The Foreign Service Journal, November 2021

6 NOVEMBER 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 109 Reflections Forestalling a Democracy Crisis in Paraguay By Ro b e r t E . Se r v i c e 110 Local Lens Ashgabat, Turkmenistan By Ma r l e n e Wu rd ema n 83 AFSA President Outlines Challenges Facing the Foreign Service 83 AFSA Calls for Improved Confirmation Process 84 State VP Voice—Update on Priority Issues for Members 85 USAID VP Voice—Reflections on an Anniversary: USAID at 60 87 Retiree VP Voice—Steps to Manage Your Retirement 88 FCS VP Voice—Turns Out, the Government Does Spy on You 88 AFSA Supports Federal Vaccine Mandate 88 Foreign Service Grievance Board Appointments 89 FSJ Coverage: We Asked, You Answered 90 The Foreign Service Journal Welcomes New Associate Editor 91 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, Sept. 15, 2021 On the Cover— Collage of photos featured in this edition by Caryn Suko Smith, Driven by Design. Marketplace 104 Real Estate 107 Classifieds 108 Index to Advertisers FOREIGN SERVICE 7 President’s Views We’re All in This Together By E r i c Ru b i n 9 Letter from the Editor The Foreign Service Is Writing By Sh awn Do rma n 18 Message from the Hill The Climate Change Challenge By Se n a t o r Sh e l d o n Wh i t e h o u s e 21 Speaking Out A Paradigm Shift for Diversity By L i a M i l l e r, An a Es c r o g i ma a n d Ch r i s t i n a T i l g hma n Perspectives Departments 11 Letters 13 Talking Points 93 In Memory 101 Books AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION