The Foreign Service Journal, October 2024

6 OCTOBER 2024 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 80 Reflections Beijing Beginnings By Beatrice Camp 82 Local Lens Abu Dhabi, UAE By Carole Fenton Cover art—Images from top left (clockwise): Afghan National Army (ANA) cadets practice drills on the parade grounds at the Afghan National Defense University in Kabul, on May 7, 2013 (courtesy of the U.S. Department of Defense); a worker unloads bags of sorghum for distribution in South Sudan, June 2024 (courtesy of Julius Kaut); Indian women trained through a USAID program prepare mango bars (courtesy of Heather Sullivan/USAID/India); farmers in Afghanistan inspect wheat from seed USAID provided (courtesy of USAID’s Afghanistan’s ASAP Program); and Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the U.S. Congress on Dec. 21, 2022 (courtesy of the Office of U.S. House Speaker). Marketplace 76 Real Estate 78 Classifieds 79 Index to Advertisers 7 President’s Views Welcoming New Hires By Tom Yazdgerdi 9 Letter from the Editor Looking Ahead By Shawn Dorman 17 Speaking Out The Case for Reforming State’s Discipline Procedures By Jennifer Davis Perspectives Departments 10 Letters 12 Talking Points 73 Books AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION 52 2024 AFSA National High School Essay Contest 52 Dog Ban Negotiations Underway 53 S tate VP Voice—Deconstructing Accountability at State 54 USAID VP Voice—Prepping for Your Retirement 55 FCS VP Voice—A Season to Harvest 56 AFSA Welcomes New Foreign Service Cohort 56 2023 Annual Report: Legal Defense Fund 57 2024 AFSA Professional Development Program Survey 59 Medical Clearance Modernization 60 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, July 17, 2024 60 N otes from the Office of General Counsel— Your Weingarten Rights 61 AFSA Meets with D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds 61 AFSA Meets with New Employee Organization 63 FSJ Editorial Board Welcomes and Farewells 63 Foreign Service Selection “Bump Up” 64 E mployee Spotlight—25 Years of Service: Zlatana Badrich 64 AFSA Welcomes New Program Coordinator 64 AFSA’s FSJ Wins APEX Award for Publication Excellence 65 What Is Foreign Policy Expertise? 65 AFSA Hosts Book Notes Webinar 66 AFSA’s Good Works—Congressional Advocacy 67 AFSA National High School Essay Contest: The Winning Essay

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