PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION OCTOBER 2018

COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME CONFESSIONS OF A RECENT RETIREE

JESSICA’S JOURNEYS

FOREIGN SERVICE October 2018 Volume 95, No. 8

Focus on Combating Transnational Crime FS Know-How 22 33 Illicit Trade and Khetha: Our Global Response Bringing “Choices” Illegal trade is a growing threat to Help Address 39 to the community of nations, the Wildlife Trafficking 10 Things I Wish world’s population and earth’s An innovative USAID-supported environment. Recognition that I Had Known: program invites communities Confessions of a criminals don’t stovepipe is the key around protected areas to an effective response. to play a critical role. Recent Retiree By Louise Shelley By Lara Rall By Dolores Brown

26 35 The “Place-Based Wildlife Trafficking Is a Strategy” in Honduras National Security Issue Transnational crime syndicates have exacerbated illegal immigration By Rep. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) problems at our southern border. A State initiative aims at undercutting the migration push at the source. By Jim Nealon 29 The FRONT-Line Initiative: Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations Transnational street gangs are a growing problem for communities and law enforcement across the United States. State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security is part of the solution. By Christopher “Kai” Fornes Feature 41 Jessica’s Journeys Not just tales of many travels during a too-short life, they are the story of an FS community that supported Jessica— and supports us all. By Leslie Bassett ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/BYRDYAK

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 5 FOREIGN SERVICE

Perspectives 76 Reflections Departments 7 Playing Squash with Arlen Specter President’s Views By Alexis Ludwig 10 Letters Taking Stock By Barbara Stephenson 12 Letters-Plus 9 14 Talking Points Letter from the Editor 59 In Memory Borderless Crime 68 Books By Shawn Dorman 46 Family Member Matters 78 Marketplace Making It in Mongolia Local Lens By Nicole Schaefer-McDaniel Say, Niger 70 Classifieds By Gemma Dvorak 72 Real Estate 75 Index to Advertisers

AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION

47 USDC and AFSA Join Forces for Remembrance of 1998 East Africa 47 Embassy Bombings 48 Diplomacy Through Music 49 AFSA Welcomes Newest Foreign Service Members 49 Announcing the 2018 AFSA Award Winners 50 State VP Voice—We Work Hard for the Money 51 USAID VP Voice—FSOs Need to Support Diversity and Inclusion 51 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, August 16 55 Summer and Fall Outreach: 52 FAS VP Voice—Mission (Almost) Impossible Baseball and California Visit 52 Appreciation: Willard Ames “Bill” De Pree 57 Inside the World of Diplomacy 53 Where We Stand—Rebuilding Our Economic Strength 58 AFSA Honors National High School Essay Contest Winner 54 Retiree Corner—Life After the Foreign Service: Jim Bullington 58 Coordination of FEHB and Medicare 54 AFSA President in Williamsburg

On the Cover—Today crime knows no borders. Photo: iStockphoto.com/scyther5. Below: The sundial dedicated to Jessica El Bechir in Embassy Rangoon’s garden. Photo: Hannah Dufford.

6 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL PRESIDENT’S VIEWS

Taking Stock

BY BARBARA STEPHENSON

t this time of year—summer I thank AFSA’s members for taking transfer cycle wrapping up, new school year beginning, us to a recent critical milestone: A Jewish New Year approach- an all-time record high for membership. ing—I spend time reflecting and taking stock, looking back at the previous year to than it was in April 2017, when AFSA set its How did we generate the support that prepare to make the most of the next one. previous membership record. made renewal and rebuilding possible? In The next one will be a big year for me— Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson our ongoing effort to help fellow Ameri- my last year as AFSA president. When my told the Senate Foreign Relations Com- cans understand what we do and why it second term ends July 15, 2019, I will pass mittee in June 2017 that he planned to cut matters, we have made real progress. the baton to a new president and Govern- the Foreign Service at State by 4 percent. A Please take a moment to read the ing Board elected in the spring by you, the year later, that stated goal had largely been AFSA News section, including the report members of AFSA. reached—with the number of Foreign Ser- on AFSA at the Chautauqua Institution. What do I hope to pass on to that new vice officers and specialists at State down When the Foreign Service is invited to president and Governing Board? For start- by well over 3 percent. occupy such a prime speaking slot— ers, a strong American Foreign Service In taking stock, the loss of Foreign which has welcomed Supreme Court Association—one with good governance, Service talent is hardest to accept. But we Justices and former U.S. presidents—that sound finances and an unprecedented now see signs of rebuilding, of restoring is a watershed moment. base of support from members. While it the strength of the Foreign Service. Con- At that one event, we were able to share is too early to declare victory and rest on gress not only fully restored funding but with more than 3,500 fellow Americans our laurels, I thank AFSA’s members for gave clear direction to resume hiring, and what diplomats do and why it matters. taking us to a recent critical milestone: an that is cause for celebration. Thousands more viewed the event online. all-time record high for membership. We celebrate every time we can wel- We are reaching more people in more The one metric I present at each AFSA come a new class for lunch at AFSA head- ways than ever before. Governing Board is a membership snap- quarters, as we did three times in August: This year we can take pride in AFSA’s shot. I do that because nothing indicates the “Resurgent 194th” A-100 class; an FS success making the connection between the health of our organization as clearly as specialist class; and a Consular Fellows our work—the enduring platforms we that single metric. And I do that because it class. And we look forward to welcoming build and operate around the globe—and helps remind all of us at AFSA that we are additional classes—including another U.S. global leadership, which is, I remind ultimately—and directly—accountable to large A-100 class and a USAID class—in you, supported by well over 90 percent of you, the members. the weeks ahead. Americans. This mile- Many of us remember what a disaster It is easy to be distracted by what stone—record-high it was to slash new-entry hiring during divides us as Americans. I encourage all AFSA member- the 1990s. We can now register relief and of us, as we prepare to make the most of ship—is all the gratitude that the recent hiring freeze has the year ahead, to build on what unites more remarkable been lifted and we are bringing in the new us. And maintaining America’s global given that the members of the Foreign Service who will leadership—for which we in the Foreign Foreign Service as sustain our country’s global leadership in Service bear such central responsibil- a whole is smaller the decades to come. ity—unites us. n

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

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 7 FOREIGN SERVICE

Editor in Chief, Director of Publications Shawn Dorman: [email protected] www.afsa.org Managing Editor Susan Brady Maitra: [email protected]

Associate Editor CONTACTS Donna Gorman: [email protected] AFSA Headquarters: ADVOCACY Publications Coordinator (202) 338-4045; Fax (202) 338-6820 Director of Advocacy Dmitry Filipoff: [email protected] State Department AFSA Office: Kim Greenplate: [email protected] (202) 647-8160; Fax (202) 647-0265 Advertising Manager Legislative Fellow USAID AFSA Office: Allan Saunders: [email protected] Drew Donaher: [email protected] (202) 712-1941; Fax (202) 216-3710 Art Director FCS AFSA Office: BUSINESS DEPARTMENT Caryn Suko Smith (202) 482-9088; Fax (202) 482-9087 Director of Finance and Facilities Femi Oshobukola: [email protected] Editorial Board GOVERNING BOARD Controller Alexis Ludwig, Chair President Kalpna Srimal: [email protected] James “Jim” Bever Hon. Barbara Stephenson: Controller, Accounts Payable and Fred Boll [email protected] Angela Bond Administration Secretary M. Allyn Brooks-LaSure Cory Nishi: [email protected] Karen Brown Cleveland Hon. Tom Boyatt: [email protected] Administrative Assistant and Office Manager Shawn Kobb Treasurer Ana Lopez: [email protected] Harry Kopp Hon. Earl Anthony “To ny ” Wayne: Scholarships and Events Coordinator John G. 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Naland: [email protected] Perri Green: [email protected] writers and does not necessarily represent the views of State Representatives Manager, Retiree Outreach and Engagement the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries Karen Brown Cleveland and submissions are invited, preferably by email. The Christine Miele: [email protected] Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, Don Jacobson Retirement Benefits Counselor photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. Deborah Mennuti Dolores Brown: [email protected] All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Roy Perrin Member Accounts Specialist AFSA reserves the right to reject advertising that is not Lilly Wahl-Tuco in keeping with its standards and objectives. The appear- Ashley Dunn: [email protected] ance of advertisements herein does not imply endorse- USAID Representative ment of goods or services offered. Opinions expressed in William Hansen LABOR MANAGEMENT advertisements are the views of the advertisers and do FCS Alternate Representative not necessarily represent AFSA views or policy. Journal General Counsel subscription: AFSA member–$20, included in annual Lola Gulomova Sharon Papp: [email protected] dues; student–$30; institution–$40; others–$50; Single FAS Alternate Representative Deputy General Counsel issue–$4.50. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; Thom Wright Raeka Safai: [email protected] foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid BBG Representative at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. Senior Staff Attorneys Indexed by the Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). Steve Herman Zlatana Badrich: [email protected] APHIS Representative Neera Parikh: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Jeffery Austin Labor Management Counselor Phone: (202) 338-4045 Retiree Representatives Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan: Fax: (202) 338-8244 Hon. Alphonse ‘Al’ La Porta [email protected] Web: www.afsa.org/fsj Philip A. Shull Senior Labor Management Advisor © American Foreign Service Association, 2018 James Yorke: [email protected] STAFF PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Labor Management Coordinator Chief Operating Officer Patrick Bradley: [email protected] Postmaster: Send address changes to Russ Capps: [email protected] Grievance Counselors AFSA, Attn: Address Change Chief of Strategic Initiatives Ayumi Hasegawa: [email protected] 2101 E Street NW Linnea Gavrilis: [email protected] Washington DC 20037-2990 Heather Townsend: [email protected] Executive Assistant to the President Labor Management Advisor Jennie Orloff: [email protected] Michael R. Wallace: [email protected] Office Coordinator Law Clerk Therese Thomas: [email protected] Benjamin Phillips: [email protected] Staff Assistant Allysa Reimer: [email protected] PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES Director of Professional Policy Issues Julie Nutter: [email protected]

8 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Borderless Crime

BY SHAWN DORMAN

llicit trade, human trafficking, wildlife DS Special Agent Kai Fornes trafficking, drugs and arms trade, describes how an enhanced criminal cyber crime, piracy, counterfeiting, gang vetting program helps block legal Imoney laundering—these illegal travel to the United States by gang transnational activities do not stop at members from the Northern Triangle of borders. El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. They grow in scope and impact as the Turning to wildlife trafficking, Lara world gets smaller, as globalization cre- Rall of World Wide Fund for Nature– ates a world where crime can no longer South Africa offers a look at this be stopped by border posts, ports and complex problem and how the USAID- checkpoints. Transnational crime today supported Khetha program is tackling is more sophisticated and more danger- it. We also hear from Representative Ed ous and so much of it is virtual, hidden in Royce (R-Calif.), sponsor of the END dark ungovernable corners of the web. Wildlife Trafficking Act, on the national Wherever it originates, the impact security implications of this problem. of transnational crime is felt at home In FS Know-How, Dolores Brown in the United States. The U.S. Foreign shares “10 Things I Wish I’d Known: Service is and must be at work doing Confessions of a Recent Retiree.” This is battle against transnational crime, from news you can use. Washington and from U.S. missions Elsewhere, Ambassador (ret.) Leslie around the world. Bassett tells the story of the tragic death This is our focus for October. Profes- of beloved FSO Jessica el Bechir, and sor Louise Shelley offers the 30,000-foot how in the aftermath, in grief and trib- view in “Illicit Trade and Our Global ute, the FS community came together Response,” arguing that U.S. efforts must as family. be broad and cross-cutting, requiring FS family member Nicole Schaefer- cooperation across borders, expertise McDaniel reflects on “Making It in and specializations. Mongolia” for the Family Member Mat- Jim Nealon describes his work on ters column. the “Place-Based Strategy” in Hondu- And FSO Alexis Ludwig takes on ras, where he served as ambassador Arlen Specter on the squash court at from 2014 to 2017. This initiative, which Embassy Guatemala City circa 1996. helped to reduce the homicide rate in Our parting shot this month is from three pilot communi- Niger. ties, shows how going Please be in touch. Send your letters, to the local source of Speaking Outs, articles and story ideas a problem can help over to [email protected]. n mitigate the pull of illegal migration.

Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 9 LETTERS

Civil Society The full report can be The second intervention option Credibility Gap viewed at: www.gao.gov/ could come through AFSA’s Consulta- How ironic that the authors assets/700/692560.pdf. tion Rights and Request for Information of “Supporting Civil Society While AFSA’s push for Privileges. In both these instances, “As in the Face of Closing Space” added State funding may the exclusive employee representative, (May FSJ) referenced a be commendable, experi- AFSA may request information from CIVICUS report that identi- ence has shown that the agencies which is necessary for full and fies 13 countries as having case must first demonstrate proper understanding of subjects within fully open civic space—but that the existing funding is the scope of collective bargaining.” did not identify those countries or being both effectively and effi- The time is past for AFSA to be sitting note that the United States is not one ciently utilized. The long-outstanding on the sidelines. It should promptly of them. While they prescribed ways GAO findings and recommendations fulfill its fiduciary responsibilities by to open civic space, their own country suggest otherwise. actively raising these DS shortcomings shamefully is closing it. Since the department accepted with the department and demonstrate Why would we be surprised that the findings and recommendations to all, including Congress, that the other countries look askance when poli- for implementation, an earlier AFSA requests for added department funding cies the United States promotes abroad delegation that met with senior DS staff are truly justified. are not being exercised at home? I’m was surprised to hear them deny that James (Jim) Meenan disappointed that the FSJ’s editors did the GAO findings existed and show no FSO, retired not challenge such blatant hypocrisy. interest in acting on the recommenda- Ashburn, Virginia Rex Moser tions. FSO, retired In December 2014, an AFSA update The Passing of Santa Barbara, California cable reported: “Most strikingly, six Donna Hartman out of seven survey respondents noted I read with regret of the passing of Shortcomings in that it is important for AFSA to be at Donna Hartman, widow of Ambassador DS Remain the table when the department makes Arthur Hartman, who served with her On June 15, the Government decisions that impact employee security husband at Embassy Moscow from 1981 Accountability Office reported thus: “At or exposure to risk.” Unfortunately, that to 1987 (In Memory, July-August FSJ). the request of Congress, GAO reviewed has not taken place. Ambassador Hartman passed away in the status of all open recommendations AFSA has among its “Labor Manage- 2015. we made to the Department of State … ment Responsibilities” (for details visit While Ambassador Hartman’s in 2015 and 2016. During that period, www.afsa.org/afsa_labor_management_ brilliant service in Moscow has been we made 132 recommendations to State responsibilities.aspx) at least two well-documented, Donna Hartman’s and USAID. As of June 7, 2018, of the significant options to follow in formally contributions were also remarkable. The 82 recommendations made to State, 37 raising the matter of diplomatic security Hartmans’ long tenure in Moscow was (about 45 percent) were still open, and as it pertains to GAO findings and rec- notable in many respects, including an 10 of those were priority recommenda- ommendations. intense focus on human rights. tions. The first and most important option For many years the Hartmans hosted “Of particular concern are: GAO-15- is to raise the GAO recommendations an open house on Saturday afternoons. 700, Diplomatic Security: State Depart- as a “Mandatory Bargaining Subject,” The program often included the show- ment Should Better Manage Risks to which covers such items as “policies ing of an American film in the ambas- Residences and Other Soft Targets related to the work environment.” Under sador’s residence, the spacious Spaso Overseas; and GAO-17-124, Diplomatic this category, respective agencies must House. The event drew dissidents, Security: State Should Enhance Its negotiate with AFSA, thus enabling the artists and others. Management of Transportation-Related employee representative to fulfill its Soviet personnel were often posi- Risks to Overseas U.S. Personnel.” fiduciary responsibilities. tioned outside Spaso House to intimi-

10 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL date those Soviet citizens attempting I suspect I’m not the only reader to enter. Several FSOs who worked on to find that interpretation of events human rights issues, often joined by strange, on several levels. other FSOs, would attempt to run inter- Let’s start with the inconvenient ference for Soviet friends trying to get fact that Ambassador Huntsman is a past the official harassment at the gate. political appointee, not a career Foreign On one Saturday afternoon when Service officer. Why Mr. Lawson finds Ambassador Hartman was out of town it courageous for a political appointee the Soviet thug force was particularly to defend the man who gave him his aggressive. When Donna learned of the job is baffling. (If I were going to praise situation, she raced out of Spaso House Mr. Huntsman for anything, it would be and confronted the Soviet harassers bipartisanship: He previously shouting “scandalous, served as President Barack scandalous!” in Russian. Obama’s ambassador to Her vociferous efforts Beijing.) caused the harassers to We all support Amb. back off in short order, Huntsman’s desire to “focus allowing the guests to enter. on the work that needs to On another occasion, be done to stabilize the shortly after the Hartmans most dangerous relation- arrived in Moscow, Donna ship in the world, one that brought an enormous bouquet encompasses nuclear of roses into the street, greeting weapons, fighting terrorism, stopping each passer-by and introducing herself bloodshed in Ukraine and seeking a as the wife of the new American ambas- settlement of the seemingly intractable sador. As she did so, she handed each Syrian crisis.” But how did the Helsinki a rose. summit advance any of those objec- Donna was a class act, a friend to the tives? If anything, it set them back. common people and a special friend to Nothing in Amb. Huntsman’s state- artists and victims of the Soviet system. ment indicates he has ever heard of our Her human outreach touched many institution’s long and honorable tradi- hearts. tion of dissent (which AFSA rightfully Edmund McWilliams continues to celebrate). In contrast, I’d FSO, retired be willing to bet Mr. Lawson is quite White Oaks, New Mexico familiar with it, but has no use for it when someone he likes occupies the Defining “Foreign Service White House. n Leadership” Downward Steven Alan Honley Writing in the September FSJ, Timo- Former FSO thy C. Lawson hails Jon M. Huntsman, Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump’s ambassador to Russia, for boosting Foreign Service Share your thoughts about morale. And just how did Huntsman this month’s issue. accomplish that remarkable feat? By stay- Submit letters to the editor: ing on the job after the July 16 Helsinki [email protected] fiasco sparked calls for him to resign.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 11 LETTERS-PLUS

Response— East Africa Embassy Bombings 20 Years Later

About Compensation I am struck by the common themes and hank you for the July-August FSJ highlights on remembering the emotions expressed by many survivors, 1998 embassy bombings in East and how they relate to my own. TAfrica, 20 years after. I just want to express my personal view as one of the many survivors who were Many times over the years I have the small subsequent delay for the correct not affected physically (bodily harm), searched for first-person accounts by breakfast probably saved our lives. but went through a very trying moment other people who were there on that We set off , heading to the ExTel and later suffered emotional trauma. Our dreadful day, in attempt to make sense of Comms office, which was next door to colleagues were affected differently—the what happened and move on. I am struck Cooperative House. We were planning on healing process was very long, and some by the common themes and emotions phoning home to the U.K. and were late. haven’t fully recovered yet, though the expressed by many survivors, and how I wanted to catch my mother who left for majority have moved on through very they relate to my own. work at about 8:45 a.m. (10:45 Kenyan painful experience. Reading these accounts has helped to time), and it was already 10:30. I want to raise the compensation issue. somehow legitimize my own emotions. It We hurried along Moi Avenue, and I know it’s a very hot and difficult topic happened so long ago, so far away from were about to turn down a side road just to discuss here, but I want to make a pas- home and for many years felt unreal, before the U.S. embassy that led past sionate appeal to the private attorneys almost made up. Thank you for asking me Ufundi House to Cooperative House. We to finalize all matters of compensation, to submit my own story. then heard an almighty crack and stopped so that this chapter can be closed (some In the summer of 1998, I was 21 and in our tracks, as did everyone else. There people are still waiting for compensation). had just finished pre-clinical medicine was a banker’s strike on, and my immedi- I am aware that no amount of money at the University of Cambridge. I was ate thought was that it was a gunshot, and can replace the loss of loved ones from volunteering with the charity Link Africa, there was a hold-up at the nearby bank. America, Kenya, Tanzania and all in a school in Mokomoni, a rural village We later found out that this was a hand locations in between. of the Kisii district in Western Kenya. My grenade thrown at the embassy guard. From the heart, these are my personal fellow project worker and friend, Alice, Suddenly a man sprinted out of that side thoughts and opinions. Thank you. had a few days in Nairobi to purchase road and ran toward us. He was run- Francis Ywaya some essential science equipment for the ning for his life. I instinctively took cover FSN secondary school in Mokomoni. behind a taller Kenyan who was wearing a USAID/Kenya & East Africa We were staying at a hotel in the River black leather jacket. Nairobi, Kenya Road area. We were still students, and it The fleeing man got to within a few was cheap. On the morning of Aug. 7, I metres of us, and then the bomb was The First Healing Step ordered poached eggs on toast for break- detonated. Bizarrely, both Alice and I I was very grateful to stumble upon the fast. Scrambled eggs arrived. I sent them forgot about the existence of this man; article “Reflections on the U.S. Embassy back—I am usually fairly laid back about only when he (terrorist Mohammed Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania” (July- these things, but after existing on a diet of Al-Owhali) was captured and his face August FSJ) for the recent 20th anniver- mostly Ugali for months I really was very was plastered over the Daily Nation did sary of the tragedy. keen on those eggs. That decision, and we remember those moments before the

12 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL blast. I now understand that the erasure and bandaged it up. They had seen it all vigilant and have an astonishing startle of key memories in trauma is common, as before, they told us; they had lived in a reaction. some sort of protective mechanism. war zone. Upstairs, we showered to get rid As a doctor, I recognise that these The sound was so loud that it could of the debris and dust. I paced the room are symptoms of post-traumatic stress be heard up to 10 kilometers away. But for hours in a panic, not knowing quite disorder (PTSD), but have so far failed to despite being within 10 to 15 meters of the what to do. get help. I was working in London on the truck bomb, I don’t remember the sound I felt guilty for years that I didn’t go day of the 7/7 Tube bombs and helped to at all. I do remember a feeling of pres- back to help, but in a medical sense I was treat several victims, compounding the sure and being knocked off my feet. The too junior to be of any use. We were young feeling that these events are more com- air filled with thick smoke and dust. The and terrified and all alone. Luckily we had mon and that nowhere is safe. pavement was covered in shattered glass just enough money hidden in another bag Despite this, I have been able to carve and debris from the nearby buildings. to escape on the night bus back to Kisii. out a life full of meaning, with a happy I don’t know what happened to the I didn’t sleep at all for several nights; the family and many wonderful friends, man in the leather jacket. I looked around adrenaline was too overwhelming. and have developed a strong sense of and saw Alice lying on the ground. Her leg We went back to our village for another altruism. I strongly feel the only way to was bleeding. I pulled overcome such sense- her up by the hand, and less evil is to try and we ran away from the live your best life, and blast area as fast as we build communities could. We bumped into with your actions. a police officer, whom I feel strong ties to we quizzed about what Kenya and my Kenyan on earth had just hap- friends. I have visited pened. Of course, he many times in the was just as confused years following the as we, and was looking bombings and hope to back in the direction of take my children one the embassy. day soon. By this point there was a vast mush- six weeks to finish the project. We moni- Going forward, I am learning that hav- room cloud of smoke reaching up to the tored the news daily, and The Nation was ing a mental illness is not a weakness that sky. Matatus were being loaded up with full of stories of people trapped for days, needs to be hidden away. In fact, I believe severely injured and maimed people to be the ramifications of the blast and the sub- it to be a sign of strength to acknowledge, driven to the hospital. sequent allied attack on al-Qaida bases in talk about and seek help for these feel- We ran all the way back to our hotel. Sudan and Afghanistan. ings. I was mugged on River Road by a petty Nightmares started soon after—some- More than 60 percent of people thief—he stole my wallet with almost all times replaying the events of Aug. 7, exposed to mass violence develop the schillings we had. We saw several sometimes more generic threats to life. I PTSD, and professional help is needed other muggings happen in those short always woke up in a panic, often leaping to recover. It has been easier for me to minutes. It was chaos on the streets sud- out of bed or hitting out at my long-suf- pretend that I am fine than to admit to denly, and it felt strangely post-apocalyp- fering husband. my own doctor that I am struggling, but tic, like the world was about to end. Even now, I suffer with nightmares that is about to change. For some, it had of course. We were and insomnia. I still avoid central Lon- Writing this down has been the first very lucky, considering where we were don, crowded events, and have had panic part of that process. n standing, to only have minor, flying glass- attacks in places where I feel unsafe (e.g., Sarah McKelvie related injuries. At the hotel, some friendly the Underground, at a concert or visiting Oxford, U.K. Bosnians cleaned Alice’s leg with alcohol overtly touristy venues). I am hyper-

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 13 TALKING POINTS

Cuba Illnesses Smith, said in a recent interview that where none exist. His discovery led the Back in the News microwaves are now considered a “main Soviets, Americans and others to begin octors continue to search for an suspect.” experimenting with using microwaves as Dexplanation for the mysterious ill- A scientific paper published in Janu- weapons. ness that has stricken diplomats in Cuba ary 2018 by James Lin of the University When asked about the microwave and China since late 2016. On Sept. 1 of Illinois first suggested that targeted theory, a State Department official The New York Times reported that the microwave beams could have caused the told ABC News: “The situation has not cause may have been an unconventional illnesses. changed: There is no known source or weapon using microwaves. The Times also interviewed retired c a u s e .” In a report published in The Journal biologist Douglas Frey, who in 1960 On Sept. 6, The Washington Post of the American Medical Association last identified a neural phenomenon wrote that microwaves likely weren’t the March, the medical team did not men- now called the “Frey effect,” in which cause, quoting skeptics such as Kenneth tion microwaves as a possible culprit. microwaves can be used to trick the Forster, a bioengineering professor at the But the study’s lead author, Douglas brain into perceiving ordinary sounds University of Pennsylvania, who called

State Needs a Heard on the Hill Intrepid Professionals Full Team on the Since the founding of our country, our diplomats have Field served America in some of the most difficult and dangerous During his May 24 appear- places on earth. Our embassies and consulates are plat- ance before this Committee, forms of U.S. influence and vigilance and our diplomats are Sec. Pompeo said: ‘With so often the first to spot threats to our national security before many challenges before us, they arrive on our shores. These intrepid professionals the State Department needs defend our national security, enforce our laws, and protect a full team on the field from our fellow citizens overseas.

locally employed staff around JOSH —Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), newsletter to constituents the world to senior leaders in from House Committee on Foreign Affairs, honoring the vic- Washington.’ Sec. Pompeo expressed concern about vacancies tims of the 1998 East Africa embassy attacks, Aug. 6. in key positions and said: ‘We need our men and women on the ground executing American diplomacy with great vigor and Coming Up from Within energy and representing our great nation.’ I completely agree, I want to thank you, again, for your willingness to serve, and and that’s why I’m excited to have five nominees before the just on a personal note, to have someone who is coming Committee today. up from within the department to be in this position, for —Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Senate Foreign Relations someone who cares about institutions and building institu- Committee Nominations Hearing, Aug. 23. tions that will last, it’s heartening to me that someone from within is coming in this position. My guess is with some of The Good Work That FS Members Do the turmoil that we have had within the State Department, I just want to say that it makes me so proud, and one of the best it also is something that, really, the many members of the things we get to do as members of the Senate is to travel around Foreign Service who have committed their lives to Foreign and see the good work that Foreign Service officers are doing Service, I’m sure are cheering you on today. around the world. —Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Senate Foreign Relations —Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Committee, nomination for David Hale to be under secretary Hearing, in reference to the nomination for the Honorable Earl for political affairs (now confirmed), on Aug. 16. Robert Miller to be ambassador to Bangladesh, on Aug. 23.

14 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL the microwave theory “crazy” and said that while he can’t explain what hap- Contemporary Quote: pened to the diplomats and their fami- lies, “it’s sure as heck not microwaves.” On Aug. 30, the State Department released the results of an Accountability Review Board convened in January 2018 to review the circumstances surrounding I want to tell you a story about the art of the deal—the Iran deal, the medical problems in Havana. The for which I was the lead negotiator. 1/14 ARB found that “the department’s secu- We negotiated the deal at the Palais Coburg Hotel in Vienna. I thought rity systems and procedures were overall I’d be home in short order. 2/14 adequate and properly implemented, By day 25 I had barely left the hotel and had eaten only 1 meal outside the though there were significant vacancies Coburg. Every rod and rack in my bathroom had hand-washed laundry. 3/14 in security staffing and some challenges with information sharing and communi- We called our side the P5+1: US, England, France, Germany, Russia, cation.” China and the EU. 4/14 The ARB issued 30 recommendations Diplomacy can test your patience. There were so many interlocking issues in the areas of accountability, inter- to cover: how to verify Iran’s compliance, how to limit its centrifuges, how to agency coordination, medical issues, ‘snapback’ sanctions if needed, etc. 5/14 communication and information shar- Every time one element of the deal changed, we had to renegotiate within ing, risk/benefit analysis and diplomatic the P5+1 and EU, then go back to the Iranians again. It was like a Rubik’s Cube. security. All 30 recommendations were Solve one side and you’ve jumbled the others. 6/14 accepted by the department. After dinner on the 25th day, I met with Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s lead Brian Mazanec, acting director of negotiator, with his partner, Majid Takata-Ravanchi, to go over one final international affairs and trade at the UN resolution. 7/14 Government Accountability Office, Araghchi agreed to key points, but then leaned forward and began explained the delay in convening an ARB to dispute a previously agreed upon point. 8/14 thus, according to Federal Times: “The This was familiar Iranian negotiation style: just as consensus seemed offices in State weren’t communicating imminent, there would be one more point of contention. We’ve given the way they should have. When these you what you want; now give us something of ours you’ve taken. 9/14 incidents were occurring, several State offices were responding, but the office I lost it. I began to tell, and to my frustration and fury, my eyes began to well up with tears. I told them how their tactics jeopardized the entire deal. 10/14 responsible for initiating the process to consider whether or not to convene Women are told early in life that it’s not socially acceptable to get angry. an accountability review board was not And it’s a sign of weakness to let people see you cry. 11/14 aware of the incidents.” Aragchi and Ravanchi were stunned. For a first time in a month, they were silent. 12/14 The Return of the Something in the sincerity of my frustration broke through. After a long Special Envoy silent moment, Aragchi dismissed his objection. That tearful reckoning n Sept. 4 Secretary of State Mike became the final substantive turn of the Rubik’s cube. 13/14 OPompeo confirmed the appoint- That’s when it clicked into place for me. When you bring values like authen- ment of Zalmay Khalilzad as special ticity, persistence, and commitment to the negotiating table, both in work and adviser for Afghanistan. personal life, you are enormously powerful. 14/14 Khalilzad, who served as U.S. ambas- sador to Afghanistan, Iraq and the United —Tweet by Wendy R. Sherman, Sept. 5, www.bit-ly/WShermanAStory. Nations during the George W. Bush

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 15 administration, accompanied the Secre- vice president of international govern- pendently of the State Department’s tary on his recent visit to Pakistan and mental affairs, was named special rep- geographic bureaus. India. He has been tasked with bringing resentative for North Korea on Aug. 23. “Special envoys can offer much more about a political solution in Afghanistan. Biegun served in a number of national consistent focus on an issue,” Steven It was the fourth special envoy security and foreign policy roles prior Heydemann, a professor of govern- appointment in a month by an admin- to joining Ford in 2004, including as ment at Smith College and fellow at istration that has so far avoided naming an adviser to former Senate Majority the Brookings Institution, told AP. But high-level diplomats to focus on special Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.). he said that without a clear division of problem areas, AP observed on Sept. 5, And on Aug. 17, Career Ambassador labor between a special envoy and other and part of Pompeo’s effort to restore James Jeffrey was appointed Special diplomats at State, the positions “can be “swagger” to the State Department, Representative for Syria Engagement. a source of confusion and mixed mes- which suffered significant losses to its The career diplomat is a three-time saging.” senior ranks under his predecessor, Rex U.S. ambassador, to Albania (2002- Department spokeswoman Heather Tillerson. 2004), Turkey (2008-2010) and Iraq Nauert said special envoys bring a “sin- On Aug. 16, Secretary Pompeo named (2010-2012), and also served as deputy gular focus” to complex foreign policy Brian Hook, senior policy adviser to the national security advisor (2007-2008). challenges and “the authority to cut Secretary of State and head of the Policy Many in the foreign policy com- across agencies and regions in order to Planning Staff at State, special represen- munity are skeptical of the value of advise the secretary on the overarching tative for Iran. Hook will lead the newly special envoys. With their own staffs, strategy.” They ensure that all expertise established Iran Action Group. they tend to create a separate foreign within the department is brought to Stephen Biegun, former Ford Motor policy bureaucracy that operates inde- bear, she said.

SITE OF THE MONTH: MAPPING MILITANTS PROJECT: WEB.STANFORD.EDU/GROUP/MAPPINGMILITANTS/CGI-BIN

cross the map, from the Middle East to basic descriptions of the vari- ASoutheast Asia, new militant organiza- ous groups, broken down by tions continue to appear on the radar, and geographic area. The break- Stanford University’s Mapping Militants down includes international, Project helps track them. While the Middle East and North Africa, website does not offer actual interactive Asia, Central Asia, Europe and maps, it contains “interactive diagrams” Latin America. Also on the that map out relationships between the “Map” page, each group listing groups and show how they evolve over has a link to that group’s inter- time. active diagram, which opens in The Mapping Militants Project seeks a new page. to “find patterns in the evolution of militant organizations The project was developed by in specified conflict theatres and to discover the causes Stanford University’s Center for International Security and and consequences of their evolution.” Cooperation, which is housed within the Freeman Spogli Users can select “Map Options” to display features such Institute for International Studies. A National Science as group leadership, size and ideology. One can view active Foundation–Department of Defense partnership provided and/or inactive organizations, organization events, as well start-up funding. as the rise and decline of different groups over time. Profiles are updated regularly to keep information Select the “Maps” tab at the top of any page to find current.

16 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 50 Years Ago

e note with deep sadness the death by assassina- as a private scholar and commenta- Wtion of John Gordon Mein, Ambassador to Guate- tor on world events, to take a critical mala, long a distinguished Foreign Service officer, for years attitude towards one or another of a reader of these pages, and ever a stout champion of the policies of my government. Our those who have elected to follow the often dangerous and tradition, as you know, permits this. troubled career of serving their country in foreign lands. But I have never lost my faith in His example and his advice will be sorely missed in the try- the basic goodwill and generos- ing months to come. And we cannot escape the conclusion ity of my people in their approach that the coming months and years will surely be trying for to the other people of this world, or in the members of the Foreign Service. … decency of the motives and purposes by which American But all this, difficult as it is, nevertheless is no cause statesmanship has been inspired. And I can give it to you for despair. Anyone who joined the Foreign Service for as my conviction, at this sad and anxious moment, that my a life of ease and quiet chose the wrong profession. The people will always be ready, however great the intervening overwhelming majority of our Foreign Service people discouragements and disappointments to take up anew are people of good will and competence, persons with the search for hopeful and constructive solutions to world affection and loyalty to their own country who are at the problems.’ … same time interested in learning of the ways of others, So our task remains; the challenge beckons. In professionals who go about their different tasks with skill, responding with energy, intelligence and good faith, we common sense and perspective. Quality is demanded of will honor the memory of Ambassador Mein and will show these persons who are charged with nothing less than car- ourselves to be deserving inheritors of a worthy tradition. rying out the intentions and purposes of the United States —From an editorial with the same title remembering beyond its borders. … Ambassador John Gordon Mein (assassinated in Guate- In a recent speech in Finland, George Kennan said it mala on Aug. 28, 1968, the first U.S. ambassador to be all simply and succinctly: ‘It has sometimes fallen to me, assassinated while serving in office),FSJ , October 1968.

BBG: New Name— connect people around the world in cated weekly audience of 278 million people Same Mission support of freedom and democracy.” in 100 countries and in 59 languages.” n Aug. 23, the Broadcasting Board The name change followed Oof Governors announced that, research and consultation with Congressional Research effective immediately, it would be agency staff and leadership, Congress Service Releases Report rebranded as the U.S. Agency for Global and the Trump administration. on Human Trafficking Media. The newly named USAGM encom- n July 19 the Congressional Research The chief executive officer and direc- passes the Voice of America, Radio Free OService published a report, “Trans- tor of the new Europe/Radio national Crime Issue: Human Trafficking,” entity, John Liberty, the covering both legislative work on the issue Lansing, stated: Office of Cuba and the State Department’s role in ending “The term Broadcasting trafficking. ‘broadcast- (Television As part of the Library of Congress, the ing’ does not and Radio Congressional Research Service provides accurately describe what we do. The new Martí), Radio Free Asia, and the Middle nonpartisan policy and legal analysis to name reflects our modernization and East Broadcasting Networks. members of both the House and the Senate. forward momentum while honoring our According to USAGM, these net- As the report notes, the State Depart- enduring mission to inform, engage and works “collectively reach an undupli- ment leads federal efforts to combat

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 17 human trafficking, and the tection Act of 2000].” family should only be considered as a Secretary of State chairs the When the State temporary last resort. Studies have found President’s Interagency Task Department released the that both private and government-run Force on trafficking in per- 2018 Trafficking in Persons residential institutions for children, or sons. The report also covers Report on June 28, it got places such as orphanages and psychiat- the department’s annual a bit more attention than ric wards that do not offer a family-based Trafficking in Persons usual in the U.S. press. At setting, cannot replicate the emotional (TIP) Report. the time, the Trump admin- companionship and attention found in According to the CRS istration was struggling to family environments that are prerequi- report, issues of concern defend its decision to arrest sites to healthy cognitive development.” to Congress “may include refugee families trying to The government failed to meet monitoring the use of enter the United States at our a court-ordered July 12 deadline to anti-trafficking funds by the executive southern borders, forcibly reunite all children under age 5 with branch, examining links between human separating children from their parents. their parents. n trafficking with other transnational Media outlets such as The New York issues, including labor and procurement Times, CNN and Foreign Policy all picked This edition of Talking Points was com- practices, and considering legislation to up on a section of the report that read, piled by Donna Gorman, Shawn Dorman reauthorize the [Trafficking Victims Pro- in part: “Removal of a child from the and Susan Maitra.

18 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL SPEAKING OUT

What Is It We’re Doing Again? Time to Rethink How the State Department Communicates

BY PETER LOHMAN

magine your typical brown bag Imagine if that visiting senior official had lunch. Yes, that one. The one where outlined his office, bureau or agency’s goals, no one actually brings a lunch. The and then began a conversation about how the Ispeaker is a visiting senior official from Washington. Staff from across the embassy in the host country fits in. embassy come to hear Washington’s priorities, a senior leader’s view of the world or ways we can all better execute hand. Very little was focused on looking Integrated Country Strategies, Joint our mission. beyond the most immediate project to Regional Strategies and the like, we only Unfortunately, all too often, the the overriding principles that help us compound that error by subsequently speaker’s remarks are limited to: “You are achieve our goals. putting those strategies on a shelf, where all doing an excellent job. The relationship I’m not the only one to notice this. they sit, never to be spoken of again. with host country X is extremely impor- The 2017 Listening Tour Report noted In my prior service in the U.S. Army, tant for Washington. It’s really an honor to the following: nearly every commander at the company be here with you. Now what questions do • “People say that unclear priori- level (FS-4 equivalent in rank) and above you have?” Awkward silence. ties leave them seeking guidance that had what are called “Flat A** Rules.” No, this is not an article about how to for too many does not come from their (Nothing is official in the Army until it improve brown bag lunches. The vignette managers or their chain of command.” has an acronym, so we called them FARs I offer above is symptomatic of a larger • “People report that the frequency for short.) FARs were the principles by State Department problem—ineffective, and coherency of communication— which each organization operated. They unclear and infrequent communication. both top-to-bottom and across the transcended the next crisis and the one One of the aspects of State Depart- web—needed to inform, coordinate after that. They applied to all members ment culture that struck me most and inspire action is wildly deficient for and all tasks. Consider them the core when I first entered the Foreign Service what is required.” principles of an organization. was the lack of communication both • “People talk about unwritten and Back to the brown bag example. between leadership and subordinates unstated rules about who is allowed to Imagine if that visiting senior offi- and among units, offices, embassies, talk to who[m] in the chain of command cial had outlined his office, bureau bureaus and agencies. Most commu- … [and] people question their level of or agency’s goals, and then began a nication was restricted to the task at seniority or experience in being able to conversation about how the embassy contribute ideas or concerns.” in the host country fits in. Or imagine if Peter Lohman joined the So we clearly have a communication she had thought about what values her Foreign Service in 2009. He is problem. What do we do about it? office, bureau or agency needed to be currently an economic officer successful, and then discussed those in Jakarta. His previous post- The Big Picture values with the group. Imagine how the ings include Jerusalem, Chen- First, we need to better communicate participants would leave feeling like nai and Washington, D.C. He was a cavalry our priorities and values. While many they were part of a bigger team, contrib- officer in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005. of us bemoan the ritual of producing uting to a bigger mission.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 19 To improve the frequency and clarity of our however, the nuance and tone of the communication, we also need to reward information are often lost. staff for putting as much work into building Unfortunately, this phenomenon works in the other direction, too, as the contacts within the U.S. government as within most creative, unconventional ideas host countries. often lose their nuance or are stripped out entirely on their way up the chain. Leaders can remedy this by following Breaking Down Stovepipes in real time, such as by sharing and the famously simple “Leadership by Second, we need to improve the editing documents without having to Walking Around” principle: seek out frequency and coherence of our com- email files to each other; create a team conversations with junior employees; munication. The department’s tendency drive for file sharing and storage; or take the long way back to your office to work in stovepipes and communicate design a Google site for posting articles one afternoon; find an outlet from the only in our own verticals—rather than and other up-to-date information—all isolation of command. horizontally—is a common weakness of tools that can facilitate information large organizations. Because we mostly sharing and collaboration without the Breaking Down Walls transmit and receive information need for more meetings. Low-tech Finally, communicating better as a through our chains of command, we solutions also work: copying others on department means removing obstacles miss out on how our work affects and is emails, picking up the phone or walking to communication, both physical and affected by others. down the hall to talk to a colleague. cultural. The federal government is The economic section misses the already moving to open workspaces, anecdote from the political section’s Leveling Hierarchies with the explicit goal of increasing col- labor officer about illegal foreign work- To improve the frequency and clarity laboration and communication. ers, for example. Or the public diplo- of our communication, we also need to As we do so, we should consider macy section doesn’t get introduced to reward staff for putting as much work research from Stanford and University the promising young businesswoman into building contacts within the U.S. of California Berkeley professors who (and economic section contact) who government as within host countries. found that the results of moves to open would make a great candidate for an We should emulate the best practices of office spaces are mixed. Success or exchange program. desk officers who spend their first few failure, they found, depends on leaders More interagency and interoffice weeks in Washington cultivating the communicating the vision behind the communication can help remedy this. network they need to advance policy new space and having positive attitudes Interagency working groups on topics priorities. Find the staff whose portfolio about the move, and allowing teams the such as trade and investment or coun- overlaps or complements yours, build latitude to adapt work spaces to their terterrorism are an excellent start, but relationships with them and seek them needs. working group members need to find out when making decisions, or when With this research in mind, I believe ways to keep up the information sharing you come across new information that the department’s move to open work- between meetings. One way to do this you know would benefit them. spaces can be a net positive. Simply put, is through better use of technology like An occasional leveling of our hierar- you are more likely to talk to people the Foreign Affairs Network, a Google- chies would also help promote com- you see. Why does interagency com- and cloud-based platform available to munication. Take the typical senior staff munication work better in the field than State Department and all foreign affairs meeting, for example. These meetings in Washington? Because in the field we agency employees that enables sharing serve to relay information among the see our interagency colleagues in the of up-to-SBU (sensitive but unclassi- unit’s senior leaders. In a well-func- cafeteria, in the halls and after work. fied)information, regardless of whether tioning organization, this information We develop relationships, which then the user is on OpenNet. and guidance will make its way to those smooth the flow of information. Through FAN, users can collaborate below the most-senior levels. Even then, Having more State Department

20 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL employees serve in other agencies as liaisons or political advisers could help address those physical barriers—such as distance—that can’t be removed. Cultural inhibitions to information sharing are just as formidable as physical barriers. Here the department’s culture of individual (rather than team) success, of risk avoidance and of hierarchy often cause officers to err on the side of keeping their mouths shut. That hand doesn’t go up; that other section or agency isn’t added to the cc line. We should do better at promoting a culture of transparency, which encour- ages all team members to speak up, share information and ask questions.

Set a Positive Example Leaders can set a positive example in this regard by inviting feedback and debate. The most effective leaders know that one of their primary jobs is to guide and inspire. As we progress up the ranks, we seem to lose the dynamism and passion that first led us to the State Department. We maintain our laser focus on making and executing policy and programs, but often forget that a leader’s primary job is to empower others. We need a renewed focus on com- munication at the State Department. When we communicate our values and priorities, improve the precision and frequency of our conversations, and remove physical and cultural obstacles to collaboration, we create an empow- ered workforce that sees the broader purpose of its work. We create teams that seek out the opportunity to build bonds of trust with others across the department and interagency. And we create leaders who value transparency and inclusivity. That’s a message worth spreading.n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 21 FOCUS ON COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME Illicit Trade and OUR GLOBAL RESPONSE

ew computer technologies, com- munications and globalization are fueling the exponential growth of dangerous forms of illegal trade—for Illegal trade is a growing threat example, the markets for narcotics and child pornography online, the to the community of nations, escalation of sex trafficking through the world’s population and earth’s web advertisements, and the sale environment. Recognizing that of endangered species for which criminals don’t stovepipe is the key revenues total in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The illicit Neconomy exacerbates many of the world’s destabilizing phe- to an effective response. nomena: it helps perpetuate local and regional conflicts, the BY LOUISE SHELLEY proliferation of arms and weapons of mass destruction, and environmental degradation and species extinction. Illicit trade consists of both tangible goods—drugs, human beings, weapons, wildlife and timber, fish, antiquities and ubiqui- tous counterfeits—and intangible goods bought and sold in cyber- Louise Shelley is the Omer L. and Nancy Hirst space, such as passwords, botnets and malware. These intangible Endowed Chair and a professor at George Mason goods, poorly understood by most, cost consumers and organiza- University. She is the founding director of the Ter- tions billions worldwide in the form of lost identities, funds stolen rorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center from bank accounts, computer data accessed and pilfered from in the Schar School of Policy and Government. She private accounts and stolen intellectual property. is a leading expert on the relationship among terrorism, organized No longer primarily an urban problem or one confined to crime and corruption, as well as human trafficking, transnational ports of call, illicit trade now extends into the most remote villages crime and terrorism, with a particular focus on the former Soviet and smallest towns all around the globe. The connectivity of the Union. She also specializes in illicit financial flows and money world’s population has increased geometrically during the past laundering. She was an inaugural recipient of the Andrew Carnegie two decades—today, some five billion out of a global population Fellowship. She is the author of Dark Commerce: How a New Illicit of 7.4 billion use cell phones that can connect them to the inter- Economy Is Threatening Our Future (Princeton University Press), net, to social media and to the global marketplace. One recently a book on illicit trade, cybercrime and sustainability that will be investigated cybercrime case involved a ransomware attack that released in November. victimized many thousands of individuals in at least 189 countries.

22 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/GANGIS_KHAN

Victimization, moreover, is not just “virtual”; it can also be scope and the complexity of its operations—including inter- physical, as in the case of counterfeit drugs (often ordered online), faces with legal economic activity—make for a serious challenge which pose a growing public health hazard in the United States in terms of developing and implementing an effective policy and are pervasive in Africa and Asia. In “The Health and Eco- response. nomic Effects of Counterfeit Drugs,” Erwin A. Blackstone et al. estimated that 9 percent of drugs consumed in Europe as of 2014 A Taxonomy of Transnational Crime were counterfeit; the World Health Organization estimates that Though transnational crimes such as the drug and arms trade, in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, 30 percent of the drugs human smuggling and trafficking merit the most attention from sold are counterfeit. law enforcement, international illicit trade also includes a vast Corruption and illicit financial flows are key to the growth of range of counterfeit and pirated products sold online and through illicit trade. Officials at every level are in a position to facilitate markets around the world. Counterfeit products range from production, dissemination and transport of illegal goods. This is sneakers and electronics to pharmaceuticals and pesticides that a particular problem in the developing world, but officials in the undermine the sustainability of life. Illegally harvested timber and developed world also participate. It extends into the cyberworld, fish that should not be caught and traded represent multibillion- as well. For instance, two American law enforcement officials are dollar businesses. presently serving sentences for criminal engagement with the Besides being one of the fastest-growing segments among drug kingpin who ran Silk Road, the first massive online market- some dozen types of transnational crime, counterfeiting and place for illicit trade. As Mark Bilton, special correspondent for piracy is also the most valuable. According to a 2017 study com- Vanity Fair, reported in his American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for missioned by the International Chamber of Commerce, the global the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road (Portfolio, 2017), trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is estimated to generate the operator of this darknet site processed $1.2 billion in transac- between $923 billion to $1.13 trillion annually (this includes cross- tions in cryptocurrency in its two years of operation before being border trade, domestic trade and digital piracy). The drug trade closed down through concerted law enforcement efforts. Subse- and human trafficking rank below counterfeiting and piracy in quent takedowns of marketplaces for illegal goods on the dark profitability. web have combined the efforts of law enforcement in 40 countries. Human trafficking revenues are estimated at $150 billion Without adequate safeguards in the global financial system, annually. The rise of the internet, the dark web and social media unfortunately, crime too often pays. And the leaked “Panama has fundamentally transformed human trafficking around the Papers” reveal how a single financial hub can receive ill-gotten world. Although many assume that this offense is only associated gains from many countries, including the proceeds of crime, ter- with hard-core criminals, it is a fact that, as in the past, govern- rorist groups and corrupt officials. ment officials and business people are deeply involved in this While the dangers posed by illicit trade are easy to see, its inhuman business. Its growth and increasing profitability have

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 23 The rise of the internet, the dark web and social media has fundamentally transformed human trafficking around the world. been fueled by corporations all embassy employees do that facilitate advertisements contribute in some way. and payment systems for the Members of the consular sale of sex trafficking victims division work to ensure that and the online distribution of they are not providing visas child pornography. Corporate to human traffickers and vessels engaged in illegal, their potential victims, or to unreported and unregulated the many other perpetra-

fishing exploit trafficked labor. WHO_I_AM tors and facilitators of illicit Sexual exploitation is only trade and its companion one form of human traffick- activity, money laundering. ing. Labor exploitation, forced Employees of economic and ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ marriage and illegal organ commercial sections work to transplantation are other forms of this crime. All involve elements encourage trade from the United States. This includes defending of coercion, fraud and deception, but do not require movement; intellectual property from those who might appropriate it and individuals can be trafficked for marriage or sex, for example, ensuring that mining, transport and financial institutions are not within their immediate community. infiltrated or misused by illicit traders. Human trafficking is distinct from illegal immigration: in the Analysis of the illicit economy is often critical, because it may latter case, individuals agree to be transported across borders represent as much as 20 percent of total economic activity in some illegally; the individual and the trafficker have a consensual rather of the most affected countries. In conflict-ridden states such as than a coerced relationship. But in the case of human trafficking, Afghanistan, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the individual is the victim. And in cases involving smuggling, the significant sums are generated from illegal trade in narcotics and state is victimized; its borders and sovereignty are violated. people, as well as trade in natural resources such as oil, gold, timber and coltan, a key component of cell phones. The agricul- The Embassy’s Role tural branch of embassies must focus on the increasing trade in Many of the most serious threats to the United States today pesticides and counterfeit food production shipped globally. are financed and expedited by the proceeds of illicit trade. So the As the variety and scope of illicit trade today and its repercus- effects of transnational crime figure in the work of every embassy sions globally implies, this is not a problem that can be left merely today, whether it is monitoring the insecurity resulting from civil to the law enforcement section of the embassy, although it has a wars and conflicts funded by illicit commodities, the human rights key role to play. Much more can be accomplished by harnessing violations resulting from this trade or the role of narcotics in the the collective capacities of the different agencies now represented local economy. in embassies to develop and implement effective policies. Specific State Department products require the cooperation of all embassies overseas. State’s Trafficking In Persons Report Need of the Hour—Stop Stovepiping chronicles the trade in human beings for sexual, labor and other Illicit trade has such significant cross-cutting effects on politics, forms of exploitation around the world. Those providing input to economy and society that responses cannot be left to single sec- the Country Reports on Terrorism must follow the financing of tions of embassies or branches of government; broader, more terrorism, part of which comes from illicit trade in arms, people, comprehensive approaches are essential. As our national security drugs and other commodities, including in some locales wildlife. strategy singles out the challenges of these harmful trades, collec- Although illicit trade is at the heart of threat finance, monitor- tive efforts in working groups, both overseas and in Washington, ing and combating illicit trade is not just the responsibility of law D.C., are needed to counter the diverse forms of illicit trade that enforcement, human trafficking or terrorism specialists—almost often intersect with the legitimate economy. Because the products

24 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Only governments compartmentalize their responses; criminals and corrupt officials combine their activities to maximize their competitive advantage. of the illicit economy often travel long and disguised routes, it is to victims of the crime. By developing and publicizing effective necessary that responses are not only national or regional, but countermeasures, practitioners working to stem the growth of that they combine expertise from countries along the entire sup- human trafficking have made countries and civil society more ply chain. The convergence of different commodities along these aware of what can be done. The TIP Report has proven effective in diverse routes—such as drugs and people, or wildlife and arms— many countries in mobilizing resources to counter the problem. suggests that stovepiping of specializations in embassies must be Efforts to understand trends and to identify meaningful changes overcome. in patterns has been extremely useful to practitioners. The les- Only governments compartmentalize their responses; crimi- sons of countering human trafficking can be transferred to other nals and corrupt officials combine their activities to maximize spheres of illicit trade. their competitive advantage. The government, through its embas- 4) Develop public-private partnerships. Public-private sies overseas, needs to be able to work more effectively to follow partnerships need to be central to a strategy to counter illicit trade the money. Different government agencies with responsibility because, increasingly, illegal trade is proceeding in cyberspace, for combating transnational crime—such as the Department of which is controlled by private companies rather than govern- Homeland Security and its U.S. Customs and Border Protection ments. Partnerships with the private sector are also crucial division, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal because many of the illicit commodities traded compete directly Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. with the legitimate economy. Companies have the insights and Treasury Department—must work with diplomats to develop, the resources to probe deeply into the dynamics of illicit trade implement and execute efficient responses to the ever-changing and have the motivation to be partners in this activity. This is true behavior of transnational criminals. whether one is dealing with textile, shoe or electronic parts manu- For an effective U.S. response to illicit trade, the following facturers, pharmaceutical companies or software producers. strategies are needed: 5) Develop and enhance anticorruption activities. These 1) Understand the dynamics of illicit trade in one’s country are key to stopping illicit trade because government officials are and region. Such transactions often mirror licit trade in their far too often facilitators, and corruption in ports allows harm- modus operandi. It is therefore important to understand the ful goods to exit. Countering high-level corruption is essential to cultural, historical and business practices that produce distinct stopping the escalating trade in wildlife, trees and other natural patterns of illegal trade in different regions. Members of the U.S. resources. Foreign Service, with their varied educational and professional 6) Enhance cooperation with law enforcement. Continue to backgrounds, are ideally placed to understand distinct trade prac- maintain law enforcement training and collaborative relationships tices and modus operandi. based on careful vetting of partners. Extensive programs already 2) Assemble interagency working groups, both within coun- exist in the terrorism arena, and more could be done to combat try teams and in Washington, D.C., to address elements of the the diverse forms of illicit trade. illicit economy. This is necessary to ensure that those address- 7) Support nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) on ing counternarcotics, weapons proliferation, human trafficking the ground. NGOs have proven effective partners in fighting or terrorism do not approach the different types of illicit trade as human trafficking and providing aid to victims. This has both separate and distinct phenomena. Criminals do not stovepipe. On boosted civil society and empowered women. Much more can be the contrary, illicit traders have diversified their criminal activity done in working with civil society groups that are trying to protect into many different areas. wildlife, establishing associations to help uneducated farmers 3) Learn from success. Progress has been made against avoid purchasing counterfeit pesticides and seeds, and providing human trafficking by raising awareness of the problem, naming means for purchasers of medicines to ensure that they receive and shaming those who fail to act, and providing more resources authentic products rather than counterfeits. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 25 FOCUS ON COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME THE “PLACE- BASED STRATEGY” in Honduras Transnational crime syndicates have exacerbated illegal immigration problems at our southern border. A State initiative aims at undercutting the migration push at the source.

BY JIM NEALON

wall on the Mexican border; family people fleeing violence, poor governance and lack of economic separation; tightening of rules gov- opportunity. The media, and Congress, demanded action. erning asylum; the end of Deferred I was confirmed as the next U.S. ambassador to Honduras Action for Childhood Arrivals; termi- in July of that year, and was politely told to get down there and nation of Temporary Protected Status; “do something” about the unaccompanied minor crisis. When I and now, we hear, an effort to make arrived in Tegucigalpa in August, I found that the embassy was it more difficult for immigrants here already intensely focused on trying to improve conditions that legally to become citizens. The Trump were driving the migration. In fact, I could readily articulate a administration has reacted to the mantra for our activities: We are working with the Hondurans problems on our southern border by trying to increase border to reduce violence, improve governance and create economic Asecurity to keep people out. Missing from the current debate opportunities such that Hondurans would see their future in Hon- is a focus on mitigating the push factors of migration for those duras, and not in the United States. who can walk to the United States. The problem was, something wasn’t working. Hondurans, In the summer of 2014 reports of unaccompanied children especially family units and unaccompanied children, continued from Central America pouring across our southwestern border to head to the southwest border in huge numbers. It’s not that were national news—they featured in New York Times headlines, we weren’t running great programs in Honduras and elsewhere lively discussions on cable news and spirited debate in Congress. in Central America—we were. But, inevitably, over time those There seemed to be no stopping this mass migration of young programs had become focused on outputs rather than results. How many people did we train? Did we have the right people at James D. Nealon was ambassador to Honduras from the table? How were we measuring success? And while we were 2014 to 2017. He is currently a Wilson Center Global running programs designed to make Honduras safer, more pros- Fellow. A Foreign Service officer from 1984 to 2017, he perous and better governed, we weren’t focused specifically on served in 10 overseas posts in the Americas, Europe reducing migration. and Asia. He served as deputy chief of mission in At the time, Honduras was still among the most violent non- Montevideo, Lima and Ottawa, and as civilian deputy to the com- war zones in the world. In fact, the murder rate had peaked in mander of the U.S. Southern Command. Ambassador Nealon ended 2012 at 86 per 100,000 (that number in the U.S. is slightly less his government career in 2018 as assistant secretary for international than five) and had only come down marginally since then. And affairs at the Department of Homeland Security. the murder rate in the communities most subject to conflict was

26 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL much higher. It was difficult to create economic opportunities Bill Brownfield pitched a and attack poor governance and corruption when people feared for their lives, and when the police weren’t present in the tough “Bold New Initiative” to reduce neighborhoods. It was no wonder so many people, including violence, and thus reduce young people, were heading north. We had to try something new. northbound migration.

Factors That Changed the Dynamic As is often the case, several factors came together to change the dynamic in Honduras and led to what became the Place- Based Strategy. In Washington, the termination of law enforce- compatible with the Bold New Initiative, and since USAID was ment programs in Iraq freed up millions of dollars in the already headed in a similar direction, the agency was receptive. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL). That money needed a new home. When the director of Western A Radical New Approach Hemisphere programs in INL asked his team for ideas—he The enthusiasm on all fronts convinced me that it was worth needed a plan within the hour—a talented program officer trying. Brownfield and I briefed Honduran President Juan Orlando jumped on it. Hernández, who was cautiously enthusiastic, and the initiative, She had recently returned from a temporary assignment in now renamed the “Place-Based Strategy,” was born. Honduras, where she had seen that INL wasn’t working in some Following the initial pitch and approval, the hard work began. of the most violent neighborhoods (everyone said you couldn’t) INL and USAID met for a two-day offsite in Tegucigalpa to develop and, in many cases, was not in sync with USAID programs. She a co-implementation plan and agreement, which they sent to produced a paper highlighting the most progressive thinking by me for approval. The proposal was important because it outlined USAID and INL teams, which centered on co-designing and co- the necessary components of the PBS model: We decided what implementing interventions in the toughest neighborhoods in to focus on (homicides) and where (three neighborhoods in San Honduras to get at the root causes of homicides, preventing and Pedro Sula, the so-called murder capital of the world), and we deterring them from happening. decided who would do what. Almost simultaneously, but independently, USAID had sent Building on longstanding OTI programming, INL would focus both American and Honduran staff members to Los Angeles on getting the police back into these most violent neighborhoods to learn about that city’s successful model for reducing gang and introducing a community policing model. It would also focus violence. The LA model targeted those most likely to commit vio- on gang rehabilitation and inoculating young kids to gang mem- lence or become its victims and—unlike many programs, includ- bership through their Gang Resistance Education and Training ing in Honduras—made community policing central to success. prevention program. USAID would focus on prevention programs, Finally, USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives was already education, outreach centers, secondary prevention counseling for at work in Honduras, experimenting with community policing those families most at risk and community organizing. and with a targeting system similar to the LA model. When we But none of these programs would operate independently decided that we would focus efforts on reducing violence, and or in a vacuum. Rather than implementing a series of programs, specifically the homicide rate, we could build on the solid base both INL and USAID would listen to the communities and deliver that OTI had already begun creating. services that the communities believed would reduce violence. This happy coincidence of ideas, money and experimenta- Working together, they’d all be focused on the most violent neigh- tion was followed in November 2014 by a visit to Honduras by borhoods in Honduras; and they’d all be trying to identify those at INL Assistant Secretary Bill Brownfield. He pitched a “Bold New risk of committing violence and becoming victims of violence. Initiative” to reduce violence, and thus reduce northbound How is the Place-Based Strategy different from what we did migration. It was an INL-heavy concept, one that still needed previously? What’s the secret sauce? to be integrated with USAID and OTI, but having Brownfield’s According to the embassy’s PBS team, the three keys to suc- weight, money and enthusiasm behind a new initiative was cru- cess are: (1) a laser focus on the “hottest” areas and the “hottest” cial. Because the Los Angeles model preached something quite people—those most at risk; (2) INL and USAID co-designing and

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 27 co-implementing programs (not just “coordinating”); and (3), there were 287 homicides in 2014 and 43 in 2017. In Satelite, the police and community taking co-responsibility for security there were 370 homicides in 2014 and 133 in 2017. And in Rivera in these most violent areas. James Watson, USAID director in Hernandez there were 330 homicides in 2014 and 119 in 2017. Honduras during the first years of PBS, said that it’s essential for Let’s compare those dramatic numbers to other extremely law enforcement to understand and value the softer programs violent communities in Honduras. In La Lima, where INL runs like education, counseling and community centers, and that it’s programs but USAID does not, there were 99 murders in 2014 equally important that civil society and the community under- and 73 in 2017. In Choloma, where USAID manages programs stand that PBS won’t work without a strong community policing but INL can’t because of police vetting issues, there were 194 presence. homicides in 2014 and 216 in 2017. Clearly, the PBS can play a Local leaders, not embassy officers, are the key drivers of dramatic role in reducing violence. change. It probably sounds easy and certainly sounds like com- Sustainability is, of course, crucial to the long-term success mon sense. But, in fact, this approach was new, different, radical of PBS. As the Honduran government and other communi- … and successful. ties across Honduras saw the success of PBS, they clamored to adopt the model elsewhere. As the newer neighborhoods adopt How Successful Is It? and adapt the successful model of the three pilot communities, PBS is designed specifically to reduce violence in the most USAID and INL can gradually reduce their roles. Members of the violent communities. Has it done that? Honduran National Police now learn the community policing Let’s look at the three pilot communities—all in San Pedro model at the academy, not from U.S. trainers. Local ownership of Sula, where PBS was first implemented in 2014. In Chamelecón, PBS was and remains the goal. n

28 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS ON COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME THE FRONT-LINE INITIATIVE: Combating Transnational Criminal Organizations

ocal and regional street gangs have always been a problem for local police depart- ments. But, as Homeland Security Investi- Transnational street gangs are a gations Special Agent Angel Melendez and growing problem for communities U.S. Marshall John Gibbons note in their and law enforcement across the recent article for The Police Chief magazine, United States. State’s Bureau “The Perfect Storm: The Convergence of Gangs and Transnational Crime,” the past of Diplomatic Security is part few decades have seen the emergence in of the solution. American cities of gangs whose criminal activity takes place Lin more than one country. BY CHRISTOPHER “KAI” FORNES These transnational gangs, which often have sophisticated networks and exploit smuggling routes used to bring narcotics, people and proceeds across international borders illegally, are a growing challenge for local communities and for law enforce- ment across the United States. In a February 2017 Presidential Special Agent Christopher “Kai ”Fornes served as Executive Order on Enforcing Federal Law with Respect to Trans- the assistant regional security officer-investigator at national Criminal Organizations and Preventing International Embassy San Salvador from 2016 to 2018. During 14 Trafficking, the Trump administration mandated an increased years with the State Department, he has also served as focus on combating criminal gangs and cartels. the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s representative to Take, for example, La Mara Salvatrucha. Better known as the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and as the department’s representative MS-13, this notoriously violent gang that was designated a prior- to the Command and Staff College, where he earned his M.S. degree. ity in October 2017 by the Department of Justice’s Organized He has also served in the New York Field Office, the Office of Criminal Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces tops the list of threats Fraud Investigations and the Honolulu Resident Office. Overseas, for many major U.S. cities. The FBI estimates that there may be he has served at Embassy Athens managing a $31.1 million guard up to 10,000 MS-13 members living in the United States, many contract and serving as RSO for Consulate General Thessaloniki. Prior of whom emigrated from Central America. Although the gang to joining the Department of State, Kai served in the U.S. Navy with formed in Los Angeles decades ago, its leadership is based in the 15 years of special operations experience. “Northern Triangle”—El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras—

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 29 Special Agent Kai Fornes presents the San Salvador enhanced gang vetting process at the 2017 inaugural FRONT-Line Workshop in San Salvador, with a graphic from the presentation. Below: The cachos (El Salvadoran slang for horns) that hang on the wall of the ARSO-I/Fraud Prevention Unit in San Salvador are a reminder of the significance of the gang vetting efforts. The horns, one of the many symbols used by MS-13, have been painted with graffiti and other adornments associated with

the notorious gang. STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. where U.S. law enforcement has no jurisdiction. This makes it very difficult to com- bat MS-13’s influence and activities in the United States, which is why preventing members and affiliates from entering the United States in the first place is critical. This is where the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service comes in.

A New and Exemplary

Initiative STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. As the law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Department of State, DSS partners Though the majority with law enforcement in foreign countries to investigate crimes of gang members who that affect U.S. citizens and national security, and trains our enter the United States COURTESY OF KAI FORNES international counterparts to assist in those efforts. Combating do so illegally—without a visa and without inspection at a port transnational criminal organizations, including international of entry—many also attempt to obtain visas through the applica- gangs, is one of its top priorities. The most widely represented tion and interview process at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside U.S. law enforcement agency around the world, DSS has more the United States. Significantly, as border security enhancement than 2,100 special agents serving at 275 U.S. embassies and efforts to curb illegal immigration at the southern border itself consulates in 170 countries, as well as 29 domestic offices across show more success, DSS and consular fraud prevention investiga- the United States. tors have observed an upward trend in gang members attempting In August 2017, as part of the effort to combat gang-related to manipulate the visa process. transnational crime, DSS and the State Department Bureau of Con- The U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act is an excellent tool sular Affairs at the U.S. embassies in El Salvador, Guatemala and for preventing gang members from entering the United States Honduras launched an enhanced gang vetting program to identify on valid U.S. visas, but it is only effective when consular officers and block legal travel to the United States by gang members called adjudicating visa applications have evidence of an applicant’s the Fraud Reduction Operations in Northern Triangle (FRONT- gang affiliation. According to Section 212(a)(3)(A)(ii) of the Act, Line) initiative. The initiative was first implemented in San Salva- an applicant is ineligible for a visa when a consular officer has dor. In 2017 El Salvador’s annual homicide rate was 60 murders reason to believe that the applicant is coming to the United States per 100,000 inhabitants, placing it second on the list of countries solely, principally or incidentally to engage in unlawful activ- outside of war zones with the highest homicide rates, according ity. Visa applicants who are affiliated with gangs can be found to InSight Crime. Many of the homicides and violent crimes in the to be ineligible for visas to travel to the United States under this country are attributed to gangs, which the Salvadoran government section; it does not require a criminal conviction, and there is no has been aggressively confronting. waiver available for this inadmissibility.

30 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The FRONT-Line Process applicant’s criminal history and background with local authori- Since, however, it is extremely unlikely that gang members ties. Once these checks are completed, FPU personnel interview would disclose any information on a visa application that would the visa applicant. bar them from entering the United States, such as their gang affil- If the investigation yields evidence that the visa applicant is iation or criminal history, additional on-the-ground resources for most likely affiliated with a gang, or if there is evidence that an fully vetting those applicants are needed. applicant has provided false information on a visa application, The FRONT-Line initiative’s enhanced gang vetting program the ARSO-I will also open a visa fraud criminal investigation. provides those essential tools and training. The program includes Several recent applications flagged by the FRONT-Line vetting an increased focus on visa applicants in categories particularly process have led to investigations that uncovered sophisticated susceptible to gang infiltration; it provides training for consular document fraud. These investigations suggest that those attempt- staff and support personnel at the three U.S. embassies in the ing to obtain a U.S. visa with falsified documents have detailed Northern Triangle; and it offers a regional training course focused knowledge of the visa adjudication process, and are coordinating on interview techniques. efforts among local MS-13–affiliated gang members to provide Consular officers at embassies in the Northern Triangle doctored court records covering up more serious crimes and first assess every visa application. If the assessment indicates excluding the names of other gang members implicated in those possible gang affiliation, consular officers refer the application crimes. In other cases, the ARSO-I investigative team has uncov- to the consular section’s fraud prevention unit (FPU) for inves- ered gang members using false or stolen identities to manipulate tigation. At the same time, the DSS assistant regional security both the Salvadoran and U.S. immigration systems. officer-investigator (ARSO-I) at the embassy investigates the visa According to a recent internal review at Embassy San Salvador,

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 31 DSS-trained Salvadoran law enforcement and immigration officials are another key element in combating transnational crime and document fraud. the initiative has already proven to be 87 percent more effective dor and Guatemala establishing special investigative units of in identifying gang members and gang affiliations in the United vetted national police officers who work with embassy ARSO-Is States and overseas than previously used vetting processes. to conduct visa fraud investigations. When visa applicants omit disqualifying gang affiliation information in the visa adjudication Host Nations Partnerships process, they commit fraud. While FRONT-Line gives the embassies’ ARSO-Is and FPUs As a result of the ARSO-I’s continued collaboration with the additional resources and techniques to identify and deny visas San Salvador Attorney General’s Office, it is now a crime in El Sal- to gang members who apply for them, host-nation governments vador to present a false document when applying for a U.S. visa. also play a critical role in these efforts. DSS special agents are Also, over the last several months, the ARSO-I has been working the senior U.S. law enforcement officials at all U.S. embassies— with the AGO to explore new ways to prosecute gang members including in San Salvador, Guatemala City and Tegucigalpa—and identified by the enhanced gang vetting process. In March the this has allowed DSS to foster longstanding, close relationships AGO agreed to serve as the primary venue for all cases related to with local law enforcement and immigration authorities. In addi- gang affiliation visa fraud, a significant development for the U.S.- tion, DSS placed an ARSO-I at each of the embassies to support Salvadoran relationship and for DSS’ work to combat transna- investigations and national security concerns that affect not just tional gangs overseas. the United States, but the host countries as well. A key resource for ARSO-Is and FPUs in the Triangle is a border Supporting U.S. Gang Investigations intelligence fusion center known as the Grupo Conjunto de Inteli- One of the greatest contributions DSS makes to the U.S. law gencia Fronteriza, which collects and develops regional criminal enforcement community is providing investigative information intelligence and serves as an operational coordination and col- and intelligence gained by working with our law enforcement laboration center for regional transnational law enforcement initia- partners overseas. tives. This center was established by the Salvadoran government In January the DSS Overseas Criminal Investigations Division in December 2017 after the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of chief—who oversees the ARSO-I program and the ARSO-Is posted International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs began a joint in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras—briefed the gang task initiative with the government to better screen incoming migrants forces of Nassau and Suffolk Counties in Long Island, New York, for gang affiliations at the southern border of the United States. on the FRONT-Line initiative. They discussed how information The GCIF is preparing to receive personnel soon from Honduras, gleaned from the vetting process and investigations can assist Guatemala and Mexico, allowing it to expand its coverage. state and local law enforcement when they are working on cases The GCIF is an integral part of the ARSO-I and FPU’s enhanced that may involve transnational criminal gangs. A week after the gang vetting process because it incorporates criminal intelligence meeting, Suffolk County law enforcement officials used the infor- information from the FBI, the U.S. Department of Homeland mation provided by DSS to identify an alleged MS-13 suspect who Security and partnering foreign law enforcement institutions. The was wanted in Maryland and hiding in Suffolk County. ARSO-I and FPU use these multiple sources of information during The FRONT-Line effort in the Northern Triangle serves as the visa adjudication process. a standard for how to combat violent criminal gangs at home. DSS-trained Salvadoran law enforcement and immigration Identifying, disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal officials are another key element in combating transnational crime gang activity is only possible through collaborative efforts both at and document fraud. For several years, every new Salvadoran home and abroad. DSS and the rest of the State Department will police officer and immigration official has received intensive train- continue to work hard to deter legal entry of potential gang mem- ing on how to spot falsified travel and identity documents. bers into the United States, and to support U.S. law enforcement DSS signed agreements with the governments of El Salva- agencies combating violent gangs inside the United States. n

32 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FOCUS ON COMBATING TRANSNATIONAL CRIME

KHETHA: Bringing “Choices” to Help Address Wildlife Trafficking

An innovative USAID-supported program invites communities around protected areas to play a critical role.

BY LARA RALL

ildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable areas of the global black market and one that is becom- ing more entrenched in transnational organized crime syndicates operat- ing locally, nationally and internationally. The

WLara Rall is the communications manager of the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa’s Khetha program, supported by USAID. She began her career in con- servation in 2013 as a communication and outreach specialist for Chemonics International on the USAID Resilience in the Limpopo River Basin (RESILIM) program, based in South Africa. She joined Khetha in January 2018. The author would like to thank the following members of the Khetha program team for their reviews and comments: Michael Murphree, Dr. Jo Shaw, Lindie Botha, Nelisiwe Vundla and Natalia Banasiak. Photos courtesy of WWF.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 33 Top: Representatives of the Water Stewardship Programme, supported by the World Wide Fund for Nature and SANParks, make a field visit to a vegetable farm in Belfast, near Kruger National Park. The programme enables farmers to access water from the river inside the park. Center: The fence surrounding Kruger National Park. Bottom: During the same field visit, Water Stewardship Programme representatives inspect a pump located within KNP that irrigates a local farmer’s land.

two traditional approaches to combating this scourge—law enforcement and denial of markets—are now being comple- mented by a critical third: the organization and empowerment of communities adjacent to wildlife sanctuaries to assist in the preservation of this invaluable source of natural diversity and vital part of Earth’s ecosystem.

Scope of the Illegal Trade Hundreds of thousands of live animals and wildlife-derived products are illegally traded, amounting to an annual total esti- mated value of between $8 billion and $10 billion. The effects of wildlife trafficking are far-reaching. Poaching results in the decline of animal populations, which in turn can cause the degradation of whole ecosystems. The proliferation of syndicates associated with the illegal wildlife trade promotes corruption, undermining not only state security but also the economies and development of affected countries—especially those with sectors that rely on wildlife, such as nature-based tourism. Poaching of elephants for their ivory and rhinos for their horns are some of the most evident representations of the illegal trade in high-value wildlife products. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA) is rich in biodiversity, encompass- ing the world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa, Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe and associated private or community-owned protected areas. With more than 80 percent of Africa’s rhinos, South Africa—and Kruger National Park, in particular—has borne the brunt of the upsurge in rhino poaching incidents since 2008. Over the past three years, there has been a slight decline in the number of rhinos poached—from a national record of 1,125 animals during 2014 to 1,028 in 2017, of which almost half were killed in Kruger National Park. While the slight decline in KNP is encouraging, there appears to be a shift to poaching of other spe- cies, as well as in other areas, such as the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The increase in elephant poaching in KNP to 67 elephants in 2017 from 46 in 2016 is particularly concerning. The GLTFCA also reports an increase in wildlife poisoning incidents, which have a detrimental impact on vultures and other species.

34 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL A Message from Representative Ed Royce: Wildlife Trafficking Is a National Security Issue

withered Bengal tiger cub weighing less than a means more hunger, more poverty and more violence Aquarter of its normal body weight; king cobras across the continent. concealed in potato chip containers; a suitcase stuffed I saw this firsthand on a delegation I recently led to with bound exotic songbirds, nearly all of them dead by Angola, Botswana and Namibia. The Okavango River the time their perilous journey came to an end. Delta, which spans these countries, is home to one These are just a few of the grisly discoveries million people and the world’s largest remaining of an ongoing initiative—Operation Jungle elephant herd. But, as in other African regions, Book—that exposed a wildlife trafficking ring poaching and other forms of wildlife trafficking are in Southern California. The investigation and prosecution of these crimes was authorized Wildlife and water don’t know by the Eliminate, Neutralize and Disrupt (END) borders. For conservation to be Wildlife Trafficking Act, bipartisan legislation signed into law last year to strengthen interna- effective, we need governments, tional cooperation and treat the illegal wildlife NGOs and the private sector all trade the same as arms and drug trafficking. working together. As Operation Jungle Book shows, wildlife trafficking affects communities across the globe, including in my home state of California. Stopping these crimes isn’t just about saving the icons of increasing in the delta, and unwise develop- our animal kingdom from extinction. It is also about ment being pushed by China and others our national security. threatens to siphon off the delta’s water. There are roles for all of us to play. Congress is work- To help protect this unique ecosystem, I’m working to ing to provide a clear direction for the United States, and enact the Defending Economic Livelihoods and Threat- other governments, to follow. As America’s voice abroad, ened Animals (DELTA) Act. Among other things, this bill diplomats and other foreign policy professionals can strengthens cooperation between the governments of the have an especially big impact. United States, Angola, Botswana and Namibia and pro- That’s why I always encourage our men and women motes responsible economic growth and natural resource in the field to make conservation issues a priority. It’s management. I was proud to see the House of Represen- a great way to get out into communities, establish new tatives pass the DELTA Act in July, and I now look forward government contacts, and build relationships with local to seeing it through in the Senate. businesses and law enforcement. Like we did with the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, The challenge is clear. Profits from the illicit trade in our goal with the DELTA Act is to strengthen coordination animal parts—estimated at $20 billion annually—are a among the key players in the region. Wildlife and water key funding source for rebels and terrorist groups such don’t know borders. For conservation to be effective, we as Boko Haram and Al Shabaab, as well as international need governments, nongovernmental organizations and criminal syndicates and smuggling networks. These the private sector all working together. Our world’s well- groups corrupt local governments and spread violence, being depends on this and many more such efforts. thereby devastating the economies of affected com- —Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.) munities. According to a 2016 World Wildlife Fund study, is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee elephant poaching costs African economies as much and sponsor of the END Wildlife Trafficking Act. as $25 million in lost tourism revenue each year. This He is also championing the DELTA Act in Congress. ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PAPERSTREETDESIGN

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 35 A Complex Problem However, the effects of wildlife trafficking run deeper than the animals lost; the practice also harms the people who live in or near affected areas. Rural communities living close to protected areas are often perceived as part of the problem; they are believed to be taking part in or indirectly facilitating the illegal activities. In reality, many members of rural communities are negatively affected by wildlife traffick- ing syndicates. Exposure to illicit trafficking networks and the influx of illegal funds can lead to social instability, with repercussions such as increased drug and alcohol abuse and the sexual exploitation of women. Many of the communities living in and around the GLTFCA have a complex relationship with park management. As a result of forced relocations during the creation of these protected areas, they may have lost access to natural resources and cultural heritage sites. Rural communities living around protected areas face additional challenges such as poverty, unemployment, food insecurity and poor access to water, health care, education and proper sanitation. In many cases communities derive little or no benefit from the wildlife in neighboring protected areas. On the contrary, often protected wildlife like elephants, hippos, lions and leopards destroy crops and kill livestock, or even people themselves. Such challenges create conditions that are rife for criminal syndicates to embed themselves in the community and recruit people, particularly young men, to become involved in wildlife trafficking. In recent years there has been growing bipartisan interest Above: There are various types of land use around in the issue. In 2013 President Barack Obama issued an execu- Kruger National Park. Here a farmer walks his cattle tive order to increase the U. S. government’s efforts to reduce herd just outside the park. Below: During World wildlife trafficking domestically and provide assistance to foreign Wildlife Day in March, the South African Police Service gave a sniffer dog demonstration at the O.R. nations. In 2014 a Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking created by Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to President Obama developed the National Strategy for Combating show how rhino horn can be detected in luggage. Wildlife Trafficking. A number of government agencies—includ- ing the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S.

36 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Many of the communities living in and around wildlife refuges have a complex relationship with park management.

Agency for International Development—have made significant promotes responsible economic growth and natural resource investments in Africa and Asia to improve wildlife conservation management. and reduce wildlife trafficking. To date the response to wildlife trafficking has been concen- More recently, President Donald Trump identified wildlife trated in two areas: increased or improved law enforcement, on trafficking as a priority with the issuance of Executive Order one hand, and efforts to reduce demand for wildlife products, on 13773 in February 2017. Representative Ed Royce (R-Calif.), the other. In the long term, however, breaking the illegal wildlife chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and spon- trade chain requires a more holistic approach. sor of the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, has actively backed an ongoing initiative called Operation Jungle Book that exposed The Critical Role of Communities a wildlife trafficking ring in Southern California (see page 35). Khetha is a five-year USAID program launched in July 2017 by Rep. Royce is presently working to enact the Defending Economic WWF South Africa in partnership with the governments of South Livelihoods and Threatened Animals (DELTA) Act, which, among Africa and Mozambique. Khetha, meaning “choice” or “choose” other things, strengthens cooperation between the govern- in the local vernacular, was selected as the program’s name ments of the United States, Angola, Botswana and Namibia and based on the fundamental premise that communities around

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 37 It is important to enable communities to benefit from protected areas and take part in the decision-making around wildlife management.

protected areas have a critical role to play in the future of wildlife. The program’s activities in the trans- boundary area of South Africa and Mozambique address wildlife trafficking in southern Africa and contribute to the United States National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking. Effective law enforcement and a strong judiciary are still neces- sary to deter and discourage illegal behavior. To do so requires viable government institutions with offi- cials skilled in wildlife trafficking prevention, detection and appre- hension; crime scene management; A woman sells local produce grown around Kruger National Park. investigation; and expert prosecu- tion capabilities, as well as appropriate penalties. Because corrup- requires the support of communities and the restoration and tion is so closely related to organized crime activities, strategies to building of strong relationships between these communities and eliminate corruption are essential. park management. Yet each community in this vast region is dif- Khetha provides support through research, training and tool ferent. development. For example, Khetha conducts research into exist- Along the borders of the GLTFCA, people are diverse. They ing support mechanisms for rangers; develops and implements have different cultures, demographics, languages, livelihoods and ranger leadership and well-being training; provides training in levels of access to basic services such as employment, healthcare and testing of a restorative justice approach; develops an accred- and education. Their interaction with wildlife and park manage- ited curriculum and training program in Portuguese for field rang- ment also varies. Thus, their perceptions and attitudes toward ers in Mozambique; offers needed infrastructure and equipment, protected areas and wildlife differ. such as wildlife crime scene kits; and develops strategic commu- For Khetha and other initiatives to succeed, it is important to nications materials based on behavior change principles. genuinely understand these relationships and challenges, and Khetha will also facilitate and support collaboration and the enable communities to benefit from protected areas and take part sharing of information and lessons learned between South Afri- in the decision-making around wildlife management, instead of can and Mozambican law enforcement agencies and judiciary, only bearing the costs of living with wildlife. recognizing that better law enforcement will not in itself provide Khetha is therefore supporting partnerships between the solution for the poaching of threatened species like rhinos and communities, protected areas, local organizations, national elephants. governments and the private sector to address the different sociopolitical and economic issues within these communities, Systemic Change Is Needed thus allowing them to choose to become long-term supporters The level of systemic change needed to protect these species of protected areas and wildlife. n

38 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FS KNOW-HOW

10 THINGS I Wish I Had Known: Confessions of a Recent Retiree

BY DOLORES BROWN

etirement sneaks up on you— Foreign Service Institute’s Job Search Program supports the tran- and it doesn’t. I prepped for it sition from old habits of mind to new, which was very helpful (see over many years, methodically #10 for more). For those who aren’t able to take the course, you putting money away, deciding will chart your own evolution; but believe me, it’s a liberating pro- on my retirement destination cess. And we Foreign Service members tend to have the renewal of choice (I’m remaining in the gene—if nothing else, we are adaptable. D.C. area) and, most recently, Don’t pay attention to newspaper headlines scouting out couch-surfing 2.trumpeting that you need $1 million to retire. opportunities with my still- Those newspapers and magazines are not factoring into their $1 employed Foreign Service friends. But when the final days million equation a reliable lifetime annuity. Figure out how much Rof my career were upon me, I remembered like yesterday your annuity is worth over the span of time you’re likely to receive lamenting with my A-100 classmates that in most career it, and you’ll see that your retirement nest egg is considerably spans we could only serve in about eight overseas posts. larger than you think. In addition, although I underscore I am I knew I wanted to do more, but I wasn’t sure what. I also no financial adviser, given that we receive a stable and reliable thought I knew what I needed to know. I was wrong. Here are 10 income through our annuity, we can choose to be more aggres- things I wish I had known as the big day closed in: sive in our investment strategy with other funds we have at our It can be really energizing to shake your life disposal. This strategy can provide a hedge against inflation and 1.up. The first rule of thumb for me was to stop focusing unforeseen events. on the end of life as I knew it, and to start looking forward. The To learn more, take advantage of FSI’s battery of retirement courses starting in mid-career and tune into AFSA webinars on Dolores Marie Brown retired from the Foreign Service retirement subjects as early as possible. in April 2018 with the rank of Minister Counselor. Ms. It’s a new world out there in terms of job- Brown’s most recent assignments include political 3.hunting. I think we all realize that applying for jobs adviser to the three-star general at the Defense Logistics now happens online. But do you know how to get your resumé Agency, acting assistant secretary in the Bureau of Con- noticed? The answer is keywords. After all, a computer is doing flict and Stabilization Operations and management counselor at Em- the initial culling and will only spit out resumés and letters that bassy Cairo. She also served as deputy director of the Operations Center include the words for which it’s looking. So don’t use your own and deputy chief of mission at Embassy Tallinn, and was the first State vernacular; instead, use phrasing that is included in the job Department officer seconded to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to advertisement to better your chances to scale this hurdle. In addi- establish the Terrorist Screening Center shortly after the attacks on tion, be aware of pitfalls when using technology. One speaker at Sept. 11, 2001. Ms. Brown is AFSA's retirement benefits counselor. the JSP told an entertaining but apocryphal tale about a woman

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 39 who conducted her Skype job interview in her daughter’s room, Personal cards are not 19th-century relics. where the family’s laptop resides. The problem was that behind 7.Remember those sprawling Victorian novels in which this professional-looking applicant hung a Technicolor poster of characters would leave their calling cards on the fireplace ponies, not exactly the image one wants to project. Oh, and don’t mantle? That’s what I thought of when the JSP introduced the forget to wear your pants or skirt—you never know if you may idea of personal cards. But I buckled, got them, and have used have to get up. them often as I’m navigating in new environments and making There is a wide variety of appealing full- and new connections. 4.part-time work out there. And, I’d venture to say, Get sound, individualized professional finan- something for everyone who wants it. Again, I had the benefit of 8.cial advice and focus on tax implications early. the JSP and its excellent line-up of speakers, which introduced Okay, I admit I didn’t do this; but you should. The decisions you participants to an appealing smorgasbord of possibilities. We make even 15 years before you retire can reverberate for good or were introduced to options ranging from professional mediator, to ill when you are nearing retirement. Focus particularly on the tax highly skilled Peace Corps Volunteer for short stints, to English as and estate planning implications of each available option. a Second Language teacher, to consultant, to writer, etc. There is Don’t worry if it takes time to absorb all of the a whole universe out there beyond the WAE/RAE route, if you’re 9.information on finances, Medicare and other looking for something different or moving outside the D.C. area. health care options, elder care, etc. I had to hear about the It’s harder than you think to put together a great difference between a guaranteed annuity from TSP and other 5.resumé. Resumés now generally include a concise alternatives for withdrawing funds many times before the infor- upfront statement about who you are, what you want to do and mation stuck. I find many topics are like that. Start earlier than what you have to offer—a thought-provoking exercise in itself. One you think and revisit every few years as your circumstances and trend that was difficult for my colleagues in our JSP resumé work- the general investment landscape may change. And visit AFSA’s ing group was the notion that we needed to throw in adjectives website (afsa.org/afsa-video) as often as you like to view videos to describe our stellar qualities in this statement, something that on a variety of retirement topics. is difficult for anyone who is uncomfortable with braggadocio. In Sign up for the JSP. If you’ve read this far, you addition, you really need honest and careful people to critique 10.know I’m a fan of the Foreign Service Institute’s your resumé, which takes time. Six of us went over each other’s Job Search Program, which helped me on both a practical and draft resumes with fine-toothed combs not once, but twice. This psychological level as I faced retirement. The line-up of speakers was an exhaustive process, something that I don’t recommend includes foreign affairs agency retirees, professional recruiters you ask your best friend(s) to do. Or, if you do, take them out for a and experts in relevant professional areas, covering the bases from big dinner at the end of it all. health insurance to annuities, from tax implications of Roth IRAs Consider taking out long-term care insurance to tax-favorable states. 6.earlier rather than later. No one likes to think about Participants also break up into small groups to discuss their this when they’re young, but anyone who has navigated a loved ideas about the future—not just about work, but holistically—and one through the health care system when long-term assistance is test those ideas in a supportive atmosphere. This exercise both needed will recognize the wisdom of considering this insurance. sharpened my thinking and opened me up to possibilities I hadn’t In addition, the decision you make on this subject could have a previously considered. huge impact on whether your estate remains fully intact for your Most importantly, the JSP helped me to realize that retirement heirs. Experts will tell you to read the fine print so that you know is simply part of a continuum in one’s life, not a euphemism for precisely what is covered and what isn’t—it isn’t a step to take an ending. It’s a label for what may come after full-time work, and lightly. There are alternatives in the form of buying into senior doesn’t necessarily mean a golf cart on a golf course. My col- communities in which you can be assisted part- or full-time as you leagues and I all came up with unique plans for the next few years age, but that can be a costly proposition. The point is that if you thanks to our JSP experience, but all of our plans had one thing know you wish to opt for long-term care insurance, it is much less in common: they drew on our experience and what was clos- expensive the earlier you sign up. est to our hearts. And that good old Foreign Service adaptability You’ll find a recent video on the topic of long-term care insur- doesn’t hurt, either. n ance at afsa.org/video.

40 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL FEATURE Jessica’s JOURNEYS

Not just tales of many travels during a xpatriates share the wanderlust too-short life, they are the story of an gene embedded deep in our DNA— perhaps a throwback to nomadic FS community that supported ancestors, perhaps just a tick in the her, and supports us all. evolutionary clock. Whatever its origin, it prompts us to constant BY LESLIE BASSETT movement, exploration, investigation and introspection. It means we carry with us always the cords of childhood that connect us to family and the bonds of global adventures E(and misadventures) that link us to a found community of like spirits. We carry home in backpacks, suitcases and ship- ping boxes. We carry families in our hearts, our stories, our much-thumbed photos and our social media. Jessica el Bechir was an explorer, a truth-teller and a col- league whose indelible spirit made her a cherished member of many families, both genetic and peripatetic. She was itiner- ant even in her youth—first an exchange student, then a Peace Corps Volunteer before joining the State Department Foreign Service. I knew her as a consular officer and general services

Leslie Bassett retired in 2017 from the Senior Foreign Service. She is a former U.S. ambassador to Paraguay. HANNAH DUFFORD HANNAH Jessica’s friends and colleagues erected a Ambassador Bassett has also served as deputy chief sundial in the Embassy Rangoon garden in of mission in Manila, Mexico City and Gaborone. She her memory. served informally as coordinator of Women Ambas- sadors Serving America at the State Department.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 41 Jessica and her HR team at Embassy Rangoon at an awards ceremony in December 2014. Left to right: Julia Swe, Susan Nwe, Jess, Jenny Thi and Khin Mar. COURTESY OF SUSAN NWE officer in Seoul. From there she transferred to Rangoon to run fort others, and the imperative to make decisions. It fell initially the Office of Human Resources. Wherever she was, Jessica’s to her traveling companions and embassy teams in both Viet- passion for life and for her daughter, her blistering frankness nam and Myanmar to care for the surviving victims, protect Jess and her irrepressible energy were effervescent. She shared her and support her family. As the news spread around the world, views, her plant-garnished cocktails, her friendship and her Jessica’s friends and families began to pull together. compassion with equal fervor. When Jessica was tragically killed In Rangoon Jessica’s supervisor and friend, Lisa Povolni, in an accident in Vietnam in March 2017, her birth family and was enjoying a slow Sunday when she heard the news. Many of her traveling families came together to grieve, to remember and the responsibilities were hers as management counselor; she to bring her home to Louisiana and to all the other places she would take on many more as Jessica’s friend. Lisa remembers: “I loved. went to the embassy and started logging on to the computer to Jessica’s journeys are not just tales of many travels during get Jess’ next-of-kin information. I sent that to the ambassador a too-short life. They are the story of an FS community that and deputy chief of mission; and the ambassador called Jess’ supported her—and supports us all—on our itinerant journey mother. He asked her mother how she wanted to notify Jessica’s through life. daughter. Jess’ mother asked us to handle the notification, but then to immediately Facetime her, so she could talk to her Absorbing the Shock granddaughter.” Like all of her many friends, I was shocked by the news that “A small group of us went to Jessica’s apartment,” Lisa recalls. Jessica had died while on vacation in Vietnam. We exchanged “We broke the news to her daughter, and spent the next hours what little we knew on Facebook, united by a quickly established comforting her and talking to her family. We found out that Jess’ memorial page. She had taken a last-minute weekend trip with grandfather was in Australia and could get to Rangoon quickly.” embassy friends, then came a motorcycle accident and tragedy. That quickly turned into a three-country odyssey that involved We shared photos and memories as the news spread; we shared Consulate Sydney, Embassy Kuala Lumpur and continued our shock and sorrow, as well. Like the other 500 people who engagement by Embassy Rangoon to overcome visa and travel eventually joined us on Facebook, I couldn’t believe she was gone. obstacles; but he made it in time to attend Jessica’s flag cer- I could imagine, though, what it would take to bring her emony the first work day after the accident. home. The death of an embassy colleague is devastating. You are “The entire embassy community gathered at the flagpole; torn between overwhelming grief, the need to inform and com- and staff, mostly local staff, had purchased hundreds of flow-

42 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ers,” remembers Lisa. “The ambassador said a few words; we for staff to use to write memories of her. We left the light on and observed a moment of silence; and the Marines took down the the door open so anyone could come in.” flag, folded it and presented it to Jess’ grandfather. After that, each embassy staff member came one by one to the flagpole Gathering Memories to lay flowers in memory of Jess. It was an incredibly moving Jessica’s scattered community of friends was still grieving moment.” too. Facebook served as our memory book, and also as a call to That same day a survivor of the accident, Jessica’s colleague action. Jessica’s Washington friends collected toys and gifts for and friend R.C. Bitting, spoke with Jessica’s family from his her daughter. Others curated a playlist of Jessica’s favorite songs. hospital bed in Hanoi. He remembers: “This was the most Former Peace Corps colleagues gathered photos that poured difficult phone conversation I’ve ever had, but Jess’ mother, in from around the world. Amidst it all Jessica’s mother, Suzette father and grandfather were so supportive of my recovery. Daniel, and her family offered comfort and grace to Jessica’s far- Others have credited them for bringing me back from a growing flung friends. dark depression.” Lisa volunteered to bring Jessica’s remains back to Louisi- At the embassy in Rangoon, the ceremony was over but not ana—an honor, but also a nightmare tangle of “Fly America” the grieving. Lisa continues: “Our medical officer suggested and other rules. Managing sorrow and bureaucracy at the same turning Jess’ office into a memorial to allow people a place to time is a superhuman task. Lisa recounts: “On the third day mourn and absorb the loss. After the flag ceremony, manage- after Jess’ death, I became incredibly angry in my grief; and ment staff filled her office with vases of flowers and set up a for lack of a better target, my anger was directed completely at small memorial with a photo of Jess and a blank memory book our bureaucracy. I woke up to multiple action messages from

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 43 RAY CIANFRANO RAY Jessica’s coffin returns to the United States, where colleagues were waiting to receive it.

Washington offices that obviously were not coordinating with each other. Digging through their to-do items for us was taking me away from supporting Jess’ family and our team. The bureaucracy does not step up in situations like this, but people do.” We followed Jessica’s homecoming through Lisa’s Facebook posts. From Rangoon to Hanoi, and then to Ho Chi Minh City, supported in both places by embassy and consulate staff. Then the long flight to Dubai, then to Dulles and bad weather that delayed their onward travel for agonizing days. Then a flight to Atlanta and yet another delay.

44 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL And finally, as Lisa remembers: “As we were landing in New Orleans, I talked to the head flight attendant to make sure I could get off the plane first to meet Jess’ family on the tarmac. He was a retired Army veteran and he asked, ‘Who are you bringing home?’ I told him about Jess, and about her daughter; he had tears in his eyes as we talked. I met Jess’ family on the tarmac, and the first person I saw was her mother. She walked over to me and gave me a big hug. The only words that came out of my mouth were, ‘I’m so sorry. I loved her so much.’ As we watched her coffin come off the plane, I noticed that the flight attendant had joined us. He was standing at attention and saluting.” Lisa’s Facebook post read: “She’s home.”

A Somber, Joyous Celebration Those who could flew, carpooled, bused and trained their way to St. Francisville, Louisiana, in early April for a somber, loud, joyous and sorrowful celebration of Jessica’s life. Her favorite songs played loudly. People toasted her with plant- garnished cocktails and shared their many stories of Jessica as a red-headed handful in school, as an exchange student in Ire- land, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mauritania, as a dedicated and fun-loving mother, as a friend and as a Foreign Service offi- cer. As the sun settled into the horizon, her friends and families launched dream lanterns into the starry night sky, each one representing the many good memories. At Embassy Rangoon friends and colleagues looked to the sunny sky, thought of Jes- sica and created a sundial in the garden to mark the light she left in many lives. Nomads call many places home. Jessica’s family shared her ashes with her many wandering friends, with the request that they leave some in the places she loved best. Jessica now swims in the clear waters of the French Caribbean. She smiles from the tallest limbs of a North Carolina pine tree. She waits on the banks of the Nile. She dances on the westernmost point of Africa. She applauds at Madison Square Garden. She is remembered at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon and in the embassy garden there whenever the sun shines. Her parents left her along every beach in California and at the Sea of Cortez. Most important, Jes- sica basks in the Louisiana heat, watching her daughter flower into a young woman. Life in the Foreign Service can seem lonely, and our lives can feel remote from those we love most. Jessica reminds us that the communities of friends we build along the way are family, too. We have room in our hearts, and in our lives, for all and then some. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 45 FAMILY MEMBER MATTERS

Making It in Mongolia: Surviving One of the Coldest Capitals

BY NICOLE SCHAEFER-MCDANIEL

t’s the first day of our last spring in the Foreign Service to experience the studio and soon found myself training Mongolia. The smog has temporarily foreign, and finding my way around to become a yoga teacher, memorizing lifted over Ulaanbaatar’s city center, with a toddler-level vocabulary made it pose names in Sanskrit from a training Iand the sky is back to a beautiful all the more adventurous. manual that had been hastily translated shade of blue. It seems like the entire We arrived in summer, with weather from Mongolian. embassy community is outside: kids wildly alternating between hot, cool and Yoga gave me a space outside the riding bikes, playing tag and digging in rainy. After a few short weeks of perfect embassy “bubble” and time to reflect on melting snow and ice. Spring has finally fall temperatures, we headed into the roller coaster of Foreign Service life arrived. winter. I prepared to keep myself busy while building physical fitness. I con- Though it seems like the blink of an indoors with work at a local university. tinue to grow as a teacher, reminding eye, almost three years have passed In that first year I learned a valuable myself and my students to connect our since we first landed here. Thinking lesson: have back-up plans in case jobs bodies and our minds as we experience back to my initial burst of excitement don’t survive economic hardships in life wherever it may take us. and anxiety, I realize how fond I have developing nations. As naïve as it may sound, each over- grown of this place and its people. That When the temperatures dropped to seas assignment is truly what you make is not to say that life here is without -30 F on a regular basis during our sec- of it. Yes, there were many moments challenges: horrendous air pollution ond winter, I became a pro at getting my of frustration with Mongolia’s bureau- in the extremely cold and long winters, family dressed and out the door in the cracy, lack of organization, terrible traf- limited health care, isolation from dark morning hours. The secret? Layers fic and serious pollution—but there was pretty much anywhere else in the world of long underwear, snow pants, long also its beauty. and expensive airline tickets to get out. winter parkas, sheep fur-lined boots I spent time with eagle hunters in Though I already considered myself and a collection of locally purchased the far west observing their skills; dug a seasoned Foreign Service spouse, (and affordable) cashmere and yak leg- around in the Gobi Desert for dinosaur this was our first post where I could not warmers, hats, scarves and mittens. fossils with my kids; went dog sled- speak the local language—and not for a I learned to store my family’s winter ding on a frozen river; drank fermented lack of trying. Being bilingual, I thought accessories in individual bins next to mare’s milk; and rode camels and I had an advantage; I worked tediously the door and to allow plenty of time to horses while taking in the stark splen- with a tutor memorizing a new alpha- wrangle my kids into them while shout- dor and vast open spaces of the steppe. bet, but the utter lack of cognates in this ing orders to use the bathroom before And I became an expert winter very foreign tongue left me flustered. zipping up snow pants. outfitter who discovered a passion for But I kept telling myself we joined I also learned to laugh when my yoga along the way. So what if I ended hair froze in a matter of minutes as we up with food poisoning again or felt Nicole Schaefer-McDaniel waited for the bus. And I learned to obligated to consume more vodka and and her husband, FSO take photos to remember those rushed mutton during local holidays than any- John McDaniel, joined the mornings very quickly, before cell- one should have to in a lifetime? This is Foreign Service community phone batteries succumbed to the cold. the foreign we signed up for. n in 2009. They have served The long winters also gave me time in Brazil, Austria and Mongolia. Their next to do something completely different. assignment is Wuhan. I started practicing yoga at a nearby

46 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWSTHE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATIONAFSA NEWS

USDC and AFSA Join Forces for Remembrance of 1998 East Africa Embassy Bombings CALENDAR

October 8 Columbus Day – AFSA Offices Closed

October 9 Luncheon: 195th A-100 Class

October 10 12-1 p.m. Job Search Program Brown Bag Lunch

October 10 4-6 p.m. Annual AFSA Awards Ceremony

October 17

AFSA/SHAWN DORMAN AFSA/SHAWN 12-1:30 p.m. Panelists George Mimba, Mike Trott, Tina Mdobilu, Dudley Sims, Ambassador Pru Bushnell and Ambassador AFSA Governing John Lange discuss their experiences during and after the bombing. Board Meeting

On Aug. 6 the U.S. Diplomacy included Susan Pompeo, the Embassy Nairobi; Mike Trott, October 17, 24 and 31 Center hosted “Remem- spouse of Secretary of State who had been the regional AFSA/Smithsonian brance, Reflection, Resilience: Mike Pompeo; USAID Admin- executive officer at the USAID Associates: “The Future of U.S.-Russia Relations” Commemorating the 20th istrator Mark Green; Assistant mission in Kenya for just Anniversary of the East Africa Secretary of State for African 10 days when the bombing October 25 Bombings” in the Harry S Tru- Affairs Tibor Nagy; and USDC occurred; Tina Mdobilu, an Retiree Webinar with man Building. Director Mary Kane. FSN interpreter for Embassy AFSA President AFSA’s Foreign Service The highlight was the Dar es Salaam at the time Ambassador Barbara Stephenson Journal team—working with two-part panel discussion, of the bombing; and Dudley Ambassadors Pru Bushnell moderated by AFSA Presi- Sims, a public affairs officer October 26 and John Lange, and with the dent Ambassador Barbara who arrived in Dar es Salaam Job Search Program U.S. Diplomacy Center—spent Stephenson, during which just eight days before the Graduation Reception months collecting reflections survivors of the bombings bombing. These survivors October 28-November 1 from survivors for a special spoke. discussed in moving detail AFSA Road Scholar Program July-August edition of The First, Pru Bushnell, U.S. their experiences during the Washington, D.C. Foreign Service Journal and ambassador in Nairobi at the bombing and its aftermath. November 12 planning the anniversary time of the bombings, and In her remarks, Amb. Ste- Veterans Day – event. (Reflections were also John Lange, chargé d’affaires phenson said that the com- AFSA Offices Closed shared with the Association in Dar es Salaam, gave power- memoration was intended to for Diplomatic Studies and ful remarks describing the be “about community, coming November 14 Training for a special oral his- situation on the ground and together to remember and 12-1:30 p.m. AFSA Governing tory collection.) in the U.S. relationship with to honor those we have lost Board Meeting Many survivors whose per- Kenya and Tanzania at the and the survivors, those who sonal stories were included in time. kept going, and who rebuilt, November 22 and 23 the Journal were among the Panelists for the second kept our diplomacy and our Thanksgiving – AFSA Offices Closed more than 200 people who part were: George Mimba, an communities going.” And attended the event. Speakers FSN and 26-year employee of Continued on p. 56

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 47 AFSA NEWS

DIPLOMACY THROUGH MUSIC AFSA President’s Speech Brings People to Their Feet

On Aug. 7, AFSA President watched performances by Ambassador Barbara villagers in Lesotho before Stephenson delivered a being invited to share her nearly hour-long speech at own country’s song and the Chautauqua Institution dance. On a whim, the FSO on “Conducting Diplomacy taught the villagers the Through Sharing Music.” hokey pokey. This light- Founded in 1874, the hearted exchange offered a Chautauqua Institution starting point, Amb. Ste- springs to life for nine weeks phenson explained: “You each summer offering a share your song with me, I wide range of lectures, fine share my song with you, we RILEY ROBINSON/THE CHAUTAUQUAN DAILY CHAUTAUQUAN ROBINSON/THE RILEY and performing arts shows, see where we can go from Ambassador Barbara Stephenson at Chautauqua. interfaith programs and there.” She went recreational activities. Each on to contrast soft emanating from the Soviet of the nine weeks focuses power, which invites Union in the form of Russian on a different theme; Amb. others to join in, with ballet, literature and clas- Stephenson was invited hard, coercive power, sical music. And it worked. to speak during the week citing Joseph Nye’s Amb. Stephenson showed centered on the arts and 2004 masterwork a clip in which Brubeck was global understanding, which Soft Power: The performing a piano concert included a performance by Means to Success in in the Soviet Union when an the Silk Road Ensemble with World Politics. audience member leapt to Yo-Yo Ma. She then played his feet, violin in hand, and On the morning of her several audiovisual marble memorial plaque began to play a duet with speech, the Chautauquan clips reflecting the role of in the lobby of the State a stunned and delighted Daily published an article, music in society: in celebra- Department. Brubeck. “What Diplomats Do and tion during Christmas, at Amb. Stephenson then “I think this musical Why it Matters,” written by prayer during Ramadan, in spoke of the U.S. Diplo- moment captures the Amb. Stephenson. joy during a Jewish wedding macy Center’s recent “Jazz concept of soft, attrac- In addition to those who and in grief at an African Diplomacy” display, housed tive power perfectly,” Amb. tuned in via Facebook Live, funeral. She shared a clip in the State Department’s Stephenson explained. an audience of nearly 3,500 of the impromptu moment 21st Street entrance. She “The best diplomacy feels gathered in the open-air when members of the House recalled the golden age of like that to me—it feels like, amphitheater to listen as of Representatives, united jazz diplomacy, during which ‘Let me join you. I want to Amb. Stephenson described at a time of national tragedy, America’s most famous jazz be part of this.’ Creating how music can be used to sang “God Bless America” musicians—Dizzy Gillespie, an experience like that is bring people—even adver- on the steps of the Capitol Louis Armstrong, Duke hard work, art almost, but saries—together, with the on Sept. 11, 2001. The audi- Ellington, Dave Brubeck and it’s worth it. Those who potential to create a break- ence watched a solemn clip many others—embarked seek to master the art of through to peace. of Foreign Service officers on years-long world tours diplomacy should seek to Amb. Stephenson began singing “The Star-Spangled to share American jazz create moments like this— with an anecdote about Banner” together, as names music and culture. It was moments when our partners cultural diplomacy in which of those who died in the line America’s answer to the choose to walk with us— a Foreign Service officer of duty were unveiled on the Cold War cultural diplomacy Continued on p. 57

48 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

AFSA Welcomes Newest ANNOUNCING THE 2018 Foreign Service Members AFSA AWARD WINNERS Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy: Ambassador (ret.) Ronald E. Neumann

Constructive Dissent: Ambassador (ret.) Thomas A. Shannon Jr. (Christian A. Herter Award for Senior Foreign Service Officers) Roshni Nirody (William R. Rivkin Award for

AFSA/DONNA GORMAN AFSA/DONNA Mid-Level Foreign Service Officers) AFSA State VP Ken Kero-Mentz addresses the 194th A-100 class. Elena C. Augustine On Aug. 9 AFSA hosted a (W. Averell Harriman Award for Entry-Level Officers) luncheon for the 89-member Joseph Conners 148th specialist class. Then on (F. Allen ‘Tex’ Harris Award for Foreign Service Specialists) Aug. 15 AFSA hosted the 194th A-100 class—with 82 mem- Exemplary Performance: bers, it’s the largest A-100 class we’ve seen in a long Ambassador (ret.) Patricia A. Butenis while at AFSA HQ. (Award for Achievement and We are thrilled to have Contributions to the Association) such a large group of newly Margaret Kennett

minted officers and specialists GORMAN AFSA/DONNA (Nelson B. Delavan Award for Office Management Specialists) joining our ranks at last. We AFSA Membership Specialist Ashley had a wonderful group of table Dunn discusses member benefits. John Warner hosts including such lumi- its members throughout the (Avis Bohlen Award for Community Liaison Officers) naries as Ambassador (ret.) course of their careers, from Marisol Garcia Linda Thomas-Greenfield; our daily media digest that (M. Juanita Guess Award for Eligible Family Members) Ambassador (ret.) Jay Anania; helps members stay abreast David Bargueño and Kelly Billingsley Mette Beecroft, one of the of important and breaking (Mark Palmer Award for the Advancement of Democracy) founders of the Family Liaison news in the field of diplomacy Office; Ambassador (ret.) to legal advice and assistance. John Blaney; AFSA Secre- Membership Specialist Runners-Up: tary Ambassador (ret.) Tom Ashley Dunn took our guests Maria Valentine (Delavan Award) Boyatt; and Ambassador (ret.) through some of the benefits Judith Martin (Bohlen Award) Lino Gutiérrez. they can expect to receive as Lori Doutrich and Karen Fifield (Guess Award) AFSA President Ambas- members, such as discounts sador Barbara Stephenson on Zipcar and subscriptions to welcomed the group and told The Economist and The Atlan- Full coverage of the AFSA awards ceremony, profiles of the them stories from her 33-year tic. And they all took away award recipients and an interview with Amb. Neumann will (so far) career as a diplomat copies of The Foreign Service appear in the December issue of The Foreign Service Journal. who rose through the ranks as Journal. a working mother with a “trail- More than 100 of our Please join us for the awards ceremony on Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. ing spouse” by her side. luncheon guests have already at the Department of State. n AFSA State VP Ken signed up to join AFSA. Kero-Mentz talked about the Welcome to the Foreign various ways AFSA assists Service! n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 49 STATE VP VOICE | BY KENNETH KERO-MENTZ AFSA NEWS

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

We Work Hard for the Money

It’s been a busy few months While much better than Working together, we will continue to make of advocacy for AFSA. We’ve last year, the numbers are the department the best possible place to been engaging with the significantly lower (especially work on behalf of the American people. department on a range of at the FS-2 to FS-1 level) than issues. We don’t always get expected, even according to traction, but I’m pleased to the State Department’s own report that our ideas—your five-year projections. ideas—often get a warm With all the departures reception and sometimes at senior levels in the past we’re hearing (without giving rules of pay for the Secre- lead to changes and improve- 18 months, we argued that names)—with the DG’s tary’s Detail, AFSA fought ments in how we do our jobs. promoting at higher rates office and, if necessary, with back and forced a halt to For instance, when one of was necessary, as there was the Office of the Inspector the changes. One member our posts went on ordered both the pull and push for General. The retribution wrote to thank us: “Our case departure in May, we heard promotions. Unfortunately, we’re seeing is cause for was a concrete example of from members who were promotion rates were unsat- grave concern. Please be in management taking advan- expected to stay at post isfactory for many categories touch if you need us. tage of junior agents. Even while their kids had to depart. and did little to ameliorate AFSA has continued to with a tight deadline, your Single-parent employees the problem. provide support and assis- team prioritized our case or tandem couples found it In April the department tance to members sickened and took decisive action on especially difficult to get the unilaterally changed the max- by a mysterious illness in our behalf before changes kids to a safe haven, and the imum age for eligibility for Cuba (and now China). We could be implemented. This department’s rules can com- the Summer Hire Program join meetings with MED, the was an outstanding testimo- plicate matters by requiring for college-age children from Cuba Cohort Task Force and nial for many who have paid that employees “check in” in 24 to 21, purportedly to align other department officials AFSA dues for years, unsure Washington to receive finan- with the FAM definition of an and affected FS members to of how/if the union would cial support. eligible family member. discuss issues such as insur- be there when needed. … We advocated that the This change would have ance coverage, reimburse- Thanks again to you and your department allow single-par- seriously damaged the ment for travel and lodging team!” ent employees (or tandems) program that allows missions during medical treatment That’s what it’s all about to bring their children to the overseas to hire college-age and other concerns. for us—maximizing your safe haven and then either FS kids for summer jobs in Senior department benefits. Working together, return to post or Washington, U.S. missions. We immedi- officials are committed to we will continue to make the D.C., to continue service as ately registered our concerns addressing the needs of department the best possible needed. over this nonsensical change, this group, but employees place to work. n While we didn’t com- and the department agreed continue to raise issues pletely resolve the matter, we to hold off on implementa- concerning MED’s response; were informed that an appeal tion, at least until next year. members cite a lack of to DGDirect can lead to assis- You may have read about communication regarding tance being provided during certain political appointees their precise medical status such events, and that (thank- in the department causing and continuing confusion fully) flexibility does exist in difficulties for Foreign regarding treatment. the regs, if one knows where Service members whom Recent reports from our to look. And we can help. the appointees determined FCS colleagues similarly Again this year, promo- were not sufficiently loyal to affected in China echo these tion numbers were low, and the current administration. concerns. we met with HR on a number When we hear from members Finally, when DS of occasions to discuss this. about this, we share what attempted to change the

50 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL USAID VP VOICE | BY JEFFREY LEVINE AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA USAID VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 712-5267

FSOs Need to Support Diversity and Inclusion

The headlines over the sador Barbara Stephenson differences and draw Contact your Office for Staff past few years should be wrote about preserving strength from diversity. Care, Office of Civil Rights upsetting to Foreign Service core diplomatic power in There are so many ways to and Diversity, or even your officers everywhere. These her May 2018 President’s support diversity and inclusion Family Liaisón Office. stories affect our lives at Views column in The Foreign that saying “I have no time” As FSOs, our leader- home and our work. Better Service Journal. I would add is not an acceptable excuse. ship and actions can make than most, Foreign Service to her words that as FSOs, The easiest and yet maybe our communities and work officers know, because we’ve we lead through example, the most important action is places, both in the United seen it, that when people get doing ourselves what we for FSOs to be seen out front, States and abroad, better upset, they often take it out also ask others to do. This is openly supporting and prac- places by fostering an envi- on others. We’re seeing this what gives us credibility and ticing diversity and inclusion ronment with fair and equal now in the headlines in U.S. respect from our partners in the office, with our partners, opportunities for career newspapers, as some of our around the world, and what and in our communities. success, advancement and fellow citizens look to blame makes our Foreign Service You can help your office, professional development others—people who look, the premier diplomatic corps mission or neighborhood to for all employees, thereby act or speak differently from in the world. Our demon- organize an event around building a stronger American them—for their own troubles. stration of commitment to diversity and inclusion. diplomat corps and helping This is a critical moment diversity and inclusion in our Simply joining an Employee us reach our foreign policy for FS leadership. We need own workforce speaks more Resource Group or Employee objectives. Remember: “If to be advocates for a better to our partners about what Affinity Group will strengthen you do not intentionally, way. We need to provide the the United States stands for that group’s ability to advo- deliberately and proactively leadership to move past this than anything they hear in cate for its members. include, you will unintention- moment. the news or see on Twitter. Unsure how to engage? ally exclude.” n FSOs know from our years USAID FSOs work closely of service overseas that one with all sorts of host-country of America’s strengths is our local partners, and our leader- AFSA Governing Board diversity—and not just ethnic ship by example on diversity Meeting, August 16, 2018 or gender diversity, but diver- and inclusion makes a dif- sity of thought, of geography, ference not just in terms of of language. While it some- promoting American foreign Retiree Vice President Report: By unanimous consent, times leads to misunderstand- policy objectives, but also in the Board directed VP Naland to submit the following ings and even arguments, this making our overseas com- names as nominees to the Foreign Service Labor Relations diversity is what makes us the munities and work places Board: Ambassador Herman Cohen, Ambassador Dennis powerful, creative nation that safe, supportive places Hays, Lisa Booker, and Margie Brogan. we are. As FSOs, we need to for men and women of all COO Report: Auditors from Clifton Larson Allen pro- focus on supporting diversity backgrounds. And it ties into vided a report on their audit of AFSA finances. and inclusion in both our USAID’s stated core values: It was moved that the Governing Board adopt the home communities and our Respect: Demonstrate recommendation of the auditors’ report to establish an work places. respect for one another, our enterprise risk management system appropriate for AFSA, A colleague of mine’s partners and the people we the specifics of which will be suggested by the COO at the email signature quotes Amer- serve in communities around next Board meeting. The motion was adopted. ican author and speaker Joe the world. New Business: On behalf of the Political Action Com- Gerstandt: “If you do not Empowerment: Elevate mittee it was moved to amend the PAC SOP by striking intentionally, deliberately and all voices striving for global “calendar year” and inserting “election cycle, defined as proactively include, you will economic, environmental and beginning Jan. 1 following an election and ending Dec. 31 of unintentionally exclude.” social progress. the next election year.” The motion was adopted. n AFSA President Ambas- Inclusion: Value our

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 51 FAS VP VOICE | BY KIMBERLY SAWATZKI AFSA NEWS

Views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the AFSA FAS VP. Contact: [email protected] | (202) 720-3650

Mission (Almost) Impossible: Landing a Desirable Position in D.C. When I describe the process And our job options in For the five returning FO-01 and Senior for returning FAS FSOs to Washington? Not many and Foreign Service officers in 2017, there land jobs in Washington, generally not great, espe- were only five available positions. D.C., colleagues from other cially for the higher grades. foreign affairs agencies look For the five returning FO-01 at me in bewilderment. and Senior Foreign Service During the fall of our officers in 2017, there were final year at post, we bid on only five available posi- back to Washington because perpetuating the cycle. Our specific positions overseas tions; and two-thirds of the there are so few decent job current shortfall of FO-01 or simply on “Washington.” agency’s program areas had options? Or are there so few and FO-02 officers exacer- However, we have no idea zero vacancies. jobs because FSOs prefer to bates the problem. what positions will be avail- The situation was even be overseas? Why can’t we develop a able in Washington until worse in 2018—there was Civil Service managers better process for assigning early spring of the following only one available position are understandably reluc- returning FSOs? We have year, and we don’t receive at the FO-01 level outside of tant to keep positions open tried a parade of potential our Washington assign- the Office of Foreign Service for FSOs since we tend to remedies over the decades, ments until June. Operations. OFSO is the only jump ship and head back and all have left both the Transition planning and program area with Foreign overseas quickly, especially Foreign Service and Civil preparation is a genuine Service-designated posi- when the job options in Service feeling short- challenge: many FSOs tions, so we compete with Washington are under- changed and unfulfilled. depart post permanently the Civil Service for all other whelming. However, once In my next column, I will without knowing where they openings. sought-after positions are explore options for a new will work, what they will Our agency has a classic occupied by members of and improved system. Stay be doing or when they are chicken vs. egg conundrum. the Civil Service, they rarely tuned! n expected to start. Are FSOs reluctant to come open up again, thereby

Appreciation: Willard Ames ‘Bill’ De Pree

AFSA is saddened to learn of 2001) and retiree representa- munications and Membership the passing of Ambassador tive (1995-1999). Ambassador Ásgeir Sigfússon said: “Bill Bill De Pree, a longtime friend De Pree also chaired the AFSA was very kind to me when I and supporter of AFSA and scholarship committee from started working on AFSA’s the Foreign Service. Amb. 1996 to 1997. Elderhostel programs in 2005, De Pree died on July 2 in Amb. De Pree started and generously shared his Bethesda, Md. AFSA’s Road Scholar program knowledge and contacts. He Amb. De Pree spent 38 in 1996 (under its original had a great sense of humor, AFSA years as a Foreign Service name, Elderhostel) to raise and when he spoke at our officer, including assignments public awareness of the need programs the audience always as ambassador to Mozam- for a strong and effective U.S. loved him. He is remembered AFSA extends its con- bique and Bangladesh. After Foreign Service; the program fondly by many AFSA staff and dolences to Amb. De Pree’s retiring, Amb. De Pree served has since reached close to board members. He did so four living children, Thomas, on AFSA’s Governing Board as 15,000 Americans from all much for AFSA. His death is a Birgitta, Susie and Anita. See interim president (1997), vice parts of the United States. big loss for us and the Foreign “In Memory,” page 59, for his president for retirees (1999- AFSA Director of Com- Service community.” complete obituary. n

52 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL WHERE WE STAND | BY JULIE NUTTER, PROFESSIONAL POLICY ISSUES DIRECTOR

Rebuilding Our Economic Strength

In AFSA’s efforts to boost work is often overlooked, but A medium- or long-term imbalance in America’s core diplomatic its benefits can be quick and available positions and bidders spells capability overseas, an area obvious to Americans. When trouble for stewardship of the economic of particular focus is the most people think of the need for additional economic Foreign Service, they think career track. positions overseas. There are of stereotypical diplomatic obvious geostrategic reasons (political) work, and rarely for this emphasis—Chinese make a connection between competition with the United the economic and commer- working overseas in actual the integrity of the career States for global influence cial work done in embassies economic positions. The path itself—placing economic has a distinctly sharp and U.S. prosperity. The rest are in mixed pol/econ, officers in danger of not hav- economic edge, for instance. more connections we can political or consular work, in ing the requisite experience Concerns on Capitol Hill make between the economic training or at headquarters. and background to reach the that the United States is and commercial work of the When we spread these senior ranks due to a chronic falling behind economically Foreign Service and the pros- 369 officers among 278 need to go outside the eco- are acute, which probably perity of U.S. companies and embassies and consul- nomic cone for at-grade jobs. explains why there have U.S. citizens, the better! ates, the problem becomes In addition, the general been multiple congressional I know one economic evident—we just don’t have professional development hearings on Chinese officer who, with a fellow FSO enough economic officers of more junior economic competition, especially in the from the Foreign Agricultural in economic positions in the officers will be affected economic arena. Service, helped to open the field, particularly in those if there are not senior There are other reasons poultry market in South posts where Foreign Com- officers serving in high-level why putting more economic Africa to U.S. exports. They mercial Service and Foreign economic positions who can officers in the field is a good worked long and hard to Agricultural Service officers mentor and train mid-level idea. convince the South African aren’t present. officers in the tradecraft of Prosperity is (usually) government to remove regu- In addition, our members overseas economic work. a nonpartisan tool of latory impediments, and they have consistently told us of Allowing the economic national power. Prosperity finally succeeded. Anyone the challenges they face in cone to be hollowed out is something everyone who has ever traveled across finding suitable economic by continuing to have too wants, and it’s a highly the “Broiler Belt” of the jobs overseas. There just few positions for economic consequential tool of southeastern United States aren’t enough positions. officers in the field risks U.S. national power. The understands the importance Imbalance now leads harming the entire Foreign United States has used its of poultry exports to the to more trouble later. A Service. This is why AFSA’s prosperity over the last 70 citizens of those states. medium- or long-term imbal- focus is where it is. It’s years to promote economic There’s strength in num- ance in available positions time to reverse the trend development around the bers. We simply don’t have and bidders could spell and restore those overseas world, to spread U.S. best the Foreign Service economic trouble for stewardship of the economic positions that practices in business and positions overseas that we economic career track. have been lost and create the rule of law, to attract need. According to State Becoming a member of more economic positions if productive investment, to Department figures, there are the Senior Foreign Service in needed. n expand U.S. exports and to 1,549 economic officers in the economic cone requires increase our influence in the Foreign Service. That may depth and breadth in eco- global political and economic sound like a lot. However, nomic work and experience, institutions. when we unpack these num- as well as management Economic work overseas bers, it turns out that fewer skills and proven leadership. benefits citizens at home. than a quarter—just 369—of Having too few economic Economic and commercial those economic officers are positions available threatens

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 53 STAY INFORMED. STAY CONNECTED.

Life After the Foreign Service: Jim Bullington

Jim Bullington might be one known as the Casamance. communities and church fel- for articles and talks, as well of the busiest Foreign Service He and his wife, Tuy-Cam, lowship groups. In addition, he as an interesting account for retirees out there. While have published three books notes, most universities offer children and grandchildren. organizing a recent event for between them. His most continuing education pro- • Join local World Affairs retirees in the Williamsburg, recent, Global Adventures on grams that need instructors— Councils, Sister Cities groups Va., area—an event featur- Less-Traveled Roads: A Foreign and some are receptive to and similar organizations. ing keynote speaker AFSA Service Memoir, was the guest speakers in academic • If something newsworthy President Ambassador Bar- topic of an AFSA Book Talk in classes. Political campaigns happens in a country where bara Stephenson (see photo October 2017. (View his talk at and party organizations also you served, consider writ- below)—he found time to sit www.afsa.org/video.) welcome volunteers. ing a background article or down to talk to AFSA News Since 2014, when he and Beyond that, Amb. Bulling- commentary for your local for a profile on life after the Tuy-Cam returned to Wil- ton recommends: newspaper. Foreign Service. liamsburg from Dakar, Amb. • If you are near a military Ambassador Bullington Bullington has kept busy with installation, look for opportu- For more on how AFSA entered the Foreign Service outreach activities for the For- nities to participate in training can help with your outreach in 1962. His first overseas eign Service community. “In programs and exercises. efforts, contact Retiree Out- assignments were to Vietnam the past four years,” he says, • Write your memoir. Even reach Coordinator Christine (vice consul in Hue from “I’ve made 36 presentations if you don’t publish it as a Miele at [email protected]. n 1965 to 1966, staff aide to to military and government book, it can provide material Ambassador Henry Cabot organizations, civic clubs, fra- Lodge in Saigon from 1966 to ternal associations, university 1967 and assistant province classes and church groups, senior adviser in Quang Tri mostly in the Williamsburg AFSA President in from 1967 to 1968). region but also in Washington, He subsequently served D.C .” Williamsburg in Mandalay, Rangoon, He has also organized N’Djamena, Cotonou and gatherings of Williamsburg- many other posts before area Foreign Service retirees becoming ambassador to at Patriots Colony, a continu- Burundi in 1983. He retired ing care retirement com- in 1989, at the age of 48, munity populated by retired “because I was not promoted military officers and officer- from MC to CM—at that time, level federal civilian retirees, officers had only three years primarily from foreign affairs to cross this major career and national security agen- hurdle or be forcibly retired.” cies. Amb. Bullington and his After retirement Amb. Bul- wife moved there five years lington held down numerous ago. other jobs, including as Peace COURTESY OF PATRIOTS COLONY PATRIOTS OF COURTESY Corps director in Niger. As a Staying Involved On Aug. 2, AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Stephenson traveled to re-employed annuitant in the Amb. Bullington likes to Williamsburg, Virginia, to speak to two dozen members of the Williamsburg newly formed Bureau of Con- encourage fellow FS retirees Foreign Service Retirees group. While there, she was also the keynote speaker for the opening of the Presidents Pavilion, an independent living flict and Stabilization Opera- to stay engaged in world facility at the Patriots Colony retirement community. Approximately 300 tions, he was sent to Dakar affairs. He says that Rotary Foreign Service, military and federal civilian retirees turned out to hear her to work to end a 30-year and similar civic organiza- speak about the role of the U.S. Foreign Service in collaborating with the military to project both soft and hard power across the globe. Pictured are secessionist insurgency in the tions are always looking for Amb. Stephenson, her husband Matthew Furbush (left) and Amb. (ret.) Jim southern part of the country, speakers, as are retirement Bullington.

54 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL STAY INFORMED. STAY CONNECTED. AFSA NEWS

Summer and Fall Outreach Includes Baseball and California Visit

The lazy days of summer work updating and refresh- The Speakers Bureau currently stands at and early fall did not slow ing available talking points 482 members. Will you be the 500th? AFSA’s outreach program- and resources for speakers. ming. Our Speakers Bureau Coming soon is a new set of events kept up the pace, talking points on the ben- bers of the Foreign Service, groups in both cities. More including an appearance efits of economic diplomacy, as well as visits to the in-depth coverage of this by retired FSO Julie Moyes which AFSA will distribute Foreign Service Institute visit to the West Coast will at the Aurora Hills Senior to Speakers Bureau mem- and DACOR Bacon House. be in the November issue of Center in Arlington, Va., bers early this fall. We also We thank the speakers at AFSA News. and Ambassador (ret.) remind anyone speaking to those programs—including The largest outreach Vern Penner at the Rotary public audiences that AFSA Ambassadors (ret.) Charles event of the last few weeks Club of Tupper Lake, N.Y., will happily supply a copy Ford, Lino Gutierrez, Jimmy was the third annual Foreign where he spoke on “What of our book, Inside a U.S. Kolker, Charles Ray and Service Night at Nationals the State Department Can Embassy, upon request. The James Zumwalt—for their Park, where almost 600 Do for You.” Ambassador Speakers Bureau currently participation. members of the Foreign Ser- Penner is a diligent speaker, stands at 482 members. Will As this issue hits your vice community gathered to having met with over half a you be the 500th? mailbox, AFSA President watch the Nationals take on dozen Rotary Clubs alone in Our educational outreach Ambassador Barbara the Chicago Cubs. This was the past year, including in is also continuing—Septem- Stephenson will be in by far the largest crowd ever Annapolis, Md., and Bend, ber saw two Road Scholar Chautauqua, N.Y., with five in attendance at FS Night. Ore. programs in Washington, other colleagues to speak After a rain delay, Amb. The AFSA Speakers D.C., each of which included at an AFSA-sponsored Stephenson took the field Bureau team is also hard at presentations by 10 mem- Road Scholar program for the Spirit Awards cer- with close to 200 emony. She was accompa- participants. She nied by Melanie Bowen and is accompanied her children Dora and Jacob by Ambassadors Bowen-Glazeroff, whose (ret.) Shaun father Josh is currently serv- Donnelly, Robin ing in Islamabad; Tameka Raphel, Charles Casselle and children Ray and Shari Vil- Beni and Alyssa Casselle, larosa. whose father Lawrence is in Ambassador Baghdad; and Eddie Salazar, Stephenson has director of the Diplomatic also just returned Courier Service, which is from California, celebrating its centennial where she spoke this year. AFSA was par- at the Common- ticularly happy about the wealth Club of San very strong showing from Francisco and the our couriers. Alas, after the San Diego Diplo- second inning the game was macy Council, postponed due to the very as well as meet- heavy rain. Watch for more AFSA/DONNA GORMAN AFSA/DONNA ing with Foreign photos in November’s AFSA Spirit Award winners Tameka Casselle and her children Beni and Alyssa, whose father Lawrence is in Baghdad, on the field at Nationals Park. Service retiree News. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 55 AFSA NEWS

Remembrance staff members to recover and, Continued from p. 47 eventually, to rebuild. “The combination of printed (and indeed, many of the panel- heartfelt) stories, key arti- ists spoke eloquently about facts on display and moving how embassy staff and family speeches and panel discus- members worked together to sions was very powerful,” he rescue victims, to reopen the said of the USDC event. “For embassies and to rebuild the those who went through the communities in Nairobi and bombings, this proved to STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. Ambassadors Pru Bushnell, Barbara Stephenson and John Lange at the Dar es Salaam that had suf- be therapeutic. For others, USDC event. fered so much, with 224 killed it demonstrated the magni- and some 5,000 injured. tude of the 1998 attacks on you for your courage, bravery to renovate the public memo- Amb. Bushnell called two U.S. embassies—and on and valor as you answered rial space for the victims of Embassy Nairobi “one resilient America.” that call—call of duty, call of the embassy bombing. The family.” In a blog post follow- The State Department held basic humanity—to respond embassy dedicated this new ing the event, she writes that a separate memorial event on to those attacks and to those memorial on Aug. 7 with an those who spoke on Aug. 6 the morning of Aug. 7. Deputy who were injured and killed on interfaith ceremony. Chargé “reminded me how much Secretary of State John Sul- that day.” d’Affaires Inmi Patterson and we demanded from and livan, Assistant Secretary for Survivors later gathered at Home Affairs Minister Kangi depended upon one another, African Affairs Tibor Nagy and a marker at Arlington National Lugola placed a wreath at the and how extraordinary our other senior State Depart- Cemetery, where bombing memorial wall, while guests accomplishments were ment officials gathered with victims Julian Bartley, then placed white roses at the base given the level of injuries and survivors and family members the consul general in Nai- of the wall. trauma. They verified that we at the plaque commemorat- robi, his son Jay and Prabhi To view a video of the became family through our ing survivors of the attack. Kavaler, the assistant general USDC event, go to http:// struggles to heal. Many of us Kenya’s Deputy Chief of services officer at the time of bit.ly/USDC_Anniversary. are still burdened.” She called Mission to Washington David the bombing, are buried. To read the recollections of the event at USDC a “healing Gacheru and Tanzania’s In Nairobi two weeks of survivors published in The and meaningful experience.” Ambassador to Washington public outreach programming Foreign Service Journal, go to Amb. Lange, who was Wilson Masiling also attended. surrounded the anniversary, www.afsa.org/reflections-us- chargé d’affaires at the time, In his remarks, the Deputy culminating in an official embassy-bombings-kenya- told the audience that the Secretary said that, “many of commemoration ceremony and-tanzania. bombing changed him from a you here today acted to save on Aug. 7 at Memorial Park The USDC continues to “manager” into a “leader” as lives and help your colleagues in downtown Nairobi. About collect artifacts for its perma- he worked with his surviving and strangers. We thank all of 250 attendees, most of whom nent collection. To donate an were survivors or family mem- item, please email Associate bers of survivors, attended. Curator Kathryn Speckart at Ambassador Robert Godec [email protected]. ADST and his wife, Lori Magnus- continues to collect stories son, who were both in Kenya from survivors, which can be at the time of the blast, also sent to [email protected], attended. There was a concur- or call (702) 302-6290 for rent ceremony at the refur- more information. n bished memorial garden on the grounds of U.S. Embassy Nairobi. In Dar es Salaam, the embassy partnered with the U.S. EMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM ES DAR EMBASSY U.S. Guests place white roses at the base of the memorial in Dar es Salaam. National Museum of Tanzania

56 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS

Inside the World of Diplomacy AFSA/ASGEIR SIGFUSSON AFSA/ASGEIR On Aug. 8, AFSA hosted close to 120 participants in the Smithsonian Associates program “Inside the World of Diplomacy.” Ambassador (ret.) Patricia Butenis and FSO and author Matthew Palmer led the audience through an introduction to the U.S. Foreign Service and to embassies, using their careers as examples of the many things diplomats do every day around the world. This was the fourth year in a row AFSA has collaborated with Smithsonian Associates on this program. Look for our next collaboration, a three-part series on Russia, beginning in mid- October.

Diplomacy Through Music laid out examples of diplo- Continued from p. 48 mats’ painstaking behind- gladly, even joyfully.” the-scenes work to advance It was an apt segue into the Northern Ireland peace explaining how diplomats process. Those efforts cul- use soft power to bridge minated in an unexpected divides. In the case of jazz breakthrough after a major diplomacy, FSOs tapped into musical event that brought their relationships all over together police forces from the world to secure visas, Northern Ireland and the arrange venues and see that Republic of Ireland, ulti- instruments made it through mately leading to a deal that security. Going beyond the opened the door to lasting transactional into what she peace. The audience gave called “graduate-level diplo- Amb. Stephenson a lengthy macy,” Amb. Stephenson standing ovation. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 57 AFSA NEWS

AFSA Honors National High School Essay Contest Winner

AFSA’s national high school a contest sponsor. Jennifer, a essay contest, our lead- rising home-schooled senior ing outreach program to from Redwood City, Califor- high school students, is nia, also met with Secretary 20 years old this year. The of State Mike Pompeo, USIP contest drew almost 1,000 President Nancy Lindborg essays—from 48 states, two and Semester at Sea rep- territories and five other resentative Michael Zoll. In countries (Indonesia, Burma, addition, AFSA staff accom- South Korea, Tanzania and panied Jennifer to Capitol Hill the United Kingdom) this for a meeting at the office of year. The research papers her congresswoman, Anna all demonstrated an interest Eshoo (D-Calif.). in the Foreign Service and Jennifer admitted that U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF DEPARTMENT U.S. showed that the applicants when she started the Essay winner Jennifer John with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. are globally engaged citizens research for her paper she who care about diplomacy knew very little about the voyage during college. was in Washington for the and development. Foreign Service but became Ambassador Stephenson National Student Leadership On July 18, AFSA Presi- both impressed and inter- also met with the contest Conference’s International dent Ambassador Barbara ested as her research con- runner-up, Aislinn Niimi, a Diplomacy Program, which Stephenson met with this tinued. As the essay contest rising home-schooled 11th was part of her essay contest year’s essay winner, Jennifer winner, she receives $2,500 grader from Matthews, North prize. She then visited the John, at a reception hosted now and full tuition for a Carolina. Aislinn spent an office of her congressman, by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Semester at Sea educational afternoon at AFSA while she Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.). n

Coordination of FEHB and Medicare

On Aug. 23 AFSA welcomed Paula Jakub, the chief executive officer and executive vice president of the American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA), which administers the Foreign Service Benefit Plan, to speak about “The Coordination of FEHB and Medicare.” Ms. Jakub is formally recognized as a subject matter expert in federal health benefits by the Foreign Service Institute, where she serves on the adjunct faculty. She is also the execu- tive director of the Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service, an organization devoted to helping elderly Foreign Service retirees and their surviving spouses. A comprehensive Q&A session followed the formal portion of the program, which was attended by more than 100 AFSA members. A video of the event can be viewed at www.afsa.org/video. n AFSA/DIMITRY FILIPOFF AFSA/DIMITRY Retiree Benefits Counselor Dolores Brown introduces Ms. Jakub.

58 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL IN MEMORY

n Samuel B. Bartlett, 82, a retired daughter of the late Motiram and Mohini Mr. De Pree grew up in Zeeland, Foreign Service officer, died of a stroke in Bisnauth. She was a graduate of St. Stan- Mich., and was a graduate of Harvard Plymouth, Mass., on March 31. islaus College in Georgetown, Guyana, and College and the University of Michigan. He attended Noble and Greenough Strayer University in Arlington, Va. He spent a year at the University of School, where he played hockey and was Ms. Bisnauth-Thomas was working as Wales in Aberystwyth as a Rotary Foun- captain of the football team. He gradu- a database programmer for the Guyana dation Fellow. ated from Dartmouth College in 1957 and Sugar Company when she met her hus- Mr. De Pree retired in 1993 after 40 served in the National Guard before enter- band during his first Foreign Service tour years of government service, two with ing Harvard Law School. He then joined in Georgetown; they married during his the Army in Germany and 38 as a For- Ely Bartlett Brown and Procter, the family second tour, in Lisbon. eign Service officer with the Department law firm. She accompanied him on tours to of State. Mr. Bartlett joined the Foreign Service Vientiane, where she taught at the Lao- He served overseas in Egypt, Cyprus, in 1965 and served in Paris, The Hague, American College; Chennai; and a repeat Ghana and Sierra Leone. He also served Cebu, Ottawa, San Salvador and Belfast. tour in Georgetown. as ambassador to Mozambique and An enthusiastic sailor, both on his own The recipient of multiple organ Bangladesh. boats and on those of friends, he sailed in transplants, Ms. Bisnauth-Thomas was a His Washington assignments the Fastnet Race on a Dutch boat and in committed volunteer with the Georgetown included stints with the Policy Planning the Hong Kong to Manila Race. He also University Hospital and the Washington Staff, the Office of Inspector General and played tennis wherever he was posted. Regional Transplant Community. as director of the Office of Management After retiring from the Foreign Service In a final act of generosity, she donated Operations. in 1986, Mr. Bartlett worked as corporate her body to the Georgetown University After retiring, Ambassador De Pree secretary to the Amoskeag Company in School of Medicine to support the train- continued to work as a consultant to the Boston, and later launched his fourth ing of the next generation of transplant State Department, heading inspection career working for the Massachusetts surgeons. A block party to celebrate her life teams of U.S. embassies. Bureau of Substance Abuse. was held in Arlington on June 16. He was active in both the Ameri- He continued this work as a volunteer Ms. Bisnauth-Thomas leaves behind can Foreign Service Association—see in the addiction field after his retirement, her husband, Michael; son, Thornton; AFSA’s appreciation on page 52—and putting to good use his ability to connect brother, Mitch; many aunts, uncles, cous- DACOR (then known as Diplomatic and with people who were struggling. ins, nieces and nephews; and the family Consular Officers Retired), serving as Mr. Bartlett is survived by his wife of of Jami Interiano—the donor of her liver interim president and vice president 61 years, the former Joan Harding; three and kidney. for retirees at AFSA and on DACOR’s children: Tom (and his wife, Linda); Molly People wishing to honor Ms. Bisn- governing board. (and her husband, Robert Stoner); Mary auth-Thomas’ memory may sign up as Amb. De Pree organized weeklong (and her husband, Greg Petrini); and an organ, eye and tissue donor (www. programs on the Foreign Service and eight grandchildren: Samuel and Eleanor beadonor.org) and/or as an anatomical foreign policy issues for Elderhostel Bartlett; Lily, Isaac and Rosemary Stoner; donor (https://som.georgetown.edu/ (now Road Scholar) audiences and was and Maddy, Curt and Lee Petrini. donate/anatomical-donor-program, or instrumental in expanding the program contact your nearest medical school). from the Washington area to eight states. n Amanda Bisnauth-Thomas, 49, the Memorial contributions may be made He was the recipient of DACOR’s spouse of retired Foreign Service Officer to the Washington Regional Transplant Foreign Service Cup and AFSA’s Michael D. Thomas, passed away on May Community at www.beadonor.org. Achievement Award in recognition of his 31 at home in Arlington, Va., after a long post-retirement work. He was an avid illness. n William Ames (Bill) De Pree, 89, a reader of history, politics and current Ms. Bisnauth-Thomas was born in the retired Foreign Service officer and former events. He enjoyed traveling, meeting village of Melville on Wakenaam Island ambassador, died on July 2 in Bethesda, people and golf. Family members report in Guyana’s Essequibo River. She was the Md. that throughout his retirement, Amb. De

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOB ER 2018 59 Pree kept trying to break 100 in golf, but He received the Rockefeller Public Year” for exceptional lifetime achievement. without success. Service Award for distinguished govern- He is survived by his wife, Priscilla Amb. De Pree was predeceased by ment service in 1958, which he applied Joyce Engle (nee Wright) of London, Elisabeth Pierrou, his wife of 61 years, to postgraduate study at King’s College, England; children Stephen, Judith, Philip, and two children, Carin and Peter. He Cambridge University from 1958 to 1959. Susan, John and Peter; daughters-in-law leaves behind four children: Thomas, Bir- He was the deputy chief of mission from Russia, Taiwan and Colombia; 12 gitta, Susie and Anita; three sons-in-law; in Managua from 1964 to 1967. He then grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and six grandchildren. served as province adviser in Phu Yen and a sister, Dorothy Erickson. and consul general in Nha Trang before Donations may be made in Mr. Engle’s n James Bruce Engle, 98, a retired becoming deputy chief of mission in name to Vermont Coverts: Woodlands for Foreign Service officer and former ambas- Phnom Penh in 1973. Wildlife, Inc., PO Box 328, Vergennes VT sador, died at home in Peachan, Vt., on President Gerald Ford appointed him 05491. Nov. 7, 2017. U.S. ambassador to Benin in 1974. He went Born in a sod hut in Custer, Mont., to on to serve as ambassador to NATO and n Tom Gallagher, 77, the first openly homesteaders Bruce and Verbeaudah as political adviser to the Supreme Allied gay Foreign Service officer, died on July 8 Engle, James spent his childhood living Commander Atlantic (with the equivalent of cardiac arrest in Wall, N.J. in a boxcar in a West Burlington, Iowa, rank of a three-star general). Mr. Gallagher was born in New York railroad siding. Ambassador Engle subsequently City to Thomas and Mary Josephine Mur- After completing high school, he headed up embassy inspection teams for phy Gallagher, who were personal servants graduated first in his class from Burlington the State Department’s Office of Inspector to the family that founded MGM and Junior College before going on to complete General. Random House. his bachelor’s degree with Phi Beta Kappa He concluded his career at the U.S. At age 11 he began working as a caddy honors at the University of Chicago. Department of Treasury, serving as direc- at the Hollywood Golf Club in New Jersey. As a Rhodes Scholar, Engle studied phi- tor general of the United States-Saudi He later earned a bachelor’s degree from losophy, politics and economics at Exeter Arabian Joint Commission on Economic Monmouth University and a master’s College, Oxford University, in 1947. He was Cooperation in Riyadh from 1984 to 1987. degree in social work from the University the first recipient of the Rhodes Scholar- After retiring from government service, of Southern California. ship to receive a Fulbright Scholarship, Amb. Engle moved to Vermont, where After graduation, Mr. Gallagher entered which took him to Naples, Italy, in 1950. he applied himself to the environment, the first Peace Corps group to Ethiopia. A career diplomat, Mr. Engle’s first sustainable forestry and the promotion Seen off by President and Mrs. John F. Ken- overseas assignment was as vice consul in of animal habitat, particularly for ruffed nedy, the group was welcomed in Addis Quito, Ecuador, from 1942 to 1944. An avid grouse and wetland birds. Ababa by His Imperial Majesty Emperor mountain climber, he led 11 expeditions to He was a founding member of Vermont Haile Selassie. He was assigned to the the highest peaks in the Andes, including Coverts: Woodlands for Wildlife in 1991. small town of Agordot in the province of Mount Chimborazo, without use of oxygen He was named Caledonia County’s Tree Eritrea. or modern safety equipment. Farmer of the Year in 1997 and Tree On returning to the United States, Mr. He then volunteered for Navy service Farmer of the Year for the state of Vermont Gallagher worked at the White House during World War II and served in the in 2004. before entering the Foreign Service in Pacific. He was assigned to the U.S. mili- In 2010 the Coverts established the 1965. His first assignment was to Jeddah, tary government during the occupation of “Furthering the Coverts Mission in where he planned the evacuation of the Japan before completing his service with Vermont James Engle Award,” which American community from western Saudi the rank of lieutenant junior grade. is bestowed annually for outstanding Arabia during the 1967 June War. Mr. Engle rejoined the Foreign Service achievement. He was then posted to a small U.S. con- after the war, serving in Rio de Janeiro, Amb. Engle was also recognized by the sulate in northern Nigeria, where he spent Naples, Rome, Washington, D.C., Frank- U.S. Association of Community Colleges two years while the Biafran War raged in furt, Düsseldorf, Bonn and Accra. as its 2013 “Outstanding Alumnus of the southern Nigeria. He was the first U.S. gov-

60 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ernment officer to investigate an outbreak In 1994, when President Bill Clinton Chicago, the son of John E. and Marguerite of Lassa fever, a close relative of Ebola, at lifted the policy of formal discrimina- (Phillips) Harrod. He was educated in the its source in Jos, Nigeria. tion against gay Foreign Service officers, Chicago public schools and attended Grin- Returning to Washington, D.C., in 1970, Mr. Gallagher returned to his diplomatic nell College in Iowa before transferring to he ran the Southern African Students career. His first assignment on returning Colgate University, from which he received Program in the Bureau of Educational and to the State Department was as consul in a bachelor’s degree in Russian area studies Cultural Affairs. Madrid. in 1966. In 1972 he moved to the Office of After serving as country officer for He then completed two years of gradu- Personnel, where he made the first assign- Eritrea and Sudan in the Office of East ate study in the same field at Georgetown ment of a female officer to the Office of the African Affairs, he was posted to Brussels University in Washington, D.C., and spent Secretary of State and the first assignment as head of the visa section before returning a summer session in Russian language of a female officer to Arabic training. Forty to Washington as country officer for the study at Moscow State University. He was years later, DACOR honored Mr. Gallagher Democratic Republic of the Congo. fluent in Russian, Polish and French, and with their annual Tragen Award for his Mr. Gallagher’s final assignment was had a working knowledge of Dutch. support of the women’s movement at State with the Office of International Health, Mr. Harrod joined USIA in 1968. His in its earliest days. where he served as regional adviser for overseas assignments included Afghani- In 1975 he became acting U.S. consul Europe in what was, at the time, the most stan, Poland and two tours in the former general in Guayaquil. At age 34 he was the effective worldwide anti-AIDS program. Soviet Union, where he played a key role youngest chief of a major American diplo- He retired from the Foreign Service in with several American cultural exchange matic mission in modern U.S. history. 2005. exhibitions and served as press attaché in That same year Mr. Gallagher publicly In 2012 Mr. Gallagher joined the New Moscow. came out as a gay man at a conference York City Gay Men’s Chorus. He sang with During the first of those exhibitions he organized by the Gay Activist Alliance of the chorus on Broadway, at Carnegie Hall met Dolores (Dolly) Foley, of Manchester, Washington, D.C., making him the first with Chita Rivera, at the Plaza Hotel with N.H. The two were wed in Kabul in 1971. officer of the U.S. federal government to Bernadette Peters and at the Grand Canal From 1979 to 1981, Jack was a member come out publicly and voluntarily. Theater in Dublin. of the State Department’s Iran Hostage In 2013 Secretary of State Hillary In 2015 Monmouth University named Task Force, serving as a media spokes- Rodham Clinton praised Mr. Gallagher Mr. Gallagher Distinguished Alumnus of man and a liaison with the four families for challenging the discrimination against the Year. In 2016 NJ Pride, the New Jersey of USIA hostages. In 1982 he received a gay people that was prevalent in 1975 and gay organization, presented him with its Congressional Fellowship from the Ameri- which, at the time, forced him to resign Trailblazer award in recognition of his can Political Science Association, which from the State Department. many years of gay activism. In 2016 the enabled him to work with Senator Jeff Mr. Gallagher relocated to California, State Department issued an official apol- Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Representative where he worked as an emergency room ogy to Mr. Gallagher for the fact that he had Jim Leach (R-Iowa). social worker at the UCLA Hospital in Los been forced to give up his career 40 years From 1984 to 1992 Mr. Harrod oversaw Angeles, taught interviewing skills at the earlier. USIA operations in Poland, and then Bel- UCLA School of Medicine and volunteered Mr. Gallagher is survived by his hus- gium. His final assignment was as director as director of the counseling program at band, Amin Dulgumoni, and his former of USIA’s Office of West European and the Gay Community Service Center in Los wife, Carolyn Worrell. Canadian Affairs, where he oversaw U.S. Angeles. public affairs operations in 24 countries or Moving to San Francisco to work at the n John P. (Jack) Harrod, 72, a retired multilateral organizations. In that capacity, Travelers Aid Society, he developed the Senior Foreign Service officer with the U.S. he received USIA’s highest recognition, the first counseling program for children in the Information Agency, died of an apparent Distinguished Honor Award. Tenderloin, the city’s most notorious slum, heart attack on March 25 at his home in After retiring in 1996, Mr. Harrod and became director of Napa County’s psy- New London, N.H. was the senior consultant to the Public chiatric emergency program in 1980. Mr. Harrod was born on July 13, 1945, in Diplomacy Foundation and served on the

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOB ER 2018 61 boards of the Center for Belarusian Studies after two years at the University of Puget daughter Darawan (Johnson) Gideos; and in Winfield, Kan., and the Monnet-Madi- Sound, completing his bachelor’s degree his twin sons, Gregory and Loren Johnson. son Institute in Cambridge, Mass. in English at the University of Washing- He is also survived by David, Clarissa and From 1999 to 2003 he accompanied his ton, and then doing graduate work at the Emmett Gideos of Rockville, Md.; Ellen wife on her assignment for the U.S. Depart- University of Minnesota and Princeton Richards and Kate Johnson of Austin, ment of Commerce at the U.S. embassy in University. Texas; Eim and Zoe Johnson of Portland, Canada. Mr. Johnson met his first wife, the Ore.; his brother Brian Johnson of Beverly, The couple moved to New London, former Carol Lee Franz of Allegan, Mich., Mass.; his first wife, Lee Ware of Arlington, N.H., in 2003. There, Mr. Harrod served on in Peace Corps training, and they moved Va.; and his best friend, David Hughes of several town advisory panels; as chairman to Thailand together in 1963. Mr. Johnson Woodinville, Wash. He was predeceased of the Energy Committee for three years; soon joined the State Department, and his by his brother Linn Valen Johnson of the and as vice chairman and, later, acting first posting was to Bombay (now Mum- Seattle area. chairman of the Democratic Party com- bai). He subsequently served in Taiwan, The family welcomes contributions mittee. Hong Kong, Washington, D.C., Moscow, to the following nonprofit organizations: Mr. Harrod was predeceased by his Beijing and Warsaw. Friends of Thailand, the Michael J. Fox parents and his wife, Dolly, who died in Mr. Johnson was appointed the first Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and November 2006. He is survived by his son, U.S. ambassador to Lithuania in 1991 upon the Lewy Body Dementia Association. William of Seattle, Wash.; his sister, Susan the breakup of the Soviet Union. He then Please leave online condolences at www. Harrod (and her husband, Dan Donahue) returned to Taiwan, this time as chief of powerfuneralhome.com. of Ashford, Conn.; a niece, Nancy Rosen- mission, before returning to D.C. as deputy berg (and her husband, Michael Owen) assistant secretary of State for East Asian n Stanton Jue, 93, a retired Foreign and their daughters Alexa and Hannah and Pacific Affairs. Service officer with the U.S. Information Owen; and a niece, Jane Rosenberg (and He returned to Thailand as U.S. ambas- Agency, died at home in Arlington, Va., on her husband, John Kern), and their chil- sador in 2001, enjoying several opportuni- July 14. dren Madelyn and Kenneth Kern. ties to play his trumpet with the king, an Mr. Jue emigrated from South China Memorial donations may be made to accomplished jazz musician. He served as at age 14 and joined the U.S. Navy at age the Congressional Fellowship Program, ambassador to the Phillipines from 2005 17 after the December 1941 attack on c/o American Political Science Assn., to 2006. Pearl Harbor. He served on a newly built 1527 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washing- Ambassador Johnson had the oppor- destroyer in the Mediterranean and South ton DC 20036. tunity to work on U.S.-China relations Pacific and, as a Japanese and Chinese right after Nixon opened China, to work language specialist, in intelligence and n Darryl Norman Johnson, 80, a on Cold War diplomacy during the last psychological operations at naval head- retired Foreign Service officer and former decade of Soviet power, and to witness quarters in Honolulu. ambassador, died on June 24 after a long both the Tiananmen Square protests and After the war, he earned a Ph.D. in battle with Parkinson’s disease and Lewy the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. political science at the University of Cali- body dementia. Ambassador Johnson retired to Burien, fornia, Berkeley, where he met his future Mr. Johnson was the second of three Wash., where he taught a class at the Scoop wife, Florence. While a graduate student, sons born to Norman Boyd Johnson and Jackson School of International Relations he worked for the Committee for a Free Eugenia Laurell (Nelson) Johnson. He was at the University of Washington and was Asia (later named the Asia Foundation). born on June 7, 1938, in Chicago, Ill., and active on several boards. Since 2016, he Mr. Jue joined the Foreign Service as an soon made the first of many moves, to Des resided at The Grove, the memory care information officer in 1956, one of the first Moines, Wash., with his family. unit at Judson Park, less than a five-minute Chinese Americans to serve as a diplomat An accomplished trumpet player, he walk from his childhood home in Zenith, with the State Department. His overseas considered becoming a professional musi- Wash. postings included Phnom Penh, Taipei, cian. Instead, he heeded President John F. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tokyo, Saigon, Seoul and Canberra. Kennedy’s call and joined the Peace Corps Kathleen Dessa Forance Johnson; his Following a brief tour in Beijing in the

62 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL early 1980s, he returned to Washington, citizen and a Foreign Service officer He was a member of the congrega- where he assisted with the normalization herself, and they served around the tion of Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls of diplomatic relations with China. His last world as a tandem couple for 16 years. Church, Va., and had many friends and assignment was as policy officer for East The couple had two daughters, Tara and neighbors who supported him and his Asia and the Pacific. Maya, who were the loves of their lives. daughters from the time they moved Mr. Jue wrote extensively on U.S.-China In the summer of 1998, the Kavaler home to the present. relations and China’s rise as a global family was excited to be returning to Mr. Kavaler was buried on Aug. 28 power, including several articles in The Nairobi for a second time. They had in Arlington National Cemetery next to Foreign Service Journal. been in Nairobi for just a few weeks his beloved wife, Prabhi, at a site with a He is survived by his wife of 66 years, when the embassy was bombed, taking clear view across the Potomac River to Florence; a daughter, Patricia (and her Prabhi’s life and leaving Mr. Kavaler the Department of State. spouse, David Evans); grandchildren alone to care for his two young girls. He is survived by his daughters, Catrin Evans and Guy Evans (and his Mr. Kavaler decided to return to Tara and Maya of McLean, Va.; and by a spouse, Kazue); and great-grandchildren Washington, D.C., to a position in the younger brother, Richard, of Boston, Mass. Michito and Reina. Bureau of Consular Affairs, and he later Memorial contributions may be converted to the Civil Service. made to Human Rights Watch. n Howard Kavaler, 69, a retired For the next 20 years, Mr. Kavaler’s Foreign Service officer, died on Aug. 13 daughters were his top priority. They made n Leonard L. Lefkow, 90 a retired in Arlington, Va., from complications their home in McLean, Va., with their Foreign Service officer with the United arising from emergency surgery for a devoted housekeeper, Victoria “Bicky” States Information Agency, died on sudden illness. Salvan, who was also a major source of June 25 in Rockville, Md., of respiratory Mr. Kavaler was born Feb. 5, 1949, in comfort and care for Tara and Maya. failure. Great Neck, N.Y. He was the oldest son Friends and family members recall Mr. Lefkow was born in New York of Pearl and Leo Kavaler, from whom he that Mr. Kavaler was forever grateful to the City on May 2, 1928. He served in the inherited his wit, resilience and sense Bureau of Consular Affairs for giving him U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1947 before of duty. Mr. Kavaler grew up on Long a flexible schedule, which allowed him obtaining a bachelor’s degree from the Island and attended Great Neck South to be home to greet his girls at the end of University of Washington in 1951. Senior High School. their school day. He was also grateful for Mr. Lefkow joined USIA in 1962 after He received his bachelor’s degree the camaraderie and kindness of the col- four years as an investigative reporter from Franklin and Marshall College in leagues who worked with him. and assistant city editor with The Lou- Lancaster, Pa., and his law degree from Mr. Kavaler was proud of his service isville Times. He had previously worked American University’s Washington Col- with the Department of State and for the Associated Press in San Fran- lege of Law. In later years Mr. Kavaler always strove to treat the people with cisco, Reno and Hong Kong. earned a graduate degree from The dignity and compassion, colleagues His first assignment with USIA was as George Washington University. remember. He was equally proud of his White House correspondent during the After becoming a member of the efforts to ensure that all of the victims of Kennedy and Johnson administrations. New York Bar, Mr. Kavaler joined the the Nairobi and Dar es Salaam bomb- From 1966 to 1972, Mr. Lefkow was Foreign Service. He served overseas ings were recognized appropriately, and posted to New Delhi, serving as press in New Delhi, Jerusalem, Islamabad, their families not forgotten. attaché during a difficult period in Indo- Manila, Tel Aviv, Paris and (twice) Nai- Mr. Kavaler retired from State in U.S. relations, which included the 1971 robi as a consular officer, a labor officer 2016. He was delighted to have time to Indo-Pakistani War. and as the U.S. representative to the develop new interests, such as collect- A highlight of his tour in India was United Nations Environment Program. ing art. He enjoyed taking trips with his accompanying Ambassador Kenneth While posted in New Delhi, Mr. companion of six years, Brenda Jacobs, Keating to deliver moon rocks to the Kavaler met his wife, Prabhi. After and was very much looking forward to remote Himalayan kingdoms of Bhutan they married she became an American the next chapter of his life. and Sikkim.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOB ER 2018 63 Mr. Lefkow attended the National n Donald Charles Leidel, 90, a and James; and a great-grandchild, War College at Fort McNair from 1972 retired Foreign Service officer and Joshua. to 1973, writing his thesis about Indian former ambassador, died on April 19 at Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. home in Sarasota, Fla. n Melvin H. Levine, 88, a retired In 1973 he was assigned to Tel Aviv, Born in Madison, Wis., he earned his Foreign Service officer, died on March serving as embassy spokesperson dur- bachelor’s degree in political science 19 at home in New Bedford, Mass., sur- ing the Yom Kippur War and handling and a JD degree from the University of rounded by family. the large media contingent covering the Wisconsin, Madison. Born in New Bedford, Mass., a son shuttle diplomacy of Secretary of State Ambassador Leidel spent 41 years of the late Israel Louis and Libby Rose Henry Kissinger. in government service with the United (Epstein) Levine, Mr. Levine attended Mr. Lefkow served as deputy chief for States Air Force, the Central Intelligence New Bedford public schools, Harvard news at the Voice of America in Wash- Agency and the Department of State. College and Harvard Law School. ington, D.C., from 1975 to 1976 before He served in Austria, Germany, Between college and law school, he being posted to London, where he was Argentina, Mexico and Bahrain, where served two years in the U.S. Army. the speechwriter for Ambassador Anne he was ambassador from 1983 to 1986 After graduating from law school Armstrong. and again in 1989. His other overseas in 1957, Mr. Levine joined the Foreign From there Mr. Lefkow was posted to experience included a study on racial Service. During his first overseas assign- Paris, where he served as information attitudes in Africa based on visits to five ment in France, he met Texas resident officer. African countries, and post-retirement Katherine “Kitty” (Vann) Levine, who From 1979 to 1981, he was on the consultancies in Slovakia and Oman. was also working at the U.S. embassy. staff of the National Security Council, His Washington, D.C., assignments The two were married for 54 years. serving as assistant press secretary to included service as executive director in After marrying, they moved to National Security Advisor Zbigniew the Bureaus of Educational and Cultural Vietnam for Mr. Levine’s next diplo- Brzezinski and White House spokesper- Affairs and European Affairs, deputy matic assignment. He was inside the son Jody Powell. director of management operations and U.S. embassy in Saigon in March 1965 In 1982 he was assigned to Nairobi, dean of the School of Professional Stud- when a Viet Cong soldier detonated a where he served as public affairs officer ies at the Foreign Service Institute. car bomb that killed 22 and injured 183, and was promoted to minister coun- Before moving to Sarasota, Fla., in including Mr. Levine. He later made a selor. He spent two years as USIA direc- 1994, Amb. Leidel was the Scarff Dis- full recovery. tor for Africa before returning to Tel tinguished Professor of Diplomacy at Other posts include Italy, Taiwan Aviv in 1988 for his final foreign posting. Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. and South Korea and a stint as part Mr. Lefkow retired in 1990. A horse In retirement he enjoyed lecturing of National Security Advisor Henry racing enthusiast since his Louisville on diplomacy and U.S. policy in the Kissinger’s staff at the National Security days, he dabbled in purchases of tiny Middle East and established the Donald Council in Washington, D.C. shares of thoroughbreds after his C. Leidel International Business Schol- Mr. Levine retired from the For- retirement in the hopes of saddling a arship Fund to send up to six University eign Service after a 27-year career and Kentucky Derby winner. of Wisconsin undergraduates to attend moved back to New Bedford, where he Mr. Lefkow was predeceased by his the Middle East Institute annual confer- wrote three unpublished novels that wife, Barbara Vine of Rochester, Minn., ence in Washington, D.C., every fall. drew on his diplomatic experience. whom he married in 1955. Survivors Amb. Leidel was an avid tennis Mr. Levine’s public pursuits focused include daughters Laurel Lefkow of player, a world traveler and a loyal Chi- on education and lifelong learning. He London, England, and Leslie Lefkow of cago Cubs and Wisconsin Badgers fan. served as a longtime trustee of Friends Amsterdam, the Netherlands; son David He is survived by his wife, Beverly; Academy, a private K-8 school, and as a Lefkow of Washington, D.C.; and five children Katherine, Peter and Michael; library associate at the Claire T. Carney grandchildren. a brother, Fred; grandchildren David Library at the University of Massachu- (and his wife, Michelle), Katy, Jennifer setts at Dartmouth.

64 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL He was also president of the local status of Foreign Service women and bouti and Afghanistan before being Harvard alumni association for many spouses, researching and writing papers posted to Georgia in 2015. years. for various governmental and nongov- Mr. Mitchell is survived by his hus- Mr. Levine is survived by his wife, ernmental organizations, leading and band, Paulo Mendonca; his parents, Katherine; his son Tyrrell Levine (and supporting women’s groups overseas Betsy and Russell Mitchell; and a sister, his wife, Kiro); daughter, Kara Leibel; and at home and supporting her local Melissa Mitchell. son Brian Levine (and his wife, Jane); a community. sister, Lillian Shwartz; and grandchil- She traveled widely and maintained n Stafford King Mousky, 85, a former dren Timmy Wang and Kayla Levine. He a keen interest in current affairs, music, Foreign Service officer with USAID, died was predeceased by his brother, Jacob art, geology, photography, philosophy on Dec. 6, 2017, in New York City after a “Jack” Levine. and spirituality. long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mrs. Low played an active leader- Mr. Mousky was born in St. Cloud, n Helen (Sue) Carpenter Low, 91, ship role in the Association of Ameri- Minn., on Oct. 11, 1932, the son of Carl and a Foreign Service spouse, died on April can Foreign Service Women, chairing Estelle Mousky. His father was a govern- 26 in her apartment at an assisted living groups and directing surveys. She ment official for the state of Minnesota, and memory care residence in Ashland, wrote recommendations and testimony and his mother was a schoolteacher. Mass. for congressional hearings that led He graduated from Woodrow Wil- Mrs. Low was born in Tulsa, Okla., to a policy framework to support and son High School in St. Paul, Minn., and on Oct. 9, 1926. The family relocated to acknowledge the role of spouses in the later graduated magna cum laude with a Findlay, Ohio, during the Great Depres- Foreign Service, and the establishment bachelor’s degree in history and political sion, when she was 7 years old. of the Foreign Service Spouse Corps. science from Hamline University. He went Mrs. Low applied to Denison Univer- Mrs. Low was predeceased by her on to serve in the U.S. Navy for four years, sity in 1944, long after the application husband in 2010. She is survived by her spending two years on aircraft carriers in deadline, but she was admitted based sons, Diego of Massachusetts; Rod (and the Pacific. on having won a highly competitive his wife, Helen) of Honolulu, Hawaii; Mr. Mousky joined USAID in 1960, State of Ohio scholarship. She gradu- and Jesse (and his wife, Julie) of Cairns, serving as a development specialist ated from Denison Phi Beta Kappa with Australia; and grandchildren Ciara, until1977. He served on the Bolivia desk in an economics major in 1948. Roisin, Stephanie, Lena and Philip. Washington, D.C., before moving to Peru In 1949 she received her master’s in 1965. degree in philosophy, politics and eco- n Mark Mitchell, 58, an active-duty He later served as chief of the Devel- nomics from the Fletcher School of Law Foreign Service officer with USAID, died opment and Planning Division of the and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She on May 6 as the result of a car accident Latin America Bureau of USAID and as completed her honors at Oxford Univer- in Tbilisi, Georgia, where he was posted. the senior USAID economic and social sity, Somerville College, as a Fulbright Mr. Mitchell graduated from Cali- adviser to the U.S. Permanent Mission to Scholar in 1951. fornia State University, Fresno with a the United Nations, where he served under Mrs. Low married Stephen Low bachelor’s degree in business adminis- permanent representatives George H.W. in 1956, and together they started a tration. He then joined the Army, rising Bush, John Scali, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, life in the Foreign Service with tours to the rank of captain in the intelligence William Scranton and Andrew Young. in Uganda, Senegal, Brazil, Zambia branch before returning to school to In 1977 he was seconded to the United and Nigeria, as well as a stint in Santa earn a master’s degree in international Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as chief Barbara, Calif., in 1982. After leaving the relations and a law degree from the of the Office of the Executive Director, Foreign Service in 1987, they spent five University of South Carolina. and later became chief of the Governing years in Bologna, Italy. He then worked for the Federal Council for the U.N. Liaison and External In addition to raising three sons and Bureau of Prisons and the Defense Intel- Relations Branch. serving as a Foreign Service spouse, ligence Agency before joining USAID. Mr. Mousky concluded his UNFPA Mrs. Low was active in improving the Mr. Mitchell served in Brazil, Dji- career as senior adviser for the Secretariat

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOB ER 2018 65 of the International Conference on Lawrence Bostick of Monrovia, Md.; and oral history of his life and career for the Population and Development, witness- Michael Alan of Berkeley, Calif.; four Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection of ing the adoption of the Programme of grandchildren; and four great-grand- the Association for Diplomatic Studies Action at ICPD in Cairo. children. and Training, which is available online Following his retirement from the through the Library of Congress. United Nations in 1994, Mr. Mousky n Rudolf Vilem Perina, 73, a retired In 2010, Amb. Perina was the Scarff served as a member of the governing Foreign Service officer and former Visiting Professor of International board of the Association of Former ambassador, died suddenly at home in Relations at Lawrence University in International Civil Servants, a senior Vienna, Va., on June 14. Appleton, Wis. He also served until his adviser to the International Organiza- Born in Czechoslovakia in 1945, Mr. death on the Council of Advisers of the tion for Migration, a board member Perina and his parents fled that country Wende Museum, a research institute of the U.S. Committee for UNFPA and following the 1948 communist takeover. and archive of the Cold War located in a member of the DPI/NGO Executive The family lived as refugees in Switzer- Culver City, Calif. Committee, serving as a mentor to land and Morocco before immigrating to Amb. Perina is survived by his wife, countless colleagues. the United States in 1950. Ethel Hetherington Perina; two daugh- Mr. Mousky is survived by his wife, Mr. Perina earned a bachelor’s ters, Kaja and Alexandra Perina, and Laurence Mousky (née Melhem); his degree from the University of Chicago their husbands; and four grandchildren. son, Marc Mousky; and his sister, Carol in 1967 and later received masters and McCall. Ph.D. degrees in European history from n James Perry Thurber Jr., 90, a Columbia University. While studying retired Foreign Service officer with the n Virginia S. Murphy, 99, widow in New York, he participated in filming U.S. Information Agency, died on June of the late USIA Foreign Service Officer a documentary about the 1968 Prague 16 in Los Altos, Calif., after a brief ill- Edmund R. Murphy, died of congestive Spring reform movement in Czechoslo- ness. heart failure on Feb. 25 at her home in vakia. Mr. Thurber was a graduate of Milton Chevy Chase, Md., six days shy of her Mr. Perina worked for more than Academy in Massachusetts and spent 100th birthday. three decades on east-west relations in a 13th high school year at the Thatcher Mrs. Murphy was born and grew Europe during and after the Cold War, School in Ojai. up in New Orleans, La., where she met and on the Dayton Accords following He earned a bachelor’s degree in Edmund Murphy, a naval officer in the the dissolution of the former Republic of journalism from Stanford University Armed Guard during World War II. They Yugoslavia. and a master’s degree in international were married in January 1945. Prior to his retirement, he served as relations from The George Washington After the war ended, Mr. Murphy’s ambassador to the Republic of Moldova, University. He attended the National Foreign Service career began, and the U.S. special negotiator for Eurasian War College from 1973 to 1974. couple moved to Washington. D.C. conflicts in the former Soviet Union, Mr. Thurber served in the U.S. Army Following Mr. Murphy’s assignment principal deputy assistant secretary for during the Korean War, from 1950 to on the Latin American desk, the couple European and Canadian affairs, and 1952. He then worked as a reporter and served in Mexico City, Lyons, Buenos director of European and Soviet affairs editor for the Wall Street Journal in the Aires, Port-au-Prince, Bogotá and for the National Security Council. San Francisco, New York, Philadelphia Helsinki. Mr. Murphy retired from the Following his retirement from the and Detroit offices. Service in 1973. Foreign Service, he served as chargé His last assignment for the Journal Mrs. Murphy raised five children, d’affaires at U.S. embassies in Chisinau was as bureau chief in Houston. From two of whom, Linda Ann and Edmund (2006), Yerevan (2007), Reykjavík (2010), 1956 to 1967 he worked in various Robert Jr., predeceased her. She was also Prague (2013) and Bratislava (2015). administrative positions at Stanford predeceased by her husband. He also led inspections of embassies University, including as assistant to the Mrs. Murphy is survived by three around the globe. university vice president and provost. sons: John Donald of Chevy Chase, Md.; In 2007, Amb. Perina completed an Mr. Thurber joined USIA in 1967 and

66 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL served in Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria and He also served as president of the She was a member of Trinity Epis- Pakistan. He also served as chief of the Democratic Century Club and the copal Church and did secretarial work policy guidance office at USIA in Wash- Peninsula Democratic Coalition. He was for several organizations, including ington, D.C., and as director of USIA the Democratic candidate for Congress the Nutrition Department at Syracuse operations in North Africa, the Middle in 1962 and an elected delegate to three University. East, the Gulf and South Asia. national Democratic conventions. Her volunteer work included helping In 1980 he was awarded the State Mr. Thurber is survived by wife, with the Boy Scouts, serving as a Girl Department’s Award for Valor for Emily Forrest; and four children: James Scout leader and a day camp counselor his actions during the takeover and Perry Thurber III (and his spouse, Debra at Camp Adelphi, and supporting the destruction of U.S. Embassy Islamabad McGibbon), Harriette Thurber Rasmus- Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the by a Pakistani mob, during which two sen, Alexander Forrest Thurber (and his AARP Tax Program and the Center for Americans and three Pakistani employ- spouse, Courtney Graham) and Mary New Americans at Interfaith Works. ees were killed. Thurber Martin; 12 grandchildren; and In 2016 Mrs. West moved to Kingsport, Prior to his retirement in 1990, he five great-grandchildren. Tenn., to be closer to her youngest received a USIA Superior Honor Award daughter. for his role in developing a Fulbright n Margaret “Peggy” Lewis West, 88, Mrs. West was predeceased by her Exchange Program between the United a former Foreign Service secretary, died husband, Arthur; her parents, Harry and States and Canada. At the time of his at home in Kingsport, Tenn., on May 18. Margretta Lewis; her brother, Charles retirement, he was Minister Counselor Born in California and raised in Den- Lewis; sister-in-law, Tanya Lewis; and for public affairs at Embassy Ottawa. ver, Mrs. West took in her first cat at age nephew, Colin Lewis. In retirement Mr. Thurber served 5, learned to ski and planted a victory She is survived by her son, Charles as president of the Los Altos History garden at age 12, thus discovering her West (and his spouse, Adrienne) of Museum, a member of the board of Hid- lifelong passions at an early age. New Mexico; daughters Mary West (and den Villa Ranch, a member of the Los A 1948 graduate of Denver East High her spouse, Frank English) of North Altos Library Commission, director of School, she took the train to Middlebury Carolina, and Elizabeth Blakely (and her the Bus Barn Stage Company, director of College and was christened “Peggy” by spouse, Dale) of Tennessee; grand- the Los Altos Community Foundation, a her dorm sisters. In Vermont she thrived children Lowell, Quint, David, Taylor, member and later president of the Foot- at her studies, raced on the college ski Valerie, Arthur and Bodhi; a younger hill-DeAnza Colleges Foundation, and team and was sought out for her excel- brother, Harry T. Lewis Jr. (and sister-in- commissioner and chair of the Santa lent typing skills. law Penelope Lewis) of Denver, Colo.; 16 Clara County Airports Commission. Following graduation in 1952 with a nieces and nephews; and a host of other He was also director of the League bachelor’s degree in political science, family members and cherished friends. of Conservation Voters, treasurer of the Mrs. West served two tours of duty with Memorial contributions may be Foreign Service Association of Northern the State Department in Athens. made to Interfaith Works—Center for California, a member of the Mayor’s While there she was visited by an New Americans, 1010 James Street, Syra- Blue-Ribbon Committee for Affordable acquaintance, her future husband cuse NY 13203. Housing and a trustee for Goodwill Arthur “Sandy” West, who was on leave Industries of Santa Clara County. from his U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. If you would like us to include an Mr. Thurber was an elected member The couple married in 1957 and, after obituary in In Memory, please send text of the Santa Clara County Democratic a brief stay in Gainesville, Fla., made to [email protected]. Be sure to include Party Central Committee, as well as the their home in Fayetteville, N.Y., where the date, place and cause of death, as California State Democratic Central they raised three children. well as details of the individual’s Foreign Committee. He was director of the Mrs. West enjoyed gardening, her Service career. Please place the name of county finance committee for many cats and ski trips to Colorado. Her fam- the AFSA member to be memorialized in years, as well as treasurer of the United ily recalls that she was an accomplished the subject line of your email. n Democratic Campaign. cook and seamstress.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOB ER 2018 67 BOOKS

In Defense of a He won a Pulitzer Prize something of an afterthought. Life-Saving Discipline for his exposé of movie The story of Richard Hol- mogul Harvey Weinstein in brooke’s time as Special War on Peace: The End of Diplomacy The New Yorker, where he is Representative for Afghanistan and the Decline of American Influence a contributing writer. He has and Pakistan during 2009 and Ronan Farrow, W. W. Norton & Co., written only one book—this 2010 is the heart of the book. New York, 2018, $27.95/hardcover, one—but cut him some slack: Farrow first met Holbrooke in $14.99/Kindle, 392 pages. he is just 30 years old. New York in 2004, when Far- Reviewed By Harry W. Kopp War on Peace is long-form, row was 16 and Holbrooke first-person journalism, draw- was 58. In 2009 he lobbied his There is a school of literary criticism, ing on experience and interviews. It’s a way into a job with Holbrooke (much as much in vogue during this reviewer’s book with a point of view. There is noth- Holbrooke, a diplomatic star in Presi- student years, that says the text on the ing subtle about it. When Farrow grinds dent Bill Clinton’s administration, had page, and only the text, is worthy of his axe, the blade and whetstone are lobbied his way into Hillary Clinton’s close study. The intentions, background, on full display. He states his thesis in a State Department). even the name of the author do not prologue: “What follows,” he writes, “is Farrow calls Holbrooke “a creature of matter—meaning and value are to be an account of a crisis. It tells the story another era,” one whose experience as sought in the words alone. of a life-saving discipline torn apart by a junior Foreign Service officer in Viet- But it is impossible to write about political cowardice.” nam bred a contempt for “mil-think” War on Peace without reference to the The “anticommunist zeal that that colored his thinking about the war author’s remarkable biography. Ronan propelled American involvement from in Afghanistan and how to end it. Farrow grew up with 13 siblings, most Vietnam to Afghanistan,” Ronan con- Holbrooke’s military counterpart in of them international adoptions with tinues, planted the “seeds of the trends Afghanistan and Pakistan was General physical and mental disabilities. His mother, and theirs, is the actress Mia Farrow. His father (and brother-in-law) Farrow seems to assign more blame for the failures of is filmmaker Woody Allen—unless, as U.S. foreign policy to the U.S. military than to their civilian his mother has hinted, it was Frank political leadership. Sinatra. Farrow entered college at 11 and graduated at 15. He spent two years that would explode under President David Petraeus, commander of the Cen- with UNICEF in Nigeria, Eritrea, Angola Trump—the devaluing and deprioriti- tral Command and later commander of and Sudan, where an untreated infec- zation of diplomacy, the rise of gener- U.S. and international forces in Afghani- tion left him in a wheelchair for several als in policymaking. … Hundreds of stan. According to Farrow, Petraeus years. He earned a law degree at Yale, thousands of innocents would become called Holbrooke “my wingman,” a term practiced with the white-shoe firm casualties of those [American military] Holbrooke found insulting. “His job Davis, Polk & Wardwell, and studied interventions.” should be to drop bombs when I tell international relations at Oxford as a Farrow builds his case around per- him to,” said Holbrooke (who during the Rhodes scholar. sonalities he worked with or interviewed, 1995 Bosnian crisis had directed NATO He was a staff member of the House and on American policy in Afghanistan, strikes on Serbian targets). Foreign Affairs Committee and a special Pakistan, Somalia, Colombia, Egypt Throughout his career, Farrow says, adviser at the State Department, first to and Syria. A final section on the Trump Holbrooke, “an impossible blowhard,” Special Representative for Afghanistan administration is presented as a cul- impressed and antagonized people and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke (2009- mination of long-established trends, he needed to work with. He won no 2010) and then to Secretary of State although—perhaps because Farrow friends, but in Farrow’s view “he was the Hillary Rodham Clinton. cannot conceal his loathing—it reads as rare asshole who was worth it.”

68 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL The story of Richard Holbrooke’s time as Special Representative The Trump administration, says for Afghanistan and Pakistan during 2009 and 2010 is the heart Farrow, “concentrated ever more power in the Pentagon, granting it nearly of the book. unilateral authority.” Around the world, “America’s relationships took on a dis- Although he built a staff of nearly narrative drive and emotional punch. tinctly military flavor.” Diplomats who 100, Holbrooke and his office had no Even so, the sketches of figures promi- survived the State Department purge real bureaucratic home and no clear nent and obscure, based on Farrow’s were disdained and ignored. For the role in what was then called the AfPak own interviews, remain fascinating. Foreign Service, shut out of the action, theater. He had few resources—General These include Abdul Rashid Dos- watching the administration’s perfor- Petraeus, he complained, “has more tum, the ethnic Uzbek warlord whose mance is “like being locked outside airplanes than I have telephones.” He U.S.-backed Northern Alliance captured watching an enthusiastic dog tear up worked and traveled constantly, search- Kabul at the beginning of the Afghan your upholstery.” ing for a path to a political solution to war in 2001; Husain Haqqani, Pakistani Farrow’s prose is clear and strong, a problem that he may not have fully journalist, politician and ambassa- despite the occasional stylistic oddity. understood. dor to the United States (2008-2011); Colombia in the 1980s is “an Escher- “A negotiated settlement with the Freddy Torres, a Colombian truck driver esque tessellation of faction and Taliban,” Farrow says, was “the white kidnapped by unknown persons in violence.” A chapter on Robin Raphel’s whale to Holbrooke’s Ahab.” General 2006; Sally Evans, mother of Thomas travails with the FBI ends with uncon- Petraeus, however, wanted no talks Evans, who joined the al-Shabaab scious parody: “She fixed her blue eyes until the forces aligned against the terrorist group and died in an attack on me. ‘I wasn’t doing the wrong thing. Taliban had a stronger battlefield posi- on a military base in Northern Kenya; … I was doing the real thing.’ Robin tion. When Holbrooke told him, “Dave, American diplomats Anne Patterson, Raphel pulled on her coat and stepped we need to talk about reconciliation,” Robin Raphel and Tom Countryman; back out into the cold.” These clunkers Petraeus replied, “Richard, that’s a and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. are rare enough to be called unique. 15-second conversation.” The White Farrow seems to assign more blame We all know that the plural of House, and indeed Secretary Clinton, for the failures of U.S. foreign policy to anecdote is data, and War on Peace has followed the Pentagon’s lead. the U.S. military than to their civilian anecdotes aplenty. The book’s per- As Holbrooke’s health began to fail, political leadership. A mass grave in suasive power comes from accumula- people close to him urged him to quit, Afghanistan, for example, is described tion—readers looking for analytic rigor but he refused. Farrow writes: “He felt as the result of “a strain of post-9/11 will be disappointed. War on Peace will he was the only one capable of giving foreign policy led not by diplomats, but resonate with those inclined to accept an honest assessment of the harsh reali- by soldiers and spies.” In Somalia, a CIA its thesis; others will probably never ties. But beneath the sweep of history decision to back a series of warlords open it in the first place. n was a small human struggle, of ego and against a coalition of sharia courts age and fear.” Farrow, who was pres- (which Farrow says were a stabilizing Harry W. Kopp, a former Foreign Service ent, provides a harrowing but tender force) turned “a local nuisance” into “a officer, is the author of several books on account of the meeting with Secretary terrifying new threat to international diplomacy, including (with John K. Na- Clinton at the State Department, during security.” land) a third edition of Career Diplomacy: which Holbrooke suffered the massive In Syria, he writes, Kurds, Turks, Life and Work in the U.S. Foreign Service heart attack that killed him. When doc- the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian (Georgetown University Press, 2017) and tors confirmed his death, Farrow told Defense forces (both rebel groups) Voice of the Foreign Service: A History of Clinton, “He was the closest thing to a fought each other, all of them using U.S. the American Foreign Service Association father I ever had.” arms and air support. “This,” says Far- (FS Books, 2015). He is a frequent Journal With Holbrooke absent from the row, “was what tactics without strategy contributor and recently joined the FSJ story, Farrow’s book loses some of its looked like: deadly farce.” Editorial Board.

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 69 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENTS n LEGAL SERVICES n CAREER CHANGE

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72 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 73 REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation (required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)

1) Publication Title: The Foreign Service Journal 2) Publication No. 01463543 3) Filing Date: October 1, 2018 4) Issue Frequency: Monthly with January/February and July/August combined 5) Number of Issues Published Annually: 10 6) Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 7) Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 8) Complete Mail- ing Address of Headquarters of General Business Officer of Publisher: 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 9) Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher: American Foreign Service Association, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037- 2990; Editor: Shawn Dorman, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990; Managing Editor: Susan B. Maitra, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 10) Owner: American Foreign Service Association, 2101 E Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 11) Known Bondholders, Mort- gages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12) For Completion by Nonprofit Organizations Authorized to Mail at Special Rates: The Purpose, Function and Nonprofit Status of this Organization and the Exempt Status for Federal Income Tax Purposes: (1) Has not changed during preceding 12 months 13) Publication’s Name: The Foreign Service Journal 14) Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: Octo- ber 2018 16) Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average Number of Copies of Each Issue During Pre- ceding 12 months: A. Total Number of Copies: 18,172 B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors and Counter Sales: 0 (2) Mail Subscription: 16,563 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 16,563 D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimen- tary and Other Free): 829 E. Free Distribution Outside the Mail: 355 F. Total Free Distribution: 1,184 G. Total Distribution: 17,747 H. Copies Not Distributed (1) Office Use, Leftovers and Spoiled: 425 (2) Returns from News Agents: 0 I. Total: 18,172 J. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 88% Actual Number of Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: A. Total Number of Copies: 18,100 B. Paid and/or Requested Circulation: (1) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors and Counter Sales: 0 (2) Mail Subscription: 16,779 C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 16,779 D. Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, Complimentary and Other Free): 815 E. Free Distribu- tion Outside the Mail: 300 F. Total Free Distribution: 1,115 G. Total Distribution: 17,894 H. Copies Not Distributed: (1) Office Use, Leftover, Spoiled: 206 (2) Returns from News Agents: 0 Total: 18,100 Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 94%.

I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. (signed) Susan B. Maitra, Managing Editor

74 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ADWhen contactin g oneINDEX of our advertisers, kindly mention you saw their advertisement in The Foreign Service Journal.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AFSA 2018 Award Recipients / Inside Front Cover Watch for the November FSJ / 9

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THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 75 REFLECTIONS

Playing Squash with Arlen Specter

BY ALEXIS LUDWIG

ord went out from on high In the halls of the chancery and over lunch that someone from the embassy community was in the cafeteria, conversations turned to Wneeded to play squash strategy. Should I seek to win, or allow the with Senator Arlen Specter, then a senator to do so? Should I ensure a tough Republican from Pennsylvania, who struggle, deliberately drawing it out? Or show was scheduled to make a brief stop in unambiguous dominance, to underscore Guatemala City in early 1996. Wher- ever the senator happened to travel, some larger political point? whether at home or abroad, someone always was; an hour or so set aside in his schedule for squash was an absolute requirement. This was non-negotiable. Arlen” his colleagues reportedly called this element, in the form of a thor- Washington Post columnist Al him. Treat him right, or watch out! ough thrashing at the hands of a fellow Kamen had even made snarky note of It seems somehow fitting that I graduate student—the aptly named the senator’s disciplined daily squash can’t quite recall what official purpose Angus, from Oxford. I had come to think habit—and the commandeering of part- brought Mr. Specter, who was then chair of myself as pretty decent at squash ners required to accommodate it. But of the Senate Intelligence Committee, to … until I faced Angus. His dominance no matter. The senator was undeterred Guatemala. What I do remember were of the pivotal T-area was total and by mere gossip. the embassy’s exhaustive efforts to find complete, his movements on the court Specter was up and coming at the him the right squash partner. Should it be focused, economic and spare. time. Several years earlier, his aggres- someone from inside or outside the mis- Angus held the long narrow racket sive cross-examination of Anita Hill sion? Local or American? Was a level of expertly low, parallel to his side and, during the confirmation hearings for English required, or just a certain thresh- with a quick succession of barely visible Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas old of skill at the sport? This was serious flicks of the wrist, sent the small, hot, had thrust him into the national lime- business, and we had to get it right. black ball spinning with a stunning light, and he had emerged as a formida- Thinking back, I don’t remember accuracy and precision of placement ble force in the Senate since. “Snarlin’ how or why I was the one chosen in the just above the red tin and invariably end. I’m sure I didn’t exactly volun- skipping and skidding shallow, fast and Alexis Ludwig is a 24-year teer. Probably a combination of the far out of my disheveled reach for the Foreign Service veteran who pickings being slim and the first and easy kill. He couldn’t even try to pretend recently concluded a tour as second choices being out of town that to keep me in the game. I was a rank a career development officer day. I had played squash from time to amateur playing chess against Bobby for senior-level FSOs and time some years before as a graduate Fischer. It was over before it began. began as the deputy permanent representa- student, and had held my own against If Senator Specter was anything like tive at the U.S. Mission to the Organization other okay players. But what if the sena- Angus, I thought to myself, I was toast, of American States in Washington, D.C. He tor was one of the exquisitely skilled, a and the embassy’s reputation for excel- worked as a vice consul in Guatemala from member of the fearsome squash elite? lence possibly in tatters. I lost some 1994 to 1996. Mr. Ludwig is chair of the FSJ What then? sleep, but I kept my crackling doubts Editorial Board. I had had a previous experience with locked up inside.

76 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL Meanwhile, in the halls of the It turned out to be a legitimate chancery and over lunch in the cafete- hard-scrabble battle. ria, conversations turned to strategy. Should I seek to win, or allow the sena- tor to do so? Should I ensure a tough struggle, deliberately drawing it out? before the match was to begin. I was matched. The senator had the advantages Or show unambiguous dominance, to still lacing my tennis shoes when he of technique, rhythm and experience, as underscore some larger political point? walked in. I saw an opportunity for an well as the clear desire to win; I had stam- Pluses and minuses were offered on exchange of pleasantries, but the good ina, speed and athleticism on my side. both sides. senator was having none of it. His focus Let the record show that I was The assumptions being made struck was elsewhere. I’m not even sure we recovering from a chest cold at the time, me as flawed, deceived by appearances. shook hands. I quickly understood that, which caused me to get winded more In my early 30s at the time, I was a good for him, this episode would be about the easily than I might have otherwise. I athlete and still in my physical prime. squash and the squash alone. Conversa- had also been away from the courts Senator Specter was more than twice tion would play no role. Fine. for a number of years, and was out of my age, and on a different curve in life’s It turned out to be a legitimate hard- practice. As a result, I blew a series of arc entirely; he was not yet stricken by scrabble battle, with lots of running and potentially easy kills. Apart from that, the cancer that felled him years later, sweating, a succession of momentum for good or ill, Senator Specter beat me but still. Advantage Ludwig, the think- shifts and many tough points fought fair and square. ing went. down to the wire. There was no reason to Perhaps that’s why he shook my hand The point turned out to be moot. play it one way or the other, just to play before he bid me “adios,” turned, and We met in the locker room, minutes it. Thank God! All told, we were evenly headed for the showers. n

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | OCTOBER 2018 77 LOCAL LENS BY GEMMA DVORAK n SAY, NIGER

heered on by one of the organizers, the winner Cof a Tuareg camel race crosses the finish line. We had been invited to this significant event in the desert outside of Niamey in which 30 racers participated, and which was honored with the presence of the local prefect. Hundreds of people had gathered to watch, but they were held back from the racetrack by a number of security guards and thus are not in the photograph. The 17-kilometer race took about 25 minutes for the fastest rid- ers to complete. The second- and third-place camels are visible at the left, alongside the pace-setting vehicles. The prize for the winner was 200,000 CFA (about $400, or half the aver- age yearly income in Niger). n

Gemma Dvorak is an EFM currently living in Niamey, Niger, with her spouse on their first overseas tour. A freelance editor and photographer, she is enjoying the FS life and making the most of the opportunities this post affords. She is a former associ- ate editor of The Foreign Service Journal and editor of AFSA News. This photo was taken on Feb. 4, 2018, with a Nikon Coolpix P7000 camera, 1/813 sec exposure, ISO 100.

Please submit your favorite, recent photograph to be considered for Local Lens. Images must be high resolution (at least 300 dpi at 8” x 10”, or 1 MB or larger) and must not be in print elsewhere. Include a short description of the scene/event, as well as your name, brief biodata and the type of camera used. Send to [email protected].

78 OCTOBER 2018 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL

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