The Foreign Service Journal, September 2019

16 SEPTEMBER 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL New Mideast Economic Peace Plan? J ared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s adviser and son-in-law, unveiled the first stage of the White House plan to resolve the Israeli-Pales- tinian conflict at an economic confer- ence in Bahrain on June 25. The economic plan calls for $50 billion to be spent on regional invest- ment projects, with half of the money allocated to the West Bank and Gaza, and the rest to Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt, according to a June 25 report in The Washington Post . The Palestinian Authority boycotted the conference, and Israeli leaders were not invited. The Trump administration hopes to raise the money for the economic plan from international donors, especially from countries of the Persian Gulf, The New York Times reported June 22. The plan calls for $5 billion to develop a transportation corridor between the West Bank and Gaza. The administration plans to release the political component of its peace plan after the Israeli elections in Sep- tember. Palestinian officials have rejected the peace plan, arguing that the Trump administration’s pro-Israel moves— such as moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights—mean it cannot be a neutral arbitrator. “First lift the siege of Gaza, stop the Israeli theft of our land, resources and funds, give us our freedom of movement and control over our borders, airspace, territorial waters etc.,” Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian negotiator, wrote on Twitter. “Then watch us build a vibrant prosperous economy as a free and sover- eign people.” State Updates Special Needs Education Policy A FSA has welcomed the new guidance updating and clarifying Department of State policy regarding members of the Foreign Service with children with special educational needs, which Under Secretary of State for Man- agement Brian Bulatao announced on June 28. The guidance explicitly encourages these members “to bid on and serve in foreign assignments,” declaring that “[it] is in the department’s interest to facilitate the overseas capacity of our workforce, but more important, it is our ethos to put our people first.” According to the new guidelines, it is in the department’s interest to enable members of the Foreign Service—includ- ing those with children with special edu- cational needs—to represent America at embassies and consulates overseas. The guidance details practical steps to make this possible (see 3 FAM 3280). The changes are the result of a review by a departmentwide work group con- vened last fall by Deputy Under Secretary for Management William Todd. Still, some Foreign Service community members, who have expressed concern that the new policy is short on specifics, are waiting to see how it will be implemented. AFSA has persistently flagged issues affecting families with special educational needs as one of the most widespread and deeply felt “pain points” affecting the For- eign Service. The association recognizes the hard work done by working group members and other department officials, especially Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Steve Walker, to develop and execute the changes. Craft Confirmed as U.N. Ambassador T he Senate confirmed Kelly Knight Craft of Kentucky as U.S. ambassa- dor to the United Nations on July 31. She had been serving as a political appointee Going forward, we must continue to hold Russia accountable when its behavior threatens us and our allies. While much of what divides us is irreconcilable, there are common interests we cannot ignore. No reset or restart is going to help, just a clear understanding of our interests and values—and a practical framework for sustained dialogue. Through our diplomacy, we have worked to stabilize years of acrimony and incertitude with the hope of a better relationship. Failure is not an option, and the people on both sides deserve better. While times are tough, it is critical that we increase exchanges of people and maintain channels for dialogue on issues of national interest— combatting terrorism, ensuring verifiable arms control, insisting that Russia respect the sovereignty of its neighbors, and advocating for a more responsive system of governance that includes rule of law and respect for human rights. —Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman, from his Aug. 5 resignation letter to President Donald Trump. Contemporary Quote