Skip to main content

September 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 September issue focuses on preventive diplomacy.

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

FOCUS ON PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY

We Have to Be There

The rise of risk aversion at the State Department has undermined U.S. diplomats’ ability to work effectively, with serious unintended consequences for national security.

BY ANNE WOODS PATTERSON

Getting Preventive Stabilization on the Map

Two practitioners discuss the challenges of conflict prevention in the modern age.

BY DAVID C. BECKER AND STEVE LEWIS

Predicting and Preventing Intrastate Violence: Lessons from Rwanda

An FSO and former ambassador to Rwanda reflects on the ability to predict and prevent intrastate violence.

BY DAVID RAWSON

Measures Short of War

An excerpt from the first of the George F. Kennan Lectures delivered at the National War College, 1946-1947.

BY GEORGE F. KENNAN

FEATURES

Foreign Service Youth Foundation: 30 Years of Service

Three decades after its founding, FSYF remains focused on helping our young people adapt to changing environments as they transition between posts worldwide.

BY JOHN K. NALAND

War Comes to Warsaw: September 1939

A riveting look back at the German invasion of Poland 80 years ago that ignited World War II.

BY RAY WALSER

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Progress and New Priorities

BY ERIC RUBIN

Speaking Out

How to Strengthen Human Rights Diplomacy

BY SAMUEL C. DOWNING

Reflections

Coming of Age in Zaire

BY FRED LaSOR

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Starting Out

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Where We Stand

All Diplomacy Is (Eventually) Local

BY JULIE NUTTER