The Foreign Service Journal, January-February 2016

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016 11 thing is going to happen, but they don’t say anything. They have relevant infor- mation, but don’t share it. Valid reasons might include classification levels or personally identifiable information (PII). But the process regarding danger pay seems to have been an adminis- trative decision closely held and then announced as a done deal. This is a poor way to treat employees. When people in dangerous loca- tions overseas are carrying out the core mission of your organization, it should be your first priority to support them and keep them informed. Decisions that affect an employee’s bottom line—secu- rity, pay, health, safety—should be as open and transparent as possible. We’ve seen the extensive debate on the Sounding Board about the deci- sion to cut danger pay for many posts. It appears that the process began in November 2014, yet AFSA was not consulted until February 2015—and only after members had found out about it through other channels and contacted AFSA. Some information must be controlled and protected, but the vast majority of the information with which we deal can be shared. State should be transparent in its communications, empower the Foreign Service team with information, and trust them with it. Karn Carlson FSO Consulate General Nuevo Laredo Arctic Applause The November article on the Arctic (“Getting into the Game: America’s Arc- tic Policy”) was exceptionally well done. Even those who are not familiar with the area and its issues, probably most Ameri- cans, surely come away with a far more extensive and profound understanding