The Foreign Service Journal, October 2018

14 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL TALKING POINTS Cuba Illnesses Back in the News D octors continue to search for an explanation for the mysterious ill- ness that has stricken diplomats in Cuba and China since late 2016. On Sept. 1 The New York Times reported that the cause may have been an unconventional weapon using microwaves. In a report published in The Journal of the American Medical Association last March, the medical team did not men- tion microwaves as a possible culprit. But the study’s lead author, Douglas Smith, said in a recent interview that microwaves are now considered a “main suspect.” A scientific paper published in Janu- ary 2018 by James Lin of the University of Illinois first suggested that targeted microwave beams could have caused the illnesses. The Times also interviewed retired biologist Douglas Frey, who in 1960 identified a neural phenomenon now called the “Frey effect,” in which microwaves can be used to trick the brain into perceiving ordinary sounds where none exist. His discovery led the Soviets, Americans and others to begin experimenting with using microwaves as weapons. When asked about the microwave theory, a State Department official told ABC News: “The situation has not changed: There is no known source or cause.” On Sept. 6, The Washington Post wrote that microwaves likely weren ’t the cause, quoting skeptics such as Kenneth Forster, a bioengineering professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who called State Needs a Full Team on the Field During his May 24 appear- ance before this Committee, Sec. Pompeo said: ‘With so many challenges before us, the State Department needs a full teamon the field from locally employed staff around the world to senior leaders in Washington.’ Sec. Pompeo expressed concern about vacancies in key positions and said: ‘We need our men and women on the ground executing American diplomacy with great vigor and energy and representing our great nation.’ I completely agree, and that’s why I’m excited to have five nominees before the Committee today. —Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Nominations Hearing, Aug. 23. The Good Work That FS Members Do I just want to say that it makes me so proud, and one of the best things we get to do as members of the Senate is to travel around and see the good work that Foreign Service officers are doing around the world. —Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing, in reference to the nomination for the Honorable Earl Robert Miller to be ambassador to Bangladesh, on Aug. 23. Intrepid Professionals Since the founding of our country, our diplomats have served America in some of the most difficult and dangerous places on earth. Our embassies and consulates are plat- forms of U.S. influence and vigilance and our diplomats are often the first to spot threats to our national security before they arrive on our shores. These intrepid professionals defend our national security, enforce our laws, and protect our fellow citizens overseas. —Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), newsletter to constituents from House Committee on Foreign Affairs, honoring the vic- tims of the 1998 East Africa embassy attacks, Aug. 6. Coming Up from Within I want to thank you, again, for your willingness to serve, and just on a personal note, to have someone who is coming up from within the department to be in this position, for someone who cares about institutions and building institu- tions that will last, it’s heartening to me that someone from within is coming in this position. My guess is with some of the turmoil that we have had within the State Department, it also is something that, really, the many members of the Foreign Service who have committed their lives to Foreign Service, I’m sure are cheering you on today. —Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Senate Foreign Relations Committee, nomination for David Hale to be under secretary for political affairs (now confirmed), on Aug. 16. Heard on the Hill JOSH