BRIDGING THE INTERAGENCY GAP SUBNATIONAL DIPLOMACY PLUS DEFENDING USAID PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION MARCH 2025 NOTES TO THE NEW ADMINISTRATION
Most presentations on financial literacy for federal senior executives inundate the attendee with information without ensuring a successful ending. This is a unique educational experience that has benefitted hundreds of executives in many agencies for the last sixteen years with copious help from them. We speak government-speak and are familiar with the specific needs of government executives. A few small tweaks in what you are doing today will vastly improve your net financial results in retirement after a satisfying public service career. No products or services will be discussed. AN ANNUAL CHECKUP FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE, ESPECIALLY DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES WASHINGTON RETIREMENT PLANNING SPECIALISTS Washington, D.C. office: 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, South Bldg., Ste. 900, Washington D.C. 20004 Florida office: 433 Plaza Real, Ste. 275, Boca Raton, FL 33432 (240)720-0084, extension 105 nbutler@dcrps.com A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Please join us via webinar on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2025 at 12 PM EDT for an informative presentation. Details will appear in the AFSA Media Digest every day during the week of March 10-14, 2025.
4 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS 16 Notes to the New Administration Following the U.S. presidential election and by way of welcoming the new administration, The Foreign Service Journal asked members of the U.S. Foreign Service community to offer recommendations. Here is their input. FEATURES 29 Subnational Diplomacy: A Conversation with Special Representative Nina Hachigian 34 The Puzzling Story of Manuel Rocha, U.S. Diplomat and Secret Agent for Cuba By David C. Adams FS KNOW-HOW 41 Cultural Competency for Effective Communications By Charles Morrill FS HERITAGE 44 Poznan 1995: Requiem for a Diplomatic Post By Dick Virden PERSPECTIVES 5 President’s Views Proud to Serve, Proud to Defend the Foreign Service By Tom Yazdgerdi 7 Letter from the Editor A Time of Upheaval By Vivian Walker and Shawn Dorman 14 Speaking Out Bridging the Interagency Gap By John Ringquist 76 Reflections NATO Recruitment Tours By Vincent Chiarello 78 Local Lens South Africa By Michael Roome DEPARTMENTS 8 Letters 9 Talking Points 65 In Memory 68 Books MARKETPLACE 71 Real Estate 74 Classifieds 75 Index to Advertisers 48 In Defense of the U.S. Foreign Service and USAID 50 N ew Secretary Pays Tribute to Fallen FS 50 FSJ Hosts Publishing Panel and Book Market 51 State VP Voice—How Will the FY 2025 NDAA Affect You? 52 USAID VP Voice— The Fight for USAID 53 F CS VP Voice— Losing to China 53 A FSA Governing Board Meetings, November and December 2024 55 W rapping Up the Centennial Year 55 Inside Diplomacy— Subnational Diplomacy 56 FS Wins International Service Award 57 AFSA Global Town Hall 57 Good Stewardship for Our Members 58 F rom the Office of General Counsel—Ending a New-Hire Pay Gap 59 A FSA Welcomes Incoming USAID FSOs 60 N ominate a Colleague for a 2025 AFSA Award 61 ADST Seeks Stories of Service 61 College Scholarships Available 61 Retiree Corner—Stay Connected with Colleagues 62 Stone Estate Donates to Fund for American Diplomacy 62 Changes to Language Testing 63 F ederal Benefits Increase for Some FS Retirees 64 Centennial Year in Review AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF AFSA ON THE COVER: Art by Kotryna Zukauskaite/The i Spot. 78 March 2025 Volume 102, No. 2
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 5 Proud to Serve, Proud to Defend the Foreign Service BY TOM YAZDGERDI Tom Yazdgerdi is the president of the American Foreign Service Association. PRESIDENT’S VIEWS I had wanted to devote this column to service and duty as the new administration came into office. I looked forward to welcoming the new Secretary of State and, as is customary, gathering with colleagues in the C Street lobby to show our support. We did do that, and I had the honor of escorting Secretary Marco Rubio and Mrs. Jeanette Rubio to the memorial plaques commemorating Foreign Service members who gave their lives while carrying out the foreign policy of the United States. The Secretary laid flowers to remember these brave men and women and reflect on the unique challenges and dangers of our profession. Secretary Rubio offered inspiring remarks, saying that it is “an extraordinary honor and a privilege to serve in this role, to be here; frankly, to oversee the greatest, the most effective, the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world.” He said he wants “the Department of State to be at the center of how America engages the world.” But as this issue goes to press in mid-February, we are in the midst of a chaotic and highly disruptive effort to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), AFSA’s second-largest member agency. This has sown fear, confusion, and frustration for the entire workforce, including more than 1,800 USAID officers and their families serving abroad, who are struggling to understand what is happening and why. It is right and proper for any administration to work to ensure that government programs reflect their view of U.S. national interests and funding needed to protect and defend those interests. AFSA did expect a focus on downsizing the federal workforce, including those at USAID. What we appear to be seeing, however, is the wholesale upending of the vital role foreign assistance plays to save people from famine and disease, develop economies and self-sufficiency, and, in so doing, engender goodwill for the United States. Most people don’t know that most development assistance money is spent right here in the U.S. The foodstuffs that USAID buys to feed the starving does not come from foreign sources but from American farmers. The life-saving programs, including the highly successful and bipartisan President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), largely come from American sources and are serviced by American implementers. AFSA has a statutory right to notice and an opportunity to negotiate changes to our members’ conditions of employment. Yet, we were given no notice of these major and unprecedented initiatives, and our requests to meet have gone unheeded. Based on these factors and the speed with which these changes are being implemented, AFSA felt obliged to take legal action to protect our members and their families. We hoped the administration would listen to the voices of the Foreign Service workforce about the dire effects of the U.S. acting impulsively to end so many vital programs at once. Our members are understandably concerned that what is happening at USAID might be replicated across Foreign Service agencies, leading to a loss of U.S. global leadership and ceding the diplomatic and development field to our rivals, particularly China. Along with diplomacy and our military, development assistance is the third side of the triangle that protects and defends America’s interests abroad. I want to close by emphasizing that both AFSA and the Foreign Service are nonpartisan. AFSA neither endorses presidential candidates nor tells the U.S. president what he should do on foreign policy issues. The Foreign Service exists to carry out the foreign policy initiatives of the president, regardless of party. We didn’t join just for a paycheck but rather out of a sense of patriotism and duty. I remember the immense pride I had joining the Foreign Service in October 1991, of representing the United States abroad. We ask in return to be treated with dignity and respect and for our knowledge to be utilized to advance America’s security and prosperity. Please let me know your thoughts at yazdgerdi@afsa.org or member@ afsa.org. n
6 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL www.sfiprogram.org SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE SFI-01268 Certified Sourcing Editor in Chief, Director of Publications Shawn Dorman: dorman@afsa.org Deputy Editor Donna Gorman: gorman@afsa.org Senior Editor Susan Brady Maitra: maitra@afsa.org Managing Editor Kathryn Owens: owens@afsa.org Associate Editor Mark Parkhomenko: parkhomenko@afsa.org Publications Coordinator and Content Strategist Hannah Harari: harari@afsa.org Business Development Manager— Advertising and Circulation Molly Long: long@afsa.org Art Director Caryn Suko Smith Editorial Board Vivian Walker, Chair Lynette Behnke, Gov. Bd. Liaison Suzanne August David Bargueño Hon. Robert M. Beecroft Hon. Jennifer Z. Galt Mathew Hagengruber Steven Hendrix Dan Spokojny THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly, with combined January-February and July-August issues, by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the writers and does not necessarily represent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Board, or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by email. The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos, or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. AFSA reserves the right to reject advertising that is not in keeping with its standards and objectives. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply endorsement of goods or services offered. 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Email: journal@afsa.org Phone: (202) 338-4045 Fax: (202) 338-8244 Web: www.afsa.org/fsj Address Changes: member@afsa.org © American Foreign Service Association, 2025 PRINTED IN THE USA Postmaster: Send address changes to AFSA, Attn: Address Change 2101 E Street NW Washington DC 20037-2990 AFSA Headquarters: (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 State Department AFSA Office: (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 USAID AFSA Office: (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 FCS AFSA Office: (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 GOVERNING BOARD President Tom Yazdgerdi: yazdgerdi@afsa.org Secretary Sue Saarnio: saarnio@afsa.org Treasurer Hon. John O’Keefe: okeefe@afsa.org State Vice President Hui Jun Tina Wong: wong@afsa.org USAID Vice President Randy Chester: chester@afsa.org FCS Vice President Joshua Burke: burke@afsa.org FAS Vice President Evan Mangino: mangino@afsa.org Retiree Vice President John K. 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Logan Wheeler: wheeler@afsa.org Whitney Wiedeman: wiedeman@afsa.org USAID Representative Christopher Saenger: saenger@afsa.org FCS Alternate Representative Jay Carreiro: jay.carreiro@afsa.org FAS Alternate Representative VACANT USAGM Representative Gunter Schwabe: schwabe@afsa.org APHIS Representative Joe Ragole: ragole@afsa.org Retiree Representatives Mary Daly: daly@afsa.org Edward Stafford: stafford@afsa.org STAFF Executive Director Ásgeir Sigfússon: sigfusson@afsa.org Executive Assistant to the President Jahari Fraser: fraser@afsa.org Office Coordinator Therese Thomas: therese@afsa.org PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES AND ADVOCACY Director of Professional Policy Issues Julie Nutter: nutter@afsa.org Director of Advocacy Kim Sullivan: greenplate@afsa.org Policy Analyst Sean O’Gorman: ogorman@afsa.org FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Director of Finance Femi Oshobukola: oshobukola@afsa.org Director, HR and Operations Cory Nishi: cnishi@afsa.org Controller Kalpna Srimal: srimal@afsa.org Member Accounts Specialist Ana Lopez: lopez@afsa.org IT and Infrastructure Coordinator Aleksandar “Pav” Pavlovich: pavlovich@afsa.org COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH Director of Communications Nikki Gamer: gamer@afsa.org Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach Nadja Ruzica: ruzica@afsa.org Online Communications Manager Jeff Lau: lau@afsa.org Communications and Marketing Manager Erin Oliver: oliver@afsa.org MEMBERSHIP Director, Programs and Member Engagement Christine Miele: miele@afsa.org Membership Operations Coordinator Mouna Koubaa: koubaa@afsa.org Coordinator of Member Recruitment and Benefits Perri Green: green@afsa.org Counselor for Retirees Dolores Brown: brown@afsa.org Member Events Coordinator Hannah Chapman: chapman@afsa.org Program Coordinator Indigo Stegner: stegner@afsa.org OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Sharon Papp: PappS@state.gov Deputy General Counsel Raeka Safai: SafaiR@state.gov Senior Staff Attorneys Zlatana Badrich: BadrichZ@state.gov Neera Parikh: ParikhNA@state.gov Labor Management Counselor Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: FallonLenaghanC@state.gov Senior Labor Management Adviser James Yorke: YorkeJ@state.gov Labor Management Coordinator Patrick Bradley: BradleyPG@state.gov Senior Grievance Counselor Heather Townsend: TownsendHA@state.gov Grievance Counselor Ed White: white@afsa.org Attorney Advisers Erin Kate Brady: brady@afsa.org Benjamin Phillips: PhillipsBE@state.gov FOREIGN SERVICE CONTACTS www.afsa.org
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 7 Vivian Walker is chair of the FSJ Editorial Board, and Shawn Dorman is FSJ editor in chief. A Time of Upheaval BY VIVIAN WALKER AND SHAWN DORMAN LETTER FROM THE EDITOR With the Foreign Service community in turmoil since Jan. 20, when the outpouring of executive orders began, this edition of the FSJ has been particularly difficult to close. As we go to press, almost four weeks into the Trump administration, the reality on the ground in Washington, D.C., and at embassies and consulates worldwide, is changing rapidly. Orders directly affecting the Foreign Service and all the foreign affairs agencies have decreed federal hiring freezes, funding freezes, stopwork orders, program terminations and summary dismissals, “deferred resignation” offers, and promised reductions in force (RIFs). USAID is being dismantled before our eyes, with funding suspended, the headquarters building shuttered on Feb. 7, and the entire FS USAID workforce overseas ordered to leave their posts within 30 days. In response, AFSA joined a lawsuit in defense of the association’s second-largest member organization. A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO), but the case is still in play. Amid this chaos and uncertainty, we know that the work of professional, nonpartisan diplomats remains essential. The Journal’s mission, to tell the story of the U.S. Foreign Service and provide a forum for informed discussion and debate, is critical. For more than 100 years, the Journal has served as the permanent record of the institution and its people. That’s not going to change. In the January-February FSJ, focused on “Transitions,” we looked back at the role the Foreign Service played in assisting every new administration to implement the foreign policy agenda of the president. And in “Liberate the Future,” Career Ambassador Tom Shannon looked ahead, urging the Foreign Service to maintain “a professional mindset that allows us to operate within our current environment without being sucked into the partisan vortex” and embrace the challenge—and opportunity—to play a role in reshaping U.S. foreign policy. This March edition includes the Focus on “Notes to the New Administration,” initially put together in mid-January. As we had done during previous transitions, we solicited “notes” from the FS community on how the Foreign Service can best serve the new administration. More than 20 people responded with thoughtful suggestions. Given the emerging climate of fear pervading the foreign affairs agencies, including new restrictions on employees speaking and writing, we took the unusual step of allowing these authors to be anonymous. Some are. We also lost several pieces by authors now unable to publish due to perceived and plausible risks. But a clear majority of our writers made the decision to stand by their recommendations. And we stand by them. To capture the ongoing disruption to our members’ lives and careers, we have made last-minute changes in this edition. The AFSA president and the USAID, FCS, and State VPs updated their columns just before press time. We added a story to Talking Points and a two-page spread to AFSA News with the basic outline of what has happened to USAID and AFSA’s response. Going forward, we will remain vigilant and follow developments closely. And we will also work to advance new ideas on the way ahead for diplomacy and development and the FS career, relying on a wide variety of opinions and voices. We can’t do this without you. Editorial Board Chair Vivian Walker and I invite you to share your thoughts for inclusion in the pages of The Foreign Service Journal, either as articles or through letters to the editor (send to journal@afsa.org). We especially welcome short pieces (up to 500 words) that illustrate the value of Foreign Service work. Thank you for your dedication and service to the United States. n For more than 100 years, the Journal has served as the permanent record of the institution and its people. That’s not going to change.
8 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS FS Needs Bold Leadership I am writing in response to the December 2024 Speaking Out by George Krol, “The Foreign Service at 100: It’s Time for Renewal.” As a recently retired Career Minister in the USAID Foreign Service, I was moved by Krol’s thoughtful and courageous essay. The current Foreign Service is not fully equipped to serve our country effectively in an era of increasing international complexity, conflict, and technological change. In addition to the major functions mentioned by Krol, the modern embassy must also manage both a sometimes fractious interagency and agencies implementing sensitive programs in the host country. To meet these challenges, the Foreign Service needs bold, inspirational leadership that articulates a coherent strategic vision of U.S. objectives and takes calculated risks to reach them. Exceptional leadership and management skills should be a prerequisite, not a preference, for chief-of-mission consideration. I was on the faculty of the National War College when our government withdrew its forces from Afghanistan. Surprise and disappointment enveloped the campus, given that many students had served there. There was subsequently much discussion about the limits of military power and the need to more effectively utilize other elements of the national security enterprise, including diplomacy and development. If the Foreign Service is to play an enhanced role, it needs to improve its game. John Groarke USAID FSO, retired Washington, D.C. The Professional Diplomat Thanks to the Journal for John Marks’ excellent December 2024 article, “Social Entrepreneurship and the Professional Diplomat.” It was gratifying to see the late Ambassador Bill Miller recognized for his outstanding work with Search for Common Ground and his efforts to create a more productive relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Two additional items: The article notes Miller’s being proposed in 1979 as U.S. ambassador to Iran. According to what I understand, when Secretary of State Cyrus Vance met his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Yazdi at the United Nations in October 1979, Vance had a letter in his pocket proposing Miller as ambassador. At that meeting, however, Vance was so exasperated by Yazdi’s posturing and by his insisting on reciting lists of Iranian grievances against the U.S. that he never gave Yazdi the letter or mentioned the subject of an ambassador. A month later, following the seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Miller accompanied Ramsey Clark on a mission that was to negotiate the Americans’ release. Miller and Clark, who were carrying a letter from Carter to Khomeini, never reached Tehran after the Iranian leader forbade any Iranian official from meeting them. John Limbert FSO/Ambassador, retired New York, New York n Correction In the December 2024 Talking Points, former State Department employee Annelle Sheline was referred to as an FSO. Before she resigned in March 2024, Sheline worked in the Civil Service as a foreign affairs officer. We regret the error.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 9 TALKING POINTS Trump Administration Dismantles USAID Just hours after President Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, the White House issued an executive order imposing an immediate 90-day freeze on new foreign development assistance obligations and disbursements. Under the directive, all aid programs were to be reviewed for “programmatic efficiency and consistency with U.S. foreign policy,” with final determinations made by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget. The freeze applied not only to new spending but to all foreign assistance spending, cutting off public health and other programs in progress. Over the weekend of Feb. 1, 2025, President Trump and Elon Musk (the “special government employee” running DOGE, the so-called Department of Government Efficiency) announced plans to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In the days that followed, USAID was effectively shuttered, with headquarters locked down and its website taken offline. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has assumed the role of acting Administrator, appointed Trump ally Peter Marocco, who served briefly as assistant to the USAID Administrator during the first Trump administration, to oversee the agency’s restructuring. On the night of Feb. 4, the usaid. gov site reappeared—with only a notice instructing nearly all USAID employees, both domestic and overseas—to stop work by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Direct hires were given 30 days to leave post and personal service contractor staff were terminated. The shutdown froze billions of dollars in aid, left thousands of workers scrambling to evacuate U.S. embassies, and AFSA emphasized that USAID officers are nonpartisan public servants and announced its intention to pursue legal action. On Feb. 6, AFSA joined a lawsuit with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in a case filed by Democracy Forward and Public Citizen Litigation Group against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of USAID’s shutdown and the mass removal of its workforce. As a result, on Feb. 7, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking the administration from placing 2,000 USAID employees on administrative leave, which had been set to take effect at midnight. He also reinstated 500 workers who had already been placed on leave and ordered their access to email, payment, and security notification systems restored. Nichols delayed the administration’s plan to enforce a 30-day evacuation deadline for overseas personnel, citing its disruption to employees’ lives and the lack of clear justification from the government. However, the judge declined to pause the funding freeze and scheduled an in-person preliminary injunction hearing for the following Wednesday to determine next steps. A hearing was scheduled for Feb. 12 on extending the TRO. New Secretary Welcomed to State Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) was sworn in as the 72nd Secretary of State on Jan. 21, the first cabinet confirmation of President Donald J. Trump’s second term. Rubio, 53, replaces Antony Blinken as the nation’s top diplomat after receiving a Rally in Washington, D.C., in support of USAID on Feb. 5. AFSA/MARK PARKHOMENKO stalled humanitarian and development projects in more than 120 countries. Meanwhile, Musk said on social media that he spent the weekend “feeding USAID into the woodchipper,” insisting that the agency is irreversibly corrupt, though without providing evidence. “USAID was established by an act of Congress, and it can only be disbanded by an act of Congress,” said Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.), who joined a group of lawmakers attempting to meet with agency employees at USAID’s headquarters on Feb. 4. Yet, those same headquarters were effectively locked down. Yellow tape and federal officers blocked both staff and elected officials at the entrance. “This is a constitutional crisis,” warned Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). USAID “is the lead development agency in the world, and no one elected Elon Musk to dismantle it.” Protests continued across the nation on Feb. 5, with Democratic lawmakers and USAID supporters gathering outside the Capitol building to denounce what Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has called the “most corrupt bargain in American history.” In a statement on Feb. 4, AFSA strongly objected to the administration’s attempts to dismantle USAID, noting the many USAID Foreign Service officers who have risked—and, in some cases, given—their lives in service to U.S. interests abroad. “The sudden transfer of USAID’s functions to the State Department, apparently without congressional notification and no clear plan for continuity, raises serious concerns about the future of U.S. development policy and America’s global standing,” the statement read. On Feb. 5, AFSA issued another statement criticizing the decision to recall all USAID Foreign Service personnel as “sudden and unnecessary.”
10 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL rare unanimous Senate vote, with all 99 present members in favor. At his “clap-in” ceremony at the State Department later that day, Rubio lauded the department’s employees, calling them “the most talented, the most experienced diplomatic corps in the history of the world.” He acknowledged locally employed (LE) staff worldwide, emphasizing their critical role in advancing U.S. missions. In outlining his priorities, Rubio pledged to elevate the State Department’s role in shaping and executing U.S. foreign policy. He emphasized creativity, boldness, and adaptability in addressing the world’s rapidly evolving challenges, saying: “We need to move at the speed of relevance.” Rubio also stressed the department’s mission to promote peace and safeguard national interests, vowing to work toward a safer, more prosperous future. Rubio reaffirmed his commitment to Trump’s foreign policy goals, outlining a vision focused on strengthening U.S. national interests. Flurry of Executive Orders President Trump began his second term by signing dozens of executive orders, memorandums, and proclamations, many in front of a live audience at Washington’s Capital One Arena, aimed at reversing Biden-era policies and delivering on campaign promises. Within 72 hours, he had rescinded 78 of President Biden’s directives and issued a suite of new actions that deal with immigration, energy, diversity, and federal operations. These actions include declaration of a national emergency at the southern border, reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and an order redefining birthright citizenship—a move already facing significant legal challenges. Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, including several who had assaulted police officers, fulfilling a high-profile but unpopular campaign promise. Trump declared a “national energy emergency” and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. The orders will fast-track fossil fuel projects, pause offshore wind leasing, and roll back clean energy initiatives. Federal workforce policies saw sweeping changes, including a full-time return to office for federal employees and a freeze to new federal hiring, except in immigration enforcement and military roles. Trump’s diversity-related orders dismantled federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and repealed protections for transgender individuals in federal programs and the military. Employees in DEI positions were put on paid leave, and agencies have been instructed to submit plans for compliance within 60 days. Other orders with implications for the work of Foreign Service professionals Secretary Rubio during a clap-in ceremony in the State Department’s C Street lobby. U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT State Department Transitions As the new administration takes charge, significant changes are underway at the State Department and the other foreign affairs agencies. More than 50 senior positions at State have been vacated, with employees now serving in “acting” capacities as replacements are considered. The transition team asked all career diplomats and political appointees in senior positions at the level of assistant secretary and above to resign as the administration seeks to fill these roles with their own picks. Those asked to step down include Executive Secretary Amb. Dereck Hogan, Director General of the U.S. Foreign Service and Director of Global Talent Amb. Marcia Bernicat, and Acting Under Secretary for Management Amb. Alaina Teplitz. All three have served across multiple administrations, including both Republican and Democratic presidencies, and have extensive experience managing internal coordination, workforce policies, and global talent initiatives. Per standard practice, all ambassadors—both political and career—prepare a resignation letter ahead of an incoming administration. Almost always, all political appointees are invited to depart, while many career chiefs of mission usually remain in their jobs. AFSA is actively tracking nominations, confirmations, and transitions. For the latest updates, please visit AFSA’s confirmation tracker at https://afsa.org/ list-ambassadorial-appointments.
During the Vietnam War, U.S. policies were wildly unpopular, but American civil society’s actions—like the Civil Rights Movement— kept us attractive. FSOs today face similar challenges but remain vital in showcasing our values through their work. ... I’ve always been impressed by the quality and dedication of FSOs. Keep your spirits up because the work you do is essential, even in times of policy discontent. —Former United States Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Joseph S. Nye, during a Jan. 6 forum on “Public Diplomacy and the Future of Soft Power” cosponsored by the Public Diplomacy Council of America and George Washington University. Contemporary Quote include a directive requiring all U.S. foreign assistance activities to align strictly with the president’s foreign policy goals and putting a halt to assistance spending. Another executive action calls for an extensive review of federal contracts and grants to nongovernmental organizations engaged in foreign assistance as the new administration looks for programs it deems inconsistent with U.S. interests. While the administration argues that these measures will better align U.S. efforts with its strategic objectives, critics caution that they may disrupt long-term development goals and strain international partnerships. A complete list of presidential actions can be found at https://www.whitehouse. gov/ presidential-actions. Global Engagement Center Shuts Down The State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), a central office for countering foreign disinformation, shut down on Dec. 23, 2024, after Congress failed to renew its funding. With a $60 million budget and 120-member staff, the GEC has since 2016 focused on coordinating U.S. efforts against propaganda campaigns targeting national security and stability. Despite its record of success, the GEC faced sharp criticism, particularly from Republican lawmakers and Trump adviser Elon Musk, who accused it of overreach and censorship. Funding for the center was removed from a last- minute federal spending bill, leaving the U.S. without a dedicated disinfor- mation-tracking unit for the first time in eight years. Its work included calling out Beijing for spreading falsehoods about COVID19 and Taiwan and highlighting Russian campaigns to destabilize U.S. influence in Africa and justify the war in Ukraine. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) defended the GEC, calling it “indispensable” to U.S. national security. However, opposition within the GOP, bolstered by political shifts after the November elections, led to the center’s closure. U.S. Declares Genocide in Sudan The U.S. government has declared that Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are committing genocide in the country’s ongoing civil war, marking a significant policy shift. Sanctions were imposed on RSF leader Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) as the group faces accusations of ethnic killings, mass rapes, and systematic destruction targeting civilians. The RSF’s actions have exacerbated what the International Rescue Committee calls “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis,” T his month, we feature The Foreign Affairs Interview, a biweekly podcast that explores the critical forces shaping global politics. Hosted by Daniel Kurtz-Phelan, the editor of Foreign Affairs and a former member of the Secretary of State’s policy planning staff, the podcast brings listeners into conversations with influential thinkers and policymakers. One episode features former U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, who reflects on his tenure managing the increasingly contentious U.S.-China relationship and the challenges of navigating diplomacy in an era of great-power rivalry. Another recent episode features political scientist Francis Fukuyama discussing the state of global democracy following Donald Trump’s re-election. Kurtz-Phelan also engages outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reflects on his tenure during a period marked by major geopolitical upheaval, from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to escalating tensions in the Indo-Pacific. For more information, visit https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreignaffairs-interview. Podcast of the Month: The Foreign Affairs Interview The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement. THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 11
12 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Ambassadors are one of the most important positions. ... Wherever there’s conflict we need good, capable ambassadors there. —Former Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.), in a Dec. 7, 2024, Politico article titled “The most significant ambassador jobs in Trump’s second term.” I believe it’s in our national security interest to have our embassies fully staffed and to confirm career ambassadors with the requisite expertise. —Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), during Marco Rubio’s Secretary of State confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan. 15. We cannot do more with less given the challenges of the global moment. We need more investment in U.S. diplomacy and development as instruments of national power. —Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), during Marco Rubio’s Secretary of State confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan. 15. Instead of being the Department of Diplomacy, which I think it’s supposed to be, [the State Department] becomes just an extension of the Department of War and muscle. ... But really, when bellicose statements come from other parts of the government, I see the State Department as the one that shows up and tries to still have a conversation. ... With regard to the concept of diplomacy and how we make things better ... diplomacy is about engagement, hearing the other side, and understanding their position—not accepting it but knowing what it is. —Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), during Marco Rubio’s Secretary of State confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan. 15. The backbone of our diplomacy is that diplomats abroad, from the Secretary of State on down, ensure that we prioritize and emphasize the right engagements for the future. —Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), during Marco Rubio’s Secretary of State confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jan. 15. We should afford young men and women in the State Department and our civilians within the Department of Defense the same type of developmental opportunities that we give our uniformed officers—postgraduate schools and service colleges. —Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Brian Mast (R-Fla.), during a USIP conference titled “Passing the Baton 2025: Securing America’s Future in an Era of Strategic Competition,” Jan. 14. with more than 24 million people facing acute hunger and 11 million displaced. Tom Perriello, U.S. special envoy for Sudan, described the crisis as a “manmade famine” driven by the RSF’s deliberate destruction of crops, warehouses, and farming infrastructure. The U.S. has provided extensive humanitarian aid, leading efforts to establish corridors for food and medicine, but the situation remains dire. The Biden administration’s declaration makes Sudan only the eighth instance of U.S.-recognized genocide since the Cold War. Previous cases include Rwanda, Darfur, Myanmar, and actions by the Islamic State. The sanctions targeted RSF-affiliated companies, many based in the UAE, which house Hemedti’s vast wealth. The U.S. accused Russia of fueling the conflict, citing its reliance on Sudanese gold to evade sanctions. JOSH Heard on the Hill The Kids Are All Right 50 Years Ago I think our State Department should tell Ambassadors to lay off teenagers. They shouldn’t be tied in with their parents’ official behavior. A father’s efficiency rating should not depend on the way his child dresses. For a kid to be clobbered with the role of the Ugly American and the fear that he may hurt his father’s job if he doesn’t cut his hair is disastrous. It’s too much at that age to carry the United States on his back. —“Over Here & Back There” by Professor of Psychiatry Sidney L. Werkman, in the March 1975 edition of The Foreign Service Journal.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 13 Federal Farewells I’m proud that State now works better— easing some of the stresses of traveling and living overseas, ensuring our tech works for us and not the other way around, helping some of us access mental healthcare without fear of professional stigma. To all of you who enabled these and other achievements—thank you, and keep at it. —Former Under Secretary for Management John R. Bass in a farewell letter on Jan. 20. I believe in the power, in the necessity of U.S. engagement and U.S. leadership. … I believe in this community—because that’s what it is, a community. Whether you’re an officer, a locally employed staff member, or a family member, you serve and sacrifice. Together, you make things a little more peaceful, a little more full of hope and opportunity. —Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his farewell remarks to the State Department on Jan. 17. As I prepare to conclude my term as President, I want to thank each of you for your dedication to our country. You could have chosen to do anything with your talents, but you chose public service. Every day you came to work, poured long hours into hard jobs, and spent time away from your loved ones. You gave your heart and soul to this Nation. I am forever grateful to you and your families for your sacrifices, and all you have done on the frontlines to help realize the promise of America for all Americans. —President Joe Biden, in a farewell letter to the federal workforce on Jan. 16. Remember why we do what we do. Ultimately, our success can be measured not by our title and pay, but by how effectively we help others, whether it be the communities we serve or the colleagues we work alongside. —Former U.S. Representative to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, in a farewell letter to the State Department on Jan. 16. Blinken’s Legacy In his final days as Secretary of State, Antony Blinken offered a candid view of the world he is leaving behind in an interview with The New York Times. He cited progress in restoring alliances and in strengthening NATO while acknowledging that unforeseen crises—from the chaotic exit in Afghanistan to new wars in Ukraine and Gaza—reshaped priorities faster than diplomatic measures could keep pace. Blinken discussed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, unrest in Georgia, and diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including the criticism he faced for the department’s continued support of weapons for Israel despite that country’s attacks on civilians in Gaza. Blinken described these dramas as part of a broader effort to stand up for democracy while averting new quagmires. Critics remain unconvinced that the right balance was always struck. Yet, his own measure of success seems to rest on one conviction: that diplomacy, for all its strains and setbacks, still offers the surest path to a more stable world. “Every place I’ve been around the world, everything I’ve heard, even with criticism, intense criticism of our policies, is people want the United States involved. They want us engaged, they want us leading,” Blinken said. State Co-Hosts Conflict Anticipation Conference The State Department’s Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) joined the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs to host the second Academic Centers of Conflict Anticipation and Prevention (ACCAP) Conference on Nov. 18 and 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Under the theme “Partnerships for Peace,” the event brought together leading academics, policymakers, and government officials to discuss strategies for addressing global conflict and fragility. Over the two days, panels explored topics such as the bipartisan Global Fragility Act, climate-related security risks, and strategic competition in fragile regions—emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Mark Parkhomenko.
14 MARCH 2025 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SPEAKING OUT John Ringquist, PhD, is an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He has served as a security cooperation officer, Army attaché, and senior defense official in 11 countries and seven embassies. The words “joint,” “interagency,” and “interdepartmental” come with expectations and conjure up images of the challenges inherent in mixing different organizational cultures and the secret language of acronyms. Service cultures in the military each have specialized jargon and shortcuts that make complete sense to members of that service, but baffle all but insiders. Outside the Department of Defense (DoD) and its processes, many servicemembers find the communication and culture gap between the military and other agencies to be a learning curve. Some of the problems that first-tour Foreign Service members and military personnel experience in an interagency setting stem from unfamiliarity about how the different agencies operate. These organizational culture differences can be detrimental in an embassy if a deliberate effort is not made to translate and educate from the outset. Mars or Venus? In an embassy, the military is normally represented by the Marine Security Guards, who are directed by a Diplomatic Security Service regional security officer; the Office of Security Cooperation, normally staffed by a major or equivalent and their deputies (captains or sergeants); and the defense attaché, the senior defense official, usually a lieutenant colonel or colonel, depending on the branch. Neither the military officers nor their sergeants are first-tour personnel. They are expected to behave in a disciplined and professional manner. They sometimes make mistakes, however. There are a number of areas in which misunderstanding can lead to trouble. For example, the military’s emphasis on aggressive initiative and direct action can be misunderstood. The military is used for direct action (breaking things), so when working with the interagency, military personnel must also learn a new language to collaborate with their interagency counterparts. When assigned to embassies, military officers and sergeants receive some training on how to work with the interagency, but it is not emphasized. The ruling measure for the military is tact, professionalism, and mission. But how that translates in an embassy is not necessarily self-evident for a member of the military. Military personnel wear uniforms that display their service résumés by means of the uniform’s cut, ranks, and badges. The uniform is a “document” that is legible to members of the military, an open guide to tactful, professional interaction. By contrast, a first-tour Foreign Service officer may appear to a member of the military as a cypher, without similar markings. Civilian attire, combined with the FSO’s job title, may give the military person pause. Should they be addressed as sir or ma’am? Are they senior to me? What are their qualifications? The list can go on. I’ve put together some recommendations and a collaboration checklist that can fill the interagency gap and smooth the interagency process, at least from a cliff to a hill. Recommendations ■ Interagency partners should attend the social events held for new arrivals at the embassy or assignment location. Take advantage of the opportunity to meet your counterpart in civilian attire in a low-stress environment. The social aspect of working in an embassy cannot be ignored. We’re in this together, and it helps to understand why sometimes our counterparts are stressed by certain scenarios. The annual Marine Corps Ball is a great way to see the military on display as well as civilian formal attire. Ask Bridging the Interagency Gap BY JOHN RINGQUIST Organizational culture differences can be detrimental in an embassy if a deliberate effort is not made to translate and educate from the outset.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MARCH 2025 15 about the accoutrements on uniforms. All military members have war stories. ■ Ask questions about your counterpart’s work. It’s not insider threat action to ask, and most military will answer. If they use acronyms, ask them to explain those also. Military members: Stop using acronyms in every sentence. ■ Learn by reading. Most members of the military have at least heard of the book Inside a U.S. Embassy, but it does not make up for lack of experiential knowledge. I recommend Career Diplomacy: Life and Work in the US Foreign Service to military officers so that they have a better picture of their counterparts’ career path and, of course, The Foreign Service Journal. Conversely, I recommend New Army Officer’s Survival Guide and Army Officer’s Guide for new diplomats. Reading will help. You can also ask the senior defense official about service magazines from their combatant commands and the monthly deliveries of Army History and similar publications. ■ My final recommendation is for all parties to understand their role. The military has a saying, “One team, one fight,” and it holds valid for the interagency effort as well. Military personnel assigned to interagency teams quickly learn that the ambassador calls the shots for the embassy. They have a military commander and orders, but military personnel must conform to standards of behavior and performance expectations as diplomatic representatives of their country while in a foreign posting. If a military member has an issue with a Foreign Service counterpart, they should resolve it at the lowest possible level. If the issue originates from a culture clash, the individuals need to work together to deconflict this. Collaboration Checklist ■ Check your ego. FSOs, if you do not understand, ask. Military, do the same. ■ Do your homework. Is there a culture conflict, or is the issue a result of lack of need to know? Not all information can or should be shared. ■ Is there a Marine Corps Ball fund? Support it, and wear the polo shirt or T-shirt. Military members at post will appreciate the gesture of solidarity. ■ Military, when you attend invitational events or parties, offer to help. Get involved. ■ All sides need to know where they are in seniority, not just rank. Ask any sergeant major if a lieutenant knows more than they do because of rank. ■ Do not create friction regarding pay and benefits. Military members and Foreign Service members receive different benefits. Military and interagency personnel receive foreign language and danger pay, but Department of State FSOs are also eligible for step increases and can voluntarily transfer leave to another Department of State employee. ■ Military spouses who may work in embassies do not have their servicemembers’ rank. Please be nice to them; they are between worlds and can be useful translators. ■ If you are interested in military doctrine, news, or current affairs that may involve the U.S. military, please ask. Military personnel are trained to understand that we do not make policy, we follow it. Our filter may help explain illogical military actions. ■ Institute a brown bag series to go over topics of interest. Both sides need to know why their counterparts do certain things. For example, why doesn’t the ambassador have a say in the military officers’ performance ratings? ■ A humorous way to deconflict interagency jargon and acronyms is to provide newcomers with a cheat sheet. In my own experience, the sheet can be one of the best ways to open dialogue. Title it: “Department of State to Department of Defense: A Guide to Gibberish.” ■ Respect goes a long way. Foreign Service officers are a select group of America’s finest. So are military personnel. The military servicemembers in an embassy seldom have less than five years of service, eight to 10 years for junior officers, twice that for more senior. Military personnel need to understand that first-tour FSOs have a lot of weight on their shoulders. Go easy and work to reach compromise. e The interagency process can be frustrating, especially with the differences between departments in how they conduct business. The military tends to limit the number of meetings by using a process of task delegation called mission command. The chain of command executes orders. Rarely is there a formal meeting process aside from the generation of courses of action and plans from those conclusions. The Department of State, in my experience, uses more meetings and teams to tackle challenges. Neither system is wrong; both work, and both require participants to understand the process. A lesson that first-tour FSOs and military personnel can take away from the interagency process is that communication is key and that open channels are essential. I recommend that whenever possible, everyone take advantage of Friday afternoons to take off the “agency armor” and enjoy an embassy social of any stripe. n
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