The Foreign Service Journal, October 2015

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2015 11 and tactical implementation. If all the principals are out doing the latter, who is doing the former? After all, as Shake- speare noted, “Alas! How should you govern any kingdom that know not how to use ambassadors…” The department is fully equipped with a large number of assistant secre- taries (who, it should be noted, are the equivalent in rank to the military’s six geographic combatant commanders), their staffs and numerous experienced ambassadors, not to mention literally dozens of special envoys and such who surely could perform some of these duties so our leadership can be in Wash- ington. There is another aspect to consider. Our luncheon speaker made some insightful remarks about the political character of foreign policy. If there was ever a time when politics stopped at the water’s edge, that day is long gone. Domestic politics are an essen- tial element of contemporary foreign policy. But if everyone is out of town, who is taking care of domestic politics? Who is representing the State Depart- ment in the corridors of power? As has often been said, the absent are always wrong—which may partially explain the decline in the Department of State’s influence in the world of Washington politics. Perhaps this year was an anomaly; perhaps the planning and scheduling for next year’s Foreign Affairs Day will ensure a proper and respectful repre- sentation from our leadership. If not, I don’t see any purpose in participating. Edward Marks Ambassador, retired Washington, D.C. n