The Foreign Service Journal, February 2004

existed before, between the depart- ment and outstanding thinkers on problems of foreign policy outside the governmental establishment. (Gen. Marshall had been particular- ly insistent that we draw them into our deliberations and tap their wis- dom before putting our own recom- mendations before him.) And, while the example did not last very long at that time, we established the precedent, and made clear the importance, of a sharp delineation between the concept of the nation- al interest in what might be called its pure and unadulterated form, and the necessities of domestic politics. These, in my retrospective judgment, were valuable services, at least with relation to the needs of those crucial immediate postwar years. Finally, our method of opera- tion, along the lines laid down by Gen. Marshall, served to empha- size and illustrate the need for a central concept of American poli- cy, comprehensive, coherent, and consistently pursued, to replace the helter-skelter multiplicity of uncoordinated concepts and impulses, arising from within the Department of State and from other parts of the government, of which America’s conduct in for- eign affairs is so often the reflec- tion. I am glad that the experience of the Planning Staff at that time is still being examined and consulted in a different age — an age with quite different but no less grave and fateful problems.  F O C U S 50 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 0 4 We provided a useful link between the department and outstanding thinkers on problems of foreign policy outside the governmental establishment. Need to Sound the Alarm About Something? Why not write a “Speaking Out” column for the Foreign Service Journal ? “Speaking Out” is your forum to advocate policy, regula- tory or statutory changes to the Foreign Service. These can be based on per- sonal experience with an injustice or convey your hard-won insights into a for- eign affairs-related issue. Writers are encouraged to take strong stands, but all factual claims must be supported and documented. Submissions should be approximately 1,500 words in length and should be sent via e-mail to journal@afsa.org. Please note that all submissions to the Journal must be approved by the Editorial Board and are subject to editing for style, length and format.