SEMIANNUAL SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT $3.50 /JUNE 2009 OREIGN ERVICE FJOURNAL STHE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS FOREIGN SERVICE MEMORIES A Selection of Reflections 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 1 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 2 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 3 OREIGN ERVICE FJ O U R N A L S CONTENTS June 2009 Volume 86, No. 6 F OCUS ON FS Reflections LEST WE FORGET / 17 On the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, it is more important than ever to honor those who died there in the name of democracy. By Joanne Grady Huskey MY BLACK BELT JOURNEY / 22 In Taekwondo, one practitioner learns, it’s not the destination that matters but the journey. By Scott B. Ticknor RUSS AND I / 27 Cover and inside illustrations A carpool chat leads to the addition of several long-deceased by Pietari Posti diplomats’ names to the AFSA Memorial Plaques. By Jason Vorderstrasse COUNTERTERRORISM: SOME LESSONS TO CONSIDER / 32 A retired diplomat sees a disturbing pattern of inconsistency, dishonesty and deceit in the U.S. response to acts of terrorism. PRESIDENT’S VIEWS / 5 By Alan Berlind Constructive Dissent REPRIEVE ON MANILA BAY / 38 By John K. Naland They say a cat has nine lives. But how many reprieves are SPEAKING OUT / 13 we humans granted before mortality’s inexorable triumph? EERs: The Forgotten Front By John J. St. John in the War for Talent By Jonathan Fritz AFSA NEWS EFLECTIONS R / 92 FOREIGN AFFAIRS DAY 2009 / 43 Afghanistan Revisited By Bruce Laingen BRIEFS, AGGELER / 44 VP VOICE – STATE: A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL / 45 VP VOICE – RETIREE: AFSA HAS YOUR BACK / 46 LETTERS / 6 VP VOICE – FCS: OUR FRIENDS ON THE HILL / 47 CYBERNOTES / 9 FAMILY MEMBER MATTERS: A TCK LETTER / 48 MARKETPLACE / 11 IAN HOUSTON NAMED AFSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / 49 BOOKS / 76 AFSA BUILDING REOPENS / 49 IN MEMORY / 78 CLASSIFIEDS / 51 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS / 90 JUNE 2009/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 3 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 4 OREIGN ERVICE CONTENTS FJ O U R N A L S Editor S CHOOLS S UPPLEMENT STEVEN ALAN HONLEY Senior Editor GETTING FOUND: INTERNATIONAL LIFE 2.0 / 53 SUSAN B. MAITRA The Internet has a special role to play in connecting Third Culture Kids. Associate Editor SHAWN DORMAN By Mikkela Thompson AFSA News Editor FRANCESCA KELLY SCHOOLS AT A GLANCE / 63 Essential data on educational choices. Ad & Circulation Manager ED MILTENBERGER A VITAL POINT OF CONTACT FOR PARENTS: Business Manager ALICIA J. CAMPI THE OFFICE OF OVERSEAS SCHOOLS / 70 Art Director By Kristin Grasso and Carol Sutherland CARYN SUKO SMITH TIPS ON WRITING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS ESSAYS / 72 EDITORIAL BOARD By Francesca Kelly TED WILKINSON Chairman JOSEPH BRUNS STEPHEN W. B UCK JULIE GIANELLONI CONNOR JIM DEHART JEFF GIAUQUE GEORGE JONES LAURIE KASSMAN YVETTE N. MALCIOLN DAVID MCFARLAND AL PESSIN THE MAGAZINE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS PROFESSIONALS Foreign Service Journal (ISSN 0146-3543), 2101 E Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037-2990 is published monthly with a combined July-August issue by the American Foreign Service Associa- tion (AFSA), a private, nonprofit organization. Material appearing herein represents the opin- ions of the writers and does not necessarily rep- resent the views of the Journal, the Editorial Board or AFSA. Writer queries and submissions are invited, preferably by e-mail. Journal sub- scription: AFSA members – $13 included in an- nual dues; others – $40. For foreign surface mail, add $18 per year; foreign airmail, $36 per year. Periodical postage paid at Washington, D.C., and at additional mailing offices. Indexed by Public Affairs Information Services (PAIS). The Journal is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos or illustrations. Advertising inquiries are invited. The appearance of advertisements herein does not imply the endorsement of the services or goods offered. TELEPHONE: (202) 338-4045 FAX: (202) 338-8244 or (202) 338-6820 E-MAIL: [email protected] WEB: www.afsa.org; www.fsjournal.org © American Foreign Service Association, 2009. Printed in the U.S.A. Send address changes to: AFSA Attn: Address Change 2101 E Street N.W. Washington DC 20037-2990 Printed on 50-percent recycled paper, of which 10 percent is post-consumer waste. 4 FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL/JUNE 2009 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 5 PRESIDENT’S VIEWS Constructive Dissent BY JOHN K. NALAND This month, AFSA will pres- note that awards in those two makers might evaporate. ent its 41st annual Constructive categories were presented last AFSA must also sometimes exercise Dissent Awards. This unique year. Other evidence that con- prudent silence in the face of setbacks. program began in 1968 with the structive dissent is not dead As much as we might want to blast William R. Rivkin Award for ini- can be seen in the seven nom- some agency’s poor decision, AFSA tiative, integrity and intellectual inations submitted this year for leaders must keep in mind that they will courage in the context of con- the mid-level Rivkin Award. face that same policymaker in future structive dissent by a mid-level Foreign Hopefully, AFSA will receive multi- negotiations. Foreign Service members Service officer. AFSA now offers simi- ple nominations in all four categories who have negotiated with foreign gov- lar awards for Foreign Service special- next year. Arguably, the problem is not ernments will understand this tactical ists and junior and senior generalists. a lack of dissenters, but rather a short- decision not to burn bridges that may Before attending his first AFSA age of colleagues who recognized dis- be needed in the future. awards ceremony, Secretary of State sent by taking the time to submit Of course, blowing the whistle on Henry Kissinger asked AFSA President nominations for an AFSA award. personnel system shenanigans is some- Tom Boyatt what the constructive dis- Along those lines, it is clear that not times an effective way to shame agency sent awards were all about. After being all members recognize the extent to management into following the rules. told, Kissinger gave a knowing smile which AFSA itself exemplifies con- And sometimes the transgression is so and asked rhetorically, “You mean that I structive dissent (not on foreign policy blatant that AFSA must make a “federal am giving awards to people who dis- issues, but rather on management and case” out of it, even if the result is re- agreed with me?” He proceeded to do personnel matters). One cause of this duced cooperation on other issues. just that, honoring Foreign Service lack of recognition is that AFSA cannot While AFSA will continue to speak members with the courage to speak out always reveal everything that happens out forthrightly, the ultimate objective forthrightly, using appropriate channels, behind closed doors. is to advance our members’ interests. to take a stand by confronting the status For example, AFSA has engaged in While members consistently say that quo, asking tough questions, offering al- numerous negotiations in recent years they want AFSA to be vocal and as- ternative solutions, and giving the best that succeeded in dissuading State De- sertive; they need it to be effective. Just counsel possible. partment management from taking like individual members who engage in This year’s ceremony will include shortsighted steps that would have had constructive dissent, AFSA’s goal must awards in the categories of specialists negative long-term implications on the not just be to point out what is wrong, and mid-level generalists. No nomina- Foreign Service. While we strive to but rather to effect a positive change in tions were received for junior or senior keep members informed, some of these the situation. FSOs. Before anyone draws negative gains were achieved in tough negotia- That is what the AFSA Governing conclusions about intellectual courage tions that cannot be detailed without Board has striven to do over the past in today’s junior and senior ranks, please harming our ability to achieve future two years. As our term of office nears its successes. Were AFSA to crow publicly end, we thank you for giving us the op- John K. Naland is the president of the about some of those victories, then fu- portunity to fight the good fight on be- American Foreign Service Association. ture cooperation from powerful policy- half of the U.S. Foreign Service. ■ JUNE 2009/FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL 5 01-16_FSJ_0609_Front:first 5/13/09 12:08 PM Page 6 LETTERS Concrete Honors for some of whom have given their lives work these individuals do. Insights I Diplomatic Heroes while helping to protect the Foreign have gained from working on FS panels The valuable and heartfelt letter Service worldwide. have had significant impact on my con- from Bruce K. Byers (“Thirty Years Ago Francis Xavier Cunningham cept of myself as an individual and as in Kabul,” March) expresses hope that FSO, retired an American citizen. Always strong, my “in 2009 we will achieve greater pro- Arlington, Va. pride in American identity and heritage gress with our Afghan allies and so has intensified as a result of increased honor the memories of all those Recognizing the awareness of the role our diplomatic Afghans and Americans who, like Spike Foreign Service corps plays in making this world a bet- Dubs, have lost their lives in service to Since 1991, I have had several op- ter place for all. In the face of national our country and to the Afghan people.” portunities to serve as a public member or international crises, I no longer ex- Permit me to suggest an initiative on U.S.