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March 2018

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 March issue focuses on Foreign Service families.

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

COVER STORY

#StateToo: Ending Harassment at the State Department

The problem of sexual harassment is persistent and real at State. It’s time for meaningful change.

BY LESLIE BASSETT

MESSAGE FROM THE HILL

Message from the Hill

Time for a National Conversation

BY SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM

FOCUS ON FOREIGN SERVICE FAMILIES

Still Waiting: Family Member Employment Today

FS family members and posts feel the impact of not being able to fill many essential positions.

BY DEBRA BLOME

Surviving Divorce in the Foreign Service

Divorce is difficult enough when you’re living a “normal” life in the States. What happens when you’re posted overseas?

BY DONNA SCARAMASTRA GORMAN

Singles Speak

Here is a medley of perspectives on what it is like to be single and serving at a U.S. mission overseas.

BY MIKKELA V. THOMPSON

FEATURE

Zimbabwe After Mugabe: Dark Before the Dawn?

A former U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe reflects on the November 2017 coup in that country and wonders: How did he miss the signs that it was coming?

BY CHARLES RAY

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Does America Spend Too Much on Diplomacy?

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

Speaking Out

Families with Special Needs Kids Need Support

BY KATHI SILVA

Reflections

Lucky That Time: Escapes from Animals

BY JOHN PIELEMEIER

DEPARTMENTS

FS Know-How

Taking Care of Our Own

BY JOHN K. NALAND

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Find Your Inner Advocate

BY KENNETH KERO-MENTZ

Where We Stand

Engaging AFSA Members

BY JULIE NUTTER