July-August 2014
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.
This month, we focus on the current state of diplomatic reporting that flows 24/7 out of U.S. missions around the world. At its best, embassy reporting gives policy makers the information, context and analysis they need to shape foreign policy – and can have a substantial impact.
The role and function of reporting is shifting in today’s complex world, saturated with vast amounts of information coming from unlimited sources, complicated by concerns about possible future WikiLeaks-type breaches of confidentiality. Where does diplomatic reporting fit in today’s landscape? Taking an in-depth look at the challenges of reporting today, a current diplomat and a former high-level intelligence official share insights into the art of political and economic reporting from the viewpoint of both the originator and the consumer; they also discuss how technology and instant communication have complicated the picture.
In this month’s feature, Westgate: The Other Nairobi and the Future of Kenya, Joash Omondi discusses the shock and tragedy of the 2013 Westgate Mall terrorist attack, particularly timely given recent attacks in Kenya and relocation of U.S. diplomatic staff. In another piece, Ambassador Dennis Jett speaks out on How to Get Better Ambassadors as the Congressional gridlock on ambassadorial nominations continues.
We always welcome short, focused letters about FSJ content; please send them to journal@afsa.org.
FOCUS: EMBASSY REPORTING TODAY
The Art of Political Reporting
Despite the challenges, reporting from the field—in whatever form it takes—is still the indispensable ingredient of any meaningful foreign policy discussion.
Diplomatic Reporting: Adapting to the Information Age
While technology enhances brainpower, it is no substitute for the seasoned diplomat’s powers of observation and assessment, argues this veteran consumer of diplomatic reporting.
A Selection of Views from Practitioners
- Hitting the Ball
BY CHRISTOPHER W. BISHOP - Bring in the Noise: Using Digital Technology to Promote Peace and Security
BY DANIEL FENNELL - The Value-Added of Networking
BY CHRISTOPHER MARKLEY NYCE - The Three Amigos: South Korea, Colombia and Panama Trade Agreements
BY IVAN RIOS - Political Reporting: Then and Now—and Looking Ahead
BY KATHRYN HOFFMAN AND SAMUEL C. DOWNING - The #Twitterfication of Political and Economic Reporting
BY TRAVIS COBERLY
FEATURES
It Deserved an Oscar
For those of us in the Foreign Service, “State Department File 649” is our cinematic showcase, William Lundigan our star, and Virginia Bruce our Best Actress.
Westgate: The Other Nairobi and the Future of Kenya
In the shock and tragedy of the terrorist attack, the outpouring of charity from Kenyans toward all those affected demonstrated the power of the “Kenyan Spirit.”