The Foreign Service Journal, December 2021

AFSA’s priorities are dictated by its mandate to advance the interests of the Foreign Service. I think it should focus on the importance of the career Service and minimization of political appointments. It would also do well to think about ways of foster- ing greater cooperation and unity among foreign affairs agencies. FSJ: What are the essential ingredients for a successful diplo- mat? JDN: Experience. FSJ: Is the Foreign Service as an institution stronger today? Has the role of the Foreign Service changed? What are the most critical reforms needed? JDN: I think the Service is stronger as a collection of individu- als than as an institution, overall. We would benefit from having more current active-duty FSOs in very senior positions both here and abroad. FSJ: What areas, either functional or regional, would you point to that may require increased focus for American diplomacy in the coming years? JDN: Language and area studies remain critically important, especially the study of China and Russia. The study of economics, including sustainability, is critical. But, above all, we must main- tain a versatile and diverse workforce, capable of dealing with unexpected challenges. FSJ: Since retiring from gov- ernment, you have found time to do a lot of teaching. What is your message to students about the U.S. Foreign Service and government service more generally? JDN: My message to students is that government service is a noble calling, and that a Foreign Service career is definitely worth pursuing. I have had Rangel and Pickering Fellows as my teaching assis- tants at Yale, George Washington and now Georgetown. I have been following the careers of many of my students who joined the government since 2010. It is an impressive group, and we try to meet at least once a year. Most recently, I met virtually with about 60 of my former students. A couple of them are already in fairly senior positions. One early Pickering Fellow is on his fifth Foreign Service assignment. This is inspiring. My advice to students and recent graduates today is that, if they are interested in foreign affairs, they should seriously consider a Foreign Service career or some other foreign affairs opportunity, like working for a U.N. humanitarian agency or an international nongov- ernmental organization. There are numerous ways to serve in some sort of interna- tional capacity. As for those who may be considering leaving the Service, my thought is this: Be careful what you wish for. You may quickly find that you are nostalgic for the work you were doing, and the cost of being “out of the arena” outweighs any benefit you may have expected from leaving the Service. I retired from the For- eign Service in 1997; but I assure you that one of the happiest days of my life was when I was called back to government. And I then stayed in as long as I possibly could. n THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2021 27 Restoring the Treasury Attaché Program, Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte with Deputy Treasurer Bob Kimmitt in the State Department Treaty Room, 2008. John and Diana Negroponte with children, daughter-in-law, son-in-law and grandchildren. COURTESYOFJOHND.NEGROPONTE U.S.DEPARTMENTOFSTATE