Diplomacy's Decline

Ronan reflects on his experiences in Afghanistan, highlighting the diminishing role of diplomacy in favor of military solutions. He recounts the influence of Richard, a formidable diplomat known for his persuasive tactics, and discusses the troubling trend of reduced investment in diplomatic efforts, which has led to a reliance on the Pentagon for essential tasks like community engagement. This shift, he argues, has been a long-standing issue, predating current events.