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.
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