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December 2017

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 December issue focuses on how diplomacy works.

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

FOCUS ON HOW DIPLOMACY WORKS

The Making of an Effective Diplomat: A Global View

How do diplomatic services around the world ensure their governments have a steady supply of the most effective professional envoys?

BY ROBERT HUTCHINGS AND JEREMI SURI

Diplomacy Works—First-Person Stories from the Field

U.S. diplomacy is vital to American prosperity and national security and to maintaining a peaceful world. Here are some examples of the critical work diplomats do.

FS HERITAGE

The Foreign Service Institute at 70: Recalling a Proud History

Though much has changed at FSI in its 70 years of operation, its core mission remains to serve those who serve America around the world.

BY STEVEN ALAN HONLEY

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Raising Multilingual Children in the Foreign Service

Raising children in more than one language is seldom straightforward and can leave parents second-guessing their approach. Here is a look at the challenges and how to meet them.

BY NICOLE SCHAEFER-MCDANIEL AND JENNIFER KIRK DINOIA

Educational Preparedness: When an Evacuation Disrupts School

Like it or not, evacuations have become a fact of Foreign Service life. Here are some tips to ensure your child’s education is not compromised by a sudden departure from post.

BY MARYBETH HUNTER, CECILE MINES AND COURTNEY COLBERT

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Time to Ask Why

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

Letter from the Editor

Diplomacy Needs Diplomats

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Religious Diversity Benefits the State Department

BY PHIL SKOTTE

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

A Time for Kindness

BY KENNETH KERO-MENTZ

Where We Stand

Unpacking “Stewardship”

BY JULIE NUTTER