Letter from the Editor

BY SHAWN DORMAN

In this month’s focus, we offer a multifaceted look at U.S. foreign assistance—from a development professional’s take on how USAID is the frontline national security tool in many parts of the world, to views on how foreign assistance succeeds, and sometimes doesn’t, in places like Ukraine, South Sudan, and Afghanistan. There is much food for thought here on improving effectiveness to meet new challenges.

Of special note elsewhere in this edition—as AFSA prepares to present its 2024 awards for constructive dissent this month—is a Speaking Out article from 2022 Rivkin Award winner and Senior FSO Jennifer Davis, who makes a compelling case for transparency and reform in the State Department’s discipline procedures.

A Speaking Out piece can lead to more attention to an issue of interest, lively discussion, and sometimes even change. We encourage you to write to us and share your ideas for change on these pages to inspire new ways forward.

And speaking of change: After reaching my own little centennial this spring—100 letters from the editor in 10 years at the helm of the Journal—I paused to consider that monthly framing exercise in the context of today’s reader of this 100-year-old publication. Reading habits have changed. How many of you read the magazine front to back, and how many of you see the contents online, one article or soundbite at a time? What should we do to ensure that the FSJ continues to serve the foreign affairs community with content you want and also tells the story (your story) of the Foreign Service from an insider’s perspective?

As the FSJ team and Editorial Board put together the editorial calendar of focus topics for 2025 over the coming weeks, we welcome your input and ideas. What issues do you want us to cover more, or less, in the Journal? And what format works best for you: print, digital, or a combination?

We are committed to print but also expanding the ways we bring you content, including a new series of videos introducing each edition and showcasing some of our authors—have you seen any yet? We invite you to engage with the FSJ across all AFSA social media channels, and especially FSJ LinkedIn.

Keep an eye out for an FSJ reader survey this month, and please do respond. We look forward to your input.

I also encourage you to consider writing for the FSJ. Find the author guidelines at https://afsa.org/fsj-author-guidelines, and send your submissions or pitches to us at journal@afsa.org.