Categories
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Special Categories
Africa
- Escape from Mogadishu by James K. Bishop
March 1991
An ambassador recalls the harrowing experience of evacuating from Mogadishu as the Somali city experienced a violent uprising.
Asia
- The Service’s Only Samurai by George P. Waller
December 1922
Watari Ebiharah served the American consulate in Kobe, Japan for 39 years, but earlier in life he served a liege lord as a samurai in the waning days of feudal Japan.
- Jesuit Technical Assistance to the Emperor of China by Martin F. Herz
February 1958
For many years Jesuits cultivated diplomatic and scientific relationships with Imperial China to enable cultural exchange and missionary work.
Development & Aid
- AID’s First Year by Frank M. Coffin
January 1963
The first Deputy Administrator of USAID discusses standing up the new agency, its goals and where progress is already being made.
Diplomatic Security
Dissent
- Morality and Foreign Affairs by Howard Trivers
September 1956
The U.S. must strike a tenuous balance between idealist aspirations and realist groundings as it aims to make foreign policy that is both pragmatic and progressive.
- The Question of Foreign Service Resignations by Dino J. Caterini
July 1970
The debate on whether FSOs should resign when serving policies they cannot accept centers on how the department’s culture handles dissenting views, professional conformity and the balance between policy implementation and formulation.
Europe
- Jefferson’s NATO by Carl Charlick
July 1954
Thomas Jefferson had his own challenging experiences in organizing a coalition of states to deal with a common threat.
- The USRO and American Foreign Policy by Staff Members of the USRO
February 1955
The USRO coordinated and navigated the surge in diplomatic activity in the early years of the NATO alliance.
- Europe’s Stride Towards Unity: Accents Need for U. S. to Maintain Liberal Trade Policy by Guy Wiggins
January 1958
In the immediate post-war period six European nations sought to closely coordinate their economic activity and break down the barriers between them.
- European Defense: A Return to Brussels by Colin Gordon
November 1971
European nations have often struggled to harmonize economic integration with defense integration.
- The Atlantic Alliance by Charles R. Foster and Richard Albright
June 1981
New administrations have often taken office with hopes to reinvigorate NATO, but alliance politics guarantee challenges to any reform-minded agenda.
- The European Question by Robert K. Olson
November 1982
The fate of Europe has been a central concern of the United States for decades, and the extent to which common interest dictates trans-Atlantic unity is debatable.
Foreign Service Families
- Our Foreign Service Wives by Frances Hull
April 1934
An appreciation of Foreign Service wives, whose support makes their husband’s jobs easier overseas.
- On Repatriation of a Foreign Service Wife by Charlottle Littell
December 1952
A Foreign Service spouse discusses the problems of returning to the United States after serving abroad with her husband.
- Wriston Report: The Feminine View by Alice Raine
May 1955
Following the Wriston Report, many Civil Service wives did not want their husbands to join the Foreign Service. The author asks, “can Foreign Service wives reassure them”?
- A Service Teenager Reflects by Don Emmerson
November 1955
A teenager in the Foreign Service discusses what makes teenage TCKs different and why, based on his own experiences.
- Stop Feeling Sorry for your Children by Ann Miller Morin
September 1960
A recent survey of Foreign Service kids shows the advantages and difficulties of growing up overseas.
- The Foreign Service Wife by Jack Perry
February 1969
The wives of American diplomats have unique social advantages and exhibit strong personalities not only due to the great freedom they enjoy, but also the trials such freedom incurs.
- Who’s the Kids’ Advocate by Thomas Kelly
September 1973
With the usual Stateside support systems unavailable, who at the Department of State is advocating for children’s welfare overseas.
- Resolution of the Wives’ Dilemma by Carroll Russell Sherer
October 1973
“I didn’t join the Foreign Service, my husband did”, is a common complaint. What to do when you want to be divorced from your spouse’s career, but not your spouse.
- Freshman Fears by Nancy Piet-Pelon
July 1990
How do Foreign Service kids returning to go to college cope with a new country, as well as the increased workload and independence that comes with a “typical” college experience?
- Coming in for a Landing: How Families Can Prepare for the Rude Shock of Returning Home by Genie Gratto
September 1990
Returning to the U.S. can be rough, especially for young children. Here, the author offers tips for kids and their parents, based on her own experiences as a TCK.
- One Step Ahead for Spouses by Katrina Ecton
May 1991
A great deal has to be done to assist spouses overseas, but also at home as they struggle with gaps in their resumes and unintelligible job titles.
- The Great Divorce by Jewell Fenzi
June 1992
Following a 1972 directive on the role of Foreign Service spouses, the department has been losing its representative family make-up overseas, argues Jewell Fenzi.
- Unwilling Unemployment by Barbara Frechette
June 1992
Unwilling to do unpaid “support” work, but unable to find paid roles overseas, what other options are there for Foreign Service spouses?
- Helping a Spouse Find Work Abroad by Francine Modderno
September 1994
More than ever, both partners in dual-income families are demanding meaningful jobs. How does this work with the Foreign Service lifestyle?
- Growing up with a World View: Nomad Children Develop Multicultural Skills by Norma McCaig
September 1994
Whether you call them “nomads”, “cultural chameleons” or “third-culture kids”, the children of Foreign Service members have a unique opportunity to develop multicultural skills.
- A Chat with FLO
September 1994
U.S. Embassy populations are more diverse than 20 years ago, with more single parents, tandem couples and dependent parents. The Journal speaks with the director of the Family Liaison Office about what those changes mean for FS families.
- Caring for Mom and Dad by Louise Belanger
September 1994
For those living abroad, the struggle of trying to care for both the young and the old is both tempered and intensified by distance.
- A Mother Copes with Separation by Karen Krebsbach
September 1994
A Foreign Service officer discusses her experience losing custody of her children–because she was moving abroad for her job.
- FS Families’ Health Tracked by Francine Modderno
April 1996
For more than 10 years, the Medical Services unit gathered data on the health of Foreign Service members and families overseas. This article discusses some of the outcomes of the survey.
- Reflections from a Stay-at-home Man by Richard Gilbert
April 1996
At most embassies overseas, “spouse” is gender-specific. But what about the increasing number of male “trailing spouses”?
- The Learning-Disabled Child Abroad by Sally L. Smith
December 1998
Living abroad, especially in less developed countries, can be a real problem for parents of learning-disabled children. This article presents some tips on making the best of the resources available.
- Caregiving from 10,000 Miles Away by Ronald Trigg
March 1998
How can Foreign Service officers cope with elder care considerations when posted overseas? The author shares his experiences.
- Marriage Across the Miles by Francine Modderno
July-August 1999
How do Foreign Service employees cope with physical separation?
- Homeschooling FS Kids? It Worked For Us by Pat Olsen
December 2000
Homeschooling is a viable option for keeping your children’s grades up, even in the farthest-flung postings.
- In Search of That Special School by Melanie Kerber
June 2001
For children with learning difficulties, finding the right school (whether overseas or in the United States), can make a world of difference.
- A Career Built for Two by Tatiana C. Gfoeller and Michael Gfoeller
May 2002
A tandem couple since 1984, the authors offer their tips on making Foreign Service careers work, together.
- Deathwatch by Herbert L. Treger
May 2002
It can be tough to be away from family during times of crisis at home…the author discusses one of the disadvantages to working overseas.
- The Reality of Foreign Service Spousal Employment by Shawn Dorman
May 2002
Employment for Foreign Service family members has become an increasingly critical issue for recruiting and retaining employees. But how can it be done.
- The Foreign Service Spouse Network: A Global Resource by Pat Olsen
May 2002
Networks of spouses at each post are expanding to create a global community, offering support from wherever they are.
- Going with the FLO…A Talk with Director Faye Barnes by Susan Maitra
May 2002
With a small staff and a broad client base, the Family Liaison Office are getting down to business, helping Foreign Service members and their families posted abroad.
- Letter to a Foreign Service Spouse on Life Insurance by Edward J. Michal
December 2002
Reviewing life insurance often falls to the bottom of people’s to-do lists; in an open letter, the author discusses why it should be a priority.
- FLO: Point of Contact for Employees & Families, An Interview with Director Faye Barnes by Susan Maitra
February 2003
The department’s Family Liaison Office is playing an ever-greater role in assisting employees and their families during crises. In this article, the FLO director discusses lessons learned and improvements for the future.
- Christmas in July: Holidays as a Foreign Service Child by Mikkela Thompson
June 2003
A child raised in the Foreign Service can appreciate new and diverse cultures, while retaining a sense of tradition–especially around the holidays.
- Dip Kids Fill Void at U.S. Colleges by Antje Schiffler
June 2005
With international students decreasing, American universities are looking to youth who grew up overseas to provide a global perspective in the classroom.
- Family Member Employment: At Work in the Mission by Shawn Dorman
July/August 2005
A comprehensive look at the employment options available to family members inside U.S. missions overseas.
- FLO is Here to Help with Career-Employment Issues by Donna Ayerst
November 2005
The Family Liaison Office explain how they advocate on behalf of family members and bring their employment concerns to the State Department.
- Learning to Drive as an FS Kid by Ingrid Ahlgren
June 2007
A collection of personal stories and practical advice from Foreign Service kids who learn to drive while their parents are posted overseas.
- Going It Alone: Family Life in the ‘New’ Foreign Service by Kelly Bembry Midura
June 2008
Most Foreign Service employees will serve an unaccompanied tour during their careers. This article examines the kind of support their families can expect.
- Support For Unaccompanied Assignments by Bridget Roddy
March 2009
A look at just what the State Department can do to help during an unaccompanied tour.
- Coping with Separation: Tandem Couples by Annie Simpkins
March 2009
Besides the obvious personal difficulties, separated tandem couples face an expensive tour with minimal financial aid.
- An Evacuation Survival Guide by Kelly Armstrong
March 2009
Chances are that most Foreign Service families will undergo an ordered departure. Former FSO Kelly Armstrong provides some tips on how to make the best of it.
- When an FS Spouse Comes “Home”: A Study by Sharon Maybarduk
April 2009
Re-entry to the U.S. after living overseas involves adjustments that are not always easy. This study identifies some of the fault lines between success and failure.
- ‘Virtually’ There: FS Spouses Build Careers Without Borders by Katherine Jacobs and Carolyn Ho
September 2009
More than ever before, Foreign Service spouses and partner are pursuing successful careers in their own right. Here, two FS spouses explain how.
- Sharing Custody, Diplomatically by Victoria Hirschland
May 2011
A divorce settlement gave these Foreign Service children time with both parents and the unexpected gift of travel skills.
- Forever Tandem by Teresa Chin Jones
May 2011
Achieving work-life balance is like personal engineering, and comes with the same trade offs that all engineers face in getting things done.
- Trailing Tandem by Clayton Bond
May 2011
Perhaps one day no trailing tandem who wants to work will have to take leave without pay to join a spouse or partner at post.
- Going Solo: Single in the Foreign Service by Shawn Dorman
May 2011
Singles comprise about one-third of the Foreign Service and have their own unique challenges.
- Navigating Life’s Unexpected Realities by Jen Dinoia
May 2011
No matter how carefully a family prepares for an unaccompanied tour, life has a way of throwing curves at them.
- When Boarding Schools are an Option by Leah Wallace
December 2011
Boarding schools often provide much needed continuity for Foreign Service families.
- FS Spousal Employment: Slow But Steady Progress by Shawn Zeller
April 2012
It’s getting easier for Foreign Service family members to find meaningful employment overseas, but there is still a long way to go.
- Patience: The Key to Successful EFM Employment by Jen Dinoia
April 2012
Eligible Family Members can land amazing jobs with the right combination of flexibility, preparation and, yes, luck.
- Local Employment in Mozambique and Brazil by Raquel Lima Miranda
April 2012
Is it possible to live and work overseas, pursuing a professional career, despite frequent moves? Absolutely!
- HOC Rocks! (Husbands of Chennai) by Aileen Crowe Nandi
April 2012
The “husbands of Chennai” has become a way to forge friendships and build a community among trailing husbands of consulate employees.
- My So-Called Career by Francesca Kelly
April 2012
The career you start with probably won’t be the one you end with, explains one Foreign Service spouse.
- A Diplomat’s Wife by Kate Matheson
June 2012
What does it mean for your own identity and wellbeing to follow your spouse overseas?
- The Impact of Transitions on Foreign Service Families by T. Dhyan Summers
December 2012
Those who work overseas, particularly Foreign Service members, experience frequent transitions. Here are some tips on coping with the disruptions they can cause.
- Is Adequate Disability Income Insurance Available to FS Families by William Carrington
March 2013
Many Foreign Service members mistakenly believe they have more disability income insurance than is actually the case.
- Thinking Through Educational Options For Your FS Child by Rebecca Grappo
June 2013
Choosing a school for your FS child is not just about feeding the mind, but also feeding the young person’s appropriate social and emotional development. This article gives some tips on how to make the right choice.
- A Practical Guide to International Divorce in the Foreign Service by Elizabeth Fitzsimmons and Richard Seipert
December 2013
Navigating a divorce while remaining an effective member of the Foreign Service can feel absolutely overwhelming. This article offers tips on how to survive this massive life change.
- A Parent’s Guide to Psychoeducational Evaluations by Chad C. Nelson
December 2013
The goal of a psychoeducational evaluation is to enhance a child’s ability to be as successful as possible.
- A “Trailing” Spouse? by Jessie Bryson
March 2014
A millennial commentator shares her reaction to joining the ranks of the Foreign Service community.
- When School is Hard by Michelle Grappo
June 2014
What do you do when your child is struggling in school? This article can help get you started on identifying and solving the problem.
- Child Custody Issues in Foreign Service Divorces by Susan Keogh, Ann La Porta, and Diane Holt
October 2014
A primer on the custody issues involved in Foreign Service divorces and how to approach them.
- Women Who Make a Difference: Reflections of a Foreign Service Wife in 1982 by Patricia B. Norland
May 2015
A Foreign Service spouse reflects on her experiences during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, when struggles for independence from colonial rule exploded throughout the developing world.
- Going Back to Work: A Step-by-Step Guide for FS Spouses by Anna Sparks
September 2015
One of the great challenges of Foreign Service life is how an FS spouse can maintain or develop a career. This article provides some practical tips.
- Raising FS Kids by John K. Naland
November 2015
Get to know the nonprofit groups and State Department offices that offer a social safety net for FS youth.
- Multilingual Matters: How FS Students Can Make the Most of Language-Rich Experiences Abroad by Marybeth Hunter and Christine Brown
December 2015
More and more Foreign Service families are choosing to educate their children in a language other than that spoken at home. Regional Education Officer and Office of Overseas Schools resident language expert Christine Brown discusses the advantages and challenges of learning in a foreign language.
- What About Our Kids? by Kim Deblauw
January-February 2016
Foreign Service children are just as at risk of mental health problems as the average American child, if not more so.
- Mental Health Support for FS Children: Parents Weigh In
June 2016
Foreign Service children are just as at risk for mental health problems as the average American child, perhaps even more vulnerable. This is a critical issue for FS families.
- Supporting FS Families with Special Needs Children by Maureen M. Danzot and Mark R. Evans
June 2016
Two parents discuss the Special Needs Education Allowance and the challenges of raising children with special needs in the Foreign Service.
- Taking on Family Member Employment. Really! by Debra Blome
July-August 2016
Family member employment is a critical issue for members of the U.S. Foreign Service. The State Department finally seems to be taking it seriously.
- Tandem Couples: Serving Together, Apart by Fred Odisho and Whitney Dubinsky
July-August 2016
Two Foreign Service Officers discuss some of the unique challenges they face as part of tandem couple.
- MED’s Child and Family Program, Explained by Kathy Gallardo
September 2016
An authoritative account of the aims of the Children and Family Program, presented as part of the Journal’s ongoing discussion of concerns regarding support for children and families overseas.
- New College, New Culture: Preparing for a Strong First Semester as a Third Culture Kid by Hannah Morris
June 2017
Third Culture Kids deal with repatriation issues and reverse culture shock when they attend college in the United States. This article provides some tips for success.
- Out in the Cold: How the Hiring Freeze is Affecting Family Member Employment by Donna Scaramastra Gorman
July-August 2017
Employing family members overseas isn’t just good for morale. It makes financial sense, too, and helps keep our embassies functioning.
- Raising Multilingual Children in the Foreign Service by Nicole Schaeffer-McDaniel and Jennifer Kirk Dinoia
December 2017
Raising children in more than one language is seldom straightforward and can leave parents second-guessing their approach. This article looks at the challenges and how to meet them.
Frontline Diplomacy
- The FSO’s in Manila by Cabot Coville
June 1942
Hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese forces descended on Manila, and American FSOs struggled to evacuate after being cut off for weeks.
- The Cuban Missile Crisis by Robert A. Hurwitch
July 1971
An FSO recounts high-level policy deliberations that transpired as nuclear missile-ferrying Soviet ships inched closer to Cuba.
- From Pearl Harbor to Potsdam by Charles W. Yost
September 1980
An FSO describes wartime duties that span some of the most consequential discussions and conferences that devised the post-war international order.
- Escape from Mogadishu by James K. Bishop
March 1991
An ambassador recalls the harrowing experience of evacuating from Mogadishu as the Somali city experienced a violent uprising.
NATO
- Jefferson’s NATO by Carl Charlick
July 1954
Thomas Jefferson had his own challenging experiences in organizing a coalition of states to deal with a common threat.
- The USRO and American Foreign Policy by Staff Members of the USRO
February 1955
The USRO coordinated and navigated the surge in diplomatic activity in the early years of the NATO alliance.
- European Defense: A Return to Brussels by Colin Gordon
November 1971
European nations have often struggled to harmonize economic integration with defense integration.
- The Atlantic Alliance by Charles R. Foster and Richard Albright
June 1981
New administrations have often taken office with hopes to reinvigorate NATO, but alliance politics guarantee challenges to any reform-minded agenda.
Offbeat
- The Service’s Only Samurai by George P. Waller
December 1922
Watari Ebiharah served the American consulate in Kobe, Japan for 39 years, but earlier in life he served a liege lord as a samurai in the waning days of feudal Japan.
- RIF and Return by Melville E. Blake, Jr.
September 1954
An FSO receives an unexpected separation notice, and after a year of life out of government, receives an invitation to return to the Foreign Service.
- Jesuit Technical Assistance to the Emperor of China by Martin F. Herz
February 1958
For many years Jesuits cultivated diplomatic and scientific relationships with Imperial China to enable cultural exchange and missionary work.
- Post Report From Mars by Buck Dodger
April 1958
An update from Embassy Mars reveals the lifestyle and challenges of a hardship post on the red planet.
- The Diplomatic Costume Revolution by Richard B. McCornack
May 1958
In 1853 Secretary of State William Marcy issued a circular establishing new guidance for diplomatic dress that proved controversial with foreign courts abroad.
- A Yankee at the Court of the Tsars by Jerome Blum
June 1960
John Quincy Adams was in such dire financial straits while representing the U.S. in Russia that his mother felt compelled to write a letter to President James Madison requesting relief.
- Automation and the Foreign Service by Thomas M. Tracy
March 1971
Technology will create new efficiencies in diplomatic work but will require a reexamination of personnel policies and customary methods of doing business.
- Interstellar Negotiation by Michael A.G. Michaud
December 1972
Given the sheer likelihood of encountering sentient life amongst the stars in the future, what are the considerations for establishing relations with another intelligent, space-faring species?
- Leaks – A Reporter’s Viewpoint by Jim Anderson
November 1980
A diplomatic correspondent describes how leaks happen, the cautions journalists must exercise in sourcing those speaking on background and the relationship between the press and the public.
- Confessions of a Washington Ghost Writer by Burke Wilkinson
June 1980
Often at Secretary John Foster Dulles’ command, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Burke Wilkinson would drop everything to help top administration officials prepare speeches, articles and testimony.
Presidents & Foreign Policy
- My Day with JFK by Jack Sulser
November 1968
An FSO offers a story about personally facilitating an interaction between President John F. Kennedy and Austrian Federal Chancellor Dr. Alfons Gorbach in Washington.
- State and Presidential Leadership by I.M. Destler
September 1971
What can State do to repair trust with an administration that doubts its ability to lead foreign policy formulation?
- Presidents and Bureaucrats by Dean Rusk
May 1973
Former Secretary of State Dean Rusk comments on the often challenging relationship between the White House and State, and how professionalism should ultimately guide the Foreign Service through contentious times.
- The Foreign Service and Presidential Control of Foreign Policy by Nathaniel Davis
March 1980
The president’s influence on foreign policy is subject to the complexity of managing career professionals and political appointees at the senior-most levels of policymaking.
- Truman’s Secret Thoughts on Ending the Korean War by Barton J. Bernstein
November 1980
Recently declassified documents provide crucial insights into policy deliberations during the Korean War as American leadership contemplated escalation and its tenuous relationship with China.
Public Diplomacy
- Publicity in Foreign Affairs by H.R. Wilson
July 1926
The intrinsic relationship between State and the media is invaluable in communicating policy and earning support for diplomacy.
- Propagandists in World Affairs by Orville C. Anderson
February 1953
In a world where competitors masterfully deceive and influence by distorting reality, how can State hold its own?
- Democratic Diplomacy and the Role of Propaganda by Monteagle Stearns
October 1953
Diplomats must carefully manage messaging and public relations, yet when does the diplomat begin to look like a propagandist?
- Diplomacy and the Press by Henry B. Cox
January 1954
The relationship between diplomat and reporter is a delicate one where serving the national interest may mean very different things for sharing certain information with the public.
- A More Open Diplomacy vs. Greater Secrecy by Elmer Plischke
April 1957
Diplomacy must manage a balance between openness and secrecy in its conduct, yet diplomatic functions have trended toward more openness.
- Mr. Carr Surveys the Rogers Bill by Wilbur J. Carr
July 1924
Assistant Secretary of State Wilbur Carr gives an optimistic assessment of the Rogers Bill that will institute sweeping reform to the Foreign Service.
- Reform or Withdrawal by Seymour Maxwell Finger
June 1984
As the United States ponders leaving UNESCO due to frustration with its direction, it must deliberate on how withdrawal may lessen its ability to influence reform from within.
- The Foreign Service Act of 1980
December 1980
Undersecretary of State for Management Ben Read and AFSA President Ken Bleakley speak on a panel about the recently passed Foreign Service Act of 1980 and its benefits.
Russia
- Life as a Russian Worker by Richard H. Sanger
June 1971
After leaving the Foreign Service, Richard Sanger left to see what life was like in the 1930s Soviet Union, and whether the workers’ paradise was real.
- Our Man At Stalin’s Funeral by Jacob D. Beam
May 1978
Following Josef Stalin’s sudden death, future Ambassador to the Soviet Union Jacob Beam travels to Moscow to express official condolences.
Terrorism
Trade
- The Trade Policy Crisis by Willis C. Armstrong
November 1971
As the U.S. employs protectionist means it hampers fundamental tenets of the global economic order it has strived to integrate.
Tradecraft
- Our Tongue-Tied Foreign Service by Leon and Leila Poullada
June 1957
State faces a deficit of language expertise and training methods are in need of dire review.
WWII
- The FSO’s in Manila by Cabot Coville
June 1942
Hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese forces descended on Manila, and American FSOs struggled to evacuate after being cut off for weeks.
- The New Duties of Our Foreign Service by Christian M. Ravndal
July 1942
At the outbreak of WWII some declared that diplomacy would be irrelevant during conflict, yet diplomats perform indispensable and highly consequential roles in times of war.
- From Pearl Harbor to Potsdam by Charles W. Yost
September 1980
An FSO describes wartime duties that span some of the most consequential discussions and conferences that devised the post-war international order.
