THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JULY-AUGUST 2026 11 untrustworthy, self-serving, and uncaring about the health, welfare, and happiness of others. John Drotos DSS agent, retired Newport, Rhode Island Diplomacy or the Military? I doubt I am the only one to have noticed how what we used to call diplomacy has morphed over the years into paramilitary execution. American diplomacy has been transformed into U.S. pressure aided more than before by the threat of U.S. military intervention. I don’t think it is un-American to suggest that the diplomatic process is a two-way, not just one-way, proposition. Admittedly that makes it more complicated, as the thoughts and desires of other world governments have to be taken into account. It’s tougher than just turning to the military to impose our views. I recall the days of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who believed in the imposition of American views rather than seeking the views of others. That approach certainly had the advantage of simplicity. Relying on senior thinkers in the White House, or closely attached to it, made it unnecessary to test other approaches that might have led to better foreign policy in the longer run. It also guaranteed that American policy would be controlled by the direction of American politics—and the advantages of imposition by military might. But that evades key questions: Do American domestic politics guarantee the best course for America to follow overseas just because American politicians with the ear of the president win the argument every time? And what is our experience with simple imposition by military might? How well have we done over recent years by repeated military imposition of military might in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and elsewhere? Speaking simply as a retired Senior Foreign Service officer (and the author of the 2019 book, So You Want to Be a Diplomat?), I ask: Who should bear the blame for our repeated mistakes in the Middle East and elsewhere? The State Department is intended to lead with diplomacy. This always requires starting with “Getting to Yes” and only moving to the military when that is more likely to succeed. Then, if circumstances do not lead to success, you either stop the effort or take a more discerning look at how much you need that success, what it will cost, and what penalty you risk if you go ahead anyway. Will we ever learn? George Lambrakis Senior FSO, retired Brighton/Hove, England Lost Passport, Found Gratitude As someone who has traveled to more than 50 countries, it was a consistent point of pride that I had never lost my passport. Until I did. This past winter, I was flying within Norway up to the Arctic Circle to see the northern lights and absentmindedly left my passport in the netting of the seat in front of me. You know, the thing flight attendants tell you to check before you leave the plane? Well, I didn’t (and blame perimenopause). Realizing my gaffe (picture me as the figure in Munch’s The Scream), I now had a very real problem to solve: How would I get back to the U.S. without my passport? This is when the Foreign Service came through for me in a big way. The morning after the flight, I emailed the U.S. embassy in Oslo, expecting I might not hear back for some time. I had my answer within an hour: show up at the embassy the following Monday and I’d have an emergency passport issued that same day. And as promised, consular officers made it happen. How lucky we are as Americans to have the Foreign Service there for us when we need them most. Before I departed Norway, I did see the northern lights—greens and pinks pulsing across a vast Arctic sky. It was a humbling experience, and so too was the passport fiasco. The trip had been saved, and I was spared a probable drawn-out travel nightmare. At a time when there has been so much disruption to the federal workforce, and not enough appreciation for what members of the Foreign Service do every day on behalf of all Americans, I want you to know that when I needed help, you came through. And for that, I’m immensely grateful. It’s one thing to advocate for Foreign Service members from behind a desk. It’s another thing to need them when you’re thousands of miles from home. Thank you for getting me home. Nikki Gamer AFSA Communications Director Baltimore, Maryland n SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS about this month’s issue. Submit letters to the editor: journal@afsa.org
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