The Foreign Service Journal

In This Section

April 2023

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 digital currency and diplomacy.

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

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Featured Content

FOCUS ON DIGITAL CURRENCY: A NEW FRONTIER FOR DIPLOMACY

Playing Catch-Up with China’s Fintech Strides

The evolution of financial technology will likely determine the future of money, not to mention the world balance of power. China’s work on digital currency is a pointer.

BY YAYA J. FANUSIE

What Should We Know About Digital Currency?

In this Q&A, Crypto Council for Innovation CEO Sheila Warren offers a primer on newly emerging, complex financial technologies.

INTERVIEW WITH SHEILA WARREN

FEATURE

Losing the Peace in the Central African Republic

How the international community spent its way to losing the peace—and opened the door to Russian mischief—in the Central African Republic.

BY LAURENCE WOHLERS

RETIREMENT SUPPLEMENT

Reviewing Your Retirement Plan: 12 Things to Do

A helpful list of things to do to make sure your retirement plan stays on track, even after you turn in your diplomatic passport.

BY JOHN K. NALAND

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Road Safety: A Clear and Present Danger

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

Exploring a New Frontier for Diplomacy

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Why Our Evaluation System Is Broken and What to Do About It

BY VIRGINIA BLASER

Reflections

A Greenland Friendship

BY DAN WHITMAN

Local Lens

Grand Harbour, Malta

BY MIKE REGAL

DEPARTMENTS

Letters

Talking Points

Books

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

The Vibe from Foreign Service Orientation Classes

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

USAID VP Voice

OECD Peer Review: PEERing into the Future

BY JASON SINGER

FAS VP Voice

Cultivating the Next Generation of Ag Leaders

BY LISA AHRAMJIAN

Retiree VP Voice

The Foreign Service Honor Roll

BY JOHN K. NALAND