The Foreign Service Journal, September 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2014 49 can make the heart grow fonder, and brings the importance of communi- cation into sharp focus. It may not work for every- one and it doesn’t make a bad relationship better; but for already healthy, resilient relationships, the Year of Living Sepa- rately is doable. But it is still hard. Of course, like most situations, it isn’t all bad. Although we work long hours under challenging circumstances, we have our light moments, too. Thanks to a very active CLO, there are many activities here to keep one busy, including the ever-popular Quiz Night, Movie Night, various dance and music events, dinner events, Karaoke Night and Friday vendor markets. There are also countless classes taught by volunteers, including yoga, swing dance, martial arts and running, as well as book clubs and bridge clubs, spinning and lectures. These activities are no substitute for home, but anyone claiming to be bored in Kabul probably needs to get out of his or her living quarters more (see “monk” reference above). Longer-Term Effects The issue of U.S. diplomats serving in dangerous and diffi- cult places is not a new one. The names engraved on the AFSA Memorial Plaques offer a stark reminder that, since the begin- ning of our nation’s history, diplomats have served under difficult and dangerous circumstances. And Kabul certainly doesn’t hold a monopoly on being a challenging assignment, as our colleagues serving in the field in Afghanistan or at other unaccompanied posts can certainly attest. What concerns me, however, is the scope of the issue in the 21st century. The advent of “expeditionary diplomacy” has Currently, the entire compound is a construction zone, with a major billion-dollar project underway to build additional office space and living quarters. The author, fifth from left, with his staff at Embassy Kabul. Courtesy William Bent