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June 2024

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 June issue focuses on AI for diplomacy.

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

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FOCUS ON AI FOR DIPLOMACY

New Tools for Better Foreign Policy

Can the State Department integrate promising new technology without undermining the essential human aspects of diplomacy?

BY DAN SPOKOJNY

An AI Primer for Policy Professionals

As international affairs professionals, we need to understand the fundamentals of new technology so we can better address its evolution and application.

BY ZED TARAR

At the Crossroads of Tradition and Innovation with AI

Making AI work at State requires challenging the culture that underlies the department’s siloed structure.

BY PAUL KRUCHOSKI

Toward Data-Informed Multilateral Diplomacy

Here is a case study of the adoption of AI and data science in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

BY PAULA OSBORN

AI Disruption and Responsible Use in Diplomacy

A vision of how AI will be integrated into our U.S. democratic society is needed. State can contribute to the discussion.

BY EVANNA HU

FEATURE

Beyond Scale: Three Steps Toward Modernizing the Foreign Service

Centennial Writing Competition: Second Place

BY DARROW GODESKI MERTON

FS HERITAGE

Henry of the Tower Revisited

It’s time to take another look at how we remember 18th-century American envoy Henry Laurens.

BY THOMAS N. HULL

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Beyond Borders: Launching Third Culture Kids

Here are tips on managing the college and overseas transitions.

BY REBECCA MCPHERSON

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Diplomacy Works: Do Our Budgets Reflect That?

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Letter from the Editor

AI for Diplomacy

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

The Foreign Service Deserves Its Own Sorting Hat

BY ERIC BERNAU

Reflections

Tipping the Scales in Favor of Stability

BY JOSEPH ANTHONY D’AGOSTINO III

Local Lens

Los Cobanos, El Salvador

BY CAITLIN HARTFORD

DEPARTMENTS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Advancing Diplomacy for the Next Century

BY HUI JUN TINA WONG

USAID VP Voice

Answers for Our Overworked Workforce

BY RANDY CHESTER

Retiree VP Voice

Mandatory Retirement: Why Still Age 65?

BY JOHN K. NALAND

AFSA on the Hill

FY24 Appropriations Outcomes

BY KIM SULLIVAN