The Foreign Service Journal, February 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | FEBRUARY 2013 63 the Iraq War largely defined the Bush presidency, so they appropriately loom large in No Higher Honor . But her sweep- ing account covers many other foreign policy triumphs and fail- ures during those eight years. In the notes on her sources, Ms. Rice states that she relied on her “daily calendars and official trip logs to recall various meetings and travel.” Though the result- ing approach is basically chronological, it still gave me a real sense of being in the room, as well as a feel for what she is like as a human being. She’s at her best when relating funny anecdotes, such as Vladimir Putin showing up an hour early to a dinner at President Bush’s Crawford ranch because someone for- got to tell the Russian leader that Texas is in the Central Time Zone. But she also shares poignant inner thoughts, like her feelings of personal responsibility for talking Sérgio Vieira de Mello into taking the United Nations job in Iraq, a decision which would ultimately lead to his tragic death in the August 2003 bombing of the U.N. headquarters in Baghdad. Another mov- ing vignette comes during a discussion with Muslim leaders about the United States’ history with minorities, when she defuses the tension by noting that “When America’s founding fathers said, ‘We the People,’ they didn’t mean me.” In contrast, her conversations with Pres. Bush tend to be of the “How was your day?” variety. The quotes confirm the close personal relationship that they enjoyed, but are rarely illuminating beyond that. Despite, or perhaps because of, Rice’s openness, there are incon- sistencies; as with any memoirs, we can expect a certain amount of rationalization. For instance, addressing criticism for not heading off 9/11, she insists: “I did everything I could.” Elsewhere in the book, however, she concedes: “Given the severity of what occurred, I clearly hadn’t done enough.” Yet instead of explaining what else she should have done, she blames the attacks on unspecified “systemic” failures. She also takes a cheap shot at counterterrorism czar Richard Clarke, one of her harshest critics, citing his “awful reputation” among many who’d worked with him instead of refuting his detailed critique of her performance as national security adviser. Rice’s views of the Foreign Service are similarly dismissive and frankly disappointing. Her description of the American Foreign Service Association as a “kind of union for U.S. diplomats” is jarring and baffling, as is her declaration that she was “prepared to face down [AFSA] before Congress and the Ameri- can people if necessary” to get more Foreign Service officers to bid on Iraq. Worse, she rehashes the canard, based on media hype and a badly run town hall meeting, that the men and women of the Foreign Service were unwilling to do their part. Despite these flaws, No Higher Honor should grace the bookshelf of every foreign affairs practitioner. However one views the wisdom of the decisions Secretary Rice made, or advised Pres. Bush to make, there is no denying that they profoundly changed the way the Foreign Service operates. In particular, her emphasis on “transformational diplomacy” led to a more expedition- ary organization whose members are still called upon to serve under condi- tions under which we have rarely served before. That process is still playing out, so it is useful to witness the opening curtain— albeit through the eyes of the director. n William D. Bent, a Foreign Service officer since 1992, is currently chief of post opera- tions in the Office of Visa Services. A State representative on the Governing Board, he serves as liaison to the Foreign Service Journal Editorial Board. Despite Rice’s dismissive attitude toward the Foreign Service, this book should grace the bookshelf of every foreign affairs practitioner. You Are Our Eyes & Ears! Dear Readers: In order to produce a high-quality product, the FSJ depends on the revenue it earns from advertising. You can help with this. Please let us know the names of companies that have provided good service to you — a hotel, insurance company, auto dealership, or other concern. A referral from our readers is the best entrée! Ed Miltenberger Advertising & Circulation Manager Tel: (202) 944-5507 E-mail: miltenberger@afsa.org