The Foreign Service Journal, April-May 2025

Cover 1
Contents 4
Focus on the U.S.-Vietnam Relationship 18
Vietnam and the United States: The Way Ahead 18
A Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: U.S.-Vietnam Ties at 30 Years 24
Peace, Cooperation, and Global Progress: 30 Years of Vietnam-U.S. Diplomacy 28
The Last Steps of Normalization: Reflections of the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, 2001-2004 31
Toward a More “Geopolitically Driven” Relationship: Reflections of the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam, 2011-2014 35
The Tết Offensive: Six Hours That Transformed America 39
Through the Visa Window: Those Who Leave, Those We Left, Those Who Stay 43
Stone Fruit Diplomacy: From the Golden State to the Land of the Blue Dragon 47
Feature: Service Disrupted 51
Lives Upended: The Impact of USAID’s Dismantling on Those Who Serve 51
FS Know-How 57
A Brief RIF Explainer 57
Life After the Foreign Service 60
Discovering Extended Family at Spirit of America 60
Appreciation 80
Jimmy Carter: Diplomats Remember 80
Perspectives 7
President’s Views—A Diplomacy Success Story for Today 7
Speaking Out—An Open Letter on USAID to the Secretary of State 16
Reflections—Early Days in the Operations Center 97
Local Lens—Fethiye, Türkiye 98
Departments 8
Letters 8
Letters-Plus—Requiem for VOA, by Steve Herman 10
Talking Points 11
In Memory 85
Books 89
Marketplace 92
Real Estate 92
Classifieds 95
Index to Advertisers 96
AFSA News 67
Supporting Access to Virginia Schools for FS Families 67
State VP Voice—Navigating Uncertainty in the FS Evaluation Cycle 68
USAID VP Voice—Foreign Assistance Is Vital 69
FAS VP Voice—FAS Provides Massive Returns on Investment 70
Retiree VP Voice—Providing for Your Next of Kin 71
USAID Alumni Group Fundraising 71
AFSA Update on Reductions in Force 72
In Case You Missed It 73
FSJ Reader Survey 74
Changes to Pet Travel Policies 76
Revamping the FSN Emergency Relief Fund 77
AFSA Welcomes New Members 78
AFSA Governing Board Meeting, January 15, 2025 78
AFSA Hosts State and USAID Town Halls 79
AFSA’s New Membership Intern 79

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