Dipnote: a Foggy Bottom Blog

The State Department has just launched its first official blog, called Dipnote.

Its aim, writes department spokesman Sean McCormack, is to "take you behind the scenes at the State Department," connect diplomats around the world to the larger audience on the Web, and foster discussions of pressing topics.

Judging by the early postings, the blog will offer contributions from diplomats around the world, as well as discussion topics. The first topic: Who should be allowed to possess nuclear technology? There is also a primer on the United Nations General Assembly, a video on protecting all the diplomats who come for the annual event, and a posting from a public affairs officer in New Delhi.

The title, Dipnote, refers to an abbreviation of "diplomatic note," which is a formal communication between an ambassador and a minister of a foreign government.

Not everyone is sold on the idea yet. One early poster on the site writes, "We'll see if this is gonna be another partisan hack job."

— Kevin Whitelaw