The Foreign Service Journal

In This Section

January-February 2025

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 January-February issue focuses on transitions.

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

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Featured Content

FOCUS ON TRANSITIONS

Liberate the Future

Today’s diplomats have an opportunity to play a historic role in reshaping the direction of U.S. foreign policy.

BY THOMAS A. SHANNON JR.

From the FSJ Archive: A Look Back—The Foreign Service and Presidential Elections

Exploring the “time capsule” that is the FSJ Digital Archive yields insights into the importance of presidential elections for the U.S. Foreign Service.

Working a Presidential Transition: First-Person Accounts

Stories from past presidential transitions, as told by the Foreign Service officers who worked through them.

COMPILED BY DANIEL EVENSEN

STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE

Management Matters: New Tools for Middle Managers at State

The Bureau of Global Talent Management has new tools to improve management practices.

BY SARAH WARDWELL AND JEAN AKERS

FEATURE

DACOR Bacon House Turns 200

Special 2025 programs mark the bicentennial of this historic gathering place for discussions of international affairs.

BY J. THOMAS BRANNAN

PERSPECTIVES

President’s Views

Time of Transition

BY TOM YAZDGERDI

Speaking Out

Defending Values—The Case for Strategic Clarity

BY ROBERT S. WANG

Reflections

A Latin Love Affair Spanning 60 Years

BY LOUISA ROGERS

Local Lens

Portillo, Chile

BY MARTIN CLAESSENS

DEPARTMENTS

Letters

Talking Points

In Memory

Books

AFSA NEWS

State VP Voice

Flourishing in Our Career Paths in 2025 and Beyond

BY HUI JUN TINA WONG

USAID VP Voice

Why USAID?

BY RANDY CHESTER

FAS VP Voice

Toward a Culture of Dissent

BY EVAN MANGINO

Federal Tax Guide

State Tax Guide for AFSA Members