Today, more than ever, the United States has an enormous stake in maintaining strong and stable relationships with other countries. Much of this responsibility rests on U.S. ambassadors, an elite corps of women and men trained in the delicate yet demanding arts of diplomacy.

With unprecedented access inside embassy walls, National Geographic gets up close and personal with several of these public servants, including former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlin, former U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala Prudence Bushnell, and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker. Step into the shoes of the men and women who maintain America's vital alliances in a time of terror, peace, and transition.