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September 2023

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 Foreign Service families at work.

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

To keep up with The Foreign Service Journal online, sign up for our weekly email bulletin featuring magazine content and other items of FS interest.

FOCUS ON FOREIGN SERVICE FAMILIES AT WORK

Family Member Job Hunting After the Pandemic

A veteran Foreign Service family member explains how the search for employment is changing (and not changing) for FS spouses.

BY DONNA SCARAMASTRA GORMAN

From the FSJ Archive: FS Spouse Employment

To find these articles and more related content, visit the FSJ Digital Archive Special Collection on FS family issues at https://afsa.org/fsj-special-collections#fsFams.

Making Overseas Telework Better

Spurred by employees and aware of the benefits, officials at the State Department are working to remove roadblocks to remote work assignments.

BY AMELIA SHAW

What to Expect When You’re Expecting Parental Leave

Tips on managing parental leave and return to work from three accomplished FSO moms.

BY ANNE COLEMAN-HONN, LAURA HOCHLA, AND ISABEL RIOJA-SCOTT

Single Parents Serving

As single parents become a significant demographic in the U.S., it is not surprising that their number is rising in the Foreign Service.

BY TAMARA SHIE

FEATURE

Rock Your Heart Out

If being a diplomat becomes your only identity, it’s time to revive those things that brought you joy in the past.

BY ALVARO AMADOR MUNIZ

FS HERITAGE

The Diplomat Who Started a (Culture) War

U.S. cultural diplomacy took on a new urgency following World War II. Here is a look at the bumpy beginnings of that change.

BY MATTHEW ALGEO

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Priorities for the New Governing Board

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Letter from the Editor

FS Families … at Work

BY SHAWN DORMAN

Speaking Out

Merit Pay for Family Member Employees

BY JONATHAN GEENSE

Reflections

From “Redneck Hillbilly” to “Radical” to Career Diplomat

BY JAMES R. BULLINGTON

Local Lens

Old Delhi, India

BY JAMES ADAMS

DEPARTMENTS

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Your Voice Matters: People-Focused Conversations

BY HUI JUN TINA WONG

USAID VP Voice

Advancing the Best Interests of USAID FSOs

BY RANDY CHESTER

AFSA on the Hill

Advocacy in Congressional Stalemates

BY KIM GREENPLATE