The Foreign Service Journal, April 2018

82 APRIL 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA Outreach Specialist Allan Saunders (right) speaks with an attendee at the 2018 Global Ties U.S. National Meeting held from Feb. 7-10. Global Ties works with the U.S. Department of State to bring future leaders from around the world to participate in a professional development pro- gram sponsored and funded by the Office of Interna- tional Visitors, part of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. AFSA participated in the conference to promote our publications and outreach programs, particularly the Speakers Bureau and the National High School Essay Contest. n AFSAMeets with Global Ties Participants longer. Conversely, those looking to finance an expensive new home, live in high-tax states, and who had previously claimed a large number of miscellaneous itemized deduc- tions may see little or no actual tax cut. Ultimately, the new law is intended to incentivize private-sector growth and investment and set the stage for a leaner public sector. Circular 230 Notice: Pursuant to U.S. Treasury Depart- ment Regulations, all tax advice herein is not intended or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purposes of avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing or recommending advice on any tax-related matters addressed herein. n Sam Schmitt is licensed to practice law in Virginia and before the United States Tax Court. His past practice has been in the areas of estate planning, family law and federal employment. Sam will accompany his wife, a consular officer, to Guangzhou later this year. They have previously been posted in Vilnius and Washington, D.C. Based on an unofficial opinion from the IRS, CGFS confirms that all travel authorized under Section 901 of the Foreign Service Act is exempt from taxation. AFSA/THEOHORN The Foreign Service Journal Is… The Foreign Service Jour- nal is turning 100! Not many magazines last that long. Life didn’t. Neither did The Satur- day Evening Post . The reason the Journal has lasted is because of you, our readers and our com- munity. The Journal stays strong as “the indepen- dent voice of the Foreign Service” because you write for it, you read it and you join in the conversa- tion. In honor of our cen- tennial year celebration, please send us a note about what the Journal has meant to you. Email us at journal@ afsa.org with your answer to this: “ The Foreign Service Journal is ___.” (Please be nice. After all, it’s our birthday.) Or send a photo of yourself (or a friend or family mem- ber) reading the Journal wherever you are—the more distant from D.C., the better. n DEFINING DIPLOMACY for YEARS Above in SILVER FOIL on Cover