PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION JUNE 2017

DIPLOMATS AND SOLDIERS

PROFESSIONALISM’S GOLDEN RULE

HOW TO HAVE A GREAT FIRST SEMESTER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

FOREIGN SERVICE June 2017 Volume 94, No. 5 37

22 Education Perspectives on Diplomacy and Defense Supplement

22 33 58 Special Operations Killer Drones and New College, and Diplomacy: the Militarization of New Culture: A Unique Nexus U.S. Foreign Policy Preparing for a Strong There has been a growing convergence In the eyes of many around the world, First Semester as a of interest between diplomacy diplomacy has taken a back seat to Third Culture Kid and special operations since military operations in U.S. foreign TCKs deal with repatriation issues the 9/11 terror attacks. policy. The drone program is a and reverse culture shock when they By Steven Kashkett prime example. attend college in the United States. By Ann Wright Here are some tips for success. 28 37 By Hannah Morris Working with Creeping Foreign the U.S. Military: Policy Militarization 74 Let’s Take Full Advantage or Creeping State Facts and Updates: of Opportunities Department Irrelevance? Making Sense of the The challenge for the State State has ceded some turf to the Department of State Department is not necessarily military, but it’s not too late to regain Education Allowance to reduce the role of the Department it and rebalance the civilian-military An understanding of education of Defense in foreign affairs, equation in U.S. foreign affairs. allowances is crucial for but to strengthen our own voice. By Larry Butler Foreign Service families. By Wanda Nesbitt Here is an introduction. By Marybeth Hunter 43 From the FSJ Archive: Defense and Security— Opposite Sides of the Same Coin 88, 90, 92 A September 1988 Conversation with Frank Carlucci Schools at a Glance

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 5 FOREIGN SERVICE

Perspectives 110 Departments 7 11 Letters President’s Views Getting Out in Front 14 Talking Points By Barbara Stephenson 101 Books 10 Letter from the Editor Where Diplomacy and Defense Meet Marketplace By Shawn Dorman 19 103 Classifieds Speaking Out 110 106 Real Estate The Golden Rule of Local Lens 109 Index to Advertisers Professionalism Trondheim, Norway By Matt Tompkins By Jim DeHart

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

46 AFSA Honors Foreign Service Colleagues 48 Moments of Silence Around the World 49 State VP Voice—On Launching a Rewarding Career 50 FCS VP Voice—Let’s Talk (Commercial) Dialogues 51 AFSA Congratulates Job Search Program Graduates 51 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, April 2017 52 Book Notes: The Dust of Kandahar 46 52 Friends and Family Honor Anne Smedinghoff’s Memory 54 Our Story Is Important—Keep Helping Us Tell It 56 AFSA and Smithsonian Associates Explore Middle East Complexities 57 Last Chance to Vote in the AFSA Election! 54

On the Cover: U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John R. Bass, a career Foreign Service officer, and General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, attend a meeting with Turkey’s senior military leadership in Ankara on Nov. 6, 2016. Photo: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE/D. MYLES CULLEN.

6 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PRESIDENT’S VIEWS

Getting Out in Front

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

was recently invited by the U.S. Global Being asked to choose between hard power and Leadership Coalition to speak at an event about the vital role the Foreign soft power strikes me as akin to being asked by IService plays in sustaining America’s hotel staff, when I urgently need to sew on a global leadership. As careful readers of button before a meeting, whether I would prefer AFSA’s 2016 Annual Report will know, cementing a closer strategic partnership a needle or thread. with USGLC is one of AFSA’s top outreach goals for 2017. that happen. We need to reassure allies, own horns. After all, American diplomats I am always happy to report progress, contain our enemies and remain engaged pride themselves on coaxing a partner but especially so at times like this when around the globe. If the United States overseas to ‘yes’ without leaving a trace of the Foreign Service needs partners like retreats, we leave a vacuum that will their advocacy.” USGLC to help make the case for a strong be filled by others who do not share our The very skill set that makes us such Foreign Service. There is no place like my interests or values. Walking that back— an effective diplomatic force representing monthly column to review the case and reclaiming American global leadership, and channeling American power while repeat our key messages: once lost—would be a daunting and serving abroad (often best approached Nine in 10 Americans support strong uncertain task. with humility and understatement) can U.S. global leadership. Such leadership is How then do we, in the face of budget be a handicap at home when we try to unthinkable without a strong professional cuts, avoid retreat? We collectively take articulate our case. Foreign Service deployed around the seriously our role as stewards of this great Which brings me back to AFSA’s stra- world protecting and defending America’s organization, the U.S. Foreign Service. tegic partnership with USGLC, and to the people, interests and values. We seize the opportunities of the transi- focus of this edition of the FSJ, the role of Since the end of World War II, the tion to streamline and refocus on core the military in foreign policy. While we United States has enjoyed a position of diplomatic priorities; we adopt compre- are working on improving our own ability unprecedented global leadership, which hensive risk management policies so to speak up for our institution, we need was built on a foundation of military we can get out and do our jobs; and we to make the most of friends and partners might, economic prowess, good gover- reintroduce ourselves as the lean, high- who are eager to make the case for us, nance and tremendous cultural appeal— performing, cost-effective and responsive including the 120 generals and admirals and the diplomatic prowess to channel tool of national security that we are. who signed a letter in April praising the that power, hard and soft, into keeping us I recap all this because I am deter- Foreign Service. safe and prosper- mined to use my presidency to help the One of those admirals shared the ous at home. Foreign Service do a better job of explain- stage with me at the USGLC event, and American ing to the American people what we do he did a terrific job of explaining how leadership is being and why it matters. I increasingly realize, much he as a visitor to a foreign country challenged by however, the magnitude of the chal- depended on the “enduring platform”— adversaries who lenge. As I acknowledge in the Annual aka the U.S. embassy—to do his job. want to see us Report, “Members of the Foreign Service With budget choices being framed as fail; we cannot let are famously reticent about tooting their either “hard power” or “soft power,”

Ambassador Barbara Stephenson is the president of the American Foreign Service Association.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 7 Every host country and every situation is I urge you to read the perspectives in different, and we count on you, the career this edition of the FSJ to think about how you can make the most of the potential Foreign Service, to understand the local context offered by partnering with the military, better than anyone else. the potential of the marriage of soft and hard power. Every host country and every situa- I was pleased to hear the admiral argue the right moment. USAID helped divert tion is different, and we count on you, the against that false choice. He explained indigenous youth from drug trafficking career Foreign Service, to understand the how the hard power he commanded by providing an alternative—a forestry local context better than anyone else. We depended on the soft power the school in the Darien, an alternative to also count on you to frame an effective embassy and the career Foreign Service moving to the city. interagency strategy—it’s called the “Inte- deliver around the world. SOUTHCOM provided funding for grated Country Strategy” for a reason— I am still searching for the perfect coast guard stations to enable Panama- that brings all agencies at post, including metaphor to describe the partnership nian forces to respond instantly to reports DOD, into the effort. between the Foreign Service and our (usually from U.S. counter-narcotics Many if not most of the cautionary military colleagues. Being asked to choose patrols) of attempted landings by drug tales I have heard on the theme of bad between hard power and soft power boats. SOUTHCOM also provided MIST things that happen when DOD gets strikes me as akin to being asked by hotel support—a “military information support involved could have been averted or staff, when I urgently need to sew on a team” from its Special Forces component. at least mitigated by a COM-led effort button before a meeting, whether I would Is this a set-up to a cautionary tale to frame a strategy in partnership with prefer a needle or thread. about the bad things that can happen Defense. But that metaphor is too simplistic when an ambassador invites military Combatant commands often have to capture the richness of what can be partners—Special Forces, at that!—into significant resources; and, if you don’t achieved by expertly combining soft and her country? To the contrary. Because produce a plan for bringing them to bear hard power. When I taught the Ambas- we had developed a clear strategy that effectively in your country, they will. Try- sadorial Seminar, I used to speak about all partners understood (no mean feat), ing later to explain why the plan hatched the role of the chief of mission as orches- we were able to insert tailored language many miles away at the combatant tra conductor. It is your job, I would tell into the memorandum of agreement command will not work where you live new ambassadors, to bring your entire with the MIST. and work—now there’s a time sink that is interagency team together around a single The MIST team understood its mission, frustrating for all concerned and usually sheet of music, a shared strategic vision. brought significant resources to bear that leaves relationships strained. When I was ambassador to Panama, would have otherwise been unavailable So head that off by getting out in front my team worked closely with the U.S. and worked very well under chief-of- and—here is my last metaphor, I prom- Southern Command to develop a strat- mission authority. It was instrumental in ise!—leading the parade. As I used to tell egy for addressing the alarming rise in achieving our shared goal, captured in an new ambassadors, it may well be that your drug trafficking, which had suddenly OIG report a few years after I left: “Now combatant command is resourced and caused the murder rate in Panama to that the Darien is free of FARC guerillas … ” staffed to hold a parade in your country. double. We agreed on a desired out- I look forward every year to the update You can either get out in front, plan the come: Panama’s Darien province (home I receive at Christmas from the Navy cap- route, choose the participants, and decide to a dense rainforest bordering Colom- tain who headed our milgroup in Panama the order and the timing of the parade— bia) would be free of FARC guerillas who and helped me forge this highly pro- or you can walk behind the elephants. The were behind the drug trafficking. ductive partnership with SOUTHCOM. view is much better from the front. We sought—and received—fund- Many of us remember this experience of Remember, America’s global leader- ing for our strategy. The FBI provided multifaceted interagency collaboration as ship role rests in large measure on your indictments that were unsealed at just a career highlight. shoulders. n

8 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOREIGN SERVICE Editor in Chief, Director of Publications Shawn Dorman: [email protected] Managing Editor www.afsa.org Susan Brady Maitra: [email protected] Associate Editor

Gemma Dvorak: [email protected] CONTACTS Publications Coordinator AFSA Headquarters: BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Dmitry Filipoff: [email protected] (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 Director of Finance State Department AFSA Office: Femi Oshobukola: [email protected] Ad & Circulation Manager (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 Controller Ed Miltenberger: [email protected] USAID AFSA Office: Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] Art Director (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 Assistant Controller Caryn Suko Smith FCS AFSA Office: Cory Nishi: [email protected] (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 Advertising Intern LABOR MANAGEMENT Aldar Ivàn Escamilla Mijes: [email protected] GOVERNING BOARD General Counsel Editorial Board President Sharon Papp: [email protected] Beth Payne, Chair Hon. Barbara Stephenson: Deputy General Counsel Randy Berry [email protected] Raeka Safai: [email protected] James Bever Secretary Senior Staff Attorneys Angela Bond William Haugh: [email protected] Neera Parikh: [email protected] Hon. Gordon S. Brown Treasurer Hon. Charles A. Ford: [email protected] Stephen W. Buck Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] State Vice President Labor Management Counselor Lawrence Casselle Angie Bryan: [email protected] Eric Green Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: USAID Vice President Kara McDonald [email protected] Sharon Wayne: [email protected] John G. Rendeiro Jr. Grievance Counselor FCS Vice President Jason Snyder: [email protected] Steve Morrison: [email protected] THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS Senior Labor Management Advisor FAS Vice President PROFESSIONALS James Yorke: [email protected] The Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), Mark Petry: [email protected] Labor Management Advisor 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is Retiree Vice President Patrick Bradley: [email protected] published monthly, with combined January-February Hon. Tom Boyatt: [email protected] and July-August issues, by the American Foreign Service Executive Assistant Association (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. State Representatives Jaya Duvvuri: [email protected] Material appearing herein represents the opinions of the Lawrence Casselle USAID Staff Assistant writers and does not necessarily represent the views of Susan Danewitz Erika Bethmann: [email protected] the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries Jason Donovan and submissions are invited, preferably by email. The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, Ramón Escobar MEMBER SERVICES photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. Josh Glazeroff Director of Member Services All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Keith Hanigan AFSA reserves the right to reject advertising that is not Janet Hedrick: [email protected] in keeping with its standards and objectives. The appear- Donald Jacobson Membership Representative ance of advertisements herein does not imply endorse- Kara McDonald Natalie Cheung: [email protected] ment of goods or services offered. Opinions expressed in Erin O’Connor Retiree Counselor advertisements are the views of the advertisers and do Alison Storsve not necessarily represent AFSA views or policy. Journal Todd Thurwachter: [email protected] subscription: AFSA member–$20, included in annual Tricia Wingerter Administrative Assistant and Office Manager dues; student–$30; institution–$40; others–$50; Single USAID Representatives Ana Lopez: [email protected] issue–$4.50. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; Ann Posner foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. Lorraine Sherman COMMUNICATIONS Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). FCS Representative Director of Communications Suzanne Platt Ásgeir Sigfússon: [email protected] Email: [email protected] FAS Representative Stephen Wixom Phone: (202) 338-4045 Online Communications Manager BBG Representative Steve Herman Fax: (202) 338-8244 Jeff Lau: [email protected] APHIS Representative Mark C. Prescott Web: www.afsa.org/fsj Outreach and Communications Specialist Retiree Representatives Allan Saunders: [email protected] © American Foreign Service Association, 2017 Hon. Patricia Butenis Awards Coordinator PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Hon. Al La Porta Perri Green: [email protected] Hon. John Limbert Outreach Coordinator Postmaster: Send address changes to Catherine Kannenberg: [email protected] AFSA, Attn: Address Change STAFF 2101 E Street NW Washington DC 20037-2990 Executive Director PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES Ian Houston: [email protected] Director of Professional Policy Issues Special Assistant to the President Julie Nutter: [email protected] Jennie Orloff: [email protected] Policy Analyst Speechwriter Geneve Mantri: [email protected] Mary Daly: [email protected] SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarship Director Lori Dec: [email protected]

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 9 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Where Diplomacy and Defense Meet

BY SHAWN DORMAN

t this moment, when so-called We find military leaders to be the ones pushing soft-power budgets for State and back hardest in defense of diplomacy and USAID are threatened with major Acuts, we find military leaders development. to be the ones pushing back hardest in defense of diplomacy and development. Defense University from 2013 to 2016. share a 1988 interview with former FSO This month we present perspectives Her advice to Foreign Service colleagues and then-Secretary of Defense Frank on the ways that diplomacy, development is clearly stated in the title of her article, Carlucci. He explains how the line and defense overlap. We are not calling “Working with the Military: Let’s Take Full between State and Defense becomes this set of articles a “focus,” but rather Advantage of Opportunities.” (Excerpts increasingly blurred and why that’s not a “perspectives.” It became clear in review- from a find in the FSJ Archive, “Educa- bad thing, and describes the “never been ing the articles that there is almost no truly tion for the National Security,” provide a better” working relationship between objective way to approach the subject. relevant snapshot from 1960.) State, Defense and the National Security Every author brings a particular lens to In “Killer Drones and the Militarization Council at the time. writing on civilian-military relations and of U.S. Foreign Policy,” former FSO and You will not agree with all you read the appropriate balance between civil- Army colonel Ann Wright offers a scath- in this issue, and we look forward to ian and military activity and initiatives in ing review of the U.S. government’s use your responses to the perspectives foreign policy. All the pieces we share here of unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct shared. Send letters or follow-on represent individual perspectives from targeted killings since 9/11. Seeming to articles to [email protected]. authors with an understanding and unique offer an efficient middle way between war I close with a reminder to check out the experiences working with the military. and peace, she argues, the drone program digital archive of 99 years of The Foreign In his opening article, “Special actually has significant, negative long- Service Journal at www.afsa.org/archive. Operations and Diplomacy: A Unique term consequences for U.S. policy and We launched the online archive at a May Nexus,” Senior FSO Steve Kashkett for communities in places where these 11 event at AFSA headquarters. offers an overview of how the expanded killings occur. TheJournal over time offers a unique work and mission of U.S. Special Opera- With a critique of State Department window into diplomatic history as it tions today—the “indirect” activities priorities and missed opportunities unfolds. Now it’s all online and discover- such as providing medical services, since the end of the Cold War, Ambassa- able, a bridge from the past to the future, disaster relief, agricultural develop- dor (ret.) Larry Butler shares suggestions offering a chance to learn from the past, ment—intersect with the work and for the way forward in “Creeping Mili- see what’s been tried before, how certain mission of U.S. diplomacy. The Foreign tarization of Foreign Policy or Creeping issues come around again and again, see Service would be well advised, in Kash- State Department Irrelevance?” Ambas- how much things change and how little. kett’s view, to embrace sador (ret.) Ryan Crocker’s country team The archive can be accessed by aca- this convergence. in Iraq 2007, he says, is a model of how demics and other researchers worldwide, Ambassador cooperation can work. and should raise awareness and appre- Wanda Nesbitt served Finally, in a fascinating piece from ciation for the critical role of the Foreign as senior vice presi- the FSJ Archive, “Defense and Security: Service and U.S. diplomacy. dent of the National Opposite Sides of the Same Coin,” we Also, the more you click on the archive, the better the search will become, so Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. please, click away, share and enjoy! n

10 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTERS

DS for Law Enforcement resents an extremely The timing of both commu- Kudos on your March edition featuring successful partnership nications was very unfortunate, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. The between the bureaus of but the damage from the latter role of DS as a law enforcement agency Diplomatic Security and has been done. It effectively ban- is often overshadowed by its security Consular Affairs (CA ished from the president’s view mission, yet the two are intertwined. The currently administers the bright minds and rich talent, articles by former Assistant Secretary Greg the funds for approxi- as the Mines article reflects, that Starr, acting Assistant Secretary Bill Miller mately one-third of all make up the Foreign Service. and others highlight the wide variety of ARSO-I positions). What was displayed instead missions DS undertakes, as well as their Among many other things, ARSO-Is was behavior more akin to an acerebral importance to national security. help their consular colleagues fight fraud, organism than a storied institution As Ronnie Catipon noted in his article return American fugitives to the United that historically serves as chief foreign (“Law Enforcement as an Instrument States, coordinate with local police to policy adviser to the POTUS. of National Power”), assistant regional arrest document vendors and assist The rebuilding will not be easy, but it security officer–investigators (ARSO-Is) American citizens in trouble. must be accomplished. Hopefully, our combine DS’ investigative prowess, in- ARSO-Is—and all DS agents—are newly focused leadership will show the depth knowledge of visas and passports, as much diplomats as they are federal way. Hopefully, the Foreign Service can and an unparalleled overseas presence to agents. Thank you for recognizing their refocus its mission and, along with that, investigate and prosecute cases involving contributions to our national security recapture its glory. terrorism, human trafficking and smug- and foreign policy. Timothy C. Lawson gling, money laundering and other types Ed Allen Senior FSO, retired of transnational organized crime. Overseas Criminal Investigations Hua Hin, Thailand ARSO-Is also train local police, immi- Division gration officials, airline/airport personnel Diplomatic Security Service Regarding “Real” Dissent and many others not only to recognize Arlington, Virginia In his April letter (“Dissenting from these crimes and their severity, but also the Current Trend”), Jonathan Pec- to follow proper procedures when con- Refocusing the Mission cia deplores the “current trend toward ducting arrests and prosecutions. An overly judgmental, reactionary group dissents, aired in public.” In 2016 these efforts led to more than and awkward display of what many That is a curious complaint given 1,500 arrests (including 70 cases involv- perceive as disloyalty by State Depart- the fact that mass protests within the ing human trafficking), the return of ment employees to our new president Foreign Service, including hundreds of 272 fugitives to the United States to face (POTUS), despite solemn claims about resignations over the Vietnam War, were justice, and the refusal or revocation of “defending the Constitution,” is now what led the State Department to estab- 14,000 visas. experiencing the wrath of blowback. We lish the Dissent Channel in 1971. All of the work ARSO-Is do contrib- see threats to our funding, staffing and Nor was that the only time such utes directly to the Integrated Country even our sense of mission. groundswells have gone public. From Strategy of just about every mission in the After reading the superlative Foreign my own days as an FSO, I recall a group world. Preventing members of transna- Service Journal article by Senior FSO dissent that became very public, over tional criminal organizations from enter- Keith Mines in the January-February the Clinton administration’s initial ing the United States, stopping foreign issue, “Mr. President, You Have Partners reluctance to intervene in Bosnia. terrorist fighters from reaching their at State to Help Navigate the World’s Mr. Peccia also casts aspersions on destinations and building the capacity of Shoals,” I nearly came to tears. That is the State Department employees who foreign law enforcement partners are not because I realized how our new POTUS used the Dissent Channel in January to just law enforcement goals, they are U.S. probably did not see that outstanding point out the folly of President Donald foreign policy goals. article, but was instead challenged by the Trump’s discriminatory executive order Finally, the ARSO-I program rep- now infamous Dissent Channel message. cutting off immigration from seven

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 11 Muslim-majority nations (later pared the Trump administration and Congress ability Office report. back to six) and suspending processing already dislike and distrust the Foreign Secretary Tillerson committed himself of all refugee applications worldwide. Service, precisely because we are loyal to to undertake just such an effort. We must The fact that nearly every judge who the oath we took as professional public now follow up on this commitment. heard legal challenges to that initial servants to uphold the Constitution—not Further, we need to press on the need measure blocked its implementation, any president or political party. to develop a stakeholder-coordinated citing arguments similar to the ones Saluting and implementing policies advance planned response—on a these courageous dissenters adduced, that are harmful to the national interest, regional- and country-specific basis—to would seem to suggest that they had and quite possibly illegal or unconstitu- address the next attack on a diplomatic solid grounds for speaking out. tional, to curry favor with the powers that facility or personnel. But Mr. Peccia assures us that they be will not gain us respect, let alone a bet- Though this approach is proven to were motivated only by “risk-free self- ter seat at the table. It will simply confirm work, it is not clear that AFSA manage- aggrandizement, not an honest attempt to the canard that Foreign Service members ment is prepared or willing to use it to shift policy.” He also insinuates that they are no more principled, courageous or advance this and other key issues con- leaked their dissent to the media as part of honorable than political appointees. fronting the Foreign Service. their quest for glory. Apparently Mr. Peccia thinks that’s a In early 2015, I attended a meeting Yet unless he possesses telepathic deal worth making. I hope and pray that arranged by AFSA with senior Diplomatic and detective skills hitherto unknown to his active-duty colleagues disagree, and Security staff who denied that shortcom- diplomacy, Mr. Peccia does not have any continue to dissent when necessary. ings such as those documented by GAO way of knowing whether either of those Steven Alan Honley existed in their operations. assertions is accurate. Former FSO Two years later, as Greg Starr retired Equally troubling, Mr. Peccia declares: Washington, D.C. from his position as assistant secretary for “Real dissent, requiring the timely DS, he urged the adoption of a compre- response of the Secretary of State, should Making Better Use hensive risk management framework—a be the prerogative of the most proximate of Opportunities GAO recommendation put forth under his implementer, not of any of us who happen and Resources watch in 2014 that has still not been closed to have an opinion.” With the change of administration we by the GAO. Leaving aside the reality that the are presented with a rare opportunity to In addition to the Senate confirma- State Department’s leadership has rarely avail ourselves of the Senate confirmation tion hearing process option, AFSA can responded to Dissent Channel messages process to secure a nominee’s commit- use its labor relations negotiating rights with policy changes, I marvel at Mr. Pec- ment to address concerns in each of the to pursue needed change. cia’s ability to compartmentalize profes- foreign affairs agencies. Under these rights, AFSA can negoti- sional responsibility. To apply his axiom To demonstrate how this could work, I ate on “work environment conditions” to to this particular dissent, only consular approached my senator’s staff (Tim Kaine address the adequacy of Diplomatic Secu- officers and desk officers for the affected of Virginia) as a constituent, and then Sen. rity risk assessments and the shortcom- countries need concern themselves with Kaine entered questions “For the Record” ings that pose a danger to Foreign Service the disturbing implications of the Trump (which require a written response) on members. policy. That can’t be right. diplomatic security at the confirmation One can only hope that AFSA manage- But Mr. Peccia saves his pièce de résis- hearing of Mr. Rex Tillerson as Secretary ment will take a more aggressive approach tance for last: “State might be the oldest of State. to these longstanding issues. For a com- Cabinet agency, but the height of our seat The primary question dealt with plete view of the issues cited by GAO that at the table is adjustable. It is incumbent the need for the Department of State to are still outstanding, please go to www. on all of us to refrain from weakening our develop policy and procedures for risk gao.gov and search “Diplomatic Security.” position through well-meaning but poorly management assessment involving all James (Jim) Meenan executed dissent.” stakeholders, a recommendation set forth FSO, retired News flash: Our many critics within in a June 25, 2014, Government Account- Fairfax, Virginia

12 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Academy of Diplomacy entrepreneurs in selling abroad. ... on the Budget “Our contributions to refugees and I appreciated the Journal’s April Talking development are critical to avoid humani- Points item reporting on various speeches tarian crises from spiraling into conflicts and comments in defense of proper fund- that would draw in the United States and ing for the State Department budget. The promote violent extremism. ... American Academy of Diplomacy also “U.S. public diplomacy fights radi- weighed in. calism. Educational exchanges over In March we sent identical letters to the years have enabled hundreds of Senators Cardin, Corker, Graham, Leahy, thousands of foreign students truly to McConnell and Schumer; and to Repre- understand Americans and American sentatives Engel, Lowey, McCarthy, Pelosi, culture. ... Rogers and Royce signed by myself and “These few examples should show our chairman, former Under Secretary why so many American military leaders for Political Affairs Ambassador Thomas are deeply opposed to the current budget Pickering. proposals. They recognize that when We were joined in this by the Council diplomacy is not permitted to do its job of American Ambassadors, an organiza- the chances of Americans dying in war tion representing former non-career increase. ... ambassadors from both parties. The signa- “The Academy, representing the most tures of its chairman, Ambassador Bruce experienced and distinguished former S. Gelb, and Chairman Emeritus Ambas- American diplomats, both career and sador William J. vanden Heuvel, gave the non-career, and the Council have never letter a strong endorsement outside the opposed all cuts to the State Department career ranks. budget. Some excerpts from our letter follow: “The Academy’s detailed study Ameri- “[We] believe the proposed magnitude can Diplomacy at Risk (2015) proposed of the cuts to the State Department budget many reductions. We believe streamlin- pose serious risks to American security. ... ing is possible, and we can make propos- “Diplomacy is most often the first line als to that end. However, the current of America’s defense. When the Islamic budget proposals will damage American State suddenly appeared in Mali, it was national security and should be rejected.” our embassy that was able to recommend The Academy is continuing to put action based on knowing the difference forth ideas for rational restructuring of between terrorists and local political the State Department. We believe that actors who needed support. our ranks include a large reservoir of “When Ebola in West Africa threatened experience that could usefully be drawn a worldwide pandemic, it was our Foreign on as the State Department considers Service that remained in place to establish how to reorganize. We have offered our the bases for and support the multiagency services in any way the department may health efforts deployed to stop the disease choose. n outbreak. Ronald E. Neumann “It is to our embassies that American Ambassador, retired citizens turn for security and evacua- President, American Academy of tion abroad. Our embassies’ commercial Diplomacy work supports U.S. companies and citizen Arlington, Virginia

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 13 TALKING POINTS

Happy 70th Birthday, Marshall Plan! Contemporary Quote n June 5, 1947, while accepting Oan honorary degree from Harvard Senator, the [U.S. Special Operations Command] relationship to the University, Secretary of State George C. State Department is indescribably critical… We are in 80 different coun- Marshall announced the Truman admin- tries, and we look to have the most enhanced relationships possible with istration’s intention to submit legisla- every one of those countries through our country team. If that is not the tion to Congress to help the devastated baseline for our United States Government approach, then we are nations of Europe and their citizens flawed from the start. recover from the ravages of World War II. —U.S. Special Operations Commander General Raymond A. Thomas III, Formally known as the European Recov- in an exchange with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), ery Program, it was quickly dubbed the during his Senate Armed Services Committee appearance on May 4. Marshall Plan. The remarkably brief speech was the product of three career members of the U.S. Foreign Service. It was drafted by people of America of the character of the ago. The values that the Marshall Plan FSO Chip Bohlen, a Russia specialist and problem and the remedies to be applied. represents and that the GMF is dedicated interpreter who used memoranda from Political passion and prejudice should to promoting—democracy, free enter- George F. Kennan, then the director of have no part. With foresight, and a will- prise, universal respect for all—are as the State Department’s Policy Planning ingness on the part of our people to face essential in addressing today’s challenges Staff, and Under Secretary of State for up to the vast responsibility which history as they were in 1947.” Economic Affairs William Clayton. has clearly placed upon our country, the —Steven Alan Honley, In keeping with his legendary mod- difficulties I have outlined can and will be Contributing Editor esty, Marshall instructed his staff to tell overcome. Harvard not to publicize his appearance The German Marshall Fund of the Muppets Against or let on that he was about to announce United States is celebrating the 70th Terrorism a historic initiative—for which he would anniversary of that historic speech in a n Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1949. variety of ways. On its website you’ll find Isome two million Syrian children live After accepting his degree, Marshall a slew of informative backgrounders on in refugee camps to escape the horrors of briefly sketched the dire state of Europe the speech, the legislation it spawned, the the civil war. Aid organizations are strug- before declaring: relief it delivered to 18 European states gling to ensure that they get the basic It is logical that the United States and the example for the future the pro- necessities—food, shelter and safety. should do whatever it is able to do to assist gram set—both for U.S. foreign assistance But Sherrie Rollins Westin, executive in the return of normal economic health and diplomacy. vice president of Sesame Workshop (the in the world, without which there can You can also watch an inspirational non-profit arm of the team behind the be no political stability and no assured video, “The Spirit of the Marshall Plan.” children’s program “Sesame Street”) told peace. Our policy is directed not against The GMF underlines the continu- ForeignPolicy.com that more can be done, any country or doctrine, but against hun- ing relevance of this exemplary diplo- and she wants to use the Muppets to do it. ger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its matic achievement: “Breaking Western Working with the International Res- purpose should be the revival of a working Europe’s cycle of conflict and rebuilding cue Committee, a global humanitarian economy in the world, so as to permit the economies devastated by World War II aid organization, Sesame Workshop has emergence of political and social condi- was an immense task, and the Marshall been testing programming for Syrian tions in which free institutions can exist. Plan is a concrete example of the scale of children in refugee camps. Bringing An essential part of any successful change made possible by bold thinking Muppets to refugee camps may sound action on the part of the United States and international cooperation. [That like the fuzziest kind of soft power. But is an understanding on the part of the spirit] is as needed now as it was 70 years it could offer a glimmer of hope to chil-

14 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 50 Years Ago

Peace-building–Its Price and Its Profits or most career Foreign Service offi- truly generous impulses that ference and discourage- Fcers peace-building is not simply has ever motivated any nation ment over the relatively a profession, it is a passion. Unfortu- anywhere at any time. But as slow progress toward nately, the same cannot always be said with the early Quaker mission- self-sufficiency made by for those parliamentary bodies which aries—of whom it has been the developing countries must vote the appropriations needed said that they went out into the thus far—is perhaps even to support peace-building activities. world to do good, and wound greater than was the case Parliaments, in fact, too often treat up by doing very well—the United with the Marshall Plan. peace-building like a step-child. Too States derived enormous benefits For the whole broadscale effort often, they are willing to vote many bil- from the bread it figuratively cast upon of development assistance to the lions for bullets, but balk at allocating a the international waters. world’s poorer nations—an effort that few millions for the productive work of …Today, the United States, its is generally, but I think quite mislead- strengthening peace. former partners in the Marshall Plan ingly, called “foreign aid”—has never There have, however, been notable and—in fact—all other advanced received the full support it merits exceptions. Most significant among industrialized countries, including and is now showing signs of a further them was the action taken by the those of Eastern Europe, are being slippage in both popular and govern- U.S. Congress 20 years ago when offered an even bigger bargain: the mental backing. Under these circum- this country invited both its allies chance to form an effective partner- stances, the study of the Marshall and its former enemies in history’s ship for worldwide economic and Plan’s brief but brilliantly successful greatest war to join that unique and social progress with the earth’s history is much more than an aca- magnificent partnership, known as the hundred and more low-income demic exercise. Marshall Plan, which was designed to nations. The potential profits in terms ­­—Paul G. Hoffman, administrator rehabilitate a vast continental area— of expanded prosperity and a more of the Bureau of Educational and and thus, hopefully, to eradicate from secure peace could dwarf those won Cultural Affairs (1948-1950) and it the seeds of future conflict. through the European Recovery member of the U.S. Delegation to America’s willingness to underwrite Program. the United Nations (1956-1957). From European economic recovery was, Yet the danger that this bargain 1959 to 1972, he acted as managing without question, one of the most will be rejected—out of apathy, indif- director of the U.N. Special Fund.

dren who have seen and experienced far have to keep fighting terrorists.” GAO Inventories State- too many horrors for their age. Terrorist groups use a variety of tools Defense Cooperation on Retired military and former gov- to recruit and groom the next genera- Security Assistance ernment officials say that childhood tion of fighters. Sesame Street offers a March report from the Government education is one of the most potent and real alternative, said Ammar al-Sabban, AAccountability Officeprovides an underappreciated tools for combatting a “Muppeteer” for the Arabic version, inventory of the wide range of security- terrorism. “I think it’s a brilliant idea which has been based in the United related activities conducted by the State and phenomenally positive,” said David Arab Emirates since 2015. Department and Department of Defense Barno, a retired U.S. Army ranger and “We get to deliver really positive mes- to build foreign partner capacity. former commander of the U.S. military sages of equality, of tolerance, of accep- The State Department and DOD are mission in Afghanistan. “If we’re not tance for other people,” he said. “Educa- engaged in more than 194 security assis- doing enough in aid, development, tion is what can counter extremism.” tance and security cooperation projects childhood education, we’re going to —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor around the world today, and more than

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 15 State Department involvement. Of State’s The Department 52 projects, 30 require some level of DOD of State, by State involvement. he Department of State is Some high-profile efforts involving Tworking to help the U.S. collaboration between the two depart- public understand the impor- ments include “Assistance to Counter tance its work. the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant,” State’s Bureau of Human the “Afghanistan Security Forces Fund” Resources has produced a and “Assist in Accounting for Missing U.S. video, showing the work Ameri- Government Personnel.” can diplomats do overseas through the (including the diplomats-in-residence —Dmitry Filipoff, eyes of 11 current employees. The video program) and travel and security. Publications Coordinator follows members of the Foreign Service By selecting a specific state, users stationed overseas from Kabul to Lon- can see how the Department of State is Department of don, and shows how the work they do advancing U.S. national security, pro- State Launches contributes to America’s foreign policy moting economic interests and provid- Employee Survey and protecting its interests. ing services in that state. The interactive n May 3, during an address to The department is also focusing map is a reminder that the Department Oemployees at the State Department, attention on what the Foreign Service of State is not only advancing American Secretary of State Rex Tillerson launched does for U.S. citizens domestically. With interests overseas, but is also providing a “listening tour,” asking members of the an investment of about one percent of crucial services within the United States. Foreign Service and Civil Service for their the federal budget, the State Department Such services include issuing U.S. insights on how the agency could function yields a large return. The Bureau for passports, facilitating international better. Public Affairs offers an interactive map, adoptions and enabling collaborations On the same day, employees at the showing the impact the State Depart- between U.S. universities and educa- State Department and USAID, as well ment has in each state. tion providers overseas, as well as as some contractors, employed fam- The website lists the ways the State opening new export opportunities for ily members of State Department staff Department interacts with various American businesses and bringing new and Locally Employed staff, received an entities in each state on jobs and the investment to the United States. online survey aimed at identifying how economy, partnerships with humanitar- —Gemma Dvorak, best to streamline the department, clarify ian and military organizations, education Associate Editor its mission and make it more efficient. The Trump administration’s 2018 budget proposal calls for a 30-percent cut to State’s budget, and Secretary Tillerson half of them require joint involvement, Such activities can include exchange has already indicated that some 2,300 according to the report. visits, equipment sales and transfers, jobs will be cut. State calls such efforts “security assis- joint exercises and training, to name a Open through May 12, the survey tance” and DOD terms them “security few. Security cooperation is the pri- asks Foreign Service and Civil Service cooperation.” A cornerstone of U.S. mary mission of U.S. forces operating in employees detailed questions about their defense and foreign policy, such proj- Afghanistan and Iraq as U.S. troops act jobs, as well as open-ended questions ects have been especially important in in an advise-and-assist capacity to better such as “What should the department the post-9/11 era. They aim to build the enable Iraqi and Afghan security forces in stop doing?” security institutions of partner nations; in their ongoing conflicts against insurgents. Among other things, the survey asks turn, this promotes U.S. national security State and Defense interagency coop- employees to select six words to describe interests by strengthening alliances and eration is essential. Of 143 projects at the the mission of the State Department, preempting threats abroad. DOD, 87 of them require some level of which will then be used to create a

16 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL “word cloud.” The idea of creating a Mark Green Nominated word cloud has not played well on social as USAID Administrator media, with many mocking that aspect of n May 10, the White House nomi- the initiative. Onated Mark Andrew Green to be The survey has been followed by USAID Administrator. If confirmed, the phone interviews with 300 randomly four-term Republican congressman will selected employees representative of take over USAID at a crucial time, as a cross-section of the State and USAID global humanitarian crises are mount- workforce. ing and the agency faces the possibility The survey and listening tour are part of significant budget cuts and drastic of a departmental review being con- restructuring. ducted by Insigniam, a management con- Following six years in the Wisconsin sulting firm. CBS has reported that the State Assembly, Mark Green was elected exercise will cost more than $1.1 million. to the U.S. House of Representatives from —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor the 8th district of Wisconsin in 1998.

SITE OF THE MONTH: www.LobeLog.com

obeLog.com is a blog focusing Lon U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East. It provides daily perspectives from a range of experts, many of whom are currently living and working in the region. The blog is named after its founder, veteran journalist Jim Lobe, who served as the Washington, D.C., correspondent and chief of the Washington bureau of Inter Press Service (IPS) from 1980 to 1985. He has also written for a number of publications and lectures occa- The blog is regarded as a “must- sionally on neoconservative ideology, read” site on Iran by The Economist the Bush administration and U.S. and, in 2015, became the first blog foreign policy. to be honored with the Arthur Ross LobeLog has more than 50 regular Award for Distinguished Reporting contributors, including former For- and Analysis of Foreign Affairs by the eign Service officers from the United American Academy of Diplomacy. States, the United Kingdom and Users of the site can search France, as well as academics and pro- for relevant articles by category fessors from universities around the and author, and all posts are also world. Together, they provide a range arranged in an archive by month. of opinions from different viewpoints, Each post has a section for com- adding to the overall understanding ments and discussion of the topics of a complex region. it raises.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 17 He served on the House International that engages corporate leaders to reduce Relations Committee and helped draft poverty through business growth and significant legislation, including the Mil- investment in Africa. lennium Challenge Act, the legislation Mr. Green joined the International establishing George W. Bush’s signature Republican Institute as president in Janu- President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS ary 2014. He also co-chairs the Consensus Relief and the U.S. Leadership Against for Development Reform, a coalition that HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act. aims to make development policy more From 2007 to 2009, Green served as the effective and growth-oriented. Bush administration’s U.S. ambassador Mr. Green’s nomination was widely to Tanzania. He served two terms on the praised across the development com- Board of Directors of the Millennium Chal- munity and on both sides of the aisle in lenge Corporation, having been appointed Congress. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to that post by the Obama administration. welcomed the nomination, stating that From 2011 through early 2013, Mr. Mr. Green would “help us prioritize where Green served as senior director at the America’s future development invest- U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He ments will be spent so that we can ensure then became president and chief execu- every tax dollar advances our country’s tive officer of the Initiative for Global security and prosperity.” n Development, a nonprofit organization —Gemma Dvorak, Associate Editor

18 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SPEAKING OUT

The Golden Rule of Professionalism

BY MATT TOMPKINS

n its opening months, the Trump I am writing today to make a case for sion.” The problem is that by resisting a administration has in many ways con- the opposite response: This is a time to decision we disagree with, we make our tinued what it started in the campaign double-down on our nonpartisan profes- policy preferences a relevant and accept- Iand transition. Previously unbroachable sionalism, not to test its limits. The norm able point for discussion. norms have been discarded, including and function of an apolitical bureaucracy That may seem trivial when it’s a mat- habituated expectations of transparency is more important and valuable than any ter of advocating or resisting by simply and press access, a more genteel style of one leader or policy: we must be able to declaring that you consider a single given political discourse, and many foreign and continue serving effectively 10 presidents policy decision to be disastrous. But what domestic policy positions that until very and 100 controversial policies from now. about the next time, the next president, recently would have been considered long- the next Secretary? Once we’ve made it resolved areas of bipartisan consensus. Privileged Access a legitimate point of consideration, who (This observation is neither to criticize We hold positions of privileged access, could blame newly elected officials for nor commend. The administration has in giving us more information and influence feeling the need to assess the level of most cases proudly claimed the moniker of over the process of policy formation and actual or likely agreement with their poli- unconventional, and both supporters and implementation than normal citizens. For cies before entrusting their implementa- detractors have typically agreed.) that privileged access to mean anything, tion to the bureaucracy? For many of us in the Foreign Ser- political leaders must trust that our advice By asserting that policy implementa- vice—and in the Civil Service writ large— and implementation will be expert and tion might be contingent on our opinion this has been an unmooring experience. unbiased, based on knowledge and of the policy, we will have set things back The ideal of an apolitical bureaucracy experience rather than personal political 100 years to a time when the hallmark of seems nice, but in the face of unprec- leanings. bureaucratic dependability was political edented decisions and actions that seem Public advocacy destroys that trust, loyalty rather than professional compe- to go beyond simple left-right partisan- ensuring that both our political masters tence. ship, many seem to be struggling with the and the voting public know that we do Yes, some might say, but some of the impulse to resist. have a preferred “side” and implying that policies and statements from this admin- In the State Department, this has our level of agreement will affect the vigor istration just go too far. They demand translated into a newly resurgent interest with which we support, implement (or response. They demand resistance. In in understanding the specific limitations even resist) the decisions of those voted recent months, I’ve witnessed a ground- on political advocacy imposed by the into office. swell of colleagues express that sentiment Hatch Act and the Foreign Affairs Manual It’s easy to look at a policy that you to varying degrees. to better determine in what ways we as consider to be objectively, undeniably A number of them—in my Facebook executive branch employees are permit- and absolutely wrong-headed and say, feed at least—have articulated this ted to resist or advocate. “But it’s not partisan to resist that deci- imperative with a quote from Desmond Tutu that seems to capture well the Matt Tompkins is currently a vice consul in Santo Domingo, and previously general sentiment: “If you are neutral in served in Guatemala City. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he held intel- situations of injustice, you have chosen ligence and policy positions with the FBI and served as an Army officer. His the side of the oppressor.” Surely there is Speaking Out column on nonpartisanship relating to election participation truth to this in a tautological sense—it is a appeared in the October 2016 FSJ. good quote.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 19 However, I can’t imagine that Arch- excellent example of the proper role of the serve under leaders you support; imple- bishop Tutu would have considered any professional bureaucracy. Drawing from ment policies with which you disagree as government employee in apartheid-era a wide range of knowledge and expertise, you would have others implement policies South Africa to be “neutral” in any mean- those responsible for the implementation with which you agree. ingful sense. Similarly, executive branch of a new policy worked within the well- employees publicly engaging in or calling established channel to articulate clearly Nonpartisanship’s Golden for “resistance” to the Trump “regime” are and compellingly the many likely negative Rule engaging either in very shallow advocacy ramifications of the policy. In this construct, I would consider the or very deep hypocrisy. However, the full text of the cable, Hatch Act and FAM akin to the Ten Com- along with the fact that it had collected mandments. As a list of behaviors that are No Neutrality close to 1,000 signatories, leaked to the prohibited or prescribed, the Ten Com- As executive branch employees, we are media, apparently before the cable itself mandments are a pretty good baseline for each part of the Trump administration. had even been submitted. This kind of societal behavior. Anything else we do or say cannot escape leak (as with the leaking of the Syria dis- But if you’re looking for an ideal moral that simple fact. This is not to call into sent cable in 2016) undermines the Dis- code, things like “don’t kill” and “don’t question anyone’s sincerity who believes sent Channel system. It gives the appear- steal” set a pretty low bar for social norms. that a line has been crossed, thereby creat- ance—accurate or not—that the formal The Golden Rule—to treat others as you ing a moral imperative for resistance—but memorandizing of dissent was largely would have them treat you—may be rather to point out that if you’ve judged undertaken for the purpose of public lacking in detail, but it at least sets a more that something really is so bad as to be in advocacy via the leak. elevated, ideal objective. the territory of moral imperatives, then the That puts the political leadership of the Similarly, the rules found in the FAM only first credible step is to stop serving administration on the defensive publicly, and Hatch Act are important to keep the the administration. inevitably affecting any response to the Foreign Service officially nonpartisan, but This is not a call for all of us to quietly cable within the now-preempted estab- ultimately do nothing more than tell us go along with every decision a political lished process. Under the FAM, individual what is technically prohibited or required. leader makes. Our responsibility (and Foreign Service officers can’t write a press This leaves a world of behavior, speech right, and privilege) is to inform, advise release articulating their disagreement and activities that are technically permit- and persuade our political leaders on with administration policy as a means ted, but not necessarily wise if we care to what we consider to be the best decisions, of either public advocacy or political maintain a productive and effective work- drawing on the full breadth of our collec- pressure. But leaking a Dissent Channel ing relationship between the professional tive experience, knowledge and expertise. cable has the same effect while cloaking it Foreign and Civil Service and our political At the extreme, this includes a responsi- under the auspices of a formal, protected leaders. bility to make use of the Dissent Channel process. My formulation of the Golden Rule in when we believe an already-made policy So there are certain types of within- terms of both policy and leader is deliber- decision to be fundamentally unsound. the-system policy advocacy that are our ate, and highlights the various permitted But the most recent publicized use of right—and actually our job—with the behaviors that I think we should nonethe- the Dissent Channel—in response to the Dissent Channel process being the most less circumscribe for the long-term health January executive order on visa policy, extreme variation. On the flip side are the of the bureaucracy. “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Ter- activities clearly prohibited by the Hatch In the office, our implementation rorist Entry into the United States,” com- Act or the FAM. In drawing a line some- of even the most personally repugnant monly known as “the travel ban”—high- where in between them, just what higher policies should do nothing to betray our lights the distinction between the policy standard of public nonpartisanship am I opinion of them. No officer should try to advocacy within the system that is our calling for? maintain “personal credibility” or save face responsibility, and the policy advocacy in It’s something I’ll call the Golden Rule by ensuring that subordinates, local staff or public that is our doom. of Nonpartisanship: serve under lead- external interlocutors know that they are The Dissent Channel cable itself was an ers you oppose as you would have others implementing that policy under duress.

20 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Doing so may have the desired effect of standard. It is clearly permissible to For us to engage publicly in either letting those personal contacts know that forward or share a critical news article, advocacy or resistance means that we one is “with them” in recognizing that a meme or satirical clip, or to use a hashtag have an agenda. That perception of a given decision is foolhardy, counterpro- like #resist or #NotMyPresident. And no bureaucracy with its own agenda—as ductive or distasteful. But in the long run, one instance of these seemingly trivial opposed to one implementing the policies each of us is a part of one organization, behaviors is going to be seized upon as an of the day with indiscriminate diligence, and this kind of mixed messaging under- act of insubordination or disloyalty. even when the policies have done a mines our ability to operate effectively. But in the aggregate, each of these 180-degree turn—will make any future Our subordinates end up confused things and any number of similar state- political leaders with an alternate agenda whether to follow the official policy with ments and actions clarify a preference. view government servants as a problem focused effort or follow leaders’ tele- For anyone in a position to perceive that rather than a tool. graphed preferences with a slow, mini- preference—from appointed leaders The bureaucracy should be like a mized effort to check the block. External and managers to members of the voting screwdriver, equally useful to build a contacts don’t know whether to prepare public to colleagues and foreign audi- house or a cruise missile. We might hope for and respond to the officially stated ences—it inevitably calls into question we’re used for houses rather than mis- policy or the personally delivered prefer- the extent to which orders will be fol- siles, but until a leader tries to use us to ence. lowed, decisions will be implemented or stab someone rather than turn a screw, As for faithful service under opposed the government is working with any unity it’s our job to be equally useful leaders, this is probably the most difficult of purpose. for all tasks. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 21 PERSPECTIVES ON DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE

Special Operations and Diplomacy: A Unique Nexus

There has been a growing convergence of interest between diplomacy and special operations since the 9/11 terror attacks.

BY STEVEN KASHKETT

or most of us in the Foreign Service, one assigned throughout the special operations community within of the most striking developments in the U.S. military. This diplomatic presence extends not just to the the 16 years since the 9/11 terror attacks U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) based at MacDill has been a dramatic increase in synergy AFB in Tampa, Florida, which oversees all special operations between the Department of State and the forces (SOF) worldwide, but also to the headquarters of each of U.S. military. Coordination of our military the functional component special operations commands for the and diplomatic activities overseas has four branches of the military and to the theater special opera- become a guiding principle. tions commands in each region of the world. At the same time, The shared role of the military and SOCOM has assigned its own dedicated SOF liaison officers to State Department civilians in managing the prolonged wars in the State Department and more than two dozen U.S. embassies. FAfghanistan and Iraq, the broadening of U.S. military operations The convergence of interest between diplomacy and special across a variety of foreign areas, and the growing ascendancy of operations can best be explained by understanding the unique— the military in foreign policy decision-making have all contrib- and often publicly misconstrued—activities that SOF elements uted to the realization that State and Defense must work together undertake abroad. more effectively. Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of special operations. U.S. Special Operations: Myth and Reality Embedded State foreign policy advisers (POLADs) are now Hollywood movies paint a picture of special operations as nothing but direct action: killing terrorists in nighttime raids, Steve Kashkett is a Senior Foreign Service officer rescuing hostages, conducting drone strikes, blowing up facili- who served as the senior POLAD to U.S. Special Opera- ties behind enemy lines and undertaking similar commando tions Command from 2012 to 2013. He has also served operations. To be sure, our SOF operators do conduct these kinds as deputy chief of mission in Prague; principal of kinetic, “tip-of the-spear” direct actions, which remain at the officer in Tijuana and Halifax; political officer in Beirut, Paris, Haiti heart of the SOF mission and have taken the spotlight since 9/11. and Jerusalem; and in numerous assignments in Washington, D.C. But there is much more to U.S. special operations. He is a former AFSA State vice president. Particularly over the past two decades, the U.S. special opera- The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do tions community has expanded its focus on cultivating relation- not reflect the view of the Department of State, the Department of ships by using training and “soft” power initiatives to build partner- Defense or the U.S. government. ships between SOF forces and key local constituencies in other

22 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL countries. Admiral William H. McRaven, the visionary SOCOM commander from 2011 to 2014, placed the highest emphasis on developing what has come to be called the “Global SOF Network” to link together the capabilities, expertise and collaborative efforts of the special operations forces of dozens of like-minded nations. An essential feature of this strategy is building trust through a wide range of “indirect” activities. Today, U.S. special operators are engaged in this indirect approach on a daily basis in more than 100 countries. (The exact number of countries with an SOF presence is classified, but some reports assert that it is considerably greater than 100; 138 is the number cited in a Jan. 5 article in The Nation, “American Special Operations Forces Are Deployed to 70 Percent of the STEVE HEBERT Afghan National Army soldiers watch as a Special Forces soldier kicks in World’s Countries.”) Training SOF partners to build the door to a home before clearing the house during a village search in their capacity and fostering long-term relationships Zabul province in September 2004. Afghan National Army soldiers assisted with them remains a central feature of the indirect the Special Forces soldiers in the search for Taliban fighters in the remote village. approach. U.S. special operations expertise is unpar- alleled and highly sought after by foreign militaries, police forces and internal security organizations. Our elite special veterinarians, engineers and logistics experts. There are numer- operators possess skills, tactics, specially designed equipment, ous recent examples. In 2016, a team of SOF veterinarians con- and intelligence gathering know-how that can transform a for- ducted a seminar for local herders in Niger during which some eign government’s own capabilities. 674 cattle, 464 goats, 52 camels and five donkeys received pre- SOF training missions take place on a frequent basis, with ventive treatment. In Georgia last year, SOF medical personnel the aim of creating friendly foreign partner SOF forces that can conducted an assessment of health facilities to determine ser- acquire the capacity to deal with regional threats themselves, vices available to refugees. In other countries, SOF teams carried without directly involving U.S. forces. Although much of this “sus- out vaccinations and helped with rural development projects. tained engagement” remains outside the public spotlight, there is Diplomatic Courier describes it this way in a 2013 article: “It is no doubt that in places like Colombia, the Philippines, the Sahel useful to think of SOF as the hard edge to soft power; their skills countries of Central Africa and certain Middle Eastern states, are the yin to the yang, and their activities regularly demonstrate training and assistance from U.S. personnel has made a decisive that troops cannot be there solely to train and teach, or only to difference in the fight against extremist networks. pursue kinetic solutions.” Like the ethos of career diplomats, the SOF philosophy recog- Acquiring a sufficiently comprehensive picture of the “operat- nizes the value of nurturing ties to foreign cultures, and acknowl- ing environment” on the ground to be able to anticipate changes edges the stability value of addressing the critical needs of civil- that might favor extremism, as well as to enhance stability, win ians. As a result, U.S. special operations units around the world the hearts and minds of local leaders and local communities, and carry out a much broader civil affairs mission, which can include thereby reduce the conditions in which terrorist networks can providing medical and public health services in underserved thrive, are equally vital goals of the SOF’s soft-power activities. areas, assisting with agricultural and economic development at National security expert Linda Robinson explains it this way in the village level, delivering disaster relief and furnishing humani- the Nov.-Dec. 2012 Foreign Affairs: “The long-term relationships tarian aid. Substantial assistance efforts by U.S. special operations fostered by the indirect approach are conduits for understand- were particularly noteworthy in Haiti and Nepal following major ing and influence. They are the basis for partnerships through earthquakes in 2010 and 2015, respectively, and even in Japan which the United States can help other countries solve their own after the 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami. problems and contribute to increased security in their regions. SOF teams deployed to various countries include doctors, In some cases, the partnerships grow into alliances, as other

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 23 Direct action missions overseas take place only in exceptional circumstances outside of established war zones, but the campaign to disrupt violent extremist networks in critical threat countries has made them useful in recent years in places like Yemen, Mali, Libya, Somalia and Syria. It has also become quite commonplace for American military personnel to provide advice, intelligence and logistical support for strikes conducted by host-country SOF elements. In such instances, coordina- tion with the State Department and the local U.S. embassy is vital because of the potential for public fallout and impact on U.S. AIR FORCE/MASTER KEN SGT. BERGMANN the bilateral relationship. U.S. Army soldiers from the 3rd Special Forces Group help inspect Malian army soldiers’ weapons at their garrison in Tombouctou, Mali, in September 2007, during an exercise Numerous cases highlight the need to foster relationships of peace, security and cooperation among the trans-Sahara for close diplomatic-military coordina- nations. The exercise was part of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, an tion on kinetic actions that will take place integrated, multiagency effort of the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Defense Department. on foreign soil, as well as the potential for serious friction and adverse effects on U.S. foreign policy objectives. Operation countries become willing to assist the United States in security Neptune Spear, the 2011 SOF raid in which Osama bin Laden was missions elsewhere.” killed, accomplished its purpose but sparked a protracted crisis Testifying before a congressional committee in 2013, Admiral in U.S.-Pakistan relations. An operation by a Navy SEAL team McRaven stated: “The direct approach alone is not the solution to targeting the Islamic State group in Yemen late last year caused a the challenges our nation faces today, as it ultimately only buys backlash. time and space for the indirect approach. … In the end, it will be Public knowledge that the United States is involved with direct such continuous indirect operations that will prove decisive in action missions by foreign partner special operations forces in an the global security arena.” undeclared conflict zone—whether in the form of advice, intel- ligence sharing or actual combat support—can lead to negative Embassies and SOF: Bound Together repercussions within the country and the region. Many foreign This wide range of activity, usually implemented by small SOF partners prefer to keep their relationship with U.S. special opera- units with a light footprint, has expanded the U.S. special opera- tions out of public view for this reason, which helps explain why tions presence throughout virtually every region of the world, the details of so many of these partnerships remain classified. in many cases into countries where we have no conventional The State Department and its embassies have a strong incentive, military forces. In the age of “Chief-of-Mission Authority”—the therefore, to be kept fully in the loop and to retain the ultimate golden rule that since the 1950s has required all U.S. government decision-making authority over these activities. personnel and activities in a foreign country to be approved by Even the choice of which foreign SOF partners to cultivate the ambassador—SOF operations inevitably necessitate close is subject to political sensitivities and foreign policy consider- coordination with U.S. embassies. With few exceptions, for ations. Throughout Latin America in recent decades, U.S. special both direct action and indirect activities, SOF commanders are operations engagement with partner forces in countries with required to get the ambassador’s concurrence, seek the embas- poor human rights records deepened historical suspicion and sy’s clearance for the entry of SOF personnel and then keep the distrust of the United States, sparking concern that those regimes country team briefed on the status of the mission. Enforcing this were using what they learned from U.S. commando training rule is becoming a major task for embassies. against internal political opponents. In the minds of some critics,

24 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL this cooperation with Latin culture—as well as POLADS American militaries made Like the ethos of career themselves, who often have SOF synonymous with sup- diplomats, the SOF experience in the same port for unsavory dictators. regions or countries—are Today, U.S. special opera- philosophy recognizes the uniquely qualified to provide tors go to great lengths to the necessary guidance. avoid such perceptions, value of nurturing ties to Some indirect activities but close coordination of foreign cultures. by special operations units their activities with the State overlap materially with what Department is critical to this State and USAID programs effort. As Linda Robinson observes in Foreign Affairs, “Navigat- are designed to accomplish in a country. Especially when work- ing the failings of partner governments, as well as civil strife and ing in the areas of economic development, public health and complex sectarian, ideological, or tribal conflicts, is extraordi- humanitarian assistance, SOF efforts inevitably stray into the narily difficult; and given the high risk of blowback, the United space traditionally occupied by U.S. civilian foreign affairs agen- States must constantly assess whether special operations partner- cies. For many, this kind of work is an essential part of diplomacy ships with non-U.S. forces are, on balance, advancing or compro- and therefore should stay under the control of civilian agencies. mising U.S. interests.” Despite attempts to enhance their political But the unfortunate reality is that while the special operations awareness through specialized training, SOF personnel can community has ample and growing resources, State and USAID sometimes be tone-deaf to the foreign policy context in which have always labored within significant budget constraints and they operate in so many different countries, and to the conse- now face the threat of massive outright cuts. quences for broader U.S. objectives. Career diplomats serving in Ambassadors must acknowledge that the best hope for pre- those countries, who understand the local history and political serving our ability to use “soft power” in many areas may well

The author in a helicopter with the SOCOM commander over the Honduran jungle in 2013. COURTESY OF STEVE KASHKETT

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 25 be to embrace the indirect options for dealing with activities of U.S. special By contrast with the thorny problems. General operations forces. Both conventional military, Joseph Votel, who served as sides need to recognize SOCOM commander from the importance of coordi- SOF often function in a 2014 to 2016, set forth this nating and deconflicting thinking in a January 2016 their respective activi- dimension that shadows essay in JFQ: Joint Force ties. Our special opera- traditional diplomacy. Quarterly, “Unconventional tions leadership is keenly Warfare in the Gray Zone.” aware that, as one recent Gen. Votel articulates State POLAD to SOCOM put it, they “could be whacking moles the role of SOF this way: “While ‘Gray Zone’ refers to a space in from now to eternity if we don’t address the root causes and the peace-conflict continuum, the methods for engaging our fertile ground from which violent extremism emerges”—and adversaries in that environment have much in common with that there can be little progress in this effort without State and the political warfare that was predominant during the Cold War USAID. This is why SOF leaders are among the most compel- years. Political warfare is played out in that space between diplo- ling advocates for State and USAID appropriations. Given macy and open warfare, where traditional statecraft is inadequate that the SOF budget is likely to far outstrip civilian agencies’ or ineffective and large-scale conventional military options are funding under the current administration, however, there can not suitable or are deemed inappropriate for a variety of reasons. be little doubt that developmental and humanitarian projects … SOF are optimized to provide the pre-eminent military contri- by special operations units will take on greater prominence as a bution to a national political warfare capability because of their tool of U.S. foreign policy. inherent proficiency in low-visibility, small-footprint and politi- cally sensitive operations. SOF provide national decision-makers Special Operations: Wave of the Future? strategic options for protecting and advancing U.S. national inter- At a time when the most pressing danger to U.S. national ests without committing major combat forces to costly, long-term security comes from international terrorism and asymmetric contingency operations.” threats from extremist networks spread across multiple countries—and when so much of our diplomacy revolves around building coalitions to combat these threats—special operations will inevitably have an increasingly central role in U.S. foreign policy. SOF have the primary mission of countering terrorism and violent extremism, as well as preventing the spread of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. And this places it front and center in so much of what our diplomats are doing these days. Furthermore, foreign govern- ments place enormous value on the assistance that elite U.S. special operators can provide in countering these threats. The offer of U.S. SOF support has frequently become a “deliverable” in negotiations with allies and even adversaries; in some instances, it is the most valuable asset we can offer. By contrast with the conventional military, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. SOF often function in a dimension that shadows A U.S. Special Forces soldier distributes toothbrushes to a group of children as traditional diplomacy and provides additional part of a public health campaign.

26 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Adversaries increasingly operate in this “gray zone.” Examples include Russia’s aggressive dissemination of disinformation through social media and other means, Chi- na’s deployment of military vessels disguised as civilian fishing boats and Iran’s harass- ment activities in the Strait of Hormuz that fall short of overt military provocations. All of these countries try to hide their recruit- U.S. MARINE CORPS DAVIS RYAN SGT. Marines from a Special Operations Company of the 1st Marine Special Operations ment of proxy forces in conflicts around Battalion meet with local leaders in the town of Qal’eh-ye Gaz in Afghanistan’s Helmand the world. Significantly, General Votel was province to assist with medical needs and discuss their issues with anti-coalition forces invited as a special guest to address SOF operating in the area in August 2007. efforts in the “gray zone” and SOF-embassy relations at last year’s State Depart- special operations commu- ment chief-of-mission con- Numerous cases highlight nity as a highly adaptable, ference. A fellow speaker, the need for close diplomatic- singularly capable natural the U.S. ambassador to ally—and as a primary part- Ukraine, praised the effec- military coordination on kinetic ner in the civilian-military tiveness of special opera- actions that will take place diplomacy of the future. tions activities in counter- There are undeniably many ing Russian propaganda in on foreign soil. risks and potential pitfalls that country. ahead. It will be a challenge Because of its speed, flexibility, and specialized skills and for the State Department and its career officers to retain primacy weapons—distinctive capabilities for addressing the “gray over the formulation and implementation of foreign policy in zone” and subnational threats that have been pre-eminent an era when quasi-autonomous military SOF teams are present since the beginning of the 21st century—it can be argued that in more than 100 countries and possess far greater operating special operations represents the wave of the future. While the resources. The personnel numbers alone are daunting: there conventional, general purpose forces of the U.S. military still are some 70,000 U.S. special operators worldwide, compared to have a number of important missions in preserving the peace fewer than 10,000 Foreign Service officers. around the world, a full-blown conventional war against the Some fear that the expansion of well-funded U.S. special conventional military of a foreign power seems unlikely. Special operations activities into nearly 70 percent of the countries of operations played a far greater role in the wars in Afghanistan the world will somehow overwhelm traditional civilian diplo- and Iraq than in any previous war, and the SOF “tip of the spear” macy and render it obsolete. This concern overlooks the fact raids and other pinpoint strikes were the keys to many of the that SOF is ill-equipped to replace many of the key functions of successes that took place. embassies: maintaining a high-level dialogue with host govern- As Gen. Votel has observed: “In the autumn of 2001, a small ments on vital bilateral issues, reporting and analyzing political- SOF element and interagency team, supported by carrier- and economic developments, providing assistance to U.S. citizens land-based airstrikes, brought down the illegitimate Taliban abroad, and conducting the public outreach and educational government in Afghanistan that had been providing sanctuary and cultural exchanges that embody U.S. public diplomacy. for al-Qaida. This strikingly successful unconventional warfare Special operations teams will not usurp these roles. operation was carried out with a U.S. ‘boots on the ground’ But in a world where asymmetric, non-state extremist net- presence of roughly 350 SOF and 110 interagency operatives, works and unconventional “gray zone” warfare represent the working alongside an indigenous force of some 15,000 Afghan greatest threat to international security, SOF will have a growing irregulars.” role to play as a foreign policy instrument alongside traditional Against this backdrop, it is logical for U.S. diplomats to see the diplomacy. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 27 PERSPECTIVES ON DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE

Working with the U.S. Military: Let’s Take Full Advantage of Opportunities

The challenge for the State Department is not necessarily to reduce the role of the Department of Defense in foreign affairs, but to strengthen our own voice.

BY WANDA NESBITT

ar is the (Others include economics and trade; information and public continuation diplomacy; negotiation and foreign aid.) of politics by As we mull over and debate the “militarization of foreign other means.” policy,” it may be useful to remember that our best statesmen This famous and diplomats did not shy away from the military but were well- quote from versed in the use of force—and could persuasively articulate the 19th- when its use was appropriate and when it was not. Ambassador century Prus- (ret.) Ron Neumann immediately comes to mind as someone sian General who excelled at this. Carl von Clausewitz in On War (1832) is well known to officers Now president of the American Academy of Diplomacy, “throughoutW the U.S. military. My guess is that a smaller percent- Amb. Neumann served as chief of mission in Afghanistan from age of Foreign Service officers are familiar with it, although it is 2005 to 2007, working closely with the U.S. military on coop- as relevant for us as it is for those in uniform. Why is it relevant? eration between Afghanistan and Pakistan at a particularly Because military force is one of several elements of national sensitive time. He also advocated for change in how the U.S. power that a nation can use to achieve its foreign policy goals. government conducts foreign policy in fragile states, arguing that the role of ambassadors should be strengthened in conflict Wanda Nesbitt is currently dean of the School of states in “Fixing Fragile States” (co-authored with retired Admi- Language Studies at the State Department’s Foreign rals Dennis Blair and Eric Olson, and published in the Sept.- Service Institute. She was the senior vice president of the Oct. 2014 edition of The National Interest). National Defense University from October 2013 to July In today’s world, where the desire for immediate solutions 2016. During a 35-year career at State she has served as the U.S. to complex yet frightening developments (e.g., the spread of ambassador to Namibia, Côte d’Ivoire and Madagascar. She has the Islamic State group) is so strong, it is not hard to under- also served in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), stand the temptation to focus on the use of force, despite France and Haiti, and worked in multiple positions in Washington, widespread recognition that force alone will not solve the D.C. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband, military problem. In my view, the challenge for State is not necessarily historian James Stejskal. to weaken or reduce the role of the Department of Defense, The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and but to strengthen our voice and ensure that our expertise is do not reflect the view of the Department of State, the Depart- recognized as equally valid. One of the things we need to do to ment of Defense or the U.S. government. reach that goal is encourage more officers to develop a deep

28 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. A National Defense University convocation ceremony in 2014. understanding of the military, and then to utilize those officers would be the case, for instance, at the Army War College or the effectively. Naval War College. NDU also hosts 90 to 100 foreign military officers each year, State Goes to School many of whom go on to become service chiefs and ministers Multiple opportunities for State personnel to study or work of defense. Officers from USAID, the intelligence community, alongside DOD personnel already exist, but as an institution we Department of Homeland Security, Commerce and several often do not make the most of those opportunities or capitalize other agencies also comprise the student body. The result on the skills, abilities and is an incredibly diverse insights that our officers environment that exposes gain from spending a year We can only guess at how students to multiple in a military environment. many disagreements between agency and international Let’s look, for instance, at perspectives. The students, the National Defense Uni- State and DOD never reached a all of whom are mid- versity, with which I have crisis level because the people career professionals, are recent, firsthand experi- encouraged to broaden ence, having served as its involved understood each their horizons, challenge senior vice president from other’s cultures. their assumptions and October 2013 to July 2016. build new networks. The NDU is unique, even yearlong master’s degree within Defense. It is sometimes referred to as “The Chairman’s programs offered by each of NDU’s five colleges represent University” because it operates under the guidance of the Chair- “joint” education in the broadest sense. man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and is required to have all NDU also offers the largest number of opportunities for the military services represented in roughly equal numbers. This State personnel at the FS-1/GS-15 level to get training outside is especially valuable for State Department personnel assigned of the department, although “education” is a more appropri- to NDU, because it means that one is exposed to all of the differ- ate term. The distinction is compelling and was explained to ent service cultures as opposed to just one dominant culture as me this way: Training involves teaching someone how to do

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 29 FROM THE FSJ ARCHIVE

December 1960: Education For

the National Security BY JAMES J. BLAKE

ne of the most important develop- overall readiness of the nation for international emergencies, as ments in foreign policy since World well as Cold War situations. War II has been its general recasting This year 149 students, including 27 civilians, of whom into the mold of national security. three are Foreign Service officers, are engaged in making this Today few significant areas of Ameri- analysis. By June 1961, they will have heard some 200 lectures ca’s foreign relations are without their on the national security, viewed in its military, diplomatic and national security aspects: regional economic aspects; each will have prepared a written thesis on Oalliances, foreign aid, the status of forces and trade policy come a personally selected aspect of national security policy; and all most readily to mind, but there are others. The result is that the will have worked together in small seminar groups to develop military, economic and political components of our foreign an agreed solution to a major “final problem” arising out of relations today are far more closely associated than was ever the major types of international conflict situations facing the the case before World War II. United States. Similarly, our own policies and actions in the fields of eco- In addition to the lectures and student research program, nomics, science and civil defense—to name only a few—have the course of studies at the College includes visits to military come to have an important bearing on our international pos- and industrial areas within the United States as well as a pro- ture. In such changed circumstances the comprehensive study gram of visits to selected foreign countries. … of national security problems by senior military educational For the civilian student taking the resident course, and institutions has become of increasing interest to the Depart- particularly for the Foreign Service officer, the lectures by ment of State and the Foreign Service. the Defense Department officials on international problems Evidence of this enhanced interest was the appointment for are often challenging and stimulating, representing as they the first time in 1959 of a State Department Representative and sometimes do, a different but always thoughtful emphasis of Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Commandant of the Industrial the American military and diplomatic posture. One of the most College of the Armed Forces. The appointment was in recogni- impressive features of these presentations is that they rarely tion of the fact that the College had become, since its establish- seem to represent the thinking of that stereotype, “the military ment in 1948 in Washington, D. C., one of the most important mind.” Instead, they are almost always characterized by an senior military educational institutions. … integrated view of all of the factors—military, economic, social Throughout the 10 months of its resident course, a searching and political—that constitute the equation of national security. and critical analysis is made by its students, who are generally The encouragement of this integrated approach to national in the grade of colonel or Navy captain and are drawn from policy is the most important objective of the College. … among the highest qualified officers of the four Services, of the Insofar as the Department of State is concerned, the greatest impact of the College on matters of immediate concern to the The late Ambassador James J. Blake retired from the Foreign Service department is, of course, through the regular 10-month course in 1981 after a 34-year career during which he served overseas in at Fort McNair. Here, in excellent surroundings that would be Brussels, Calcutta (now Kolkata) and Tripoli, as well as Reykjavík, difficult to duplicate in the Washington area, senior military where he was U.S. ambassador. In Washington, he served as deputy officers and selected civilian officials are given an opportunity assistant secretary for African affairs and on the Army staff in the to stand back and appraise the posture of the United States in Pentagon as a political-military officer concerned with strategic the world today. planning, among other assignments. He graduated from the In- During those 10 months, every effort is made to stimulate dustrial College of the Armed Forces in 1961 and earned a master’s creative thought and understanding on the part of students degree from The George Washington University in 1962. regarding the complex problems of national security without This excerpt is from his December 1960 FSJ article, which did not regard to service or departmental requirements or positions— include an author biographical note. only the national interest. … n

30 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL a specific task or carry out a clearly defined role or mission, ments between State and DOD never reached a crisis level because whereas education broadens knowledge and thinking. While I the people involved understood each other’s cultures and were was there, the NDU provost often said: “We don’t teach people able to work out their differences. what to think; we teach them how to think.” NDU prides itself A year at NDU represents a substantial investment by the State on producing strategic thinkers: a few of its well-known gradu- Department in officers expected to go on to leadership roles. So ates include former Chair- it is almost astounding that man of the Joint Chiefs we do not make a concerted of Staff and Secretary of Creative thinking and a more effort to reap the benefits of State Colin Powell, former this investment by ensur- National Security Advisor strategic approach to how we fill ing that the knowledge and Brent Scowcroft and Mar- certain assignments could put experience our students tin Dempsey, who retired acquire is utilized in a delib- as chairman of the Joint us on a stronger footing in terms erate manner. Long overdue Chiefs of Staff in 2016. of the relationship with DOD. improvements to the State’s presence at each selection process for senior of NDU’s five colleges training have been made is significant. On average, the State Department sends 20-25 recently, but more could be done. One idea involves setting aside officers to the National War College and an equal number to a small number of slots, perhaps two per year, for officers willing the Eisenhower School (formerly the Industrial College of the to commit to focus on political-military issues or take an impor- Armed Forces) each year. A much smaller number (2-3) go to the tant assignment as a foreign policy adviser (known as a POLAD) College of International Security Affairs, which focuses on coun- to a military service chief or commander. terterrorism, and to the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, I met with State FSO students every year while at NDU Virginia. In addition to students, State has faculty slots in each and found them frustrated that our personnel system seemed school and holds the number-two leadership position at the incapable of finding a way to recognize the added value they University, the National War College, the Eisenhower School and bring out of the assignment. Linked assignments are probably a CISA. Altogether, the State contingent at NDU easily numbers bridge too far, but steps forward could include equating a year 60-70 per year. at institutions like NDU to interagency experience and requiring the deputy chief of mission and principal officer selection com- Making the Most of the Investment mittee to give candidates with this experience higher consider- State personnel benefit tremendously from this experience. ation for posts with a large U.S. military presence. Over time, this Classroom discussions offer an opportunity to explore issues might encourage new norms, such as an expectation that service (e.g., how to diminish the influence of the Islamic State group) school graduates will be more competitive for positions that from a new perspective and to hear what others—especially have a significant political-military component. military officers—think about these challenges. Personal interac- Creative thinking and a more strategic approach to how tions outside of class provide an opportunity to get to know we fill certain assignments could put us on a stronger footing people our officers might otherwise never come across and to in terms of the relationship with DOD. This would absolutely build relationships that often prove to be invaluable later down require a commitment from the seventh floor, and not just from the line. (If you are interested in bidding on a year at NDU, look the Director General’s office. It might be difficult and controver- for 17 State 41364, Long-Term Training Opportunities, which sial, but conscious change is needed if we are to make the most gives details on how to apply.) of opportunities that already exist. There are countless stories of FSOs who graduated from NDU— whether from the National War College, the Eisenhower School or What We Can Teach the Military another component—and encountered a classmate five to 10 years Another factor that we pay insufficient attention to is the later in an interagency setting. In almost every case, their shared degree to which we can positively influence our military col- experience as NDU students facilitated discussion and made it leagues' perceptions of the State Department and the Foreign easier to resolve issues. We can only guess at how many disagree- Service. While it is critical to have individual FSOs benefit from

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 31 joint and interagency programs, the goodwill that State as an insti- speaking engagements, etc. Nonetheless, State could and should tution derives from those interactions should also not be underes- use this opportunity to influence the next generation of senior timated. I was surprised that many of the military officers I met at military leaders to much greater effect. NDU knew very little about the State Department, and found that The CAPSTONE course is held four times each year; we should many of my FSO colleagues had exactly the same impression. give much more attention to the messages we want to send this What I found, however, was that the more military officers group. Building relationships and encouraging officers to bond came to know and understand us, the more likely they were to with a new cohort of peers at the senior ranks is one of the goals respect and value the role we play. Having senior officers assigned of CAPSTONE. State could send an officer to every CAPSTONE to NDU is valuable, and our contributions can make a significant class, but we haven’t done so for several years because the course difference. For example, we often invited officials from State to is not free. And the cost is significant: $12,000 to $13,000 for six speak to students about weeks. The long-term a particular policy issue, benefits, however, could be and those sessions can be One way State can counteract quite substantial if we view extremely beneficial to the the “militarization of foreign CAPSTONE as an oppor- military officers. Neverthe- tunity for State to develop less, State often fails to take policy” is to re-examine how a contingent of officers full advantage of opportuni- who can build and sustain ties that are practically on we motivate Foreign Service relationships with DOD. our doorstep. personnel to better understand Participants would have to NDU is a 20-minute be carefully selected, ide- drive from Main State the military and how we utilize ally with a focus on likely (when traffic isn’t lousy), yet officers who already possess future assignments. Giving it is remarkably difficult to the opportunity to attend get senior State officials to that understanding. CAPSTONE to somebody speak there. In the absence who might one day become of a senior representa- a deputy assistant secretary tive, for example, I routinely stepped in to talk to officers in the in the Bureau of Political and Military Affairs or a POLAD to the CAPSTONE course about chief-of-mission authority and how our CENTCOM commander might be well worth the investment. embassies abroad operate successfully. Useful—but perhaps not the best use of an opportunity to influence the next generation The Way Forward of DOD leaders. For readers not familiar with it, CAPSTONE is a In sum, multiple opportunities already exist for the State mandatory, six-week course for newly promoted flag rank officers Department to deepen personal relationships with U.S. military (OC-equivalent). officers and strengthen institutional links with DOD. Academic In keeping with NDU’s joint education mandate, each class settings such as NDU offer one vehicle for doing so and also includes a roughly equal representation of officers from the Army, provide opportunities for State to influence the thinking of future Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, and a handful of civilian coun- military leaders. Making maximum use of these opportunities is terparts. From a strategic perspective, however, the CAPSTONE a challenge that will require a sustained commitment from the program is unique in that these classes represent the future of the highest levels of the State Department. U.S. military. The men and women in this program will one day But one way State can counteract the “militarization of foreign be combatant commanders, filling critical positions at DOD and policy” is to reexamine in a rigorous and honest manner how we on the Joint Staff. In CAPSTONE they routinely hear from the top motivate Foreign Service personnel to better understand the mili- military brass, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agency tary, how we utilize officers who already possess that understand- heads or their deputies and well-known figures in the intelligence ing and how we can take full advantage of opportunities—such as community. Yet it was a rarity for anyone from our seventh floor the ones at NDU—to demonstrate that a multifaceted approach to to address this group. The reasons are understandable: packed achieving U.S. foreign policy goals is far better than one that relies schedules, long-planned visits from foreign dignitaries, competing too heavily on just one of the tools in the box. n

32 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PERSPECTIVES ON DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE

Killer Drones and the Militarization of U.S. Foreign Policy

In the eyes of many around the world, diplomacy has taken a back seat to military operations in U.S. foreign policy. The drone program is a prime example.

BY ANN WRIGHT

he militarization of U.S. foreign policy Achin district of Afghanistan, where Special Forces Staff Sergeant certainly didn’t start with President Mark De Alencar had been killed a week earlier. (The bomb was Donald J. Trump; in fact, it goes back tested only twice, at Elgin Air Base, Florida, in 2003.) several decades. However, if Trump’s To underscore the new administration’s preference for force first 100 days in office are any indica- over diplomacy, the decision to experiment with the explosive tion, he has no intention of slowing power of the mega-bomb was taken unilaterally by General John down the trend. Nicholson, the commanding general of U.S. forces in Afghani- During a single week in April, the stan. In praising that decision, Pres. Trump declared that he Trump administration fired 59 Toma- had given “total authorization” to the U.S. military to conduct hawk missiles into a Syrian airfield, and dropped the largest bomb whatever missions they wanted, anywhere in the world—which Tin the U.S. arsenal on suspected ISIS tunnels in Afghanistan. This presumably means without consulting the interagency national 21,600-pound incendiary percussion device that had never been security committee. used in combat—the Massive Ordinance Air Blast or MOAB, col- It is also telling that Pres. Trump chose generals for two key loquially known as the “Mother of All Bombs”—was used in the national security positions traditionally filled by civilians: the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Advisor. Yet three Ann Wright spent 29 years in the U.S. Army and Army months into his administration, he has left unfilled hundreds Reserves, retiring as a colonel. She served 16 years in of senior civilian governmental positions at State, Defense and the Foreign Service in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, elsewhere. Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia, and led the small team that reopened the U.S. embassy An Increasingly Shaky Ban in Kabul in December 2001. She resigned in March 2003 in opposi- While Pres. Trump has not yet enunciated a policy on the sub- tion to the war on Iraq, and is co-author of the book Dissent: Voices ject of political assassinations, there has so far been no indication of Conscience (Koa, 2008). She speaks around the world about the that he plans to change the practice of relying on drone killings militarization of U.S. foreign policy and is an active participant in established by his recent predecessors. the U.S. anti-war movement. Back in 1976, however, President Gerald Ford set a very dif- The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and ferent example when he issued his Executive Order 11095. This do not reflect the view of the Department of State, the Depart- proclaimed that “No employee of the United States government ment of Defense or the U.S. government. shall engage in, or conspire to engage in, political assassination.”

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 33 WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/RICKYWIKIMEDIA BEST The MQ-9 Reaper, a combat drone, in flight. Inset: Members of the New York Air National Guard’s 1174th Fighter Wing Maintenance Group place chalks on a MQ-9 Reaper after it returned from a winter training mission at Wheeler Sack Army Airfield, Fort Drum, N.Y., Feb. 14, 2012.

He instituted this prohibition after investigations by the United States’ taking action against terrorists. More sweepingly, Church Committee (the Senate Select Committee to Study they declared that the ban on political assassination did not apply Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, during wartime. chaired by Sen. Frank Church, D-Idaho) and the Pike Committee (its House counterpart, chaired by Rep. Otis G. Pike, D-N.Y.) had Send in the Drones revealed the extent of the Central Intelligence Agency’s assassina- The Bush administration’s wholesale rejection of the ban on tion operations against foreign leaders in the 1960s and 1970s. targeted killing or political assassinations reversed a quarter-cen- With a few exceptions, the next several presidents upheld the tury of bipartisan U.S. foreign policy. It also opened the door to ban. But in 1986, President Ronald Reagan ordered an attack on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct targeted killings Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi’s home in Tripoli, in retali- (a euphemism for assassinations). ation for the bombing of a nightclub in Berlin that killed a U.S. The U.S. Air Force had been flying unmanned aerial vehicles serviceman and two German citizens and injured 229. In just 12 (UAVs), since the 1960s, but only as unmanned surveillance minutes, American planes dropped 60 tons of U.S. bombs on the platforms. Following 9/11, however, the Department of Defense house, though they failed to kill Gaddafi. and the Central Intelligence Agency weaponized “drones” (as Twelve years later, in 1998, President Bill Clinton ordered the they were quickly dubbed) to kill both leaders and foot soldiers of firing of 80 cruise missiles on al-Qaida facilities in Afghanistan al-Qaida and the Taliban. and Sudan, in retaliation for the bombings of U.S. embassies in The United States set up bases in Afghanistan and Pakistan Kenya and Tanzania. The for that purpose, but after a Clinton administration jus- series of drone attacks that tified the action by asserting The Bush administration’s killed civilians, including that the proscription against a large group gathered for assassination did not cover wholesale rejection of the ban a wedding, the Pakistani individuals whom the U.S. on targeted killing opened the government ordered in 2011 government had deter- that the U.S. drones and mined were connected to door to the use of unmanned U.S. military personnel be terrorism. aerial vehicles to conduct removed from its Shamsi Days after al-Qaida car- Air Base. However, targeted ried out its Sept. 11, 2001, targeted killings. assassinations continued to attacks on the United States, be conducted in Pakistan by President George W. Bush signed an intelligence “finding” allow- drones based outside the country. ing the Central Intelligence Agency to engage in “lethal covert In 2009, President Barack Obama picked up where his operations” to kill Osama bin Laden and destroy his terrorist predecessor had left off. As public and congressional concern network. White House and CIA lawyers argued that this order was increased about the use of aircraft controlled by CIA and military constitutional on two grounds. First, they embraced the Clinton operators located 10,000 miles away from the people they were administration’s position that E.O. 11905 did not preclude the ordered to kill, the White House was forced to officially acknowl-

34 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL edge the targeted killing program and to describe how persons became targets of the program. Instead of scaling the program back, however, the Obama administration doubled down. It essentially designated all military-age males in a foreign strike zone as combatants, and therefore potential targets of what it termed “signature strikes.” Even more disturbing, it declared that strikes aimed at specific, high-value terrorists, known as “personality strikes,” could include American citizens. That theoretical possibility soon became a grim reality. In April 2010, Pres. Obama authorized the CIA to “target” Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen and a former imam at a Virginia mosque, for assassination. Less than a decade before, the Office of the Secretary of the Army had invited the imam to participate in an interfaith service following 9/11. But al-Awlaki later became an outspoken critic of the “war on terror,” moved to his father’s homeland of Yemen, and helped al-Qaida recruit members. On Sept. 30, 2011, a drone strike killed al-Awlaki and another American, Samir Khan—who was traveling with him in Yemen. U.S. drones killed al-Awlaki’s 16-year-old son, Abdulrahman al- Awlaki, an American citizen, 10 days later in an attack on a group of young men around a campfire. The Obama administration never made clear whether the 16-year-old son was targeted indi- vidually because he was al-Awlaki’s son or if he was the victim of a “signature” strike, fitting the description of a young military- age male. However, during a White House press conference, a reporter asked Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs how he could defend the killings, and especially the death of a U.S.-citizen minor who was “targeted without due process, without trial.” Gibbs’ response did nothing to help the U.S. image in the Muslim world: “I would suggest that you should have had a far more responsible father if they are truly concerned about the well-being of their children. I don’t think becoming an al-Qaida jihadist terrorist is the best way to go about doing your business.” On Jan. 29, 2017, al-Awlaki’s 8-year-old daughter, Nawar al- Awlaki, was killed in a U.S. commando attack in Yemen ordered by Obama’s successor, Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the media continued to report incidents of civilians being killed in drone strikes across the region, which frequently target wedding parties and funerals. Many inhabit- ants of the region along the Afghan-Pakistan border could hear the buzz of drones circling their area around the clock, causing psychological trauma for all those who live in the area, especially children. The Obama administration was strongly criticized for the

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 35 tactic of “double-tap”—hit- personnel, both uniformed ting a target home or vehicle Drones allow presidents to and civilian, are from the with a Hellfire missile, and punt on questions of war tribal regions on the border then firing a second missile of Afghanistan and Pakistan into the group that came and peace by choosing an where U.S. drone strikes have to the aid of those who had focused. They take revenge been wounded in the first option that appears to offer for the deaths of their fami- attack. Many times, those a middle course, but actually lies and friends by killing who ran to help rescue their U.S. military trainers. persons trapped inside col- has a variety of long-term Anger against drones has lapsed buildings or flaming consequences for U.S. policy. surfaced in the United States cars were local citizens, not as well. On May 1, 2010, militants. Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad attempted to set off An Increasingly Counterproductive Tactic a car bomb in Times Square. In his guilty plea, Shahzad justi- The rationale traditionally offered for using drones is that they fied targeting civilians by telling the judge, “When the drone hits eliminate the need for “boots on the ground”—whether members in Afghanistan and Iraq, they don’t see children, they don’t see of the armed forces or CIA paramilitary personnel—in dangerous anybody. They kill women, children; they kill everybody. They’re environments, thereby preventing loss of U.S. lives. U.S. officials killing all Muslims.” also claim that the intelligence UAVs gather through lengthy sur- As of 2012 the U.S. Air Force was recruiting more drone pilots veillance makes their strikes more precise, reducing the number than pilots for traditional aircraft—between 2012 and 2014, they of civilian casualties. (Left unsaid, but almost certainly another planned to add 2,500 pilots and support people to the drone powerful motivator, is the fact that the use of drones means that program. That is nearly twice the number of diplomats the State no suspected militants would be taken alive, thus avoiding the Department hires in a two-year period. political and other complications of detention.) Congressional and media concern over the program led to the Even if these claims are true, however, they do not address Obama administration’s acknowledgment of the regular Tuesday the impact of the tactic on U.S. foreign policy. Of broadest con- meetings led by the president to identify targets for the assassina- cern is the fact that drones allow presidents to punt on questions tion list. In the international media, “Terror Tuesdays” became an of war and peace by choosing an option that appears to offer a expression of U.S. foreign policy. middle course, but actually has a variety of long-term conse- quences for U.S. policy, as well as for the communities on the Not Too Late receiving end. To many around the world, U.S. foreign policy has been By taking the risk of loss of U.S. personnel out of the picture, dominated for the past 16 years by military actions in the Middle Washington policymakers may be tempted to use force to resolve East and South Asia, and large land and sea military exercises in a security dilemma rather than negotiating with the parties Northeast Asia. On the world stage, American efforts in the areas involved. Moreover, by their very nature, UAVs may be more likely of economics, trade, cultural issues and human rights appear to to provoke retaliation against America than conventional weap- have taken a back seat to the waging of continuous wars. ons systems. To many in the Middle East and South Asia, drones Continuing the use of drone warfare to carry out assassina- represent a weakness of the U.S. government and its military, not tions will only exacerbate foreign distrust of American intentions a strength. Shouldn’t brave warriors fight on the ground, they ask, and trustworthiness. It thereby plays into the hands of the very instead of hiding behind a faceless drone in the sky, operated by a opponents we are trying to defeat. young person in a chair many thousands of miles away? During his campaign, Donald Trump pledged he would Since 2007, at least 150 NATO personnel have been the victims always put “America First,” and said he wanted to get out of the of “insider attacks” by members of the Afghan military and business of regime change. It is not too late for him to keep that national police forces being trained by the coalition. Many of the promise by learning from his predecessors’ mistakes and revers- Afghans who commit such “green on blue” killings of American ing the continued militarization of U.S. foreign policy. n

36 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PERSPECTIVES ON DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE

Creeping Militarization of Foreign Policy or Creeping State Department Irrelevance?

State has ceded some turf to the military, but it’s not too late to regain it and rebalance the civilian-military equation in U.S. foreign affairs.

BY LARRY BUTLER

ince the fall of the Berlin Wall we have A solely military response is not sufficient. We want to seen a steady outpouring of books increasingly involve other elements of the U.S. govern- and articles lamenting the trend in ment and the international community, recognizing that Washington to see foreign policy it is only through a combination of capabilities that we through a military lens: Rosa Brooks’ will achieve and sustain our strongest deterrence posture. How Everything Became War and the —General Joseph Votel, Military Became Everything, Lorelei Commander, U.S. Central Command, Kelly’s Unbalanced Security: The Divide March 9, 2017 between State and Defense, and Gordon Adams and Shoon Murray’s Mission Creep—The Militarization whereas State’s regional bureaus are misaligned with military ofS U.S. Foreign Policy, among others. counterparts and assistant secretaries deal via turf-conscious Why might one have this view? Is it that the Defense Depart- bilateral ambassadors numbering up to 40 or more, and have ment’s huge budget, personnel and other capabilities give it little say over how USAID spends its money? an advantage? Is it due to how the military is organized—with Has Foggy Bottom lost relevance in the foreign affairs arena geographic combatant commands that have effective control by emphasizing soft-power social agendas (e.g., the creation of over policy and activities across their areas of responsibility, special envoys for various religions, LGBTQ, the Holocaust, global

Ambassador (ret.) Larry Butler served nearly 38 years in the Foreign Service in the Balkans, Scandinavia, South America and the Middle East. He was the deputy assistant secretary of State for Iraq during the 2007-2009 surge, the U.S. ambassador in Macedo- nia from 2002 to 2005 and acting chief of mission in the former Yugoslavia in 1996. An economic-coned officer, he found his call- ing in crisis prevention and management, which included a three-month Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission in Kosovo and a tour as principal deputy high representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as three back-to-back tours as a foreign policy adviser with NATO, U.S. forces in Iraq and at the U.S. European Command in Germany. He also served as the latter’s civilian deputy to the commander. Since retiring from the Foreign Service he has worked in support of military training exercises, providing expertise on how to work with embassy country teams and international partners. The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the Department of State, the Department of Defense or the U.S. government.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 37 The U.S. armed forces remain the only military establishment with global power projection capabilities and experience in managing multinational coalitions. Generals and admirals bestride the highly militarized foreign youth and global women’s affairs) that are dis- policy apparatus of the United States government. This caps a longstanding tinctly American over hard-power national secu- trend. Americans so thoroughly identify “power” as exclusively military in rity interests (e.g., strong international security nature that it has been necessary to invent an academic concept of and healthy economic systems that protect allies “soft power” to embrace measures short of war like diplomacy. and provide opportunities for American busi- —Ambassador Chas Freeman, March 9, 2017 nesses)? Or is it, perhaps, simply that the Foreign Service is either late in arriving or missing from the field where the military is operating? and Development Review focuses on “traditional” diplomacy. The answer, of course, is all of the above. But there are two The department has diffused its energy too broadly to the broad aspects of the problem that I believe are fundamental: first, neglect of fundamentals, and this, in turn, left a vacuum that the proliferation of priorities at the State Department following the military has had to fill. the end of the Cold War; and second, the missed opportunities at New State Department priorities include such things as this, State during the past 20 years of joint operations with the military for example. In Muslim-majority Indonesia in 2014 and 2015, to institutionalize the kind of professional and personal relation- not long before the deadly January 2016 extremist terrorist ships that would enable the smaller Foreign Service to exert lead- attack on Starbucks and other locations rocked the capital, ership in the foreign policy arena at home and abroad. Jakarta, our consulate in Surabaya produced impressive His- panic heritage month YouTube videos of its celebrations, which A Proliferation of Priorities included spending money to bring Los Angeles artists to paint The end of the Cold War and the so-called “end of history” murals on the walls of a local school and sponsor fun runs marked a shift for the State Department. We hired a more for local girls. Similarly, in March the U.S. embassy in Mace- diverse Foreign Service that, in turn, took on a broader range donia—a country with simmering interethnic tensions and of narrower activities that more resemble small-picture social endemic corruption that hasn’t had a government since elec- engineering than traditional, big-picture diplomacy. At the tions in early December 2016—flew in a lawyer from the Office same time, State reallocated existing resources to create an of the Special Counsel to lecture locals on the Hatch Act, even alphabet soup of new under secretaries, functional bureaus, as refugees streamed north from Greece and European-born offices and special envoys. At its peak during the Obama Islamic State group fighters returned from Syrian battlefields. administration, there were more than 50 of the latter. As In religiously conservative Uganda, a U.S. Army commander Ambassador Jim Jeffrey observes in a March 3 piece in Foreign there to train units in combating the Lord’s Resistance Army Policy, neither the 2010 nor the 2015 Quadrennial Diplomacy and al-Shabaab in Somalia had to deal with backlash from an angry counterpart when the U.S. embassy flew the rainbow flag high over Kampala in a righ- teous response to that country’s persecution of the LGBTQ community. That subsequently set back efforts to combat other forms of vio- lent abuses of human rights in eastern Africa. One general commented, “If everything is a priority for the State Department, nothing is.” On its own, each example represents admira- ble commitment by the Foreign Service to human rights, social progress and good governance policy efforts. But collectively, that commitment ignores the opportunity cost of not prioritizing activities more immediate to countering violent COURTESY OF LARRY BUTLER LARRY OF COURTESY extremism, promoting economic prosperity and Ambassador Larry Butler (in black jacket) with soldiers of the French Operational Mentoring Liaison Team on a hilltop outpost south of Surobi, Afghanistan, in strengthening the security necessary to address December 2008. higher-order human rights and civic goals.

38 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The proliferation of A group of foreign policy advisers (POLADs) with Commander of activities that pander to U.S. the U.S. European Command domestic special interests and Admiral James Stavridis at the U.S. divert resources from other European Command’s Component Commander’s Conference in Naples work, and whose effectiveness on Jan. 11, 2013. First row, from left: cannot easily be measured, the late Jonita Whitaker, U.S. is one aspect of the creeping Naval Forces Europe POLAD; Adm. Stavridis; Lee MacTaggart, U.S. irrelevance of American diplo- Marine Forces Europe POLAD; Greg macy. This problem has been Marchese, U.S. Special Operations compounded by the Foreign Command Europe POLAD. Second Service’s apparent unwilling- row, from left: Colonel Pat Hoffman, XO to Amb. Butler; Matt Boyse, U.S. ness or inability to work with Army Europe POLAD; Brent Bohne, the U.S. military when they U.S. Air Force Europe POLAD; and need us the most. Ambassador Larry Butler, U.S.

COURTESY OF LARRY BUTLER LARRY OF COURTESY European Command POLAD. Missing in Action Since retiring in 2013 from my position as the civilian count on the presence of talented American diplomats nearly deputy to the commander of EUCOM, I occasionally help everywhere. The best example is that of Robert Murphy, the prepare American military units to deal with U.S. embassies illustrious American diplomat who was on the ground in North in operations abroad. This brings me into contact with officers Africa before and after we invaded. Dozens of State and USAID getting ready to go back to the Middle East and Afghanistan, FSOs served in combat zones in Vietnam, some paying for that as well as Europe. At an event earlier this year, I was talking to service with their lives. Those of us who served behind the a Marine heading to a task force operating in western Iraq. He Iron Curtain, in the Balkans, Africa, Central America and other knew I had served as a foreign policy adviser (POLAD) in Iraq, tough places have similar stories of working solo or alongside and complained that he did not think there would be a State our military in dangerous places. One Army officer commented Department officer out with his task force. He outlined all the that nothing creates credibility and cements respect among the (civilian) areas where such a person was needed to advise and military more than an FSO who “shares the mud” with them. guide the task force. Listening in was a two-star Army general, a battalion com- Nature Abhors a Vacuum mander in Afghanistan in the early years of that conflict. He noted Fast forward to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The State the absence of the State Department in his province at that time, Department was not just slow in deploying capable personnel to and explained how valuable POLADs and State-led provincial these two war zones, leaving the military to fend for itself in devel- reconstruction teams (PRTs) had been to him later on in Iraq. oping governance and restarting economies, but faced strong One of my duties at EUCOM was to ensure we were as sup- internal opposition to participating alongside the military—which portive of our embassies as possible, going so far as to develop our only accelerated the militarization of foreign policy. theater and country plans based on each embassy’s Integrated The year 2007 was angst-filled for the Foreign Service. “An Country Strategy. We extended invitations to ambassadors and Uneasy Partnership—The Foreign Service and the Military” deputy chiefs of mission to visit, as well as arranging regional was the focus of the March Foreign Service Journal. The Journal gatherings to develop personal relationships we could draw on in ended the year with a cover story questioning whether State times of crisis. (“You cannot surge trust” is a military adage.) was still in charge of its embassies. As Iraq’s security situation Yet not every embassy seemed to see the value in investing worsened from 2005 to 2007, the need for Foreign Service tal- time with EUCOM. In one case, an important Nordic embassy ent had increased. did not find it convenient to participate in a regional tabletop When I came on board in January 2007 as State’s deputy exercise designed to help us think about how we would defend assistant secretary (DAS) for Iraq, we urgently needed to staff the Baltic republics in the event of Russian aggression. 15 new provincial reconstruction teams, one for each of the During World War II and the Cold War, the military could brigade combat teams being sent to the country. In addition to

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 39 Life is not an on-and-off switch. You do not need to have a military that is either in hard combat or is in the barracks. I would argue life is a rheostat. You have to dial it in. And as I think about how we create security in the 21st century, there will be times when we will apply hard power in true war and crisis. But there will be many instances…where our militaries can be part of creating 21st-century security: international, interagency, private-public, connected with competent communication. —Admiral James G. Stavridis, in his Accidental Admiral: A Sailor Takes Command at NATO (2014)

having to find qualified FSOs as team leads, we needed special- cemented the military’s perception of a Foreign Service lacking ized skill sets, such as municipal water engineers or local gov- the commitment and discipline to serve in hard and danger- ernment budget specialists, that don’t exist within State; and ous places. Even though there were no directed assignments we needed time and help in recruiting them from the outside. because enough volunteers did, in fact, come forward, if one The obvious source for that assistance was the department’s were to identify one single event that caused the U.S. military to Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization look at the Foreign Service as unwilling and absent partners, it (S/CRS, now the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Opera- was that town hall. tions). Even though the White House had put out a directive that every agency would pitch in, S/CRS leadership claimed it The Foreign Service’s Finest Hour was unable to assist as it was too busy elsewhere. The solu- By the end of that very difficult year, the State Depart- tion was to ask the Defense Department to provide the initial ment had recovered some status with the military because it tranche of 129 experts from the ranks of the National Guard or deployed the additional provincial reconstruction teams, FSO- active Reserve, pending replacements. When Secretary of State led and staffed by a mix of military and USAID/civilian experts, Condoleezza Rice briefed Congress on this on Feb. 7, 2007, the embedded within U.S. Army brigade combat teams, plus Pentagon went ballistic. At weekly NSC Deputies Committee dozens of POLADs serving in military units in Iraq over the meetings, I was beat up by DOD counterparts for not being course of the conflict. This was the Foreign Service at its finest. able to replace those persons fast enough. Those FSOs and Civil Service professionals serving alongside In the end, we managed to provide the staffing because division and brigade command staffs generated high regard for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Executive Directorate staff American diplomats among their comrades in uniform. stepped up to the challenge by shifting Human Resources per- At the same time, the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs sonnel over to the Iraq effort and recruiting the needed skilled oversaw a dramatic expansion of the POLAD program—from personnel via USA Jobs. But the demand only increased. Even about two dozen, mostly former chief-of-mission FSOs, to as the civilian component of the “surge” in Iraq started flowing, nearly 90, ranging from mid- to senior-ranked FSOs represent- we were struggling to recruit the replacements for the embassy ing all functional cones. The result was that the U.S. military and other PRTs for summer 2008, at a time when AFSA leader- started to get used to seeing FSOs, and not just when serving in ship and others were openly negative about the risks and per- or visiting embassies or maybe in combat operations. The tide ceived burdens of service in Iraq. In addition, pulling positions of foreign policy militarization was turning as more and more from around the world to fill Iraq jobs was putting a strain on FSOs learned how to leverage military assets to State’s benefit. embassies in all regions. If there was any downside to this, it is that the Foreign This culminated in the disastrous Oct. 30, 2007, town hall Service was drawing not on a talent pool of capable officers but meeting convened by the Director General on the topic of a puddle—something Ambassador Jim Jeffrey alluded to in his directed assignments, which made headlines (when one March 3 Foreign Policy article. Not every FSO POLAD could attendee called Iraq service “a potential death sentence”) and bring the desired experience, knowledge or interpersonal skills

40 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s Country Team in Iraq

iplomacy is the art of letting the other guy have sition office. Initially operating on its own in Iraq, Defense your way. Ryan Crocker arrived in Baghdad as had begun improvising. One outcome was the DOD Task the new U.S. ambassador in 2007 with General Force for Business Stability Operations—not exactly a DDavid Petraeus. Petraeus saw his command military skill set, and known in Iraq as the Brinkley Group, grow to more than 150,000 troops during the surge, while after its first leader. Crocker headed a much smaller (though large by State In May 2007, The Washington Post highlighted the Department standards) mission with perhaps 2,000 State-versus-DOD controversy over this small organiza- diplomats, provincial reconstruction team members and tion, noting that TFBSO had its own view of how to restart support staff. In addition to a huge advantage in terms of Iraq’s economy (get the moribund state-owned enter- personnel, Petraeus’ commanders had piles of their own prises going), which was diametrically opposed to what money to spread around without embassy or USAID over- Embassy Baghdad was doing, and worked independent of sight, giving them even more influence in the field. embassy or USAID oversight. Despite working This became an from a disadvantaged example of a failure of position, Ambassa- Crocker’s tenure is a case unity of effort across dor Crocker skillfully all elements of national established himself as study in developing a power. If one believed Petraeus’ supporting personal relationship that TFBSO press state- peer, leading the gen- ments of the day, Ameri- eral to proclaim Crocker rebalances the diplomatic- cans would be buying his “wingman.” Rather military relationship. Iraqi-made toilets in than take offense at the Walmart today. How- imagery of being the ever, one would be hard junior partner, Crocker pressed to find any evi- communicated to his deputies, who included at least five dence that TBFSO was ever present in Iraq, much less find former ambassadors, that the embassy would follow the an Iraqi toilet in an American store. Amb. Crocker politely military’s lead given that it was bearing the brunt of beat- informed Gen. Petraeus that the embassy had this setting ing back the al-Qaida-led insurgency. on the smart power dial covered, and TFBSO went away. Amb. Crocker thus developed wasta (clout, in Arabic) (It later migrated to Afghanistan, where it also succeeded with the military. He understood that Petraeus’ success in provoking controversy.) increased his own political leverage with Iraq’s lead- Crocker’s tenure in Iraq is a textbook case study of ers—something every diplomat should understand and developing a personal relationship that rebalances the try to replicate. This wasta devolved to his country team diplomatic-military relationship. The postscript to this is and FSO PRT heads, enabling them to influence what the the strained relationship that Crocker and Petraeus’ suc- military was doing in areas normally the purview of the cessors had to endure, with the U.S. effort in Iraq going off embassy, such as engaging with Iraqi provincial councils. the rails for a year until it was reset when another strong Among other things, Crocker drew on his wasta to State-DOD team arrived in the form of Ambassador Jim block a ploy proposed by members of Petraeus’ staff to Jeffrey and General Lloyd Austin. hijack control over how U.S. money was being spent by —Larry Butler replicating the embassy’s economic assistance and tran-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 41 We could knock off all the ISIL and Boko Haram this afternoon; but by the end of the week…those ranks would needed to succeed. That is a nice way of saying we fielded some be filled… Many people, especially those in uniform, duds, which was sometimes worse than not fielding anyone. have said we can’t kill our way to victory here… The short Added to the challenge of finding qualified FSOs to bid on answer is no, we cannot [win the war without soft power]. these jobs is the fact that POLAD service is not seen as career- —General Thomas Waldhauser, enhancing—an open secret that was underscored in 2013 in Commander, U.S. Africa Command, an unfortunate, pre-EER season DG cable that lumped those March 9, 2017 assignments together with academic training or diplomat-in- residence positions as akin to taking a year off. All good things do come to an end. By the time U.S forces withdrew from Iraq at the end of 2011, a new high point had State-DOD interaction is with the geographic and functional been reached in FSO-military engagement. Concomitantly, combatant commands, the partnered State National Guard however, influence with the military receded rapidly because and the Army division assigned as the regionally aligned force. we failed to lock in a sustainable level of interaction. With Every chief of mission should visit the division headquarters up-or-out personnel systems common to both the military that covers his or her country, as well as the adjutant general of and the Foreign Service, the cohort of people with experience their country’s partnered State National Guard, before leav- in working with their respective services is shrinking and not ing Washington. Make a call on the combatant commander a being replenished. Today the only places where rising FSOs priority during the first 100 days at post. can develop lasting relationships with military counterparts • The State Department should prioritize recruiting senior are either in POLAD assignments or in the military’s senior officers who still have five to 10 years left on active duty to serve as service schools, where only a dozen or so FSOs spend a year. deputy commanders in the three combatant commands that have That adds up to about 100 FSOs per year, a fraction of the size them (EUCOM, AFRICOM and SOUTHCOM) and as POLADs at of the Service, in mean- all combatant commands; ingful interaction with the those who do well should be military. prioritized for onward chief- Today, astonishingly, Those FSOs and Civil Service of-mission or geographic not all of the U.S. division professionals serving alongside bureau leadership positions. and corps headquarters • Recruit, train and rotating in and out of division and brigade command deploy FS-2s and FS-3s Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan staffs generated high regard who were recently high- have been assigned FSO ranked by promotion POLADs. Nor have the for American diplomats among boards to serve with every smaller units operating their comrades-in-uniform. task force, division and inside Iraq or Syria, or corps-level headquarters those going to Europe as that operates in combat part of our European Reassurance Initiative for allies con- operations. cerned about Russian intentions. • Invite combatant commanders to provide input to COM evaluations; this will give ambassadors incentive to develop What State Can Do Now productive relationships and influence. If the State Department wants to claw back some of the turf • Re-establish the flag/general officer deputy assistant -sec it has ceded to the military, it is going to have to dig deep to retary position in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. find the positions and people to deploy with the military and to • Double the number of FSOs attending the military’s mid- foster an organizational climate that encourages and rewards and senior-level service schools; give priority to FSOs who have its people for investing a year or two to serve with the military’s served as POLADs or in other positions with the military. current and future leaders. • Make joint service with the military a bonus in consid- I would recommend the following specific actions: eration for promotion and a prerequisite for assignment to • Build relationships in advance—the center of gravity for leadership (DCM and COM) positions. n

42 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PERSPECTIVES ON DIPLOMACY AND DEFENSE

FROM THE FSJ ARCHIVES September 1988: Defense and Security: Opposite Sides of the Same Coin A Conversation with Frank Carlucci

The secretary of Defense comments on the relationship between Defense and State.

Mr. Secretary, how do you think your Foreign Service Security Council is that, in 1947, President Truman and the nation career has helped shape your approach to problems that you recognized the need for a forum in which issues of diplomacy and face at the Pentagon? national security can come together because they are opposite A large part of this job is engaging in a form of international sides of the same coin. diplomacy. Indeed, the line between Defense and State becomes When the State Department deliberates on a course of action increasingly blurred as the means of communication improve, a or when they negotiate, they have to be aware of the underlying steady stream of visitors come through Washington, and we’re all military strategy. Similarly, when the State Department talks of traveling around the world. the possible need to use the military in any contingency, Defense Just to take two examples. I spent most of today meeting with has to look at it in terms of achieving the goal, its cost, the level of the new German defense minister. While we spent a fair amount readiness, and what lives will be at risk. Obviously, in such cases, of time on purely military and procurement matters, most of Defense expresses a view. So, there’s nothing unnatural about each our time was spent discussing changes in the Soviet Union and department talking about the skills and resources of the other. negotiating strategy for START and conventional arms reductions. You are one of only a handful of civilians with diplomatic These are a form of diplomacy. Another example: When I was in experience to serve as the president’s national security advi- Japan, my host at dinner was the Japanese foreign minister. So I sor. Why do you think Foreign Service officers have so seldom have spent a lot of time on this job serving in a diplomatic role. held this particular post? In recent crisis situations, such as Panama and the Persian Basically, the national security advisor is a staff job, and it’s Gulf, State and Defense have each made policy recommenda- very much a president’s individual choice. The question of why tions in accord with the other’s primary instrument of policy, presidents select certain individuals as opposed to other indi- with Defense supporting diplomatic overtures and State advo- viduals is almost impossible to answer. cating military commitments. Is this apparent institutional There have been Foreign Service officers in many, many NSC role reversal becoming more and more common? jobs, including the current deputy national security advisor, John First of all, you have to look at situations like Panama in their Negroponte. I doubt very much that any president takes into broader policy context. One of the reasons you have a National consideration whether somebody is a military man or a Foreign

Frank Carlucci, a former Career Minister in the Foreign Service, served as assistant to the president for national security affairs before becom- ing secretary of Defense in November 1987. Carlucci joined the Department of State in 1956 and was posted to Johannesburg, Kinshasa, Zanzibar and Rio de Janeiro. In his long government career, he has served as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, under secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and deputy director of Central Intelligence. In 1976, he was appointed ambassador to Portugal. This June interview was conducted by David A. Sadoff, a presidential management intern with the State Department, presently detailed to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 43 Service officer when making the choice. It tration, I haven’t been certainly wasn’t the case when Colin Pow- able to make a large ell succeeded me. The president looked number of changes. I upon him as an individual. He had worked have made some. Anyone with him; he had confidence in him. I who comes into an don’t think that there is any institutional agency—even a modest- bias in the White House against picking sized one—thinking he FSOs as national security advisors. On the can run it all by himself is other hand, the various presidents, from in for a very rough time. time to time, have expressed views about Also, to the degree the Foreign Service, not all of which have that you can, you have been complimentary. to make sure that the To the best of your knowledge, how lines of responsibility and has Cabinet-level decision-making accountability are clear. involving the State Department, the That’s always a problem in Defense Department and the National government because Con- Security Council changed in the past gress—particularly with the two years? What is the role of ideology today? Department of Defense— All I can do is address the current situation. I think most people likes to interfere with those lines. There’s hardly a bill that comes are agreed that the working relationships between State, Defense out of Congress that doesn’t have some operational change for and the National Security Council have never been better. When the Defense Department. Finally, you need to motivate your we are in town, [Secretary of State] George [Shultz], [National people so that they can assume the full degree of responsibility Security Council Chairman] Colin [Powell] and I meet every they are accorded. morning at 7 a.m. Nobody else is in the room, which is unusual in Fifteen years ago you said that some of the finest manage- itself. I can’t recall this ever happening before. We compare notes ment talent in the world serves in the federal government. every day, and on Mondays we talk about longer-range matters. Would you make the same claim today? We are in constant communication. This doesn’t mean we agree I think yes. I think we have very fine management talent, but I all the time. Where we disagree, we sort it out in private. So, my have to say in all candor that sometimes I think we’re losing it. It’s own feeling is that the relationships are now excellent. very hard to get people to serve in the government today. It’s much As far as ideology is concerned, it’s the president who sets the harder than it was 15 years ago. There’s the question of compensa- tone for the administration; it’s his responsibility to deal with the tion, which is a very real question. There’s the question of divesti- broad policy issues, the public posture and the role of ideology. ture. There’s the question of constant exposure to public criticism. The secretaries of Defense and State, and the national security But probably most serious of all is that the process itself advisor are not independent entities; we are appointed by the has become so complicated. It’s very difficult to get somebody president to respond to his guidance. through the process, and it becomes increasingly hard to achieve Given the enormous and sprawling nature of government your goals. Most people come into the government because departments, what thoughts do you—as the head of the largest they’re goal-oriented, they have a certain amount of idealism, a of these—have on controlling policy activities across a wide certain amount of conviction, and want to achieve something. array of complex issues? Now, today, with the tension between the executive and The key throughout my years has been to appoint good legislative branches, with all the regulations and legislation, and people, and change them if they don’t work out. What you have to the tendency for every policy decision to become public before do once you move into one of these jobs is to make your person- it is necessarily finalized or can be defended, it is very difficult to nel moves quickly, because if you don’t, you get caught up in the accomplish things. Also, there’s the tendency of some politicians day-to-day business and never make them. in both parties to make government employees political scape- I’ve been a little handicapped in this job because of the pro- goats. I think we have good people, but we need to worry about longed confirmation process and it being so late in the adminis- retaining them.

44 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Having held top-level positions in both the federal govern- Indeed, that’s one of the advantages of serving in government. ment and private industry, what do you think are the salient However, both sectors are challenging in their own way. differences in the management skills needed in the two sectors? As your term in the Reagan administration approaches its Once you reach a decision in the private sector, that’s the end end, how would you most like to be remembered as secretary of the process. In the government, by contrast, once you reach a of defense? decision, that’s the beginning of the process. At that point, you I haven’t tried to attain any single dramatic achievement; that need to convince a plethora of people that your decision is right isn’t particularly my style. But there are a number of things we’ve before it can be implemented. The government moves much tried to do that I hope could be followed up on. We’ve tried to set more by consensus than the private sector does. very clear priorities even in a period of declining budgets. We’ve Second, in the private sector, you have much more of a free sought to emphasize quality: quality of people, quality of training, hand in personnel decisions. If I wanted to hire or fire somebody, quality of the weapons systems, and quality of the procurement I could do it. Here in the government that becomes much more process. difficult. These priorities have been reflected in the budget with Third, people are very much driven by the profit motive in the emphasis on people, readiness, sustainability, and on producing private sector: everything has a standard criterion. In govern- weapons systems at efficient rates. We have started an initiative in ment, there is no single criterion; it’s an exercise in judgment. A the procurement area which I hope will catch on. single standard is an advantage in the sense that everything is I think we’ve managed to strengthen our alliances not just dur- clear; it’s a disadvantage in that it’s a rather narrow motivation. ing my period, but over the period of my predecessor, and we now In government, people tend to be motivated by broader issues. have very strong alliances with a number of countries. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 45

AFSA NEWSTHE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AFSA Honors Foreign Service Colleagues AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gives remarks at the AFSA memorial ceremony on May 5.

On May 5, the American back more than 80 years. must do everything we can to Lansing, and Animal and Plant Foreign Service Association This year, for the first time manage the risks inherent in Health Inspection Service held its annual ceremony to in 13 years, no new name our overseas deployment.” Senior Staff Foreign Service honor those colleagues who was added to the memorial Emphasizing the impor- Officer Dr. John Shaw. gave their lives while serving plaques. But as Amb. Ste- tance of working together, Under Secretary for Politi- the United States abroad. phenson noted in her remarks, Amb. Stephenson was cal Affairs Thomas Shannon AFSA President Ambassador the 248 names already etched particularly pleased to wel- and Acting Under Secretary Barbara Stephenson presided, in to the marble plaques attest come the leadership of every for Public Affairs and Public and Secretary of State Rex W. that not everyone makes it agency with a Foreign Service Diplomacy D. Bruce Wharton Tillerson delivered remarks at home safely. workforce to the memorial attended, as well as many the event. “We know that America’s event, including Acting USAID career Foreign Service col- In 1996, the U.S. Senate crucial global leadership role Administrator Wade Warren, leagues currently serving in passed a resolution, signed depends in large measure on Acting Director General of the acting assistant secretary by 54 co-sponsors from both effective diplomacy and on Foreign Commercial Ser- roles. FSO Katie Nutt led the parties, naming the first Friday us, the people who run 270 vice Judy Reinke, Associate crowd in a moving rendition of in May as Foreign Service Day. diplomatic missions around Administrator of the Foreign The Star Spangled Banner. The tradition of gathering at the world,” Amb. Stephenson Agricultural Service Bryce On any given day, approxi- AFSA’s memorial plaques to said. “To lead, we must be Quick, CEO of the Broadcast- mately two-thirds of the honor fallen colleagues dates present; and to be present, we ing Board of Governors John members of the U.S. Foreign

46 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

AFSA NEWS AFSA NEWS AFSA/JOAQUIN SOSA AFSA/JOAQUIN AFSA members, staff and guests listen to AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speak at a reception held at the association’s headquarters building.

State, AFSA held a reception Service deployed around the AFSA/GEMMA DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks at the at the AFSA headquarters world. Amb. Stephenson con- association’s memorial ceremony on Foreign Service Day. building where Amb. Stephen- firmed that the Foreign Ser- son welcomed close to 100 vice stands ready to deliver Service are serving overseas. professionals choose to serve, members and guests. diplomatic wins for the United Inviting those at the ceremony even knowing that risk: “These In remarks to the group, States and for the American to join in a moment of silence, 248 men and women died as she reminded them that 90 people, noting that two-thirds Amb. Stephenson noted that they lived, in service to others. percent of Americans support of current FS members joined many embassies and consul- Today, the department honors strong American global lead- after the tragic Sept. 11, 2001, ates around the world—from their memory and contribu- ership and that global leader- attack. n Apia, Samoa, to Libreville, tions, and a grateful nation ship is unthinkable without a —Gemma Dvorak, Gabon—had also held their expresses profound apprecia- strong, professional Foreign Associate Editor own ceremonies honoring tion for their courage and their their Foreign Service col- commitment.” leagues (see page 58.) At the conclusion of Following the presentation the ceremony, a wreath CALENDAR of the colors by the United was placed at the memo- June 7 July 5 States Armed Forces Color rial plaque, as a moment of 12-1:30 p.m. 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing Board Meeting AFSA Governing Guard, Secretary of State Rex silence was observed. Board Meeting June 8 Tillerson paid tribute to those AFSA was honored by 8 a.m. July 7 named on the AFSA memo- the presence of major news AFSA Election 10 a.m -12 p.m. rial plaques. “Each of these media, including the Washing- Voting Deadline FSYF Youth Awards Ceremony names represents a unique, ton Post, The New York Times June 11-16 July 13 individual life,” the Secretary and CNN, as we reintroduced AFSA Road Scholar Program: 12-1:30 p.m. “Foreign Policy said. “These men and women the Foreign Service and AFSA Book Notes: for the 21st Century” Enemy of the Good had families and loved ones provided a timely reminder Chautauqua, N.Y. they left behind, dreams that the Stars and Stripes flies July 15 June 20 New Governing Board unlived, plans unrealized.” high in 270 locations around 4-6 p.m. Takes Office While there is inherent the world thanks to the men AFSA Awards Ceremony August 1-3 risk to the work of the Foreign and women of the Foreign AFSA at Minnesota July 4 Service in advancing Ameri- Service. Farm Fest Independence Day: Redwood Falls, Minn. ca’s interests, he continued, Following the memorial AFSA Offices Closed diplomats and foreign affairs event at the Department of

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 47 AFSA NEWS

Moments of Silence Around the World

On May 5, AFSA encouraged embassies and consulates worldwide to join with them in observing a moment of silence in memory of fallen Foreign Service colleagues. Here we feature some of the memorial ceremonies held worldwide. From top left, Kathmandu, Nepal; Prague, Czech Republic; Majuro, Marshall Islands; Santiago, Chile ; Dakar, Senegal; Apia, Samoa and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

48 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL STATE VP VOICE | BY ANGIE BRYAN AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA State VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 647-8160

On Launching a Rewarding Career

Thanks to the recruitment tion, you risk ending up not lunches that AFSA hosts, only unhappy, but also bitter I’ve met hundreds of entry- or resentful. Which scenario Set yourself up for future success by level personnel over the last would you prefer? allowing yourself time to grow and two years. You are the only person develop as a leader and manager. Some have reached who has to live your life, so out to me for advice, and make decisions that suit responding to such requests you. Conventional wisdom has crystallized my think- may tell you that you have to ing about what new Foreign do a desk job, that you have Service employees should to come back to Washing- keep in mind as they launch ton, D.C., for your third tour, what will hopefully be an or that you have to serve incredibly rewarding (both in D.C. to become a deputy personally and profession- chief of mission. sory experience by the time Arab countries. Twenty-five ally) career. Each of these so-called he or she became a principal years later, I’ve spent about I am putting some of my rules has been broken by at officer. a third in the Arab world, thoughts in writing here least one successful mem- Set yourself up for future a third in South Asia and a in the hope that our more ber of the Senior Foreign success by allowing yourself third in Europe. junior colleagues may find Service. time to grow and develop as Thrice I lobbied so hard them useful. If the timing isn’t right for a leader and manager. for a job that it bordered on First, don’t try to game you (or your family) to come Your supervisor(s) can humiliating, only to end up the system. I’ve seen back to Washington, then be more important than with a completely different people work themselves don’t. So what if it slows where you work. There are job that wasn’t even on my into a near-panic trying to down your promotion rate? a few mentors whom I would radar screen. Each of those calculate which job(s) they What do you care more enthusiastically work for “surprise” jobs turned out to “must” take in order to be about, your happiness or again, no matter how unap- be exactly the right place for promoted. your grade level? The former pealing the location. me—I just didn’t know that Go where you (and your should not depend on the This holds true even on until I got there. family, if applicable) will be latter. your first or second tour. Some of the above advice happy. If you’re happy, you Stop rushing and enjoy Working for one of those is easier said than done, but do better work, and when the journey. Some of the individuals can shape the this final tidbit isn’t: have you do your best work, you best Foreign Service jobs rest of your career, not only fun! thrive, making it easier out there are at the FS-2 in terms of whom you model Just because you’re for others to notice you. If level, including some amaz- yourself after, but also in doing important work in you get promoted, that’s ing details and training terms of who speaks up on difficult and/or dangerous wonderful. If you don’t, it’s a opportunities. your behalf as you seek out places doesn’t mean that moment of disappointment, If you slow down and take later assignments. you can’t enjoy the experi- followed by a return to your advantage of the lessons Don’t just look at loca- ence. If you do so even a otherwise happy and fulfill- you can learn along the way, tions on your bid lists—ask fraction as much as I have, ing life. by the time you eventually around about your potential you’re in for a wonderful On the other hand, if you reach the senior ranks, you’ll bosses. career. n go somewhere you don’t be much better prepared Remain open to chang- really want to be because and have much wider experi- ing your plans. I joined the you view it as a means to ence than someone who Foreign Service as an Ara- getting promoted, but then shot up through the ranks bist, convinced that I would you do not get that promo- but had virtually no supervi- spend my entire career in

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 49 FCS VP VOICE | BY STEVE MORRISON AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FCS VP. Contact: [email protected] or (202) 482-9088

Let’s Talk (Commercial) Dialogues

According to the International Vision 2020, a self-help nently in ITA industry, regional objectives. Trade Administration, “com- group of like-minded “futurist” and country quad charts As the Trump admin- mercial dialogues” exist to colleagues, is attempting to (remember those?). istration demands new provide opportunities for the establish how many commer- But in the last few years approaches to leveling the United States and its trad- cial dialogues currently exist commercial dialogues have playing field for U.S. business, ing partners to explore each between the United States gotten a bad reputation. In commercial dialogues could other’s regulations and busi- and our trading partners. some cases, FCS staff at post be one vehicle. ness climate and resolve by They are asking important determined that having an Already, there seems to pragmatic means what might questions about the agree- official dialogue would not be a new eagerness for host otherwise develop into a trade ment, such as: How is the benefit the host country or the country officials to meet with dispute. work being done at post tied United States, but ITA man- their U.S. counterparts, as But are commercial dia- to the mission of the ITA? agement in Washington, D.C., recently confirmed Secre- logues getting the job done, What are the benefits to U.S. overrode those concerns. tary of Commerce Wilbur helping to settle some deep- trade? What are the financial, Some say commercial Ross experienced on a trip to seated trade problem or bar- resource and staffing costs dialogues are being used as Japan. rier, or are they just another associated with these efforts? an excuse for increased head- Perhaps now is the best excuse to travel? The answers to these ques- quarters travel. “Hands-on” time to have that stock-taking U.S. bilateral commercial tions will give future leaders a in-country work, the critics of when and where commer- dialogues began, arguably, in framework to decide whether argue, should be reserved for cial dialogues work best or, as 1983 with the establishment to go forward with current or officers at post and not used one former under secretary of the U.S.-China Joint Com- new commercial dialogues. as a justification for unneces- put it, “whether the juice is mission on Commerce and Vision 2020 is also sary and often duplicative worth the squeeze.” Trade. Since then, commercial assessing ITA partner, senior travel by HQ staff. To that end, I invite your dialogues have cropped up management and private sec- A “sunset” provision for input. What has been your all over the place including tor involvement to ensure that commercial dialogues is also experience of commercial Europe, Latin America and future dialogues have the full being discussed. After all, dialogues? How have they Asia. backing of key stakeholders. the dialogue is a means to affected your work—positively Even Africa has gotten into Commercial dialogues an end, not an accomplish- or negatively—promoting U.S. the game with two dialogues are sometimes referenced in ment itself, proponents say. exports or investment into the in place and possibly one Country Commercial Guides They see a need to regularly United States? more to come soon, if a prepared by embassies; they assess whether the dialogue Please send your proposed U.S.-Nigeria com- appear in forward job plans continues to serve the ITA responses to me at Steve. mercial dialogue gets up and and EERs; and, until recently, mission and remains the best [email protected]. n running. they used to figure promi- mechanism to advance our

WRITE FOR THE JOURNAL!

We welcome your writing on any topic of concern to the FS community, or choose among PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION MAY 2017 the focus topics (available on the AFSA website, www.afsa.org/edcalendar). The Journal is always seeking strong Speaking Out submissions (1,500-1,800 words), Reflections (700 words) and features (1,500-2,000 words). See Author Guidelines for more detail www.afsa.org/fsj-author-guidelines). We also invite you to share your thoughts on Journal articles by sending a letter NEWS BRIEF DIPLOMACY FOR GLOBAL HEALTH to the editor. THE SOCIAL MEDIA IMPERATIVE Please send feedback and submissions to [email protected]. n

50 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

AFSA Congratulates Job Search Program Graduates

On March 31, AFSA hosted need your voices,” she told AFSA President Ambassador Barbara a reception for graduates of the group. “You are the most Stephenson and the first Job Search Program effective voice for arguing James Benson, of the year. that the Foreign Service is vice president of DACOR, welcome AFSA President Ambas- essential to continued Ameri- and congratulate sador Barbara Stephenson can global leadership.” graduates of the congratulated the class and Any Foreign Service gradu- Job Search Program at a reception at thanked them for their years ate of the program interested the Foreign Service of service. in sharing the story of the Institute on March 31. She highlighted the impor- Foreign Service should con- tance of a strong network and sider signing up with AFSA’s DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA community in retirement, and Speaker’s Bureau. noted that AFSA’s resources, AFSA can provide ing retirement should contact including the Retiree Direc- talking points and Member Services (member@ tory, are some of the best other resources for afsa.org) to ensure that they ways to maintain and grow retirees (and active- do not lose out on the ben- your connections to the For- duty members) who efits of being an AFSA mem- eign Service family. speak at high schools, ber. Membership includes Amb. Stephenson also colleges and commu- access to our online forum, encouraged JSP graduates nity groups. dedicated retiree counsel- to join AFSA’s campaign to Switching from ing, a bimonthly newsletter educate others about what active-duty to retiree and the Retiree Directory, as the Foreign Service does and membership with well as a subscription to The why it matters. AFSA is not an auto- DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA Foreign Service Journal. n AFSA Member Services Director Janet “You have lived this life, matic process, so Hedrick helps a Job Search Program —Gemma Dvorak, you know what it means. We members approach- graduate sign up for retiree membership. Associate Editor

AFSA Governing Board Meeting, April 5, 2017

Consent Agenda: The Governing Board approved the con- AFSA Awards: On behalf of the Awards and Plaques Com- sent agenda items, which were: (1) the Mar. 1 Governing Board mittee, State Representative Josh Glazeroff moved that the meeting minutes; (2) acceptance of the resignation of Retiree Governing Board approve the committee’s recommendations Representative Dean Haas. for the recipients of the 2017 AFSA Awards for Construc- Minutes Approval Committee: With no objection, the board tive Dissent and Exemplary Performance. The motion was created a Minutes Approval Committee to review and approve approved. Governing Board minutes before presentation to board mem- William R. Rivkin Award: Retiree Vice President Ambassador bers. State Representative Tricia Wingerter, FCS Representa- Tom Boyatt moved that the Governing Board approve the tive Suzanne Platt and Retiree Representative John Limbert recommendation from the Rivkin family for the recipient of were appointed to the committee. the 2017 William R. Rivkin Award for Constructive Dissent by a Staff Matters: Executive Director Ian Houston thanked mid-level officer. The motion was approved unanimously. AFSA Governance Specialist Patrick Bradley for his work and The names and biographies of all award winners will appear congratulated him on his new role as Labor Management in a future issue of The Foreign Service Journal. n Specialist.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 51 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Book Notes: The Dust of Kandahar

On April 6, AFSA continued transparent provincial elec- its popular Book Notes series tions and combat the spread with a talk by Ambassador of polio (which remains Jonathan Addleton about his common in that part of the book, The Dust of Kandahar: world), among other chal- A Diplomat Among Warriors lenging tasks. in Afghanistan (Naval Insti- Amb. Addleton spoke tute Press, 2016). movingly of the many “ramp The book is a personal ceremonies” he attended as account of Amb. Addleton’s the senior civilian represen- year of service as the senior tative for the Department of civilian representative at State in Kandahar, gathering the U.S. mission in southern at the airfield to load the cof-

Afghanistan. A career Foreign fins of fallen military person- DVORAK AFSA/GEMMA Service officer with USAID nel onto transport aircraft Ambassador (ret.) Jonathan Addleton speaks about his book, The Dust of Kandahar, at the AFSA Book Notes event on April 6. since 1984, he retired in back to the United States. January 2017. The most poignant Amb. Addleton wrote memory of his year in Kan- served a tour in Afghanistan; certainly the case for me.” The Dust of Kandahar in the dahar was the tragic death approximately one-third of A video of the event is form of a journal, to better of Foreign Service Officer the audience did so. Many available on the AFSA web- allow readers to immerse Anne Smedinghoff, who was nodded in agreement as he site, www.afsa.org/video. n themselves in the day-to-day killed by a vehicle-borne ended his talk: “Afghanistan ­—Gemma Dvorak, experience of a tough assign- improvised explosive device never leaves you, and that’s Associate Editor ment. An article he wrote for in Zabul (alongside three U.S. the October 2015 Foreign soldiers and a translator for Service Journal became the the U.S. mission in Kanda- book’s introduction. har). Friends and Family Honor In writing the book, Amb. Amb. Addleton was with Addleton said, he sought Ms. Smedinghoff when she Anne Smedinghoff’s Memory to share the realities of the was killed. Although he was Foreign Service and show the not physically injured, the On April 6, friends and former sports, music and education civilian aspects of the war experience of the explosion colleagues of the late Foreign and worked to build posi- that he felt had been missing and its aftermath profoundly Service Officer Anne Smed- tive relationships between from previous coverage of U.S. changed him, he explained. inghoff gathered at the State Afghans and Americans. involvement in Afghanistan. During the discussion, Department’s Harry S Tru- On April 6, 2013, Anne was The book underlines Amb. Addleton touched on man building, to celebrate her one of five Americans killed the international nature of a number of other topics, life. Anne’s parents and sister in a suicide bomb attack in U.S. work in Afghanistan, as including how to recognize Regina were also present. Qalat, Zabul Province. Her American military person- and handle post-traumatic AFSA State Vice President name is inscribed on the nel and diplomats worked stress disorder (PTSD) and Angie Bryan attended on the AFSA memorial wall, next to alongside large numbers of the difficulty of attempting association’s behalf. other members of the Foreign Australian, Canadian and “normal” consulate activities Anne was a public diplo- Service who have lost their Romanian troops stationed in in an active war zone. macy officer working in the lives while serving the United Kandahar. At the beginning of his public affairs section of U.S. States abroad. Together with local talk, Amb. Addleton had Embassy Kabul, where she Director General of the religious leaders and politi- asked those present to helped to support Afghan Foreign Service Arnold cians, they worked to ensure raise their hands if they had women and children through Chacón read a statement

52 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS AFSA/JAMES SCHIPHORST AFSA/JAMES Family and friends of Anne Smedinghoff gather at the Department of State before a memorial service at the AFSA plaques in the C Street lobby of the Harry S Truman building.

from Secretary of State Rex minds the old-fashioned way, Tillerson. The Secretary by giving of herself. Today a called the occasion “a testa- grateful department honors ment to Anne’s extraordinary her distinguished service and legacy that, every year since sacrifice.” her tragic death in 2013, her Immediately preceding colleagues, friends and family the ceremony, Anne’s family, members have gathered at friends and colleagues gath- the department’s memorial ered for an intimate meeting Take AFSA plaque to remember her.” in the State Department’s “While not knowing Anne Delegates Lounge. With You! personally,” Sec. Tillerson Later in the day, the wrote, “everything I’ve seen Smedinghoff family attended Change your address online, and heard suggests her life a Book Notes event at AFSA visit us at embodied our country’s most headquarters, where Ambas- fundamental ideals.” sador Jonathan Addleton, www.afsa.org/address “As I look at all those who was with Anne during the Or gathered here,” Director attack, spoke about his expe- Send changes to: General Chacón stated, in his riences in Afghanistan. n own remarks, “it’s clear to me —James Schiphorst, AFSA Membership that Anne was loved deeply. Awards Intern Department She won our hearts and 2101 E Street NW Washington DC 20037 At USAID, also on April 6, a memorial for the late Dale J. Gredler, was held. Dale was a USAID financial management specialist who died of a heart attack in 2010 en route to

the United States for medical treatment. A tile bearing his Moving? name was added to the USAID memorial wall at a cer- emony in 2013 and his name is inscribed on the memorial plaques at State. The event at the Ronald Reagan building was attended by his widow and two daughters, as well as friends and colleagues.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 53 AFSA NEWS

Our Story Is Important—Keep Helping Us Tell It

The 50 States Outreach Initia- tive, under the banner of the Fund for Ameri- can Diplomacy, continues to bring the story of the Foreign Service to the public and give our fellow citizens the opportunity to connect with U.S. diplomats and gain an understanding of the work they do to keep America a global leader. AFSA/CATHERINE KANNENBERG AFSA/CATHERINE AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson speaks to internationally focused businesses and universities at the “Global Nights” event, hosted by the World Affairs Council of Central Florida. Florida: AFSA President ing to civic groups, Ambassador Barbara Ste- mentoring, serving on phenson and Outreach Coor- boards, hosting inter- show, with a viewership of AFSA Road Scholar audience, dinator Catherine Kannenberg national visitors or writing between four and five million during which he and retired traveled to central Florida in op-eds for local newspapers. people. FSO James Bullock talked early April for several outreach The meeting was part of In the interview, Amb. Ste- about Iraq. events. a pilot initiative to energize phenson used examples from Texas: In mid-April, Ambas- AFSA, Global Ties U.S. statewide outreach and her career to illustrate what sador (ret.) Robin Raphel trav- and the World Affairs Council advocacy. If successful and, diplomats do—for Americans, eled to Austin, Texas, for two of Central Florida organized if resources permit, AFSA will as well as for citizens of other speaking engagements. a strategy session to bring consider extending the model countries—and the vital role She presented a talk on together internationally to additional states. they play in U.S. global leader- “Pakistan and Its Trouble- minded Floridians to explore “Global Nights,” a semian- ship by making common some Neighbors” to students opportunities to expand nual networking event for cause with other nations to at the University of Texas outreach, advocacy and internationally focused com- advance U.S. foreign policy at Austin LBJ School of programming at the local munity businesses and univer- priorities. We will share the Public Affairs; and she was level in support of U.S. global sities hosted by WAC-Central interview with members once the featured speaker at the engagement. Florida, followed the strategy it runs. bimonthly luncheon of The All three organizations sessions. After giving keynote Massachusetts: In mid- Foreign Service Group, one have strong networks of local remarks, Amb. Stephenson April, retired Foreign Service of the premier groups of leaders in the state. Jennifer had a chance to talk with Officer Lawrence Butler met Foreign Service retirees in Clinton, president of Global many of the 150 attendees with students at Harvard Uni- the country. Ties U.S., led the delegation of and exhibitors. versity, where he focused on Wisconsin: In early May partners. Amb. Stephenson wrapped the challenges posed by the Amb. Stephenson accepted The session produced up the visit at a local PBS stu- Islamic State group and other an invitation from Global Ties, several proposals and encour- dio for an interview with John militant entities to stability in to give the keynote speech aged AFSA retirees to partici- Bersia, a Pulitzer Prize-win- the Middle East. at the International Institute pate in programs that engage ning journalist and educator. Later in the month, Mr. of Wisconsin’s annual World their communities in global Mr. Bersia hosts WUCFTV’s Butler participated in the first- Citizen Awards celebration. affairs—for example, speak- popular Global Perspectives ever Skype presentation to an She focused on the

54 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

importance of citizen engage- of 25 participants, who hailed ment in global issues and how from 12 different states across diplomats and development the country. experts complement efforts to Have you visited www. promote peace and prosperity afsa.org/50states yet? That’s for the people of Wisconsin, where you can check in on and for all Americans. AFSA’s progress toward the Road Scholar: At the end goal of arranging an outreach of May, AFSA teamed up with event in every state during Road Scholar to offer a week- 20 17. long program in Washington, If you live in a state we D.C., focused on the Foreign haven’t been to this year, we Service and foreign policy, look forward to your assis- with the theme “The U.S., tance in arranging a visit! n China and Other Challenges —Catherine Kannenberg, and Opportunities in Asia.” Outreach Coordinator, and Twelve Foreign Service Ásgeir Sigfússon, Director of speakers lectured to a group Communications LARRY BACHMAGA LARRY AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson (second from left) at the International Institute of Wisconsin with IIW World Citizen Award winners (l-r) Carole Ferrara, Apinya Jordan and Marilynn Douglas.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 55 AFSA NEWS

AFSA and Smithsonian Associates Explore the Complexities of the Middle East

The March 22 session with Iran, including his 444 featured retired Foreign days as a hostage at U.S. Service Officer Dr. Elizabeth Embassy Tehran from 1979 Shelton, who delved into Tur- to 1981. key, past and present. From At the final event in the the fall of the Ottomans to series, on April 5, Ambas- Turkey’s current struggles sador (ret.) Kenton Keith with democracy and its delivered a talk on one of the place in the world, Dr. Shel- most controversial U.S. allies ton painted a fascinating in the region: Saudi Arabia. picture of a country that is in Amb. Keith also addressed the midst of a centuries-long the other Gulf States and identity crisis. She discussed their increasing role on the AFSA/THEO HORN AFSA/THEO Dr. Elizabeth Shelton speaks about Turkey at the March 22 session of the how the country’s ongoing Middle East stage. AFSA and Smithsonian Associates series, “The New Middle East.” struggle to define itself is This summer, AFSA and affecting the region now, and Smithsonian Associates will AFSA’s outreach partner- focused on a particular area how it will do so in the com- once again offer our popular ship with the Smithsonian of the Middle East and spoke ing years. one-day program, “Inside Associates recently opened extensively from their expe- On March 29, Ambas- the World of Diplomacy.” a new chapter with the rience in the region. sador (ret.) John W. Limbert Information and tickets for presentation of “The New On March 15, retired FSO provided his insight on the the event are available from Middle East,” a series that Molly Williamson kicked subject of Iran. The talk the Smithsonian Associates took place over four consec- off the series with a talk on centered on the United website, www.smithsoni- utive Wednesday evenings at Israel and Palestine and the States’ intricate relationship anassociates.org. AFSA headquarters. All the ongoing conflict between with Iran. A discussion of Information about future events were sold out, with the two. Though both unique the background to the 2016 events will be available on more than 100 participants and thought-provoking, Wil- Iran nuclear deal framework the AFSA website at www. in attendance each week. liamson’s presentation had was especially timely, given afsa.org/upcoming_afsa_ The series featured four tremendous balance and renewed U.S. tension with events.aspx. n retired Foreign Service delicacy, providing an excel- Tehran. Amb. Limbert also —Theo Horn, speakers, each of whom lent start for the series. spoke of his own history Communications Intern

FSO MATTHEW PALMER RETURNS TO AFSA AFSA will once again welcome Foreign Service officer and bestselling author Matthew Palmer to speak at our popular Book Notes series. He will discuss his brand-new thriller, Enemy of the Good, at 12 p.m. on July 13. Email [email protected] to register. The book is set in the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan and follows Foreign Service Officer Kate Hollister as she navigates U.S.-Kyrgyz relations. Given a mission by the ambassador, she infiltrates an underground democracy movement; but it soon becomes clear that nothing is as it seems and Kate may need to lay NEWS BRIEF her life on the line for what she knows is right. Matthew Palmer is a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, currently serving as the director of the Balkans office in the State Department’s Bureau of European Affairs.n

56 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Last Chance to Vote in the AFSA Election!

This is it, your last chance to member, only the printed vote for the 2017-2019 AFSA ballot will be counted. Governing Board and pro- Ballot Tally: On June 8, posed bylaw amendments! at 8 a.m. EDT, the printed If you have not already ballots will be collected from done so, check out the can- the post office in Washing- didates’ campaign literature, ton, D.C. Printed ballots proposed bylaw amend- must be received at the post ments, plus explanation, and office by that time to be a statement of opposition to counted. The online voting one of the proposals, avail- site will also close at 8 a.m. able from the AFSA website, If you did not receive that Be sure to add noreply@ EDT on June 8. www.afsa.org/elections. email, regular members who directvote.net to your Your vote matters and you Ballots: Ballots were were in good standing as of approved sender list to are strongly encouraged to distributed on April 17. If you March 17 can visit the ensure receipt. take this opportunity to have have a valid email address on secure online ballot site, Printed ballots have been your say in who will represent file with AFSA, an email con- www.directvote.net/AFSA, sent to all retired members you on the new AFSA Govern- taining a unique passcode and request that an email via the U.S. Postal Service. If ing Board. The new board will and instructions for voting containing unique login an online and a printed bal- take office on July 15. Thank online was sent to you. credentials be sent to you. lot are returned for the same you for your participation! n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 57 EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

New College, New Culture Preparing for a Strong First Semester as a Third Culture Kid

TCKs deal with repatriation issues and reverse culture shock when they attend college in the United States. Here are some tips for success.

BY HANNAH MORRIS

hile many high For Foreign Service third culture kids Repatriating students often feel isolated school seniors (TCKs), preparing for college requires and lack the support system or knowl- spend the sum- more than just attending orientation and edge to access resources that will help mer before college buying matching dorm gear. The reality is them in their time of need. Few institu- reminiscing with that while many TCKs are seeking to con- tions offer TCK-focused programming to childhood friends nect with dorm mates and other students ease the complexities of repatriating in Wand working summer jobs, Foreign Service in the United States, their backgrounds order to attend college. children are more likely saying final good- may make it more challenging than they Students and their families can bridge byes at post, visiting relatives on home anticipate. the gap between what a TCK needs to leave, and choosing what to ship in their Navigating U.S. academic culture, be successful and inadequate university special UAB (unaccompanied baggage relating to U.S. pop culture—and even programming by connecting with their allotment). answering the seemingly simple ques- school’s international center; building tion, “Where are you from?”—means support systems; scheduling realistic Hannah Morris, a member TCKs are dealing with the challenges of academic schedules; identifying involve- of household in New Delhi, repatriation and reverse culture shock ment opportunities; and developing worked in the United States while trying to find their place and plans for handling finances, communica- and abroad in univer- succeed in their freshman year. From tion and emergencies. sity teaching, counseling and feelings of uncertainty, to searching for admissions prior to earning a doctorate in a sense of belonging, TCKs often find it Settling into Your higher education administration. Presently challenging to form meaningful friend- New Environment a member of the writing faculty at Ashoka ships with the “American” kids they may Connect with the international University in New Delhi, she also provides have known from visits home or life center. International centers are the first college transition consulting services to third before the Foreign Service. resource that returning global nomads culture students preparing to attend college in Few colleges are aware of TCKs or should reach out to when transitioning to North America and Europe, and is active in have programming to support them as college in the United States. Ideally, this the intercultural education field. they transition back to the United States. connection is made before college appli-

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EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

cations are submitted or after orientation. Students admissions, when deciding Few colleges are aware of should ask to attend the which institution to attend. third culture kids or have international student If you are visiting the orientation, which focuses campus, stop in at the programming to support them. more on counseling (e.g., international center office. mental health counseling) Otherwise, email the office and advising services to inquiring about programming for TCKs TCKs can benefit from international help guide students with limited access and international students. center services such as arranging for to support networks. TCKs can both benefit from and early move-in, organizing network- According to Brian White, the associ- contribute to the mission of international ing events focused on international ate dean of students and director of inter- centers and should take advantage of topics, and pairing new students with national students and scholars at Lewis & the resources they have for international experienced student mentors to help Clark College, the international student students. You may even find a club or them adapt and acclimate to campus. In orientation cohort is often smaller than TCK-specific orientation at some colleges return, international centers are able to the regular orientation groups, helping and universities: American, Beloit, Lewis utilize TCKs’ skills at navigating multi- students to settle into their new environ- & Clark, Wooster and the University of the cultural environments as they welcome ment. Pacific all offer programming designed international students to campus. During these orientations, TCKs can specifically for TCKs. Attend the international student build a social network with other students

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EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

who are not U.S.-centric and who under- stand the complexities of leaving your family to live in an unfamiliar culture. Be a tourist in your new city. TCKs know how to move internationally, and the move to college should be met with the same expectations as any other move. Things will go wrong, it will be difficult to learn new roadways, and it can be hard to appreciate a climate different from the one you recently departed. Try to embrace your new city as a tourist, advises Barbara Chen, the China admissions representative of the Uni- versity of Tulsa, who recently published “Top 10 Tips: Advice for Parents of the College-Bound Expatriate,” posted by the International Association for College Admission Counseling. If you can, arrive in town early for ori- entation and take a few days to tour the local sites. Practice driving around town or navigating the public transport system.

Build University and Local Support Systems TCK families tend to be close-knit, but college can cause complications for families due to intermittent internet con- nectivity, time zone gaps and the college lifestyle. While many college students have older friends or high school alumni already attending their institution, TCKs are less likely to have these built-in networks and should work to build them before arriving. Identify mentors. Students should identify mentors with whom they have interacted during the admissions process. Extending an invitation to meet over Skype or for tea when they arrive on cam- pus can help to build these relationships. Dr. Helen Wood, a higher education and TCK researcher, says students should identify someone to whom they can turn with questions when things get confus-

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64 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ing. By building a mentorship early on, students will create a relationship with someone who can help them at chal- lenging crossroads and champion them throughout their college career. Connect with faculty. First-semester faculty members are used to students introducing themselves before the term starts, to prepare for their upcoming semester and to learn more about the course expectations. Connecting with faculty can be a great way for TCKs to make an interesting first impression and prepare for academic success. By showing genuine interest in their courses and creating a rapport with faculty, TCKs will be more likely to ben- efit from faculty office hours and will feel comfortable reaching out for help when it is needed. Seek out other TCKs. Few institutions From the FSJ Education Supplement June 2013 identify TCKs, and they are easily lost in the mix, but Lewis & Clark’s Brian White Thinking Through Educational Options encourages students to seek each other For Your Foreign Service Child out: “Anything they can [do] to identify BY REBECCA GRAPPO and connect with other TCKs is helpful.” t’s hard to predict how a teenager will needs. A school that is great for one International admissions advisers are Ireact to the idea of an international student may be a disaster for another. a great resource for these connections move. Some see it as a grand adven- Here are some of the things to ture and look forward to the change of consider: because they have met many TCKs while lifestyle with eagerness and enthusi- Size visiting overseas schools and may be able asm. Yet many parents worry that they Curriculum to introduce them to each other. Head- might face the opposite reaction: open Extracurricular activities ing to campus knowing there is someone mutiny, complete with accusations of Peer group else who gets how hard it is to answer “So ruining the child’s life. Of course, the School culture reaction could also be somewhere in College counseling where are you from?” can be a great thing. between—or both, depending on the Safety Reach out to regional family and day. For a full discussion of each of these friends. Many students choose specific Each teenager is different, but one aspects of choosing a school, as well as regions due to strong family or friend net- thing is universal: choosing a school is a discussion of the types of schools and works; this is the time to leverage those not only about feeding the mind, but alternative approaches that are avail- relationships. also feeding the young person’s appro- able to meet the particular needs of FS priate social and emotional develop- kids, go to afsa.org/educationarticles to Contact relatives and friends early ment. That makes it a doubly important access the complete article. in the process to ask for their support. decision, one for which consideration Rebecca Grappo is a certified educa- If possible, schedule time for dinners of the child’s resilience is essential. tional planner and the founder of RNG or lunches before school starts, so your Though there are many benchmarks International Educational consultants, student feels comfortable reaching out to for determining the suitability of a LLC. Married to a retired career Foreign school, it is important to keep in mind Service officer, she has raised their three these extended family members in times that every individual has their own children internationally. of need.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 65 EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Plan Your Academics Academics are at the core of the college experience, and while TCKs are typically academically successful, these tips can help make the first semester truly great. Enjoy exploring. Most colleges have an exploratory or undecided option for a good reason: many 18-year-olds are still unsure of what they want to study. Academic advisers will assist students in scheduling their first semester while at orientation and even recommend cam- pus-related opportunities to help students in their exploration of various majors. Apply for academic opportunities. College acceptance letters are just the beginning of the process. Students are encouraged to apply for further academic opportunities such as honors programs, department fellowships, scholarship programs, research assistantships and summer transition programs. These programs typically have an aca- demic focus, and many include benefits such as small scholarships or stipends, one-on-one mentoring and individual- Landmark ized college planning. Scheduling courses and understand- ing “free time.” The life of a TCK can be very structured and rigid, while college can seem flexible. Understanding course work requirements—the general rule of thumb is that an hour in class requires three hours of outside work—and other commitments is important. Dr. Wood recommends students schedule their college time wisely, because in college, “life is not structured for you.” Chen suggests students under- stand that academic schedules do not always align with athletics or other com- mitments, which can shorten holiday or summer breaks. College success seminars. Students should register for a First Year seminar or College Success class. These one-credit

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courses typically meet once but also helps them find or twice a week and include TCKs can both benefit from communities of common both thought-provoking read- and contribute to the mission interest. ings and interactive sessions It is “important for stu- with campus departments, of international centers, and dents to develop interests, helping students to imple- should take advantage of get out and get involved in ment academic strategies activities that connect you and build friendships among the resources they have for with peers,” advises Rebecca peers. Grappo of RNG International These classes give stu- international students. Education Consultants. dents an intimate setting to Students should reach interact with staff or faculty members and develop a first semester activity list out to some of these organizations during and student peer mentors, while learn- before college starts. the summer and introduce themselves. ing about the college’s resources and Identify co-curricular activities. Learning about the joining process and college success strategies. Identifying service, social, sporting, early semester events gives students a religious and cultural organizations on social or service activity for their calendar, Get Involved! campus that interest the student not which can be paramount for students who There are many ways for students only familiarizes them with the plethora are attending a campus where they know to get involved, meet fellow students of opportunities available on campus, no one.

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Find a cultural center. Community fessional connections ahead of time will develop a semester (or yearlong) budget and college cultural centers or organiza- increase TCKs’ level of confidence and to project and track finances. Decide who tions are great places for students to stay prepare them for success. will be covering which expenses, how connected to the cultures, languages and these expenses will be paid, how money foods of their past. Avoid Road Bumps—Make Plans will be transferred between accounts, Update your résumé and prepare No matter how much you plan, things and how the student will access and your elevator pitch. Tina Quick, author will go wrong—it is important for stu- spend money. of The Global Nomad’s Guide to Uni- dents to have discussions about budget- Because financial aid may not be versity Transition (Summertime, 2010), ing, communication and emergency available until the third or fourth week recommends that in anticipation of processes with their parents while they of term, it is important that families have meeting potential employers or friends, are still face-to-face. plans in place covering those first few students “figure out your elevator Develop a budget. It’s time to talk weeks. speech when they ask you where you’re money and develop a budget with your Develop a Family Communication from.” In addition, students should dust student. I encourage families to use Plan. Communication plans are the best off their college application résumé and Google Drive to access and edit shared way to ensure the entire family under- update it—many college organizations documents from around the globe, keep- stands how to keep each other in the and part-time jobs require students to ing finances transparent. loop. Discuss communication expecta- have references and a detailed resume. Have a discussion with the financial tions with your student. How often do Preparing to make personal and pro- aid office about your options as a family, you realistically expect to hear from

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them, and through what mode of com- parties? What events warrant interna- and should be revisited throughout the munication? (Keep time-zone differences tional or domestic flights from campus semester and, indeed, the first year. in mind, of course.) (e.g., family member surgery, death in As a final note, Tina Quick’s book, WhatsApp group messaging or Face- the family)? The Global Nomad’s Guide to University book posts may be all a parent needs to Students often skip important medical Transition, is an excellent addition to the know everything is okay. Scheduling Skype visits due to fear of scheduling appoint- summer reading list for both parents and calls based on time zones can be helpful ments and dealing with insurance com- students. for TCKs who are often used to communi- panies, so discuss health insurance plans When students arrive on campus cating with their parents on a regular basis. and ensure students understand how to excited for the term ahead and ready with Develop an Emergency Plan. schedule their own medical services and ideas on how to build a community and Emergency plans aren’t just for go-bags process their insurance claims (including keep their mental health a priority, they anymore. When emergencies arise, it is mental health coverage). are more likely to succeed academically, important for families to have a plan in socially, professionally, emotionally and place. Enjoy a Successful and Strong physically. Decide on a chain of contact in case of First Semester And once you do finish that first year student or family emergencies. Who does The recommendations outlined here successfully, pay it back. Join or create the student call first in an emergency— don’t guarantee a strong first semester. organizations to welcome future TCKs, the local family friend or the parent They are meant as a starting point in pre- and share the great college experience overseas? Who will alert the important paring for a successful college experience you’ve worked hard to build. n

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Facts and Updates: Making Sense of the Department of State Education Allowance

An understanding of education allowances is crucial for Foreign Service families. Here is an introduction.

BY MARYBETH HUNTER

any Foreign tion costs at post that would normally be an education allowance under the Service provided free of charge by public schools Department of State Standardized Regu- parents spend in the United States. lations, Section 270. All federal govern- an enormous Think about what is normally pro- ment agencies follow these regulations, amount of vided in a public school in America, and although each agency may have its own time deter- this will give you a reasonably accurate supplemental regulations that further mining which idea of what you can expect to have clarify or restrict the allowance. posts have the reimbursed under the education allow- Mbest schools for their children. These are ance. Tuition and books, yes. Afterschool FLO: How is “at post” education allow- delicate decisions that have a large impact activities or band instruments, no. ance for the school year determined? Why on family life. We hope this article will To understand a bit more about is the “at post” allowance for many posts help inform families about school options, education allowances, and to find out listed as $150? as well as the rules and regulations that about recent allowance updates, the ALLOWANCES: The Office of Over- govern the particulars of both school Family Liaison Office spoke with the seas Schools (OS), one of our sister selection and cost reimbursement. Department of State’s Office of Allow- offices in the Bureau of Administration, Parents serving overseas may be eli- ances (referred to as “Allowances” for the first determines if there is at least one gible to receive an education allowance purpose of this article). school at post that offers education to help cover the cost of their children’s reasonably comparable to U.S. public education. The education allowance is FLO: Which government employees schools. If so, OS will designate the least designed to assist in defraying educa- are eligible for an education allowance? expensive adequate school as the base Do all agencies follow the Department of school. Usually, this base school is a Marybeth Hunter is the educa- State education allowance regulations? private school. tion and youth officer in the ALLOWANCES: Any U.S. direct-hire Then, Allowances establishes an “at State Department’s Family employee serving overseas with school- post” education allowance rate, deter- Liaison Office. aged children may be eligible to receive Continued on page 78

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FROM THE DECEMBER 2016 FSJ EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT Finding Money for College BY FRANCESCA KELLY aying for college in the United States can be a Hercu- There are many additional, private (“outside”) sources for lean task. But some of the burden can be reduced with scholarship money, including a few that are geared specifically Pscholarships. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants to dependents of Foreign Service employees. However, there are gifts—and a gift is always better than a loan. are some things to keep in mind about outside scholarships. The best source of funding—“inside” funding—comes in Once you have received a need-based financial aid pack- the form of merit scholarships and need-based grants from age from your college, you are required to report any outside the colleges themselves. These are often renewed each year, scholarships to the financial aid office. Expect your financial aid as long as you keep your grades up and have no disciplinary package to be consequently reduced. problems while in college. When this happens, many colleges try to reduce your loans It pays to research colleges with large endowments that before they reduce grant money, but make sure you are aware can afford to give out more money, as well as the many excel- of each of your chosen colleges’ financial aid policies if you plan lent private colleges that are less selective than the “top tier.” to apply for outside scholarships. They often generously award students who rank in the top 25 If you submit multiple private scholarship applications, it’s percent of their high school class. possible to win enough money to eliminate your loans and even Need-Based Aid cover most, if not all, of your college expenses. Need-based financial aid is a different story. But it’s worth Francesca Kelly, a Foreign Service spouse, is a writer, university reviewing the basics of this because there is increasing counselor and college essay tutor. She writes frequently on educa- overlap in the forms required for both need-based and merit tion issues and is a former editor of AFSA News. The complete assistance ... article appeared in the December 2016 Journal.

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Continued from page 74 cation allowance limited to mined by an analysis of school An employee has freedom enrollment in the desig- costs, such as tuition and of choice in school selection nated base school? local transportation. The post ALLOWANCES: No. An submits these costs through with reimbursement up to employee has freedom of regular surveys to update the choice in school selection allowance as prices go up or the designated “at post” and with reimbursement up to down. If OS determines that “away from post” rates. the designated “at post” no school at post is adequate, and “away from post” rates. we use $150 as a dummy/ However, when no school at post Such flexibility in choice of placeholder rate because the default is adequate, Allowances establishes a schools is important to remember, so that allowance in this situation is “away from higher “away from post” rate to defray when decision-making time comes, you post.” the cost of attending a school (often, can move forward with the confidence but not always, a boarding school) away that you can seek reimbursement even if FLO: How is the “away from post” from post. The rate is based on tuition, the school is not the base school used by education allowance determined? room and board, and airfare three times the U.S. mission community. ALLOWANCES: When a school at a year to and from school. While school choice is often avail- post is deemed adequate, the “away from FLO: Many countries have more than able, the cost of alternate choices is only post” rate is identical to the “at post” rate. one school option for parents. Is the edu- Continued on page 82

78 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL An Exceptional Learning Experience for Your Son A Catholic Franciscan College Preparatory School located in Western New York along the shore of Lake Erie. Developing Renaissance Men with outstanding Academic programs and dynamic activities in Fine Arts and Athletics deeply rooted in the Franciscan Tradition. Our on campus residence provides a boarding school experience in a family atmosphere. An exceptional educational value for students and families looking for a faith based education. Visit Us: www.stfrancishigh.org Call Now: 716.627.1200

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 79 EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

80 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL From the FSJ Education Supplement June 2014 The Revamped SAT: A Much-Needed Overhaul or Cosmetic Surgery? BY FRANCESCA KELLY

f you’re a student, a parent or even a grandparent, most likely and Writing, and Math, will offer the traditional score range of Iyou’ve encountered the SAT. For much of its century-long 200-800. The optional essay score will be added separately. The existence, this multiple-choice test that aims to assess academic optional essay will require more text-based analysis than in the readiness for higher education has been one of the keys to col- past. lege admission. • Vocabulary words will be more familiar, less arcane. The While a student’s high school grade-point average is still the College Board stresses that the test will emphasize a student’s most important part of the college application, colleges also use interpretation of the meaning of the word in context. SAT results in evaluating applicants. • America’s important founding documents and meaningful Once called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, then the Scholastic texts will be used as a part of every SAT exam. Assessment Test, it’s now simply the SAT™. For decades a two- • The Mathematics section will be more focused, drawing part (Reading and Mathematics) test, the SAT incorporated a from fewer math sub-genres. The College Board has renamed the mandatory Writing section in 2005. three subsections of the Math component “Problem-Solving and Recently, the College Board, the nonprofit corporation that Data Analysis,” “The Heart of Algebra” and “Passport to Advanced oversees the SAT, announced that the biggest revamp in its his- Math.” The focus will be on real-life math skills such as calculating tory will be implemented in the spring of 2016. The SAT will reflect percentages and ratios, along with a few representative geometry more of what is actually being learned in America’s schools, and trigonometry questions. and the College Board will make test preparation accessible to • Wrong answers will no longer be penalized. students of all income levels. • Free SAT test preparation will be available immediately Here are the details: through a joint venture with the Khan Academy. • The entire process will be more transparent. The College Board is moving away from using obscure texts, tricky questions Francesca Kelly, a Foreign Service spouse, is a writer, university and unfamiliar vocabulary. counselor and college essay tutor. She writes frequently on educa- • The writing portion will become optional, and scoring will tion issues and is a former editor of AFSA News. To see the complete return to its pre-2005 potential total of 1,600 rather than 2,400. article, including a resources list, go to www.afsa.org/education. Each of the two required sections, Evidence-Based Reading

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 81 EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

Continued from page 78 policy and rates, it does not reimbursed up to prescribed While the Office of Allowances provide funding; nor does it limits in the DSSR. Sec- sets the overall policy and approve the disbursement tion 272.3 discusses school of funds. selection and has a number rates, it does not provide of instructive examples. Our FLO: Have there been website also has a compre- funding; nor does it approve the recent allowance changes hensive FAQ section that disbursement of funds. that families should be covers this topic. Parents aware of? should know these levels of ALLOWANCES: The reimbursement and be mindful of the relevant DSSR education rules apply to DSSR has been updated in the past few financial implications. the facts and circumstances of each case. years to include such things as the reim- Likewise, an “away from post” allow- bursement of school fees for the rental of ance may be available, depending on the FLO: Who ultimately approves educa- computer equipment. See DSSR Section country-specific rates. The post financial tion allowance reimbursements? 277 for a complete list of reimbursable management officer (FMO) can discuss ALLOWANCES: The certifying officer education expenses. post specifics and the mechanics of at post, normally the FMO, approves edu- education allowances with parents early cation allowance reimbursements. While FLO: One educational gap typically of on to ensure they understand how the the Office of Allowances sets the overall great interest to parents is American history.

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By the time kids have entered and secondary school educa- grade school or junior high, The annual round trip may tion under DSSR 270. many parents realize that the originate from either the school When talking about the local international school educational travel ben- simply has no U.S. history or the employee’s foreign post efit under DSSR 280, we are class or resources. What can switching gears to talk about parents do to supplement the of assignment. the one annual round trip school’s curriculum? of transportation between ALLOWANCES: Expenses for a See DSSR 276.9 for a complete list of the post and school a child is attending supplemental U.S. history class can be circumstances in which supplementary full-time, either at the secondary or post- reimbursed in addition to the autho- instruction may be reimbursed. Also note secondary level. rized “at post” education allowance. For that reimbursement for supplementary Rather than the previous restriction to example, if a parent needs to buy a U.S. instruction is currently limited to $4,100 the United States, the school may be any- history textbook and hire a private tutor per year. where in the world now. Also, the annual to teach U.S. history because that subject round trip may originate from either the is not provided at their child’s school, the FLO: Are there any recent updates to the school or the employee’s foreign post of cost of the textbook and the tutor may be educational travel allowance? assignment. reimbursable as supplementary instruc- ALLOWANCES: Up to now, we have Parents sometimes get confused tion. been talking about allowances for primary Continued on page 96

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86 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL filler 03 here

From the FSJ Education Supplement December 2011 College Applications Checklist for 11th-Graders BY FRANCESCA KELLY

hen it comes to college admissions, junior year Wof high school is crunch time. This is when you’re expected to take the most challenging courses, get the best grades and start racking up those SAT or ACT scores. Junior year is the last full academic year that factors into acceptance decisions from colleges. It also provides an opportunity to bring up a mediocre grade point average and polish your resumé. In addition, you can finish—yes, finish—a whole swath of the applications process in 11th grade so that you do not get hit with a ton of pressure the next fall. This no-nonsense, month-by-month guide from December through August of your junior year will help you get a head start on the college application process and sail through your senior year. Francesca Kelly, a Foreign Service spouse, is a writer, university counselor and college essay tutor. She writes frequently on education issues and is a former editor of AFSA News. The complete article excerpted here is available online at www.afsa.org/educationarticles.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 87 SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE Go to our webpage at www.afsa.org/education.

Gender International Holiday Page Percent Percent Levels TABS common Accept Miles to Annual Tuition, School Enrollment Distribution AP/IBu Students Break Number Boarding Int’l. Offered application ADD/LD Int’l. Airport Room & Board M/F Orientation Coverageuu

n ELEMENTARY

Grace Episcopal 70 110 51/49 NA NA PS-5 NA NA NA 3 NA Y 19,900 School

n ELEMENTARY/JUNIOR HIGH

Hampshire 79 25 All boys 100 5 3-9 N/N N Y 65 N N 58,500 Country School

n ELEMENTARY/JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH

The Brook Hill 97 670 50/50 30 15 PK-12 Y/N Y Y 90 Y Y 43,320 School

Calverton School 70 280 51/49 16 12 PK-12 Y/Y N Limited 70 Y N 50,900

Fay School 64 475 50/50 32 16 K-9 NA Y N 25 Y N 58,500 -71,580bd

The Hockaday 85 1,098 All girls 7 3 PK-12 Y/N Y Y 17 Y N 54,810 School -56,200

The International 71 320 50/50 10 27 PS-12 Y/N N Limited 16 Y Y 38,000 School of -43,500 Minnesota

Masters School 80 670 52/48 35 14 5-12 Y/Y Y N 18 y N 43,050 -62,500

Saint Andrew’s 89 1,285 50/50 18 . PK-12 Y/Y Y Y/Y 30 Y N 55,700 School

n JUNIOR HIGH/SENIOR HIGH

Admiral Farragut 62 300 60/40 50 30 8-12 Y/N N Limited 22 Y N 50,000 Academy

Cortona Academy 87 100 50/50 25 25 7-12, GAP Y/Y Y Y/Y 4 Y Y 24,000ae of Science, Technology & the Arts

Grand River 66 100 All boys 100 35 8-12, P N/N Y Y 60 Y N 54,250 Academy

Grier School 77 315 All girls 85 45 7-12 Y/N Y Y 120 Y N 52,900

Hargrave Military 83 225 All boys 90 12 7-12, PG Y/N N Limited 76 Y N 33,800 Academy

Oak Hill Academy 72 150 60/40 98 23 8-12 N/N N Y 100 N Y 30,756ab

Southwestern 94 175 60/40 75 75 6-12, PG Y Y Limited 27 Y Y 39,900 Academy

St. John’s 61 250 All boys 94 36 7-12 Y Y Limited 35 Y N 37,000 Northwestern -43,000ab Military Academy

St. Margaret’s 65 120 All girls 70 30 8-12 Y/N Y Limited 50 Y Y 48,900

School

Springdale 98 50 50/50 40 20 5-10f Y/N Y Y 45 Y Y 48,500 Preparatory School

uAdvanced Placement/International Baccalaureate uu Dec. 25-Jan 1. NA, not applicable a Sibling discount b Financial aid available c Dollar value subject to exchange rate d Aid for federal employees e Gap year f2017-2018 school year g Accredited NEASC h Need-blind admission; will meet full financial need i Standard Application Online from SSATB

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SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE Go to our webpage at www.afsa.org/education.

Gender International Holiday Page Percent Percent Levels TABS common Accept Miles to Annual Tuition, School Enrollment Distribution AP/IBu Students Break Number Boarding Int’l. Offered application ADD/LD Int’l. Airport Room & Board M/F Orientation Coverageuu n SENIOR HIGH

American Hebrew 63 133 50/50 90 45 9-12 Y/N Y Limited 6 Y N 40,000abe Academy

Asheville School 69 289 50/50 80 19 9-12 Y/N Y N 60 Y Y 54,900

Christ School 75 292 All boys 75 8 8-12 Y/N Y Limited 60 N N 49,995

EF Academy 3 750 55/45 97 95 9-12 N/Y N Limited 38 Y N 41,850a New York -47,250

Fountain Valley 67 222 50/50 65 23 9-12 Y/N Ni Ni 75 Y N 53,860 School of Colorado

Gould Academy 73 250 60/40 80 30 9-12, PG Y Y Y 90 Y N 58,750

Kimball Union 86 305 60/40 66 11 9-12, PG Y/N Y N 125 Y Y 62,624

Lake Forest 77 435 50/50 50 25 9-12 Y/N Y Limited 18 Y Y 57,700 Academy

Madeira School 83 318 All girls 54 16 9-PG Y/N Y Y 12 Y Limited 59,990

Mercersburg 81 430 52/48 85 23 9-12, PG Y/N N N 93 Y Y 58,325 Academy

Midland School 97 85 48/52 100 14 9-12 N/N Y N 35 Y Y 52,200

Miss Hall’s School 87 210 All girls 72 40 9-12, PG Y/N Y Y 50 Y N 57,750

Phillips Academy 64 1,150 50/50 73 9 9-12, PG Y/N N Limited 26 Y N 53,900h

St. Francis High 79 540 All boys 5 10 9-12 Y/N N Y 16 Y Y 44,250 School

St. Mark’s School 78 365 54/46 76 21 9-12 N/N Y N 30 N N 59685

Woodberry Forest 85 385 All boys 100 10 9-12 Y/N Y N 73 Y N 55,600 School

n CANADA

Ridley College 68 665 52/48 54 32 K-12, PG N/Y Y Y 41 Y Y 43,500ac

n OVERSEAS

Berlin 60 700 50/50 20 65 K-12 N/Y N Y 15 Y N 42,000c Brandenburg International Schoo

EF Academy 3 200 50/50 100 100 11-12 N/Y N N 43 Y N 45,000ac Oxford

EF Academy 3 265 55/45 100 100 9-12 N/Y N N 26 Y N 31,700ac Torbay -37,500

Frankfurt 76 1,800 50/50 NA 80 K-12 N/Y N Limited 19 Y N 22,970a International School

John F. Kennedy 96 1,680 50/50 NA 50 K-12 Y/N N Limited 15 Y N None School Berlin

uAdvanced Placement/International Baccalaureate uu Dec. 25-Jan 1. NA, not applicable a Sibling discount b Financial aid available c Dollar value subject to exchange rate d Aid for federal employees e Gap year f2017-2018 school year g Accredited NEASC h Need-blind admission; will meet full financial need i Standard Application Online from SSATB

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SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE Go to our webpage at www.afsa.org/education.

Gender International Holiday Page Percent Percent Levels TABS common Accept Miles to Annual Tuition, School Enrollment Distribution AP/IBu Students Break Number Boarding Int’l. Offered application ADD/LD Int’l. Airport Room & Board M/F Orientation Coverageuu

n OVERSEAS (CONTINUED)

Kingham Hill 95 304 60/40 60 22 6-12 Y/N N g Y 66 Y N 23,737 School -54,411c

Leysin American 95 340 50/50 100 80 7-12, PG N/Y Y Limited 75 Y N 88,000d School in Switzerland

Okanagan Hockey 87 90 All boys 100 75 9-12 N/Y 50 N 28,240c Europe

St. Stephen’s 84 295 47/53 15 62 9-12, PG Y/Y N N 12 Y N 40,850c School

TASIS The 93 720 48/52 27 37 PK-12 Y/Y N Limited 8 Y N 51,100cd American School in England

TASIS The 93 720 50/50 36 75 PK-12, PG Y/Y Limited Limited 40 Y N 83,000d American School in Switzerland

Woodstock School 99 500 50/50 100 60 6-12 Y/Y N Y 150 Y N 23,000

n SPECIAL NEEDS

The Gow School 82 150 87/13 87 33 6-12, PG NA N Y 20 Y Y 65,800

Landmark School 66 477 65/35 32 2 2-12 NA N Y 32 Y N 55,900 -73,400

Oakland School 79 50 50/50 40 7 3-8 NA N Y 75 N N 49,450

n DISTANCE LEARNING

Brightways 80 48 49/51 0 54 K-12 Y/N . . NA Y Y 7,000 Learning -12,000

Stanford Online 59 Enrollment is 704 with a boy/girl distribution of 50/50. State Department covers tuition. ohs.stanford.edu High School WAS C Accredited, diploma-granting independent school (7-12). Global and academically motivated student body, American college-preparatory education Advanced Academic program (AP and university-level courses). Student services and vibrant student life. State Department covers tuition. ohs.stanford.edu

Texas Tech 91 Tex as Tech University Independent School District offers Kindergarten-12th grade courses and accredited University high school diploma; Texas Tech University Worldwide eLearning offers online bachelors through graduate programs.

Tigris Academy 86 Comprehensive instruction, resources, supplies, and services for homeschooled and Gifted & Talented grades k-12. www.tigrisacademy.com

TwigaTutors 79 Guided Online Learning for FS K-8 kids in English, Math, Science and U.S. Social Studies. Certified teachers, MobyMax e-curriculum, U.S. education standards, EFM-owned, USG refunds apply. www.twigatutors.com

U.S. History 86 Self-p aced, online history lessons include songs, videos, quizzes, crafts and games for grades K-8. Register now, Abroad classe s start Sept 25. www.ushistoryabroad.com

n OTHER

AAFSW 108 Publisher of Raising Kids in the Foreign Service. A volunteer organization that supports Foreign Service employees, spouses, partners and members of household. www.aafsw.org

College Bound, 80 Providing customized college counseling from freshman year to graduation. Give yourself the tools to succeed! Career Ready, LLC Contact [email protected] or www.collegeboundcareerready.com.

FLO Family Liaison Office. Information and resources for Foreign Service families. Contact [email protected]

FSYF 80 Foreign Service Youth Foundation. A support network for U.S. Foreign Service youth worldwide. www.fsyf.org

uAdvanced Placement/International Baccalaureate uu Dec. 25-Jan 1. NA, not applicable a Sibling discount b Financial aid available c Dollar value subject to exchange rate d Aid for federal employees e Gap year f2017-2018 school year g Accredited NEASC h Need-blind admission; will meet full financial need i Standard Application Online from SSATB

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FROM JUNE 2016 FSJ EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT Applying to Boarding School: Lessons Learned BY JOHN F. KROTZER he reasons parents chose the boarding school route and the Office of Allowances, and I networked with as many are as varied as the students themselves: unsuit- boarding school parents as I could find. (The Facebook page Table schooling at post, special needs support, gifted “AAFSW Boarding School Parents,” for which I am an adminis- student opportunities and the need for stability have all been trator, was unfortunately not yet in existence, but is now a great regularly cited. network and resource.) I also did a lot of research online. In my conversations with these parents, one thing that Ultimately, she applied to five schools in New England, most have in common is that boarding school was not part of interviewed on campus at each of them, and waited patiently. their child’s long-term education plan. Something happened, We were very optimistic, as she was an honor student with and suddenly boarding school was an option they needed to great grades, very strong test scores and lots of extracurricu- evaluate quickly! lar success. Such was the case with us when we learned in 2014 that To our surprise, she was admitted to only one school and our next post was going to be Beijing. While the international waitlisted at the other four. Despite all of our research, we schools there look great, the requisite language program my discovered a number of key things about the boarding school wife would enter meant that our oldest daughter would end application process too late. I hope a few of these lessons up attending three different schools during her last three will be helpful to those in the Foreign Service thinking about years of high school—a very unappealing proposition to any boarding school in the future. teenager. We jointly decided that boarding school in the United John F. Krotzer is a Foreign Service family member and, States would be the best option for her, and I began to most recently, the community liaison officer at Consulate quickly learn as much as I could about the process. Mumbai. He and his family are now in Beijing. The complete I spoke with the State Department’s Family Liaison Office article appeared in the June 2016 FSJ.

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Continued from page 84 should know about the Office about the difference Education and educational of Allowances? between the educational travel are just two of the many ALLOWANCES: Education travel benefit (DSSR 280) and educational travel are just and the transportation allowances or benefits provided two of the many allowances component related to for in the DSSR. or benefits provided for in the attending an “away from DSSR. Our office also works post” boarding school with each post to evaluate (DSSR 270). The latter falls under the This built-in travel cost is sometimes and set rates for the post (hardship) dif- education allowance. referred to as the “Education Allowance ferential, post allowance (cost-of-living One cannot claim both the education transportation component” to distin- allowance) and overseas per diem, to allowance and educational travel benefit guish it from “Educational Travel.” name a few. for the same child at the same time. For example, a student might use the The DSSR and how it applies to a par- In fact, there is no need to use the educational travel benefit when travel- ticular situation can be complicated at educational travel benefit for a student ling from a foreign post to an accredited times, but we have an excellent collection attending boarding school, because the full time college or university, either of FAQs on our website (https://aoprals. “away from post“ education allowance inside or outside the United States. state.gov). The website also has useful rate discussed earlier includes the cost of links to other offices and resources such travel to and from the boarding school. FLO: Is there anything else readers as Overseas Schools, Medical Services

96 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 97 EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT

(MED) and Travel and FLO’s Education and Transportation Manage- When claiming an allowance, Youth (E&Y) Team works ment (TTM). Staff in these your human resources officer closely with the Office of offices can answer ques- Allowances and can help tions that are not specifi- at post can often help in parents find the portion of cally allowance questions, the DSSR that covers the but often come up in the putting together an application education allowance. context of allowances. package, while the FMO is Contact E&Y at FLOAsk In addition, if readers [email protected], by have a specific question often the one responsible for phone at (202) 647-1076, or about the DSSR, they can approving reimbursement. online at www.state.gov/flo/ contact us at AllowancesO@ education. state.gov. or a centrally funded account. It is probably worth mentioning again When it comes to claiming an allow- Editor’s Note: The Office of Allowances that while our office sets policy and rates, ance, your human resources officer at deals purely with regulations and would we do not control funding; nor are we post can often help in putting together not comment on Special Needs Education involved in the reimbursement process. an application package, while the FMO is Allowance processing. The FSJ will run Depending on the allowance, funding often the one responsible for approving an update on issues surrounding SNEA usually comes from the regional bureau reimbursement. processing in a future article. n

98 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FROM THE DECEMBER 2015 FSJ EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT Multilingual Matters—How Foreign Service Students Can Make the Most of Language-Rich Experiences Abroad BY MARYBETH HUNTER AND CHRISTINE BROWN

ny Foreign Service employee would agree that one Christine Brown: Over the last 15 years there has been of the joys of Foreign Service life is to experience much research conducted on the benefits of learning one Athe language of the host country. In fact, many or more languages. Scientists have noted that new neural argue that learning the native language avails Foreign pathways are formed when children learn and use more Service families of countless opportunities for personal than one language. It appears that the more complex the and cultural enrichment. And who among us learns that second language, the greater the neurological gain. The language with the most ease and gusto? That’s right; it’s science suggests that learning linguistically complex lan- our Foreign Service youth. guages or multiple languages from an early age into adult- While English-speaking education is available at most hood may give a profound cognitive boost. posts worldwide, more and more Foreign Service families Researchers outside the United States have also looked are choosing to educate their children in a language other at the impact that learning other languages has on one’s than that spoken at home. To find out more about this native language ability, especially in the areas of reading trend and to uncover the advantages and challenges of comprehension, executive brain functioning (memory, educating a child in a foreign language, the Family Liaison reasoning, problem solving) and creativity. Office spoke to Regional Education Officer and Office of Marybeth Hunter is the education and youth specialist Overseas Schools resident language expert, Christine in the State Department’s Family Liaison Office. Christine Brown. Brown, a regional education officer, is the Office of Overseas Family Liaison Office: What are the advantages and School’s resident language expert. This is excerpted from potential pitfalls of raising a bilingual child? their full-length interview in the December 2015 FSJ.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 99

BOOKS

Fated to Lead? comes from more, American tribes to today’s U.S. however, than a state of Special Forces, and suggests that Earning the Rockies: How Geography mind. Kaplan stresses the experience of crossing the Shapes America’s Role in the World that the United States limitless prairie prepared Ameri- Robert J. Kaplan, Random House, is endowed with the cans for their future vocation of 2017, $27/hardcover, $13.99/ “most impressive polit- policing the Pacific Ocean. Kindle, 224 pages. ical geography in the By the time Kaplan reaches San Reviewed By Eric Green world, or in history for Diego, the United States is not a that matter.” The colo- normal country, but a world power Who are we? Americans have asked nists were fortunate that has developed “longstanding this simple question since before we to gain possession obligations, which, on account of became an independent nation, and of the last resource-rich part its continued economic and social foreign policy thinkers have struggled of the temperate zone settled during or dynamism relative to other powers, it to use the answers to explain why the after the Enlightenment. keeps.” United States ascended to predomi- In addition to our ocean boundar- Though Kaplan ranges far outside nance in the international order. ies and stable, friendly neighbors, the the Beltway to explain America’s role in Robert Kaplan, the author of 16 United States benefits from having more the world, his conclusions are comfort- (really!) previous books on international navigable inland waterways than the ably within mainstream establishment affairs, offers his own perspective with rest of the world combined. This helped thinking. Kaplan is an unapologetic a short volume that is both a history of ideas and a master class in American geography. Written as a memoir, travelogue and Kaplan meanders west, riffing as he visits the homes of Teddy intellectual meditation, Earning the Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln and James Buchanan, Mount Rushmore Rockies opens with Kaplan recalling and the Hoover Dam. Every landmark contributes to the story of childhood road trips and tales told by westward expansion, bringing America closer to its geopolitical his truck-driving father. These kindled destination. in him a fascination with American historical landmarks and the epic geog- raphy of Appalachia, the central rivers, the Great Plains and beyond. power breakneck economic develop- champion of projecting American Seeking renewed inspiration, he sets ment and lowered barriers to commu- power, rhapsodizing on the benefits of off on a coast-to-coast journey to revisit nications and migration, keeping the our 300-ship Navy, global diplomatic the continent’s landscape and to reflect country cohesive even as it spread west. presence and more than 100 overseas on how the settlers’ encounters with it Other countries complain that geogra- military installations. remade the country into an outward- phy has cursed them; it’s given nothing While he celebrates America’s rise as looking imperial colossus. but blessings to us. a net positive for the world, Kaplan does Kaplan reveres Bernard DeVoto, a Kaplan meanders west, riffing as he not sugarcoat the process, pointing out historian of westward expansion who visits the homes of Teddy Roosevelt, the “morally ambiguous” legacy of the identified America’s embrace of “Mani- Abe Lincoln and James Buchanan, conquest of Mexico and the brutal treat- fest Destiny” as the moment when Mount Rushmore and the Hoover Dam. ment of Native Americans, as well as the the country’s mental horizons about Every landmark contributes to the story counterproductive foreign adventures its place in the world expanded in the of westward expansion, bringing Amer- in the Philippines, Vietnam and Iraq. same way that our physical boundaries ica closer to its geopolitical destination. Kaplan’s book was completed prior stretched to the Pacific. Along the way he likens the early to the start of the Trump administra- America’s expansive self-conception frontiersmen who battled with Native tion, but it includes a few digressions on

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 101 Other countries complain that geography has cursed them; explicit or implied—to other nations or it’s given nothing but blessings to us. the international order. Geography and history put our coun- try in the pole position, but we still need to run the race. n the Jacksonian ethos of many Ameri- “obligated” to lead; that a single thread cans, who are suspicious of America’s connects Manifest Destiny to the launch FSO Eric Green is the director of the Office ability to perfect the world, but fiercely of Tomahawk missiles against the of Russian Affairs in State’s Bureau of Euro- protective lest others cross us. Kaplan Shayrat airbase in Syria. pean and Eurasian Affairs and previously believes this isolationist impulse should Perhaps Providence influenced our served as political counselor in Moscow. constrain idealistic U.S. policymakers, country’s development and its rise to He joined the Foreign Service in 1990 and ensuring that America’s actions abroad superpower status, but humans and has also served in the Philippines, Ukraine, do not exceed the public’s enthusiasm their institutions also play a role. These Northern Ireland, Turkey and Iceland. He for foreign adventures. obligations are not self-fulfilling, but is a member of the Foreign Service Journal But the central drama of the new contingent on the active consent of our Editorial Board. The views expressed here administration’s foreign policy is elected government representatives, are his own and do not necessarily reflect likely to revolve around Kaplan’s core an increasing number of whom appear those of the Department of State. argument that America is “fated” and uninterested in the commitments—

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 105 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

106 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 107 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2017 109 LOCAL LENS BY JIM DEHART n TRONDHEIM, NORWAY

Please submit your favorite, rondheim was founded as a coastal trading town in 997. Today, it is a dynamic research and recent photograph to be considered for Local technology hub centered around the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. I took Lens. Images must be high this photo during an official visit to the city as we walked between meetings. The weather was resolution (at least 300 dpi alternating between thick snow flurries and blasts of bright sun, which made for some crisp at 8” x 10”, or 1 MB or larger) T and must not be in print light and deep colors. elsewhere. Please include In Trondheim I gave a speech to students, did a press interview, met the county mayor, met with an a short description of the scene/event, as well as your organization supporting technology start-ups and toured the local brewery, which has a joint venture name, brief biodata and the with U.S.-based Brooklyn Brewery. n type of camera used, to [email protected]. Jim DeHart, currently chargé d’affaires at U.S. Embassy Oslo, has served in Melbourne, Istanbul, Brussels and Panjshir (Afghanistan), in addition to assignments in Washington, D.C., over a 24-year FS career. He is a former chairman of the FSJ Editorial Board.

110 JUNE 2017 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL