The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2006

18 F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L / J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 6 To be sure, there will always be a handful of individuals who are the 21st-century equivalent of 19th-centu- ry linguist, adventurer and explorer Richard Burton. Among other ex- ploits, he disguised himself as a Mus- lim and visited Mecca — where dis- covery meant death. But the downside of employing such figures is that they demand both autonomy and authority, and the results can be idiosyncratic. In that regard, the precedent of Sir Charles Napier may be instructive. After seizing the Sind in 1843, he reportedly informed his superiors by transmitting only one word: “Peccavi” (I have sinned). Yet he still expected to be backed up by those superiors. While our cell-phone-connected world makes equivalent action unlikely, the consequences of initiative are not always predictable. Arguing Over Transformation Just as no one steps into the same stream twice, it is a new Foreign Service every day. And the next administration, of whatever party, will have its own foreign policy buzzword. But doing diplomacy differently doesn’t mean acting without appro- priate reflection and analysis. Trans- formational diplomacy in its many manifestations deserves such a review rather than a galvanic twitch into action. Why can’t we have a reasoned and reasonable discussion about the merits of the policy? To question policy is not disloyalty. In this regard, we can learn from our military colleagues. Those within and outside the armed forces who have cast a skeptical eye on the defense parameters and weapons sys- tems costs associated with DOD’s cur- rent quadrennial defense review are not attacked as insubordinate coup plotters. The arguments are intense, but cries of “treason” are not part of the discourse. Foreign policy choices are always complex, and who is better positioned to critique them than members of the Foreign Service? Let us not turn into lemmings who obediently sprint over the cliff. Nor should we let fear that we will be dismissed as disloyal to the current administration deter us from responding to threats. A soft answer turneth not away wrath; it only indicates weakness. Diplomat is not spelled “d-o-o-r-m- a-t.” David T. Jones, a retired Senior Foreign Service officer, is a frequent contributor to the Journal. S P E A K I N G O U T SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE AMERICA S I NCE 1 9 7 1 2006 represents our 36 th year helping to maintain America’s fleet of vehicles throughout the world. All of us at D & M consider it an honor to have worked with all of you through these years. We are aware of the importance of your official and private vehicles, forklifts, generators, tools and equipment. We look forward to continuing this service in a professional manner. We are here to help, just ask! Gary Vlahov www.dmauto.com (516) 822-6662; FAX: (516) 822-5020; E-mail: info@dmauto.com