The Foreign Service Journal

In This Section

November 2020

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.

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Featured Content

COVER STORY

On Trust

A distinguished statesman shares his thoughts on the path ahead, starting with the importance of rebuilding trust.

BY GEORGE P. SHULTZ

FOCUS ON FOREIGN SERVICE AUTHORS

In Their Own Write

We are pleased to present this year’s collection of books by members of the Foreign Service community.

Of Related Interest

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

FS HERITAGE

America’s Overlooked Diplomats and Consuls Who Died in the Line of Duty

A discovery in a cemetery in Hong Kong spurred a quest to find the names of U.S. diplomats whose ultimate sacrifice remained unacknowledged.

BY JASON VORDERSTRASSE

FEATURE

Slaughter South of the Sahara: No Scope for “Business as Usual”

Comprehensive strategies—and contingency plans if they fail—are needed urgently to deal with the complex and rapidly deteriorating situation in the Sahel.

BY MARK WENTLING

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

A Message from George Shultz to the Foreign Service

BY ERIC RUBIN

Letter from the Editor

Tending the Garden

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Female, (Won’t) Curtail & Yale: Waiting to Exhale

BY SAMANTHA JACKSON, AYANDA FRANCIS-GAO, LISA-FELICIA AKORLI, AJA KENNEDY, ANNAH MWENDAR-CHABA AND TESSA HENRY

Reflections

The Fastest Car in All Bolivia

BY GEORGE S. HERRMANN

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Time for an Office of Conflict Resolution

BY TOM YAZDGERDI