The Foreign Service Journal

December 2018

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 FSN Perspectives.

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

Flipping book versionPDF versionSubscribeLike

Featured Content

COVER STORY: AFSA ANNUAL AWARDS 2018

Working to Strengthen U.S. Diplomacy

Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann, the recipient of AFSA’s 2018 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award, talks with the FSJ about his career at the center of some of America’s toughest foreign policy challenges.

AFSA Awards Coverage

FOCUS ON FSN PERSPECTIVES

Through the Lens of an FSN: Foreign Service in Pictures

A retired FSN reflects on his experience working for the United States in Nigeria.

BY IDIKA ONYUKWU

Advocating for Foreign Service Nationals

The FSN Advocacy Council has been representing USAID’s global FSN employees since 2005.

BY SAFIA AL-SAAD

Get Ready for Merit-Based Compensation

The new performance management program for Locally Employed staff offers many benefits for staff and supervisors alike.

BY ELIZABETH LAMONTAGNE

In the Field with USAID FSNs

What Local Staff Want You to Know

Locally employed staff around the world offer their perspectives on working for U.S. missions.

MESSAGE FROM THE HILL

Working Together for a Smart Foreign Policy

BY SENATOR CHRIS COONS

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Get a Head Start on the College Admissions Process

Getting into college is a complicated and daunting process. Here is a plan for circumventing the stress.

BY FRANCESCA KELLY

Opportunities for Students

A selection of government programs for students interested in foreign policy and international affairs.

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Regaining Lost Ground

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

Speaking Out

A Worldwide FSN Association at State: Advancing a Practical Dream

BY EDDY OLISLAEGER

Reflections

Maps Are Useful, But Can Be Misleading

BY EDWARD L. PECK

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Thanks to AFSA, Local Hires Win Big

BY KENNETH KERO-MENTZ

Where We Stand

Another Kind of Stewardship

BY JULIE NUTTER