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July-August 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 July-August issue focuses on DEIA: Foundations for Progress.

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

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FOCUS ON DEIA: FOUNDATIONS FOR PROGRESS

DEIA Is No Longer Just “Nice to Have”

A difficult mandate, significant strides, stubborn challenges ahead: State’s first chief diversity and inclusion officer reviews the past two years.

BY GINA ABERCROMBIE-WINSTANLEY

Advancing Racial Equity and DEIA: Ten Truths of Implementation

A Senior Foreign Service officer who was charged with advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs distills lessons learned.

BY MARIANNE SCOTT

Let Our Rejoicing Rise: TLG Celebrates 50 Years

The State Department’s first employee association looks toward the next 50 years as a dynamic force for progress in the foreign affairs community.

BY YOLONDA KERNEY AND KRYSTLE NORMAN

Through the Rearview Mirror: The 1970s Reform of Women’s Role in Diplomacy

A participant recounts the beginnings of women’s quest for career equity five decades ago.

BY MARGUERITE COOPER

Before Meyer, et al. v. U.S. Department of State: A 1996 Accessibility Milestone

A senior FSO opens up about the legal effort to gain consideration for members of the FS and their families with medical conditions.

BY PAUL M. CARTER JR.

From Undocumented to U.S. Career Diplomat

An FSO with USAID shares his story.

BY JESSE GUTIERREZ

COVER STORY

The U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund: What You Should Know

This fund for victims of international terrorism needs to be better known, explains an FS survivor of the East Africa bombings.

BY LEE ANN ROSS

FEATURE

The Real Heroes in Getting Out of Saigon: U.S. Foreign Service Officers

A young banker’s firsthand account of the unofficial evacuation when Saigon fell.

BY D. Z. STONE

APPRECIATION

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

A Fond but Cautionary Farewell

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

Tragic Markers and Progress Milestones

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Boomerang Diplomats? Another Look at Reappointment

BY SONNET FRISBIE

Reflections

Is Iran Back to 1979?

BY GEORGE LAMBRAKIS

Local Lens

Petra, Jordan

BY LARRY MANDEL

DEPARTMENTS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Looking Back on Four Years as State VP

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

USAID VP Voice

(Best) Places to Work—Let’s Do Better

BY JASON SINGER

Retiree VP Voice

The Journey Continues

BY JOHN K. NALAND