The Foreign Service Journal, March 2023

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2023 23 Toward a More Modern Foreign Service Next Steps FOCUS ON FS REFORM: OUTLOOK AND CONSIDERATIONS J ust over two years ago, in a discussion moderated by the American Foreign Service Association President Eric Rubin and pub- lished in the January/February 2021 Foreign Service Journal , we argued that meeting the most serious challenges the United States faces around the globe requires a continu- ing lead role for America’s diplomats. The return of great power competi- tion, preparation for the next pandemic, climate change, rules Marc Grossman is a vice chair of The Cohen Group. He was a Foreign Service officer from 1976 to 2005, serving as U.S. ambassador to Turkey and as the under secretary of State for political affairs. He was recalled to the State Department (2011-2012) to be the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. During 37 years in the Foreign Service, Marcie Ries served as chief of mission in Kosovo, Albania, and Bulgaria. She was also political-military minister counselor in Baghdad (2007-2008), principal deputy assistant secretary for Europe, and senior State Department member of the team that negotiated the New START Treaty. After leaving the State Department, she served as a mentor to ambassadorial classes at the Foreign Service Institute. A State Department reform push is now moving into Phase III with a practical vision. Here is an update. BY MARC GROSSMAN AND MARC I E R I ES Maria Carluccio/Theispot