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April 2022

The Foreign Service Journal covers foreign affairs from an insider’s perspective, providing thought-provoking articles on international issues, the practice of diplomacy and the U.S. Foreign Service. Including the AFSA News section, The Journal is published monthly (January-February and July-August issues combined) by the American Foreign Service Association.

The April issue focuses on new core precepts.

We always welcome short, focused letters about FSJ content; please send them to journal@afsa.org.

COVER STORY

Small but Mighty: APHIS Turns 50

APHIS’ compact cadre of FSOs are on the front lines keeping American agricultural trade healthy, flowing and growing around the globe.

BY KAREN SLITER AND RUSSELL DUNCAN

FOCUS ON NEW CORE PRECEPTS

The New Core Precepts and What They Mean

After the first significant overhaul since 2015, the State Department core precepts are lean and tuned to the diplomatic requirements of the 21st century.

BY LISA VICKERS

The Case for a Foreign Service Core Precept on DEIA

Making engagement a requirement will help move support for diversity and equity beyond words.

BY KIM MCCLURE

FEATURE

The Little Book That Could: Inside a U.S. Embassy, Telling the Foreign Service Story for More Than a Quarter Century

This diplomacy primer introduces the people of the U.S. Foreign Service to a worldwide audience.

BY DONNA SCARAMASTRA GORMAN

FS HERITAGE

Jeannette Lafrance: A Pioneering Foreign Service Woman

The upheaval of World War II opened opportunities for adventurous women, including in the U.S. Foreign Service.

BY LARISSA MOSELEY

FS KNOW-HOW

How To Be a Zooming Success

With virtual meetings and hybrid arrangements likely to remain standard practice, this primer is bound to come in handy

BY ROBIN QUINVILLE

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

The Big Impact of a Small Agency

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

Happy Anniversary, APHIS!

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

No One Was Listening: Russia, 1992

BY KRISTIN K. LOKEN

Reflections

Touching the Ceiling

BY VINCENT CHIARELLO

DEPARTMENTS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

The Need for Data-Driven DEIA Decisions

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

USAID VP Voice

FSO Scarcity: Stretching the Limits

BY JASON SINGER

Retiree VP Voice

Foreign Service and AFSA Centennials

BY JOHN K. NALAND