New Bill Pushes Abraham Accords Education for U.S. Diplomats Through Training and Fellowships

This legislation, called the PEACE Act, aims to get U.S. diplomats and State Department staff up to speed on the Abraham Accords and other agreements where Middle Eastern nations have normalized relations with Israel. The core idea is pretty straightforward: if American officials understand the history and details of these deals, they'll be better equipped to support peace and stability in the region. The bill authorizes the Secretary of State to roll out new training programs and educational resources focused specifically on these agreements.

Schooling Uncle Sam's Diplomats

The bill gives the green light for the State Department, particularly the Foreign Service Institute, to beef up its curriculum. This means adding courses covering the Abraham Accords, as well as older peace treaties like those with Egypt and Jordan. Think dedicated classes, online modules, and maybe even interactive sessions accessible to staff worldwide. The goal is to make sure everyone, from seasoned diplomats to new hires, understands the principles, history, and real-world impact of these normalization efforts. It's worth noting the Secretary of State gets to decide which specific countries might be involved in providing this training.

Beyond the Classroom: Fellowships and Expert Advice

It's not just about textbooks and lectures. The PEACE Act also sets up opportunities for Foreign Service Officers to get hands-on experience through fellowships and exchanges. This could mean short or long stints working with educational institutions, NGOs, or diplomatic groups in countries that are part of the Accords or have normalized relations with Israel. The idea is to foster collaboration and deeper understanding by working directly with counterparts in the region.

To guide all this, the bill mandates creating a new, nonpartisan Abraham Accords and Normalization Advisory Board within 180 days. This four-member board, appointed by leaders from both parties in the House and Senate Foreign Affairs/Relations Committees, will offer expert advice on the training curriculum and overall strategy. Interestingly, the board is required to provide unanimous recommendations, which could be a high bar for consensus.

Strategy and Staying Accountable

Finally, the Act requires the Secretary of State to map out a clear plan. Within a year, they need to submit a strategy to key congressional committees detailing how the State Department will implement this education push. This plan must outline training goals, explain how the Advisory Board's advice was (or wasn't) used, and show how this training supports broader U.S. strategy in the region. On top of that, annual progress reports are required for the next four years, tracking how the initiatives are working, any hurdles encountered, and what results are being seen. This keeps Congress in the loop and ensures the educational programs stay on track.