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November 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 November issue focuses on Foreign Service authors.

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

COVER STORY: DIPLOMATIC COURIER SERVICE CENTENNIAL

None Swifter Than These

A veteran courier salutes the Diplomatic Courier Service’s first 100 years and a career that offers both satisfaction and the opportunity to serve.

BY JAMES B. ANGELL

From Pouches to Cargo: Diplomatic Couriers Today

The couriers’ mission has not changed, but their scope of work and responsibility have expanded dramatically.

BY VINCE CRAWLEY

FOCUS ON FOREIGN SERVICE AUTHORS

In Their Own Write

We are pleased to present this year’s collection of books by Foreign Service members and their families.

Of Related Interest

Here are recent books of interest to the foreign aff airs community that were not written by members of the Foreign Service.

Coming into Their Own ‘Write’—A Look Back at an FS Women’s Writers’ Group

During the 1960s FS women writers from the Greatest Generation banded together to polish their craft and get their work published.

BY FRANCESCA HUEMER KELLY

FEATURE

The Family Liaison Office—Making a World of Difference for 40 Years

Each generation has redefi ned and built on the work of earlier colleagues, sharing a commitment to safeguard and improve the well-being of our Foreign Service community.

BY METTE O. BEECROFT

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Telling Our Story to the American People

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

Speaking Out

Radically Simple Ideas for a Better State: Foreign Service 2.0

BY JC WINDHAM

Reflections

An Unexpected Find in Deir al-Qamar

BY DANIEL MORRIS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Foreign Service Family Ties

BY KENNETH KERO-MENTZ

AFSA on the Hill

The Race to the Midterms

BY KIM GREENPLATE