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December 2019

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 AFSA’s 2019 Award Recipients.

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

COVER STORY

USAID Transforms

Here are the highlights of USAID’s ongoing Transformation initiative, undertaken to better meet the development challenges of the 21st century.

BY CHRIS MILLIGAN

FOCUS ON AFSA AWARDS: HONORING EXCELLENCE AND CONSTRUCTIVE DISSENT

FS Institution Builder and Africa Hand

A conversation with Ambassador Hank Cohen, the recipient of AFSA’s Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy.

2019 Awards for Constructive Dissent

Profiles of the 2019 recipients of AFSA’s Awards for Constructive Dissent

2019 Awards for Outstanding Performance

Profiles of the 2019 recipients of AFSA’s Awards for Outstanding Performance

FEATURES

Lessons on Dissent from a Navy Ship

A sailor shares valuable lessons on dissent that apply in any enterprise.

BY JIMMY DRENNAN

Americans’ Welfare: It’s All in a Day’s Work

A consular officer remembers the personalities he encountered on the job.

BY CHARLES “TOM” OWENS

FS KNOW-HOW

2020 Tech Guide to Foreign Service Life

Here’s the skinny on some of the new but lesser-known communication technologies that can make living abroad easier.

BY DANIEL MORRIS

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Demystifying & Discovering the U.S. Foreign Service

A unique “immersion” program offers students insight into a career in diplomacy.

BY MARIETTE A. BOUTROS

All About Internships

Pointers on how to get an internship and make it an effective career-builder.

BY JACOB BORST

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Back to the Gilded Age?

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

Foreign Service Excellence and Silver Linings

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

In Support of Professional Nonpartisan Diplomacy

Reflections

Living Two Lives

BY JOSH GLAZEROFF

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Understanding Why People Leave the Foreign Service

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

AFSA On the Hill

Prosperity, Security and Global Power Competition

BY KIM GREENPLATE