The Foreign Service Journal, November 2014

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | NOVEMBER 2014 13 M en who were born about the second decade of the twentieth century were destined to undergo early in life two of the most profound experi- ences of our times: the depression of the thirties and World War II. ….One cannot help but think that this depression and war generation imparts a special shape and texture to today’s diplomacy. The broad view of the present- day world would seem to be more nearly theirs: self-interest enlightened by an understanding of the wide dimensions of the area wherein interest lies. The aspirations and problems of the developing world, for example, evoke an intuitively sympathetic response in them. Our economic and technical assis- tance programs are, for them, not only useful political tools but, perhaps more importantly, are manifestations of the deep belief that our welfare and destiny do not depend upon ourselves alone. —From“Today’s Senior Foreign Service Officers” by Robert Hurwitch, FSJ , November 1964. 50 Years Ago When you don’t talk to someone who doesn’t share our values, you’re probably not going to be talking to the people who really are responsible for the mess.” —Ambassador Christopher Hill, dean of the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, speaking on NPR Oct. 5. Contemporary Quote Policy Association. “America’s Diplo- mats” (see p. 76), a one-hour film that is due to be released in 2015, will take a serious look at the practice of diplo- macy and will feature interviews with active-duty and retired members of the Foreign Service and others. While Hollywood continues to find dramatic possibilities in the work of the CIA, it remains to be seen how well this slew of embassy-based program- ming will tell the story of the Foreign Service. Perhaps that subject is better suited to the nonfiction treatment of a documentary film. —Debra Blome, Associate Editor It’s Funny Because It’s True T he Washington Post ’s long- running weekly Style Invitational contest recently invited readers to suggest humorous souvenirs that could be pur- chased in specific gift shops (http://bit.ly/ wapostyle). Here is one of the honorable mention entries. Available in any Middle Eastern coun- try: A chess set with pieces that don’t do what you think they will. Americans can’t resist playing with those things. (Danielle Nowlin) —Steven Alan Honley, Contributing Editor