The Foreign Service Journal, June 2011
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SPECIAL REPORT: THE FS BLOGOSPHERE SEMIANNUAL SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT $4.50 / JUNE 2011 OREIGN ERVICE FJ O U R N A L S THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS LATIN AMERICA & THE U.S. Finding the Right Fit OREIGN ERVICE FJ O U R N A L S CONTENTS June 2011 Volume 88, No.6 F OCUSON Latin America U.S. POLICY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE / 16 There is no one-size-fits-all policy for Latin America and the Caribbean. Our diplomacy must acknowledge the dynamism and diversity of the region. By Cynthia J. Arnson MEXICO’S ANGUISHED DECADE / 22 The last time U.S. and Mexican presidents took office in the same year, 2000, many predicted closer relations. So what happened? By Ted Wilkinson BRAZIL AND THE U.S.: REMAKING A RELATIONSHIP / 27 Cover and inside illustration The conflicts Washington and Brasilia sometimes experience are only by Jeff Moores to be expected when two powerful countries deal with one another. By Peter Hakim HUGO CHÁVEZ: NO FRIEND OF THE UNITED STATES / 32 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 The Obama administration’s cautious, low-key approach is the way The Ambassador: to handle the real threat Hugo Chavez poses to U.S. interests. Linchpin of Field Diplomacy By Robert Bottome By Susan R. Johnson SPEAKING OUT / 13 F S H ERITAGE Is the Foreign Service Still a Profession? GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS: By George B. Lambrakis MALCOLM TOON AND THE MOSCOW PRESS / 39 Mac Toon had an opinion on everything, and was nearly always REFLECTIONS / 108 happy to express it in weekly briefings from 1977 to 1979. Room Service By Robin Knight By Lyn H. Waters S PECIAL R EPORT LETTERS / 7 CYBERNOTES / 9 THE FOREIGN SERVICE BLOGOSPHERE IN 2011 / 44 The Foreign Service blogosphere has grown steadily in size and stature MARKETPLACE / 11 during the past two years. Here is our third survey of this brave new world. By Danielle Derbes BOOKS / 61 IN MEMORY / 64 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS / 106 JUNE 2011/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3 OREIGN ERVICE CONTENTS FJ O U R N A L S Editor STEVEN ALAN HONLEY A F S A N EWS Senior Editor SUSAN B. MAITRA Associate Editor AFSA HOLDS “RALLY TO SERVE AMERICA” / 49 SHAWN DORMAN NEWS BRIEFS / 50 AFSA News Editor DONNA AYERST SCENES FROM AFSA’S APRIL 8 RALLY / 51 Ad & Circulation Manager ED MILTENBERGER VP STATE: SOMETHING LARGER THAN OURSELVES / 52 Art Director CARYN SUKO SMITH THE AFSA PLAN / 53 Editorial Intern DANIELLE DERBES VP: FAS: RISING TO THE CHALLENGES / 53 Advertising Intern SUSANNE BRANDS WOMEN’S ROLE IN SECURITY AND DEVELOPMENT / 54 EDITORIAL BOARD TED WILKINSON LOOKING OUT FOR OUR FOREIGN SERVICE PETS / 55 Chairman KELLY ADAMS-SMITH BOOK NOTES: THE ARCHITECTURE OF DIPLOMACY / 56 JOSEPH BRUNS STEPHEN W. BUCK EVENT CALENDAR / 57 JULIE GIANELLONI CONNOR MARY E. GLANTZ CLASSIFIEDS / 58 GEORGE JONES KATE WIEHAGEN LEONARD LYNN ROCHE S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT RACHEL SCHNELLER JAMES P. SEEVERS PROMOTING YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONAL HEALTH / 73 THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN Is the FS lifestyle good or bad for children? There’s no right answer to that AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS question, but there are ways to protect and promote your Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 Third Culture Kid’s emotional well-being. E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly with a combined July-August By Rebecca Grappo issue by the American Foreign Service Associa- tion (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. ONLY CONNECT! MEETING THE CHALLENGES Material appearing herein represents the opin- ions of the writers and does not necessarily rep- OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS / 88 resent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Connection is what all people long for — but connections Board or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by e-mail. Journal sub- are uniquely significant for persons with special needs scription: AFSA members – $13 included in an- By Tammie Gandy nual dues; others – $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE / 90 at additional mailing offices. Indexed by Public Essential data on educational choices. Affairs Information Services (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorsement of the services or goods offered. TELEPHONE: (202) 338-4045 FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.afsa.org; www.fsjournal.org © American Foreign Service Association, 2011. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes to: AFSA Attn: Address Change 2101 E Street N.W. Washington DC 20037-2990 Printed on 50-percent recycled paper, of which 10 percent is post-consumer waste. 4 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2011 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS The Ambassador: Linchpin of Field Diplomacy BY SUSAN R. JOHNSON In this age of fast, direct and essential ingredient. ther development that would require open communications, and phe- Whether for the promotion trained, qualified persons as heads of nomenal interaction in every of bilateral relations or for the mission? And what is the impact of tak- sphere of human activity, are protection of our interests in ing those positions off the table for For- U.S. ambassadors the equiva- regional and international fora, eign Service professionals who entertain lent of glorified post office boxes ambassadors play a key role legitimate expectations of reaching the for passing messages to and around the world. They are ambassadorial level? from overseas capitals — convenient best-placed to understand and evaluate Whatever the answers to those ques- but not essential? Or are they unique the environment of their assignment, tions, it seems self-evident that the catalysts for advancing U.S. interests make sound recommendations and, United States should select its best am- and promoting peace, security and de- within their mandates, to take initia- bassadors, whether political or career. velopment in the world? tives. Such individuals should bring knowl- These perennial questions about the In a bilateral context, an ambassador edge of the history, language, culture, ambassador’s role are acquiring even who understands the circumstances and politics and economics of the country to greater relevance in the new, dynamic, culture of the host country, and who en- which they are accredited. They should global environment. And they lie at the joys trust at home, can leverage our also have the professional communica- heart of the related debate over strengths more adroitly to promote re- tions, negotiation, managerial and lead- whether diplomacy remains a critical in- lations or manage challenges in a diffi- ership skills required in any field. strument of national power. cult environment. In the wider regional Moreover, each administration It is simplistic, if not dangerous, to and global dimensions characterized by should strive to ensure that the balance suggest, as some critics do, that complex contemporary trends of competition of ambassadorial appointments serves interstate relationships are mainly gov- and cooperation, there is little room for to strengthen our diplomatic service, erned by power dynamics, like market the amateur to compete successfully. not weaken it. After all, who besides the forces under laissez-faire doctrine. To It is true that our tradition draws American public and taxpayer has the the contrary, interstate relations need to heavily on political appointees to key greatest stake in effective ambassadors? be nurtured, cultivated, developed and ambassadorial posts, especially in mis- Is it not the president, who first and guided by skilled professionals. A sions where relations are fairly stable foremost should value the diplomatic knowledgeable chief of mission still rep- and there is a broad convergence of and development services as a key tool resents a hugely valuable, low-cost asset, U.S. interests with those of the host to success in foreign policy? particularly with a strong team behind countries. On average, more than 30 Former Secretary of State Colin him or her. percent of U.S. ambassadorial appoint- Powell frequently described U.S. am- If we aspire to continue to play a ments go to political figures, a figure bassadors as his “field commanders.” leadership role on the international that rises to nearly 80 percent for coun- We must select our best people to play stage, we cannot just depend on the tries that are Group of 20 members. that role, recognizing the value of ef- autonomous workings of our soft and This practice raises two questions. fective diplomacy and development to hard power. To give our policies direc- Do we truly believe that relations with national security and to promotion of tion, effective diplomacy remains an these countries have little room for fur- our interests overseas. I JUNE 2011/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 5 LETTERS Security for Diplomatic tary to our front-line ambassadors tional and cultural affairs. Communications abroad, should bear in mind the I came into the Foreign Service at Your March article, “AFSA Mem- trusted communications security ethos the age of 43 as such a professional, bers Speak Out on the WikiLeaks central to the commitment of IRM of- and served at seven posts in the course Mess,” was interesting and, more than ficers: “Leadership which gambles of a 22-year career, most of them in that, extremely important. with COMSEC gambles with the lives South Asia and Africa. During that pe- Prior to the revelation that a De- of the men and women they lead.” riod, I earned State’s Meritorious fense Department employee allegedly Let’s never forget that information is Honor Award, USIA’s Superior Honor leaked thousands of classified diplo- the lifeblood of the Foreign Service.