The Foreign Service Journal, December 2021

16 DECEMBER 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL emerging technology, including through broader data-sharing efforts. “The department has vast and diverse data sets,” he said. “But we haven’t done a good enough job making data available to you [staff] in a timely and useful way to help you make mis- sions or management decisions more effectively. We’re changing that.” To bolster multilateral diplomacy, Blinken stated, a new office has been created within the Bureau of Interna- tional Organization Affairs with a single mandate: to ensure that the U.S. and its partners can win elections to lead key institutions, be appointed to important bodies, and push back against attempts to undermine the integrity of the inter- national system. On risk management, he plans to “reinvigorate in-person diplomacy and public engagement.” Security regula- tions make it difficult for Foreign Service members to work in the field and to open new missions, even in low-risk places, he said. “A world of zero risk is not a world in which American diplo- macy can deliver. We have to accept risk and manage it smartly.” No new security regulations were announced; however, the Secretary vowed to work closely with Congress to ensure policies support Foreign Service personnel. Blinken unveiled other steps to modernize American diplomacy and to build and retain a diverse workforce. They include the launch of a new “policy ideas channel” that allows employees at any level to share their policy ideas directly with senior leadership as well as revital- ization of the Dissent Channel. “None of these changes are reform for the sake of reform,” the Secretary emphasized. “They’re all tied directly to the mission in front of us. We need to put Passing an Authorization Bill It’s been nearly 20 years since Congress passed an authorization for the State Department. Over that time, the department’s need for reform of its operations and management has grown enormously. … If we want to exercise full oversight of the State Department, which is the charge of this committee, we must regularly and consistently authorize the State Department. … I look forward to working with the chairman and you, Mr. McKeon, on getting a State Department authorization across the finish line. — Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senator James “Jim” Risch (R-Id.), speaking at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing, “The State of the State Department,” Oct. 27. Competition with China China now has more diplomats, more missions, more concerted public diplo- macy, and more money for its diplomacy than we do in parts of Africa and Latin America. We are being badly outlapped, and the holdup of confirming ambas- sadors by this body is certainly also hampering U.S. foreign policy objectives to be competitive with China. — Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Senator Robert “Bob” Menendez (D-N.J.), speaking at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing, “The State of the State Department,” Oct. 27. FS Families Act Stalled We want to recruit the very best and brightest in the Foreign Service. Many Foreign Service families have two working spouses, and if a spouse who is not the FSO is not able to use his or her talents overseas where applicable, it makes it a lot harder. This [bill] extends some of the same benefits to Foreign Service officers that we provide to military families abroad. I know of no sub- stantive opposition. I would ask for a commitment that we bring that before this committee for a vote at the next work session. —Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting, Oct. 19. Tribute to a Champion of the Foreign Service He [Colin Powell] is noted as a great military leader, justifiably so, but he also had a passion for diplomacy and the benefits of avoiding war by stabilizing troubled regions. The men and women of the Foreign Service never had a better champion. —Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), in a series of tweets, Oct. 18. HEARD ON THE HILL JOSH