Madeleine Albright is the U.S.’s first female secretary of state. diedAt the age of 84, today. Albright, a Georgetown University professor and key adviser for Democratic politicians on foreign policies, worked nearly forty years in the professional and academic realms of international affairs.
Albright, originally from Czechoslovakia was forced by her family to flee fascism as well as communism when she turned 12. After the 1938 Munich Agreement, Adolf Hitler’s occupation in Czechoslovakia and the 1938 Munich Agreement, her family had to leave Czechoslovakia due to their father’s links with Czech democracys. The family spent 10 days hiding in hiding. LeaveGreat Britain
After working in Britain for the Czechoslovak government in exile, Albright’s father eventually brought the family back to Prague once the war ended—only to You can leave yet again1948. After the Communist Party took power in Czechoslovakia, he became an anti-communist. He had to resign as his government position.
Albright’s family was granted political asylum in America after her father threatened to persecute him for “faithful adherence the ideals democracy” as it is known. Put it!. Albright stated, “Becoming an American citizen is the best thing I have ever done.” Write2016 “Like many refugees, I had a dream to lead a normal life in safety and dignity. And to be able to help my country.”
Albright would carry the father’s dislike for authoritarianism in all forms. Albright’s background as a refugee from the Eastern Bloc helped her to navigate the diplomatic challenges facing the region since the fall of the Soviet Union. She held positions in some of America’s highest offices of security and diplomacy, serving on the National Security Council, as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and eventually as secretary of state. Her many speeches and writings warned of contempt for politics, aggression against others and demagogy.
Her tenure as secretary-of-state was controversial, just like many others who have such high ranking positions in government. Albright believed in liberal internationalism, and that the U.S. was “an important partner”.indispensable nation“justified to put military force behind diplomacy. Those beliefs undergirded her support for sanctions on Iraq—asked in 2001 about the reported half-million Iraqi children who had died as a result of American sanctions, she AnsweredThat “the price is well worth it” She was a strong supporter of a U.S. active foreign policy, and she would ultimately AssistanceAmerican involvement in Iraq War.
These instincts led to Washington’s interventionist tendencies. This has a lasting impact on foreign policy discussions to this day. It’s not worth having the military we talk so much about, if it can’t be used. She once AskColin Powell Secretary of State, while debating NATO airstrikes in Bosnia in 1993. She vociferously supportedNATO’s bombing Yugoslavia transformed NATO’s prerogative away from defensive actions to an offensive mission.
Albright still managed to achieve a few significant diplomatic achievements. In a series high-level meetings with Iranian officials, Albright would achieve the most important (if not fleeting) moment of diplomatic detente between Washington & Tehran since 1979 Islamic Revolution. The first U.S. secretary-of-state to be elected. Go toNorth Korea. She dealt confidently with scores world leaders including Vladimir Putin, the Russian president.
Albright’s version of liberal internationalism might not be popular with people who support a less aggressive U.S. policy. Her respect for human liberty is something worth recognizing, along with many of her diplomatic accomplishments. This value comes from a woman who rose in power after fleeing two terrible ideologies. Albright once said that the magic of America lies in its freedom and openness, as well as having a large mixed population. . “Our freedom is part of our security.”