The Foreign Service Journal, April 2022

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2022 21 by John F. Sopko, a former prosecutor and congressional counsel. Netflix Joins the Foreign Service S treaming service Netflix announced in January that a new eight-episode political drama series, “The Diplomat,” will be heading to a device screen near you. The thriller, created by “The West Wing” and “Homeland” producer Debora Cahn, centers on career diplomat Kate Wyler, who will be played by actress Keri Russell, well known for her role as a Rus- sian spy in “The Americans.” According to the Hollywood Reporter , the title character “lands in a high-profile job she’s unsuited for in the midst of an international crisis—resulting in massive implications for her marriage and her political future.” Filming will take place in London. The real-life Foreign Service commu- nity didn’t disappoint in sharing reactions and offering plot suggestions on social media: “Can’t wait to see Keri Russell fight with the Line over one space after a period. Not be able to get on the Teams meeting because DS won’t let her have a webcam. Sitting on hold with IT because the certificates on her CAC expired. RIV- ETING.” —Patrick Reilly via Twitter. “Very excited. Watching Keri Russell clear memos is the definition of must-see TV.” —Noah Zaring via Twitter. “I look forward to 7.5 episodes of Keri Russell trying to fix her paystub.” —Tim Rann via Twitter. “I think we already have fodder for more than 8 episodes, but I fear that we’re missing out by not having a simultaneous OIG inspection and short-notice POTUS visit.” —Michelle Zentis via Facebook. “The real test [of authenticity] will be if her apartment is furnished with Drexel Heritage.” —Claudia Gutz via Facebook. “The Christmas Special: No gifts arrive in time, and they are forced to learn the true meaning of Christmas.” —Stacey Macdonald via Facebook. “Episode 6: Just an entire hour of people in a conference room trying to get a DVC to work.” —Ryan Roberts via Facebook. Farewell, Domani Spero O n the 14th anniversary of its launch, the anonymously penned Diplo- Pundit blog ceased publication with a final posting on March 11. The blogger, who wrote under the pseudonymDomani Spero (Italian for “tomorrow, I hope”), never revealed their identity, saying only that the blog was created by “an obsessive-compulsive observer, diplomatic watcher and opin- ionator who monitors the goings-on at Foggy Bottom and the ‘worldwide avail- able’ universe fromAlbania to Zimbabwe.” Self-described as “unapologetically opinionated and occasionally edgy,” the website feasted on State Depart- ment foibles and rumors, often making pointed statements that Foreign Service members couldn’t make themselves, criticizing inconsistencies and question- ing senior decisions. According to an email sent to Dip- loPundit subscribers, blog content will remain online for six to 12 months until the author decides what to do with the archives. DiploPundit’s Twitter handle was also retired in March. We’ll miss you, DS. n This edition of Talking Points was compiled by Julia Wohlers. T he Association for Diplomatic Stud- ies and Training has long recognized the value of preserving and sharing the experiences of America’s diplomats. With its new podcast series, Partners in Diplomacy, ADST’s oral history program is now also capturing first- hand accounts of service, sacrifice and adventure in the lives of Foreign Service family members. Part of an Una Chapman Cox Foundation project on American Diplomacy and the Foreign Service, this initiative collects, produces and publishes the fascinating oral histo- ries of spouses and partners work- ing, too often without recognition, in the U.S. foreign affairs commu- nity. The podcast, and the project, is designed to raise awareness of the enduring and unsung contributions Foreign Service family members have made to both the conduct of U.S. diplomacy and to our country. The Feb. 23 podcast features Mariella Tefft speaking about being in Moscow during the Russian invasion of Crimea, while her husband, John Tefft, was serving as ambassador. Other guests have included Bonnie Miller, Judy Ikels, Clayton Bond and Joanne Huskey. Podcast of the Month: Partners in Diplomacy (adst.org/partners-in-diplomacy) The appearance of a particular site or podcast is for information only and does not constitute an endorsement.