AI in Diplomacy Takes Shape PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION MAY-JUNE 2026 Plus State in a New International Economy When Uncle Sam Met Putin Reinventing Yourself After the FS
4 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 40 Transforming Diplomatic Productivity with AI By Daniel Crocker 44 Are AI Consular Officers in Our Future? By Ian Hopper 47 US(AI)D: What Launching AI Tools for Communicators Taught Us By Victoria Mitchell Avdiu and Michelle (Staley) Swain 50 At the Intersection of AI and Foreign Policy: A Q&A An Interview with Kelsey D. Atherton 31 Leading from the Edge: How Diplomats Are Actually Using AI By Paul Kruchoski 34 Beyond Borders: What U.S. Diplomats Can Learn from Global AI Innovation By Virginia Blaser 37 AI Should Assist, Not Replace, U.S. Diplomats By Mahvash Siddiqui May-June 2026 Volume 103, No. 3 ON THE COVER: iStockphoto/Nattapon Kongbunmee. FOCUS ON AI IN DIPLOMACY
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 5 58 A FSA Welcomes Embassy Evacuees Home 58 Service Disrupted— One Year Later 59 S tate VP Voice— Strength in Numbers 60 U SAID VP Voice— Taking Care of Yourself and Moving Forward 61 Retiree VP Voice— Retirees Are Still in Service 61 Legal Defense Fundraiser 63 AFSA Member Meetup 63 Read the Latest Press Releases 64 R ally Marks One Year Since USAID Dismantling 65 Foreign Service Departures 66 Changes at AFSA’s Office of General Counsel 67 Court Rules VOA Firings Unlawful 67 M SPB Appeals Process Demystified 67 A FSA Governing Board Meetings, January 21 and February 18, 2026 68 D o Diplomacy and Development Have a PR Problem? 68 S tate Renames Personnel Bureau, Again 69 The Next Career Chapter 69 Reviewing Your Retirement Plan 70 Proposed AFSA Bylaw Amendments 72 U SAID Memorial Wall Finds New Home AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF AFSA PERSPECTIVES 7 President’s Views A Trifecta for 2026 By John “Dink” Dinkelman 9 Letter from the Editor It’s the People By Shawn Dorman 28 Speaking Out Diplomats Required: Shaping the New International Economic System By Alan Larson 105 Reflections The Trembling Earth: Guatemala, 1976 By Vincent Chiarello 106 Local Lens Svalbard, Norway By Noah E. Rose FEATURE 53 First Contact: Uncle Sam Meets Vladimir Putin By Damian Leader LIFE AFTER THE FOREIGN SERVICE 73 Beyond the Mission: Reinventing Yourself After Government Service By Dawson Law EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT 76 Education in the Foreign Service: Navigating Transitions, Neurodiversity, and Academic Pathways By Evan Wilson 83 Education at a Glance DEPARTMENTS 10 Letters 16 Letters-Plus 22 Talking Points 89 In Memory 99 Books MARKETPLACE 101 Real Estate 103 Index to Advertisers 104 Classifieds 53
6 MAY-JUNE 2026 | 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 Business Development Manager— Advertising and Circulation Molly Long: long@afsa.org Art Director Caryn Suko Smith Editorial Board Lynette Behnke, Co-Chair Hon. Jennifer Z. Galt, Co-Chair hannah draper, Gov. Bd. Liaison Kelly Adams-Smith Ben East Mathew Hagengruber Steven Hendrix Katherine Ntiamoah Peter Reams Dan Spokojny Lisa Nuch Venbrux THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published bimonthly by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. 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Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). 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, 2026 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 John Dinkelman: dinkelman@afsa.org Secretary Sue Saarnio: saarnio@afsa.org Treasurer John K. Naland: naland@afsa.org State Vice President Rohit Nepal: nepal@afsa.org USAID Vice President Randy Chester: chester@afsa.org FCS Vice President Jay Carreiro: jay.carreiro@afsa.org FAS Vice President Vacant Retiree Vice President Hon. John O’Keefe: okeefe@afsa.org Full-Time State Representative Vacant State Representatives hannah draper: draper@afsa.org Donald Emerick: emerick@afsa.org Connor Ferry-Smith: ferry-smith@afsa.org Christina Higgins: higgins@afsa.org Stephanie Straface: straface@afsa.org USAID Representative Austan Mogharabi: mogharabi@afsa.org FCS Alternate Representative Joshua Burke: burke@afsa.org FAS Alternate Representative Vacant USAGM Representative Mariama D. Crandall: crandall@afsa.org APHIS Representative Joe Ragole: ragole@afsa.org Retiree Representatives Hon. Michael Kirby: kirby@afsa.org Julie Nutter: nutter@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 Lisa Heller: heller@afsa.org Director of Advocacy Kim Sullivan: sullivan@afsa.org Advocacy and Policy Manager Sean O’Gorman: ogorman@afsa.org FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 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 and Outreach 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 Hannah Harari: harari@afsa.org MEMBERSHIP Director, Programs and Member Engagement Christine Miele: miele@afsa.org Membership Operations Coordinator Mouna Koubaa: koubaa@afsa.org Counselor for Retirees and Alumni Brian Himmelsteib: himmelsteib@afsa.org Manager, Membership and Events Glenn Stanton: stanton@afsa.org Program Coordinator Indigo Stegner: stegner@afsa.org OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL General Counsel Raeka Safai: safai@afsa.org Deputy General Counsel Neera Parikh: parikh@afsa.org Senior Staff Attorneys Zlatana Badrich: badrich@afsa.org Labor Management Counselor Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: colleen@afsa.org Labor Management Coordinator Patrick Bradley: bradley@afsa.org Senior Grievance Counselor Heather Townsend: townsend@afsa.org Grievance Counselor Ed White: white@afsa.org Attorney Adviser Erin Kate Brady: brady@afsa.org FOREIGN SERVICE CONTACTS www.afsa.org
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 7 A Trifecta for 2026 BY JOHN “DINK” DINKELMAN John “Dink” Dinkelman is the president of the American Foreign Service Association. PRESIDENT’S VIEWS O n this Foreign Service Day, as we celebrate those who have served our nation, I offer up a “trifurcated” column: equal parts gratitude, concern, and cautious optimism. Gratitude: In every organization, there’s at least one person who develops a reputation for reliability, stability, wisdom, and trust. They come to embody the ideals of the organization—which, in turn, benefits from their attributes as well as their service. Such has been the case with AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp, who, as this edition hits the newsstands, will be retiring after close to 34 years with the association. Sharon is well known for her honesty and integrity. Thousands of us in the Foreign Service have benefited from her dedication, passion for justice, and, most importantly, visible care for the work she did and the people she did it for. The sadness we feel at AFSA contemplating working without her is (mostly) offset by the joy we feel for her decision to step into and enjoy a well-deserved new chapter of life. She will remain a prime example of how a professional life can be well lived while also being a stellar colleague. Congratulations and thank you, Sharon! Concern: Regarding the evacuations of thousands of Americans from the Middle East following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, what can I say other than, “It should not have happened this way.” While AFSA commends and thanks the hundreds of dedicated professionals—federal employees, contractors, and volunteers—who worked assiduously to support these evacuations in the face of increasing hostilities, I must continue to strongly protest the obvious disregard for the Foreign Service as demonstrated in both the planning and execution of the current war against Iran. It is appalling that thousands of our fellow citizens, including our diplomats and their families, would not be moved out of harm’s way prior to the initiation of hostilities. The treatment of Foreign Service family members as pawns in a large-scale military campaign is the latest in a growing list of examples of the low regard in which leadership holds these loyal Americans who have chosen to dedicate their professional lives to the nation they love. AFSA calls for responsible leadership to immediately conduct a full review of the decisions made and actions taken that led to our people being deliberately left in harm’s way. AFSA continues to support those patriotic members of the Foreign Service who remain at their stations throughout the Middle East, conducting America’s diplomacy and helping their fellow citizens in anything but diplomatic circumstances. We wish them and their military counterparts safety and success as they work to bring this war to an expeditious resolution. Cautious Optimism: I am grateful to the various employee organizations (EOs) and other FS-adjacent groups that responded to my request for letters about their on-the-ground realities in the wake of the cessation of official recognition of EOs in 2025. The responses demonstrate that there is much good work not being done to support our community— simply because well-meaning people feel stifled for fear of retribution. Even more revealing was some groups’ reticence to respond because association with organizations that have fallen out of favor is now risky. I don’t blame them—after all, emails sent to DEIA truth@opm.gov (established in January 2025 to collect reports of DEI initiatives) are not returned as “undeliverable,” are they? Nevertheless, I remain cautiously hopeful that this initial attempt to shine light on the challenges our profession faces internally will enable us to move forward—hopefully together—in determining how the Foreign Service can advance in this new environment. For this reason, I repeat my earlier calls for “affinity groups/employee organizations” to provide input to the Journal on their operational status. Write to journal@afsa.org. And I call on leadership to unfreeze EO activity and convene all FS-affiliated groups for a summit of sorts, where all parties recognize that the present divisions detract from our ability to serve the nation we all love. Share your thoughts by emailing dinkelman@afsa .org or member@afsa.org. n
Calling All Foreign Service Authors Bonus Opportunity Spread the word about your book, whether already published or coming soon, by placing an ad in the FSJ! We are o ering advertising space at discounted rates for all books and authors, whether featured or not, in this special edition. For more details, contact Advertising Manager Molly Long at long@afsa.org. We look forward to sharing your book with the foreign a airs community. —The FSJ Team iStockphoto/Bulat Silvia SUBMIT YOUR BOOKS BY AUGUST 21! The Foreign Service Journal is now welcoming submissions for “In Their Own Write,” our popular November-December focus highlighting the literary talent of the Foreign Service community. Share your works of fiction and nonfiction in time for holiday shopping. To be featured, your book must be published between July 1, 2025, and September 1, 2026, and be available for purchase by September 1, 2026. It must not have been included in a previous FSJ collection. Current and former members of the Foreign Service and their immediate family members are eligible to submit a book for consideration. AFSA members will be given priority. Please visit https://bit.ly/ITOW-Author-Form to share all the details about your book. We will craft your ITOW entry based on your responses on this form. We can feature only one book per author, so if you published multiple books last year, let us which one you’d like to promote and list the other titles in your bio note. Please fill out the form and send us a copy of the book (either in print or, preferably, digital format) by Friday, August 21. Digital books can be sent to journal@afsa.org, subject line: ITOW + Author Name. Print copies should be addressed to: Editor, In Their Own Write AFSA/The Foreign Service Journal 2101 E St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Questions? Email us at InTheirOwnWrite@afsa.org.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 9 Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. It’s the People BY SHAWN DORMAN LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Today there are troubling signs for the Foreign Service and diplomacy more broadly. Professional career diplomats have been sidelined. Under the banner of “reorganization,” whole offices and programs were closed, diplomats pushed out. USAID was erased by DOGE, along with most of its lifesaving work and staff globally. USAGM/VOA faced a similar fate. Litigation continues. In December 2025, more than 30 U.S. ambassadors were sent packing without reason or warning. Most posts in the Middle East were without confirmed ambassadors when the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28. The need to evacuate Americans from the region appeared to come as a surprise to the administration, putting thousands of U.S. citizens at risk. Meanwhile, internally, employee organizations have largely been silenced due to the chilling effect of the administration’s efforts—through executive orders, Office of Personnel Management guidance, and Foreign Affairs Manual changes—to purge words, programs, and people related to or hinting at support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), collective bargaining, climate, immigration … the list goes on. Dissent is not tolerated. Our AFSA pres- ident has called on leadership to “convene the various disparate elements of the FS community” for dialogue to address internal divisions. He asked for input from employee groups. Seven responses are in Letters-Plus. Some groups are absent due to fear of retribution. One group that hasn’t been silenced is the Ben Franklin Fellowship. In the March-April Speaking Out, Ambassador (ret.) Eric Rubin wrote “What’s Wrong with the Ben Franklin Fellowship?” In this edition, you’ll find a response from BFF co-founder Simon Hankinson in Letters-Plus. Some of our readers may question why the FSJ would provide a platform for this exclusionary group. We hear you. But we did publish a strong critique of the BFF in the FSJ, and they deserve a chance to respond. The FSJ Editorial Board and staff stand by our commitment for the FSJ to be a forum for diverse views on issues of concern to the foreign affairs community. It is our hope that airing differences will help spur productive conversation that can lead to a way forward, and that all voices from the many groups that represent the FS community will be welcomed again. Related, I am thrilled to welcome back to the FSJ pages diplomat cartoonist extraordinaire Brian Aggeler with a new cartoon that fits this moment. Look for more from him in upcoming editions. This edition’s Focus on AI in diplomacy speaks for itself. Don’t miss this set of articles by practitioner authors, each bringing a unique lens to the topic. A common theme emerges: While AI will be utilized in myriad ways across the U.S. government, it cannot be a substitute for human judgment and engagement. We return to the foundational value of the Foreign Service: the people. Face to face, the last three feet, on the ground across the world. n BRIAN AGGELER
10 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS Covering a Fraught Era I would like to thank The Foreign Service Journal for its superb JanuaryFebruary issue honoring excellence and constructive dissent. I appreciated the right-to-the-point frankness of AFSA President John Dinkelman and AFSA State Vice President Rohit Nepal’s columns. Mr. Dinkelman’s comment that there is “little hope that things will improve for the Foreign Service anytime soon” was certainly troubling, as was Mr. Nepal’s remark that “it’s been hard to wrap my mind around the damage and cruelty of the past year.” There is no sense in trying to whitewash what has taken place. Both are correct that the Foreign Service needs to persevere and play the long game. I also want to flag the article focused on Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the recipient of the 2025 AFSA Award for Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy. Ambassador ThomasGreenfield’s manifold accomplishments deserve full recognition. She has left a lasting mark in many areas and, without a doubt, is not done yet. In the accompanying interview, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield correctly noted the trying times that the Foreign Service is going through. I could not agree with her more when she expressed her enthusiastic support for AFSA. On a decidedly lighter note, the article by Dick Virden about an official trip he took to north central Thailand in 1968 was pleasurably diverting. The fact that he was reimbursed for renting an elephant to clear a trail certainly reflected well on his admin unit. We’re living in a fraught era where many of our assumptions are being harshly challenged. The January- February issue is the latest example of the Journal’s consequential coverage of the evolving situation. Joseph L. Novak FSO, retired Washington, D.C. Honoring Moral Courage Thank you for the January-February issue of the FSJ, particularly the “Posthumous Award for Dissent: Honoring Moral Courage in the Face of Injustice.” If only everyone understood the dedication and sacrifices of those who chose the diplomatic life in service to our great country. My grandfather Laurence Steinhardt, a U.S. Foreign Service officer and ambassador to six countries under Presidents Roosevelt and Truman, used to say, “We must put our best foot forward. It is our obligation to God, humanity, our country, and each other”—more casually referred to in our clan as the three C’s: Church (God), Country, and Community. As philosopher George Santayana said: “He who does not study past history is doomed to repeat it.” Never more applicable than currently. Please thank Associate Editor Mark Parkhomenko for this excellent article. Let us hope and pray for our nation that we never again mint the U.S. presidential seal on our currency with the eagle’s head facing a clutch of arrows rather than facing the laurel branch. Laurene A. Sherlock Granddaughter of U.S. Ambassador Laurence A. Steinhardt (1892–1950) Washington, D.C. Resisting Injustice With deep gratitude for your journal, I read the January-February edition on AFSA Awards in which you highlighted the 2025 Posthumous Awards for Dissent. In a compelling article, you honored the 12 U.S. career diplomats who collectively saved thousands and thousands of lives during the Holocaust years. The article challenges on a personal level: Would I have the courage to do today what these diplomats did? This article inspires the honesty to ask the question and offers the courage to remain steadfast in voicing constructive dissent to the situations in America today. The Foreign Service Journal continually resists injustice and inhumanity in steady, quiet, and highly impactful ways. I am an “ordinary” citizen not affiliated with AFSA, but fortunate enough to have signed up for email links to the magazine. Thank you for your moral courage. Mary Ellen Weir Belmont, North Carolina MIA: Leadership Culture Ambassador Eric Rubin’s article in the March-April FSJ, “What’s Wrong with the Ben Franklin Fellowship?,” fails to acknowledge the lack of a leadership culture at State. While it is unclear whether BFF’s expanded role will ultimately strengthen the State Department, our organization suffers from weak leadership, historically dominated by self-interested officers, which leaves us exposed. The minimization of State is a bipartisan effort. We have only ourselves to blame for our abysmal culture of leadership. The Journal has published volumes of well-researched, actionable strategies to strengthen State. Let’s stop complaining until we have our house in order. John Fer FSO Washington, D.C.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 11 Dual Citizen FSOs While Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann’s defense of a professional Foreign Service (“Our Professional Foreign Service Is in Danger,” March-April FSJ) is laudable, his article misses a far more active and concrete threat to our diplomatic corps: the current policy of hiring dual citizens. Neumann’s concern over graduates from specific universities focuses on a speculative, future danger that is contingent on a particular political outcome. He is, in effect, sounding the alarm about a potential leaky faucet. This presupposes a collective bias that is not only unprovable but also overlooks that our recruitment process draws from hundreds of varied institutions, making a complete ideological capture highly unlikely. Conversely, the issue of dual citizenship is the house fire happening now. This is not a speculative risk; it is a current State Department policy that sanctions a tangible, legal allegiance to a foreign power. A diplomat’s loyalty must be undivided. To grant the immense privilege of representing the United States to an individual who holds a legal obligation to another nation creates an immediate and undeniable conflict of interest. It is baffling that we would focus on a potential future problem while our policy actively permits a structural vulnerability today. It is this tangible conflict of allegiance, not the speculative ideology of future hires, that poses the true danger to our fragile diplomacy. Our focus must be on the singular allegiance of our diplomats, because when they sit at the negotiating table, any hint of dual loyalty is a liability that skeptical nations can exploit, and an invitation for the diplomat’s other country to undermine our efforts and dissuade cooperation. Andrew Ford Ryan FSO, retired Burke, Virginia In Appreciation of Robin Meyer On Christmas Eve 2025, the Foreign Service lost one of its finest diplomats. Robin Meyer combined political and economic acumen with empathy, dedication, humility, patriotism, and expert leadership, building bridges across nations and inspiring colleagues worldwide to excel. News of her passing, shared on my LinkedIn page, drew more than 50 tributes from entry-level officers, former ambassadors, and locally employed staff alike. They praised her integrity, toughness, courage, mentorship, empathy, and wisdom. “She taught me many of the foundational diplomatic skills that served me throughout my career.” “A loss for the country.” “There was no one more knowledgeable, smarter, or more thoughtful than Robin.” “A light in the Department of State.” These reflections capture the profound impact she had on both policy and the people who served alongside her. Despite facing hurdles within the department and harassment and surveillance from foreign governments, she served with distinction and pride. Early in her career, Cuba expelled her for documenting human rights abuses. Later successes, such as leading the embassy as chargé d’affaires in Ecuador and arranging the first U.S.-Ecuadorian presidential meeting in 17 years, advanced U.S. foreign policy even as they drew little attention at home. Committed to ensuring the American public understood the work of its diplomats, Robin championed outreach through the department’s “hometown diplomat” program and engaged directly with foreign and U.S. students and civic groups, both in person and on video calls. After retiring, she continued to serve her community and used her diplomatic skills as a mediator, resolving conflicts and guiding people toward solutions. She approached every issue and problem with an open mind, using her experience and that of others to guide discussion and decision-making. She then presented those decisions at every level—from students to journalists to presidents—with professionalism, credibility, and, sometimes, humor. She remained humble about her accomplishments. Had she known I would write this letter, she may have tried to dissuade me, probably saying that others have done more than her. I write it anyway, because this reminder of what diplomatic excellence looks like is needed. At a time of profound change within the Foreign Service, the Department of State, and the U.S. government, Robin Meyer’s example endures. Her courage, care, commitment, and dedication to country, Constitution, and colleagues remain a model for all who aspire to be consummate diplomats. Robin Holzhauer FSO, retired Orlando, Florida
12 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL When we think of diplomats who will be remembered for consistency of integrity and moral courage, Moises Mendoza is one of our institution’s giants. He passed away on February 12, 2026, a day after his 42nd birthday. He was the best of us. He was the kind of FSO who sought out hard postings, from consular work in Matamoros to serving in Haiti as a political officer. Stateside, he served in the Ops Center and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, both demanding jobs infamous for pushing people to their outer limits. Before his sabbatical, he was already contemplating onward assignments to Juba or Port-au-Prince. Moises consistently put service over self, always wanting to contribute to something bigger than himself. He was the kind of public servant our nation was profoundly lucky to have. He also had the courage to act when it mattered. As an entry-level officer in Matamoros, a post with no medical unit and unreliable emergency services, he became an EMT and CPR instructor on his own initiative, navigated bureaucratic resistance and liability concerns, and built a hospital partnership to sustain the program long after he was gone. The American Foreign Service Association honored him with the W. Averell Harriman Award for Constructive Dissent for this two-year effort. His curiosity ran just as deep as his courage. Writing in The Foreign Service Journal, he documented what began as a simple question about Matamoros: Was it really the oldest continuously operating U.S. consulate? The answer required collaboration with the Office of the Historian and archival excavation at the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and university collections. What he found rewrote the official record: The consulate’s true founding dated to 1825, not 1832, and the department’s own records had long conflated two separate entries into one. For an article published in the April 2020 FSJ, “Discovering Our Consulate’s History, We Discovered Ourselves,” he recovered forgotten stories of heroic employees buried in declassified cables, and his work was folded into a Bureau of Consular Affairs effort to document the history of the consular service globally. His path into the Foreign Service was itself a testament to his exceptional promise. As a Pickering and Rangel Fellow, he was part of one of the most competitive and prestigious pipelines into the U.S. diplomatic corps and remained deeply committed to the communities that shaped him through his involvement with the Hispanic and Latin Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies and glifaa, organizations dedicated to diversity and inclusion within the Foreign Service. Even while on sabbatical from the State Department, Moises never stopped serving, volunteering with the NYPD as an auxiliary police officer, applying to law school (and getting in), and exploring things well outside the boxes of our bureaucratic safety nets, like enrolling in a flight attendant program or joining an AI startup completely outside his comfort zone. His boundless curiosity and energy were so distinctly him. He always made the people around him feel like anything was possible. He was a fixture in some of the most impactful networks in the foreign policy world, including the Council on Foreign Relations, Humanity in Action, the International Career Advancement Program, and the British American Project. When Moises walked into a room, his authenticity and kindness brought out the best in everyone who met him. Moises, you were a light. And the world feels darker without you. May your memory be a blessing, and your legacy a blueprint for all of us in how to live a life of purpose, generosity, and integrity. Maryum Saifee FSO New York City, New York We entered the Foreign Service together in 2016. From the very beginning of A-100, Moises stood out not because he sought attention, but because he so naturally built community among us. With his warmth and humor, he began referring to our class as “special friends,” a phrase that we all quickly embraced. It captured something essential about Moises: his instinct to connect people, his generosity of spirit, and his belief that our work was ultimately about relationships and service. Many of us were just beginning to understand what it meant to be diplomats. Moises already seemed to carry a clear sense of purpose. He often spoke about wanting to make the world a little bit better each day. That aspiration was not abstract for him; it was something he lived. Over the years, we watched with pride as he served in places like Matamoros and Haiti, in Washington, and most recently supporting the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. His work on some of the world’s most difficult challenges reflected the same qualities we saw in him during A-100: integrity, compassion, and determination. For those of us who began this journey with him, Moises will always be one Remembering Moises Mendoza
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 13 of our “special friends.” We are grateful to have known him at the start of our careers and inspired by the example he set for a life of service. The 188th A-100 Class Moises Mendoza was the epitome of putting others first, and his passion and commitment to doing what was right were unparalleled. As an active part of the glifaa community, he believed deeply in serving and supporting LGBTQIA+ employees and in harnessing the power of queer colleagues around the world to support local communities. Several glifaa members met Moises when he was still at the beginning of his career. He initially came to them for advice, but it did not take long to realize that they were learning just as much from him as he was from them, and maybe even more. He was a role model for selflessness and dedication, and over the last year, he continued to be active and engaged in supporting his colleagues, despite the challenges facing many in the glifaa community. Moises asked the hard questions and made sure people lived the integrity they preached. Many in the glifaa community are better people because of the lessons he taught us. He will be deeply missed by those who were privileged to know him. Jeff Anderson FSO, former glifaa president (2020–2021) Washington, D.C. With broken hearts, the members of the Hispanic and Latin Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies (HECFAA) share our deepest condolences on the sudden passing of our dear friend, longtime member, and tireless advocate, Moises Mendoza. This is such devastating news, and it is hard to put into words the loss we feel. Moises was one of the kindest people we have ever known—brilliant, generous, and endlessly giving of himself. A true “jack of all trades,” fueled by an insatiable curiosity about the world, he carried remarkable expertise across so many areas—diplomacy, journalism, technology, social justice, and human rights. Yet above all his accomplishments, what defined him most was his extraordinary ability to connect with people. He offered support selflessly, uplifted others without hesitation, and dedicated himself fully to those who needed encouragement, guidance, or simply a caring friend. He always pushed us—to think bigger, do better, be better. His intellect, compassion, and unwavering belief in others left an indelible mark on our familia. On the HECFAA Executive Board, Moises filled countless roles, including FS vice president, Hispanic Heritage Month communications lead, treasurer, innovation chair, in-house journalist, and storyteller. His legacy is how he embodied what it means to lead fearlessly with love and integrity. Moises said, “It’s certainly my goal every day to make the world a little bit better.” And he did. Every single day. That he passed close to his birthday and Valentine’s Day—el Día de la Amistad—feels especially poignant. On a day meant to celebrate love and friendship, we are reminded how deeply we cherish and miss our friend. Even in our sorrow, we hold on to gratitude for the light he brought into our lives. He made this world better through his daily acts of service, kindness, and humble generosity. He was an angel who deserves heaven, having given so much of himself
14 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL to others. His legacy of love will continue to guide and inspire us always. With love, prayers, and deepest sympathy from all of his familia at HECFAA. The HECFAA Board I first got to know Moises in January 2019 when he worked in Matamoros. During the “20/32” labor movement, Moises and the pol/econ team produced excellent reports on the first significant push for labor rights in a Mexican border city in decades. These reports played a key role in informing the participants in the negotiations of what became the U.S.-MexicoCanada Agreement, which includes the strongest labor chapter of any trade agreement. I greatly enjoyed reading Moises’ informative April 2020 FSJ article on the history of the Matamoros consulate, and we had many fascinating conversations about diplomatic history. We also chatted extensively about our experiences at posts in Mexico and the Caribbean and as desk officers for Latin American countries. I also happily provided some small input for his “Mission Microhistories” article in the July 2023 edition of State Magazine. Not surprisingly, given his journalism background, he excelled at the written word. I will miss him. Hasta siempre, compañero. Jason Vorderstrasse FSO, retired San Diego, California I had the privilege of serving with Moises Mendoza at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. I can’t remember exactly when I first met Moises, and I suspect that’s true for many people who knew him. One day he was a stranger, and the next he felt like an old friend. Someone who made the mission warmer. Someone whose smile in the elevator could calm a stressful day. Moises had one of the most demanding jobs at the mission. As the staff assistant to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, he was responsible for assembling the ambassador’s daily briefing book. It was far from glamorous work. But when the process ran smoothly—as it did under Moises—it was easy to miss how much judgment, discipline, and care it required. Moises was like the air traffic controller of the mission—the person who kept everything moving smoothly and safely. But that only tells part of the story. Moises did more than keep things moving. He ensured information coursed reliably throughout the mission. He helped decisions take shape and people stay connected. He rarely called attention to himself yet quietly set the pace and rhythm of the building. Moises was the heart of the mission. Later, as an officer in the political section, he fought to protect women and children trapped in conflict—and he represented the best of U.S. diplomacy: thoughtful, steady, and grounded in respect for others. He showed that real strength often comes quietly, caring for those most in need. To Moises’s family: Please know that the kindness he showed, the heart he put into his work, and the powerful example he set—all of that lives on in the people he shaped and the standard of excellence he left behind. Chris Lu U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations for Management and Reform (2022–2025) Arlington, Virginia The Pickering and Rangel Fellows Association (PRFA) mourns the loss of our friend, colleague, and brother, Moises Mendoza. Moises was an active 2014 Rangel Fellow, devoted PRFA board member, and a steady force behind many of PRFA’s key milestones. Moises played a foundational role in shaping PRFA into the organization it is today. He led the effort to formally register PRFA as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, establishing the legal and structural framework that allows us to serve our fellows with integrity and sustainability. As a steward of our finances, he ensured donor funds were managed responsibly and spent only in clear alignment with our mission. His diligence was never about recognition, it was about responsibility. It was about doing things the right way. Moises served PRFA the same way he served every community he encountered, with integrity, enthusiasm, and deep respect for his team. He believed in people. He trusted the process. And he knew institutions matter because they both shape and protect lives. His impact extended far beyond PRFA. Across foreign affairs spaces, Moises purposefully strengthened systems, supported colleagues, and moved ideas into action. He understood that meaningful change often happens in small, steady increments, in the daily discipline of showing up thoughtfully and acting deliberately. Moises embodied President John F. Kennedy’s words: “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” Moises was one of those people. He was also never quiet in reminding each of us that we could be those people too. Since taking the oath to serve as a member of the U.S. Foreign Service,
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 15 every policy Moises analyzed, every decision he made, every commitment he accepted was approached with care and intention. Moises carried himself with a calm that many of us, especially in the diplomatic profession, admired and aspired to emulate. He modeled what leadership grounded in humility and purpose looks like. Moises will be deeply missed by the PRFA community. We know his steadiness and integrity remain with us as we lead, serve, and build our community. Moises made small impacts that added up to something enduring. With every life he touched, his influence will continue to ripple outward. In this season of reflection and mourning, we invite our community to ask the question Moises so often asked: What should we do about it? The answer we choose will shape the ripple each of us leaves behind. Pickering and Rangel Fellows Association n Correction In the March-April Feature article “Peace Corps at 65,” Ambassador Robert Finn was incorrectly identified as having been a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran. Amb. Finn actually served as a volunteer in Turkey in 1967–1969. We regret the error. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS about this month’s issue. Submit letters to the editor: journal@afsa.org
16 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS-PLUS Employee Groups Weigh In RESPONSE TO MARCH-APRIL PRESIDENT’S VIEWS CALL FOR INPUT social gatherings and information sharing. For further information, please reach out to Board@glifaa.org. —glifaa Board Thursday Luncheon Group Supporting the Next Generation of Diplomats Established in 1973, the Thursday Luncheon Group (TLG) has the distinction of being the Department of State’s oldest employee organization. It originated when two senior former United States Information Agency (USIA) officers urged their friends and colleagues at USIA, State, and USAID to consider what they could do to enhance the participation of African Americans in the development and conduct of U.S. foreign policy. Over the years, TLG grew from a small group of friends and colleagues meeting informally over lunch to a 501(c)(3) organization with a network of almost 700 foreign affairs professionals whose advocacy for transparency, accountability, opportunity, and meritocracy benefited the broader foreign affairs community and advanced U.S. national interests. TLG members serve our nation honorably, and many have risen to the highest ranks of the diplomatic corps. Indeed, some of our most experienced and distinguished ambassadors were also TLG members, and several served as president of the organization, sharing their knowledge and expertise with the 7th floor while simultaneously mentoring the next generation. They include recently deceased Ambassador Ruth A. Davis, who was the first female senior watch officer in the Operations Center; the first Black director of the Foreign Service Institute, where she founded the School of Leadership and Management; the first Black female Director General of the Foreign Service; and the first Black woman to be named a Career Ambassador. The late Ambassador Steven McGann also led TLG. He served as ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, the Kingdom of Tonga, and Tuvalu, where he guided U.S. policy in the Pacific. He was also deputy commandant of the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University (NDU) and became the first vice chancellor of NDU’s College of International Security Affairs. Historically, the TLG Executive Board and its membership welcomed Secretaries of State and other agency leaders as honorary members, partnered with fellow EOs on topics of shared concern, and engaged with agency leadership on recruitment, assignments, employment practices, promotion patterns, training, In his March-April 2026 column, AFSA President John “Dink” Dinkelman lamented the lack of discourse among different groups within the Foreign Service community and called for a dialogue to examine the state of the Foreign Service. For a start, he asked employee organizations (EOs), which were officially disbanded in early 2025 by the Trump administration, to join the conversation. He invited them to let us know “what is (or was) the value of your EO, how is your group faring now, and what do you see as the future for your organization vis-à-vis the Foreign Service.” Several agreed to share their thoughts. The views expressed in all the notes below are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. government or AFSA. glifaa Advocating for the LGBTQIA+ Foreign Affairs Community On February 1, 2025, glifaa began operating exclusively in its preexisting status as an independent 501(c)(3)– designated nonprofit organization, suspending operations as an employee organization with the State Department, USAID, and other foreign affairs agencies. The board is now led by former State and USAID employees, including alumni of both the Foreign Service and Civil Service. Its long-standing mission continues: to advocate for human rights, dignity, and equal access to opportunities for all members of the LGBTQIA+ foreign affairs community. Over the 30-plus years since glifaa began, it has been a driver of positive change. Just as important has been the fellowship it has provided to our community. Our members include employees, former employees, and their adult and child eligible family members (EFMs). We have provided support in a broad range of ways, including through in-person and virtual
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 17 and other personnel matters. Engagement on these issues changed policies like assignment restrictions, improved the overall operating environment, expanded opportunities for professional growth for all employees, and nurtured future employees through stipends for interns and book scholarships. TLG’s greatest success is the community it has fostered for more than 50 years, and the executive board is committed to working in partnership with other employee organizations, to supporting members through in-person and virtual activities, and to encouraging and counseling the next generation of diplomats. As always, TLG membership remains open to all, and additional information can be found at https://thursdayluncheon group.org. —TLG Executive Board FirstGens@State Advancing Opportunity, Talent, and the American Workforce FirstGens@State supports Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals who were the first in their families to obtain a college degree. The network includes more than 700 members across the State Department and interagency and works to strengthen recruitment, mentorship, retention, and professional development for first-generation college graduates and professionals. While the organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, it has partnered with several external organizations. Members come from every corner of the country—rural and urban communities alike—and employee organizations like FirstGens@State help ensure the diplomatic service reflects the full breadth of American experience. In short, they represent every hill, holler, and street in the United States. The concept of a first-generation college student—commonly referred to as a FirstGen—is rooted in the Higher Education Act of 1965, which defines the term as “an individual whose parent or parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.” This law predates the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education and reflects long-standing egalitarian principles of equal opportunity. These principles are complementary to meritocracy: They ensure that advancement is determined by talent, effort, and achievement rather than by immutable characteristics or economic circumstances at birth. This emphasis on merit and equal opportunity is consistent with enduring American values and with President Trump’s executive actions that have reaffirmed merit-based advancement and equal access to opportunity across federal institutions. Many first-generation college students come from working-class households, often facing financial barriers and limited professional networks on their path to higher education. Financial insecurity, limited familiarity with higher-education systems, and fewer professional networks create obstacles that persist long after graduation. Yet they frequently demonstrate resilience and a commitment to service— about 21 percent work in government and roughly 62 percent are veterans. Ensuring these Americans are represented in the national security workforce strengthens both the legitimacy and effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy. Professionals who grew up in rural towns and working-class households bring firsthand understanding of the economic anxieties, labor concerns, and community priorities that shape U.S. domestic policy. Their perspectives help ensure that diplomacy, economic statecraft, and international engagement remain connected to the interests of U.S. workers and industries at home. FirstGen professionals bring grit, patriotism, and practical problem-solving skills shaped by real-world experience, enriching policy discussions and helping address institutional blind spots. Their life experiences often mirror those of the “global majority,” enabling them to communicate more effectively with foreign audiences and better understand the social and economic realities that influence international partners. My experience guiding FirstGens@ State demonstrates the tangible value of such networks. Through mentorship programs, recruitment, and engagement with department leadership, the organization has helped create pathways for talented Americans who might otherwise view diplomacy and national security careers as inaccessible. Because members come from a wide range of backgrounds, the network emphasizes shared American experiences—perseverance, equal opportunity, and service—rather than identity-based categories. Through targeted recruitment and by redefining existing fellowships, the State Department can identify and retain untapped talent from workingclass American families often overlooked in the national security workforce. FirstGens embody American ideals of hard work; love of country, community, and family; perseverance; and upward mobility. Drawing on this talent strengthens the department’s connection to the American people while advancing policies that support U.S. workers, rebuild industrial capacity, and project the values of merit, opportunity, and resilience that underpin U.S. leadership. —Ambassador (ret.) Joey R. Hood, first senior leadership liaison for FirstGens@State
18 MAY-JUNE 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Disability Action Group Support During Challenging Times I was elected to lead DAG about a week before the Trump administration put all employee organizations on pause. DAG assists employees deciding whether to disclose a hidden disability. Like it or not, there are managers in the Foreign Service who discriminate against employees with disabilities, and being open about one’s disability can harm one’s career. Is it worth the risk to receive the accommodation needed to perform at one’s full potential? When someone does decide to request an accommodation, DAG can walk them through the (often confusing) procedure and explain what specific words and terms mean. We can also provide suggestions on the best way to approach one’s supervisor regarding these requests. Where does one draw the line between informing one’s manager and a HIPAA violation? DAG provides a network of people who share unique circumstances and a feeling of camaraderie. We learn from others’ experiences. We support each other during challenging times. But folks are worried about gathering under our banner, which means that we haven’t done much of anything for more than a year. Since there is a federally mandated reasonable accommodation process at State, a support group addressing such a process should be allowed, especially for employees who gain a disability during their careers. These people (of whom I am one) have little to no understanding of their rights or of the various offices with which they should interact. But I must admit that I’m not sure where to focus my efforts toward getting DAG reinstated. —Heather Pishko, Disability Action Group GRACE A Place for Christians During my time serving on the Executive Board of GRACE, the department’s first faith-based employee organization (EO) and the only one serving the department’s Christian community, one of my most rewarding duties was routinely receiving requests from employees asking to join and to know that another Christ-follower had found their community at the department. In 2018 colleagues and I started GRACE with a simple goal in mind: to connect and form a group of like-minded individuals in the workplace, giving us confidence to be open about our beliefs. While freedom of religion is a basic founding principle in the United States, in the department (and across the government) there are countless stories of employees being openly discriminated against for their faith. The Office of Civil Rights has always had a mandate to check this discrimination, but without a community like GRACE, employees were often too intimidated to come forward. Not long after our founding, GRACE was delighted to welcome EOs representing other faith communities, and we routinely coordinated with them to promote the issue of religious freedom. GRACE was working to change the culture at State, to make it more welcoming for Christians and all people of faith. By encouraging our members and educating them on civil rights and anti-discrimination regulations, we were chipping away at the antireligious bias that still exists in an overly secularized workplace. GRACE suspended operations in 2025 along with all other EOs, canceling our joint MLK speaker series with BIG (Blacks In Government), our mentorship ministry, our sponsorship of lunch-hour fellowship and Bible studies, and our advocacy for educating managers on religious accommodations. When, by God’s good grace, new employees from a recent orientation class heard about GRACE and reached out, we remembered how much we missed welcoming new members and connecting them with our community of more than 300 members around the world. We thanked them for their interest but had to tell them our operations were still suspended. Our hope is that we can once again offer an official community for employees of the Christian faith and partner with employees of other faiths to advance the ideals of religious liberty in the workplace. Meanwhile, we continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our colleagues, and we have confidence in God’s promise that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). —GRACE Board AAFSW A Collective Response to Unpredictable Disruption The foreign affairs community continues to operate in a prolonged period of unpredictable disruption. The Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide (AAFSW), founded in 1960 to strengthen the community through advocacy, outreach, scholarships, services, and networking, has worked to provide steadiness and help individuals and families adapt when official systems become strained or inconsistent. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including the recent escalation involving Iran, has placed significant stress on families across multiple agencies. Rapid evacuations, heightened security concerns, and prolonged uncer-
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