit https://www.goipeace.or.jp/en/ for detailed guidelines and submission requirements. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm (EAT), Saturday, 15th June, 2024.

This is an exceptional chance for Kenyan youth to voice their stories and insights on overcoming conflict, contributing to a world where peace and understanding prevail. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your mark on the global stage and inspire others with your experiences.

For more information and to submit your entry, visit https://www.goipeace.or.jp/en/     https://www.goipeace.or.jp. Let your story be heard and celebrated as we work together towards a brighter, more harmonious future.

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2023 High School Essay Contest Winning Essay

You are here, in this section, mending bridges: us–vietnam reconciliation from 1995 to today.

BY JUSTIN AHN

When the Vietnam War ended in 1975, US–Vietnam relations were understandably tense. During the war, 58,220 American soldiers were killed; on the Vietnamese side, a staggering two million civilians and one million soldiers were killed (Albert). The US severed diplomatic ties with Vietnam and imposed a full trade embargo (Albert). But today, less than fifty years later, the two countries are close economic and strategic partners thanks to the Foreign Service’s successful reconciliation efforts.

Between 1975 and 1995, shifting international dynamics created an opportunity to build ties with Vietnam. Initially, US–Vietnam relations deteriorated as Vietnam invaded Cambodia in 1978 and aligned itself with the Soviet Union (Manyin 2). However, after Vietnam withdrew its troops from Cambodia in 1989, the Bush administration decided in 1990 to seek contact with Vietnam to facilitate a peace agreement (Manyin 2). In 1991, a multilateral peace accord concluded the Cambodian–Vietnamese War, and the US lifted travel restrictions against Vietnam (Albert). After increasing diplomatic exchanges in the following years, in July 1995, the two countries normalized relations, agreeing to exchange ambassadors (Albert).

To enable more extensive cooperation, the Foreign Service had to rebuild Americans’ trust in their recent enemy by addressing the legacies of war. Because some Americans believed that American soldiers were still being held captive in Vietnam, a full accounting of prisoners of war (POW) and missing in action soldiers (MIA) was necessary to prove that Vietnam was no longer an enemy (United States, Congress, Senate 1–4). Moreover, advocacy groups demanded that the US offer closure to veterans’ families and recover soldiers’ bodies so that their deaths would not be forgotten (Osius 7–8). As early as 1992, the Department of Defense established an office of the Joint Task Force–Full Accounting (JTF-FA) in Hanoi (Osius 12). In fact, Vietnamese cooperation in accounting for MIAs was a major reason for the decision to normalize relations (McCain). Once an embassy was established, under the direction of charge d’affaires Desaix Anderson, Political Officers Ted Osius and Bryan Dalton supported the efforts of JTF-FA (Osius 22). Their close coordination with Nguyễn Xuân Phong, director of the Americas office at the Foreign Ministry and Vietnam’s Office for Seeking Missing Persons, allowed JTF-FA to make steady progress in confirming that no POWs remained in Vietnam and finding the remains of American MIAs (Osius 22). To date, over 1,000 American MIAs have been identified and repatriated (Vu and Wells-Dang).

To regain the trust of the Vietnamese people, the Foreign Service had to repair the damages the US military had caused. During the Vietnam War, the US sprayed 45.6 million liters of the herbicide Agent Orange, which contained the toxic chemical dioxin, over Vietnamese forests (Phan 25). More than four million Vietnamese may have been exposed to the substance, which causes serious health effects such as cancer and heart disease (Phan 25–26). From 2013 to 2018, to address the issue of Agent Orange and promote reconciliation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defense collaborated to remediate roughly 90,000 square meters of dioxin-contaminated soil at Da Nang Airport, a former US air base (US Embassy and Consulate in Vietnam). Thanks to the clean-up, commercial activity in Da Nang airport now takes place without fear of health damage due to dioxin exposure (Phan 27–28). In 2019, the two partners inaugurated a similar project to clean up Bien Hoa Air Base, the largest remaining dioxin hotspot (Phan 27). Moreover, the US is currently supporting Vietnam’s effort to locate and identify fallen Vietnamese soldiers, just as Vietnam has extensively cooperated with MIA efforts for American soldiers. The Department of Defense’s Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative aims to transfer DNA analysis technology and train Vietnamese forensic workers (Vu and Dang). The United States of Peace accompanies this initiative with policy dialogues, public communications, and workshops to stimulate people-to-people connections between the US and Vietnam (Vu and Dang).

Based on a foundation of trust and reconciliation, the Foreign Service built avenues of economic cooperation with Vietnam, allowing US businesses to capitalize on the growing Vietnamese economy. In the 1990s, even after President Clinton lifted the trade embargo in 1994, US firms in Vietnam fell behind competitors from other countries because US tariffs on goods produced in Vietnam were 40 percent higher than on most other countries, discouraging investing in Vietnamese manufacturing (Schulzinger 59). To support American companies, US negotiators worked with their Vietnamese counterparts on a bilateral trade agreement. In the agreement, signed in 2000, both countries granted each other “most favored nation” status and drastically reduced tariffs ( Agreement 2–9). Importantly, Vietnam agreed to some reforms to liberalize its economy, including abiding by more stringent intellectual property rights standards and relaxing restrictions on investment by US firms ( Agreement 10–33, 44–51).

Furthermore, public diplomacy expanded US soft power among the Vietnamese people. For example, in 2014, then-Ambassador Dave Shear obtained a grant from the State Department’s Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation to restore the Triệu Tổ Temple in the city of Huế, which had been destroyed during the Vietnam War (Osius 123). The project successfully restored local officials’ and residents’ trust in the US (Osius 123). Moreover, Public Affairs Officer Alex Titolo arranged initiatives in Huế, including student exchanges between US educational institutions and Huế University, English-language teaching, and a small US cultural center (Osius 124).

Additionally, the Foreign Service collaborates with Vietnam on Mekong River issues. Upstream, China and Laos have constructed more than seventy dams for hydroelectric power generation, threatening to disrupt Vietnam’s water supply, harm biodiversity, and reduce agricultural output (Osius 81). This issue is important not only to Vietnam but also to the US because the collapse of the Mekong ecosystem would destabilize regional security, and China’s ability to threaten to restrict water flows gives it substantial leverage over Vietnam (Lichtefeld 21). So, in 2008, following a proposal by then-Ambassador Michael Michalak, a DRAGON Institute, conducting environmental research in cooperation with the US Geological Survey, was launched at Can Tho University (Lichtefeld 17). In 2009, the US launched the Lower Mekong Initiative, supporting technical and scientific collaboration initiatives such as Forecast Mekong, which utilized data analysis to support water management and address climate variability (Lichtefeld 15, 18).

In the near future, as the US seeks to pivot to Asia and counter Chinese influence in the region, engagement with Vietnam will be more important than ever. In 2013, at a summit between President Barack Obama and Vietnam’s President Truong Tan Sang, Vietnam and the US upgraded their relationship to a “comprehensive partnership” based on “mutual respect and common interests” (Obama White House). Under this framework, the US supports a “strong, prosperous, and independent Vietnam” (White House). As Senator John McCain wrote leading up to the normalization of relations in 1995, “It is, therefore, absolutely in our national security interests to have an economically viable Vietnam strong enough to resist, in concert with its neighbors, the heavy-handed tactics of its great power neighbor [China].”

Moving forward, the Foreign Service should facilitate defense cooperation with Vietnam regarding Chinese military activity in the South China Sea, a mutual concern. In recent years, China has aggressively asserted its “nine dash line” claim, which conflicts with Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone (Abbott 39). The US has an interest in regional stability and maintaining principles of maritime law, including sovereignty and freedom of navigation (Abbott 41). While joint military exercises would go against Vietnam’s traditional policy of non-alignment, the Foreign Service should provide technical support so that Vietnam can monitor its claim in the South China Sea, collecting and publicizing data about Chinese military vessels (Jung 55–56; Poling and Natalegawa).

In terms of economics, the Foreign Service must reinforce trade and investment ties to build soft power. Although President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership in 2017 undermined bilateral trade, the US and Vietnam can begin multilateral negotiations on a new digital trade agreement as a precursor to a broader free trade agreement (Osius 233–234; Poling and Natalegawa). Moreover, the US should increase its investment presence, emphasizing niche sectors such as education and information technology while providing feasibility studies and project assessments to support infrastructure projects led by other countries (Nguyen 51).

Of course, the Foreign Service has obstacles to overcome, such as Vietnam’s concerning human rights record. The Socialist Party of Vietnam suppresses freedom of expression, freedom of religion, ethnic minority rights, and labor rights, which leads some members of Congress to discourage closer diplomatic and security ties with Vietnam (Tran 6). However, the US must continue to expand and strengthen its partnership with Vietnam, given its significance in regional affairs. The progress that has been made since 1995 is remarkable; the Foreign Service has led a multifaceted reconciliation campaign to transform the US–Vietnam relationship from hostility to a comprehensive partnership. As in Vietnam, the Foreign Service can look to build peace and advance productive, mutually beneficial relationships around the world.

Works Cited

Abbott, Laura A. "Challenges and Opportunities for U.S.–Vietnam Security Cooperation." From Foes to Partners: Rethinking 25 Years of U.S.–Vietnam Relations , edited by Jeffrey Ordaniel and Ariel Stenek, Pacific Forum, October 2021, pp. 36-42, pacforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PacForum_Report_V06.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. Issues & Insights Vol. 21 SR3.

* Agreement between the United States of America and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on Trade Relations . 13 July 2000. United States Trade Representative , ustr.gov/sites/default/files/US-VietNam-BilateralTradeAgreement.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023.

Albert, Eleanor. "The Evolution of U.S.–Vietnam Ties." Council on Foreign Relations , 20 Mar. 2019, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/evolution-us-vietnam-ties . Accessed 3 Mar. 2023.

Jung, Ki Suh. "Noise and Signal: Pursuing Common Objectives to Optimize Security Collaboration between the United States and Vietnam." From Foes to Partners: Rethinking 25 Years of U.S.–Vietnam Relations, edited by Jeffrey Ordaniel and Ariel Stenek, Pacific Forum, October 2021, pp. 52-56, pacforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PacForum_Report_V06.pdf. Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. Issues & Insights Vol. 21 SR3.

Lichtefeld, John. "Evolution of U.S.–Vietnam Cooperation on the Mekong." From Foes to Partners: Rethinking 25 Years of U.S.–Vietnam Relations , edited by Jeffrey Ordaniel and Ariel Stenek, Pacific Forum, October 2021, pp. 14-23, pacforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PacForum_Report_V06.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. Issues & Insights Vol. 21 SR3.

Manyin, Mark E. The Vietnam-U.S. Normalization Process . Congressional Research Service, 17 June 2005, sgp.fas.org/crs/row/IB98033.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023.

* McCain, John. "Opinion: Let's Normalize Relations with Vietnam." Washington Post , 15 May 1995, www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lets-normalize-relations-with-vietnam/2018/08/26/6c6553f4-a934-11e8-a8d7-0f63ab8b1370_story.html . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023.

Nguyen, Hanh. "U.S.–Vietnam Partnership in the Post-COVID Era: A Recalibration towards Intra-ASEAN Integration." From Foes to Partners: Rethinking 25 Years of U.S.–Vietnam Relations , edited by Jeffrey Ordaniel and Ariel Stenek, Pacific Forum, October 2021, pp. 43-51, pacforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PacForum_Report_V06.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. Issues & Insights Vol. 21 SR3.

* Obama White House. "Joint Statement by President Barack Obama of the United States of America and President Truong Tan Sang of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam." 25 July 2013, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/07/25/joint-statement-president-barack-obama-united-states-america-and-preside . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023.

Osius, Ted. Nothing Is Impossible: America's Reconciliation with Vietnam . E-book ed., New Brunswick, Rutgers UP, 2022. Kindle.

Phan, Dung Xuan. "U.S. Ex-gratia Approach toward the Agent Orange Legacy in Vietnam." From Foes to Partners: Rethinking 25 Years of U.S.–Vietnam Relations , edited by Jeffrey Ordaniel and Ariel Stenek, Pacific Forum, October 2021, pp. 24-35, pacforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PacForum_Report_V06.pdf . Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. Issues & Insights Vol. 21 SR3.

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Ukraine's first lady and foreign minister visit Russia-friendly Serbia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, right, shakes hands with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, left, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, May 13, 2024. Kuleba, who has arrived on a surprise visit to Russia-friendly Serbia, held talks on Monday in Belgrade in a sign of warming relations between the two states. Credit: AP/Marko Drobnjakovic

BELGRADE, Serbia — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba made a surprise visit to Russia-friendly Serbia on Monday, together with Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, in a sign of warming relations between the two states.

On his first visit to Serbia since the start of the Russian aggression on Ukraine in 2022, Kuleba met Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and new Serbian Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, whose government includes several pro-Russian ministers, including two who have been under U.S. sanctions.

A statement issued by the prime minister's office after the talks said that "Serbia is committed to respecting international law and the territorial integrity of every member state of the United Nations, including Ukraine.”

Although Serbia has condemned the Russian aggression on Ukraine, it has refused to join international sanctions against Moscow and has instead maintained warm and friendly relations with its traditional Slavic ally.

Serbia has proclaimed neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine, and its authorities repeat that Serbia does not supply weapons to any parties. Last year, pro-government Russian media reported that Serbia had delivered thousands of missiles to Ukraine via intermediary countries, a claim that Serbia strongly denied.

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The visit by Kuleba and Zelenska, who toured the Serbian capital with Serbian first lady Tamara Vucic on Sunday, was met with criticism in Moscow. Comments by readers in the Russian state-run media such as “shameful” were published by RIA Novosti.

In what appears to be damage control, soon after his talks with Kuleba on Monday, Vucevic was to meet the Russian ambassador to Belgrade and the two were to tour a big storage facility for Russian gas that is being imported to Serbia.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, right, gestures during his meeting with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, left, in Belgrade, Serbia, Monday, May 13, 2024. Kuleba, who has arrived on a surprise visit to Russia-friendly Serbia, held talks on Monday in Belgrade in a sign of warming relations between the two states. Credit: AP/Marko Drobnjakovic

Pro-Russian President Vucic has informally met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times on the sidelines of international conferences. Serbia has supplied Ukraine with humanitarian and financial aid.

Vucic has for years claimed to follow a “neutral” policy, balancing ties among Moscow, Beijing, Brussels and Washington. Although he has repeatedly said that Serbia is firm in its proclaimed goal of seeking European Union membership, under his authoritarian rule the Balkan country appears to be shifting closer to Russia and especially China.

During a high-stakes visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Belgrade last week, China and Serbia signed an agreement to build “ironclad” relations and a “shared joint future.”

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