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November 2019

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 the fall of the Berlin Wall.

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

FOCUS ON THE FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL

A Time of Hope and Optimism

The stunning fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 heralded a series of events that transformed the postwar world. Here is a view from Washington.

BY ERIC RUBIN

A Gift of Peace

The popular quest for freedom and self-determination brought down the Berlin Wall, ending an era.

BY JAMES D. BINDENAGEL

1989: Seen from Yugoslavia

Though the Berlin Wall’s collapse left hardly a ripple on the surface of Yugoslavia’s day-to-day turmoil, it decisively affected the underlying course of events.

BY LOUIS D. SELL

Remembering 1989: Berlin Wall Stories

Diplomats reflect on the events that dramatically reshaped the postwar world.

FEATURE

A Lingering Poison—Tehran, 40 Years Later: What Have We Learned?

Events of four decades ago continue to cast their malevolent shadows over a relationship that should have long since become more productive.

BY JOHN LIMBERT

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

We Defend the Foreign Service

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

The Wall, Then and Now

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Preventing Domestic Violence Is Our Shared Responsibility

BY LESLIE BASSETT

Reflections

A Past Not So Distant

BY AMY CRAGUN HALL

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

One Foreign Service

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Where We Stand

Rejecting Retreat

BY JULIE NUTTER