The Foreign Service Journal, October 2016

6 OCTOBER 2016 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 53 High School Essay Contest Winner Visits Washington 54 State VP Voice—The Human Touch 55 USAID VP Voice—Taking Care of Our People 56 FAS VP Voice—Realistic Expectations 56 AFSA Secures Awards Funding 57 Retiree VP Voice—Turbulence in Long-Term Care Insurance 59 ATLG Intern’s Experience 59 FLTCIP Counseling at AFSA 60 AFSA Interns Visit Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina 60 Career Ambassadors Discuss AFSA Legislative Strategy 61 AFSA Hosts Diplomats in Residence 62 Foreign Service Grievance Board: A Q&A 64 Retiree Corner—Beyond the Beltway 65 AFSA Celebrates Job Search Program Graduates 65 LMWelcomes New Intern 66 AFSA Staff Changes 66 Diplomats Engage Road Scholars 67 Marine Corps Embassy Security Guards Honored 67 AFSA Engages Consular Fellows 68 AFSA Governing Board Changes 69 AFSA Governing Board Meeting Notes 70 Amb. Stephenson on the Future of Diplomacy 71 Sister Cities International— Creating Peace Through People AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION On the Cover: An aerial view of chemical smog over Mexico City. Photo: Fidel Gonzalez/Wikimedia Commons. 7 President’s Views Forging Strategic Partnerships By Ba r ba r a S t e p h e n s o n 9 Letter from the Editor Pollution and Politics By Sh awn Do rma n 17 Speaking Out Safeguarding a Nonpartisan Foreign Service By Ma t t h ew V. Tomp k i n s Departments 10 Letters 13 Talking Points 72 Books 81 Reflections Halloween at a Polish Cemetery By Ke l l y B . M i d u r a 82 Local Lens U.S.A. By Be t h Pa y n e Marketplace 75 Classifieds 78 Real Estate 80 Index to Advertisers Perspectives 53 81 FOREIGN SERVICE