The Foreign Service Journal, June 2004

N ormally, as regular readers know, a Speaking Out col- umn appears in this space. However, for the first time since our June 2001 issue, and for only the sec- ond time since I began editing this department more than five years ago (as associate editor), there is none this month. Having to skip one column in three years is not a big deal. But I am con- cerned that, as of this writing, there are not any Speaking Outs in the pipeline — something that has not been true in a long time. So let me take this opportunity to remind you all that this department is your forum to advocate policy, regulatory or statuto- ry changes to the Foreign Service or U.S. foreign policy. Columns (approximately 1,500 words long) can be based on personal experience with an injustice or your insights into a for- eign affairs-related issue. There are many other ways you can share your insights on these pages. Each issue of the Journal fea- tures a focus section examining vari- ous facets of an issue related to the Foreign Service or international rela- tions. We commission most of the articles for these sections from differ- ent sources, but warmly welcome contributions (2,000-3,000 words is the usual range) from FS personnel who are familiar with these issues. Here is a list of the focus topics our Editorial Board has identified for the rest of this year (subject, of course, to revision). As you can see, several of these themes relate directly to Foreign Service professional and lifestyle issues, so I hope many of you will consider sharing your insights and expertise on them with your col- leagues. However, note that because of our lead time for publication, we need to receive submissions at least two months (preferably longer) prior to the issue’s release date. Thus, we have already selected the winners of our annual summer fiction contest and have lined up several writers for the fall issues, but there is still time to submit manuscripts for later months. If those choices don’t grab you, or if you feel we have not devoted enough space to a professional con- cern or functional issue, please con- sider writing a feature article (gener- ally 2,000-3,000 words long) about it for us. For those of you with a more liter- ary bent, consider submitting a piece (600 words) for our Reflections department (formerly “Postcard from Abroad”). While Reflections are usu- ally based on personal experiences while living or traveling overseas, they should center on insights gained as a result of interactions with other cul- tures, rather than being descriptive “travel pieces.” Don’t forget that the monthly AFSA News section offers several dif- ferent venues for members to share their experiences, thoughts and con- cerns regarding professional issues. Finally, let me invite you to share your reactions, positive and negative, to what you read each month for pub- lication in our Letters section. Just bear in mind that, as with all periodi- cals, the briefer and more focused your letter is, the more likely we’ll be able to print it in full. Please note that all submissions to the Journal must be approved by our Editorial Board and are subject to editing for style, length and format. For more information on how to sub- mit a column, article or letter, please contact us at journal@afsa.org an d we will be delighted to respond. Let us hear from you. L ETTER FROM THE E DITOR B Y S TEVEN A LAN H ONLEY J U N E 2 0 0 4 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 15 There are many ways you can share your insights on these pages. Let us hear from you. 2004 EDITORIAL CALENDAR for the FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL JULY/AUGUST Summer Fiction SEPTEMBER The War on Terror, 3 Years Later OCTOBER Foreign Policy & the U.S. Presidential Election (commentaries by foreign journalists) NOVEMBER “In Their Own Write” (annual roundup of books by FS authors) DECEMBER Medical Issues & Diplomacy