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October 2015

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 October issue focuses on civilian-military relations.

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

FOCUS ON CIV-MIL RELATIONS

Working With the U.S. Military—10 Things the Foreign Service Needs to Know

Here are some pointers for members of the Foreign Service working with the military today, from a retired senior FSO and the first political adviser to the U.S. Strategic Command.

BY TED STRICKLER

The Dust of Kandahar

A Senior FSO describes his experience of the reality of war on assignment in southern Afghanistan.

BY JONATHAN S. ADDLETON

The Value of Military Training for Diplomats: A Personal Story

Understanding our military, its role and its importance in interagency decision-making, should be a priority for diplomats—especially those beginning their careers.

BY GEORGE M. STAPLES

FEATURES

A Closer Look at Advancing World Food Security

In agriculture, our free trade and commodity export agendas conflict with our development agenda, and the result is food insecurity. Here is the case for a change in focus.

BY MICHAEL MCCLELLAN

World’s Fairs Today: A Visit to Milan, Lessons for Dubai

The world’s fair has evolved from an industrial exposition into the Olympics of public diplomacy, and the United States should be there.

BY MATTHEW ASADA

COLUMNS

President's Views

Setting Our Course

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

Speaking Out

Seeking Parity Between the Civil and Foreign Services

BY LARRY W. ROEDER JR.

Reflections

Positive Energy in a Worldwide Outage

BY TODD A. JURKOWSKI