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June 2025

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 economic diplomacy.

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

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FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

Advancing U.S. Economic Interests Overseas in an Era of Rising Tariffs

When tariff policy is a primary tool of economic statecraft, U.S. diplomats have a unique role to play.

BY DANIEL CROCKER

Fortifying Minerals Diplomacy: Four Nations, Four Solutions

The Quad—an alliance of the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia—is emerging as a strategic force in critical minerals diplomacy while countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.

BY MAHNAZ KHAN

FAS: Agricultural Economic Diplomacy in Action

Agricultural exports account for more than 20 percent of American farm income, and the Foreign Agricultural Service keeps them growing.

BY EVAN MANGINO

Cold War Insights for Evidence-Driven Tech Competition Today

The traditional approach of deploying export controls may have sufficed in the past. But will it prove effective against more innovative foes like the People’s Republic of China?

BY DARROW GODESKI MERTON

COVER STORY: SERVICE DISRUPTED

What We’ve Lost: Firsthand Accounts from the Field

BY MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN SERVICE COMMUNITY

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Earning American Credentials Abroad

Some Foreign Service kids want to stay overseas for college. What to do when a study abroad semester isn’t immersive enough?

BY LAUREN STEED

What to Know When Considering French Schools

Choices abound when considering the French school system for your child. Here are some tips to help guide your decision-making.

BY MARTIN THOMEN

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

AFSA Is Here for You, and We Need Your Help

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Letter from the Editor

Standing Up for Service

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Not Just Specialists Anymore

BY MONICA JEAN NORMIL

Reflections

State and Defense: Closer Than You Might Think

BY ROBERT HILTON

Local Lens

Shanghai, China

BY WEST FOLLMER

DEPARTMENTS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Speaking Up About Morale

BY HUI JUN TINA WONG

USAID VP VOICE

When Leadership Fails

BY RANDY CHESTER

FCS VP Voice

Gardening Our Community

BY JOSHUA BURKE