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P U B L I S H E D BY T H E A M E R I CA N F O R E I G N S E R V I C E A S S O C I AT I O N APRIL 2021
VIRTUAL DIPLOMACY?
FOREIGN
SERVICE April 2021 Volume 98, No. 3
Focus on Diplomacy Feature
in an Age of Disruption
53
Effective Public
Diplomacy: Lessons
from Tuk-Tam
Listen first, one retired PD
practitioner advises. Here is his story
of a very successful program.
By Ken Moskowitz
26 39
Can Diplomacy Transferring in
Be Done Virtually? a Time of Chaos
Two Foreign Service officers explore Challenging in the best of times,
the question through the lens of FS transfers have become crucibles
personal experience. Their answer: in of resilience and determination
some ways yes, but mostly no. during the pandemic.
By Jessica Huaracayo and B y C a m e r o n Wo o d w o r t h
Alexis Ludwig
44
Appreciation
31 Pandemic Parenting—
Commercial Diplomacy How Foreign Service 56
Strong—Raising the Bar Moms Are (Not) A Truly
in the Virtual Era Making It Work Trustworthy Leader
In 2020 U.S. companies were forced FS parents—in particular, FS moms— George P. Shultz
into a new world of lockdowns and are stretched to the breaking point,
virtual relations, where work norms
1920-2020
and there doesn’t seem to be
had to be refashioned. A commercial an end in sight. By Steven Alan Honley
officer looks at the way ahead. By Donna Scaramastra Gorman
By Aileen Nandi
34 49 Retirement
In-Person Exchanges,
Interrupted
My Reintroduction
to America—
Supplement
Some virtual components have A COVID-19 Journey
proved helpful, but the face-to-face
experience—the heart and soul of an
Returning “home” after years
overseas is notoriously difficult.
70
exchange program—is irreplaceable. The COVID-19 pandemic gave the Twelve Pitfalls
By Deena Mansour experience a whole new, and What to do and what not to do
surprising, twist. when planning for life post-career.
By Kimberly Harmon By John K. Naland
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 5
FOREIGN
SERVICE
Perspectives
Departments
7 85 10 Letters
President’s Views Reflections
Taking Care of Our The Case of the 13 Letters-Plus
Colleagues—and Ourselves Bungled Blacklist
17 Talking Points
By Eric Rubin By Kevin Chambers
78 Books
9 86
Letter from the Editor Local Lens
Virtual Diplomacy Jurmala, Latvia
in an Age of Disruption B y Pa u l Po l e t e s
By Shawn Dorman
Marketplace
23 80 Real Estate
Speaking Out
83 Classifieds
Resilience Leadership
By Josh Glazeroff 84 Index to Advertisers
AFSA NEWS THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THE AMERICAN FOREIGN SERVICE ASSOCIATION
59 AFSA Celebrates Win on Meritorious Service 66 AFSA Welcomes New Hires to the Foreign Service
Increases 67 Save the Date: Foreign Service Day Virtual Events
60 State VP Voice—Are Linked Assignments 68 AFSA Webinar: Reviewing Your Retirement Plan
Worth It Anymore?
68 USAID Seeks Assignment and Career Counselors
61 USAID VP Voice—Schedule F(SL):
69 APHIS Offers Foreign Service Fellowship
Noncareer Hiring Takes a Toll
62 FCS VP Voice—Our Biggest Untapped Resource
63 AFSA President Meets with Members in 65
Virtual Town Halls
63 AFSA Governing Board Meeting, Feb. 17, 2021
64 State MED Director Briefs AFSA Members
on Slow Vaccine Rollout
65 AFSA Seeks Award Nominations for 2021
On the Cover—Illustration by Connie McLennan.
6 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL
PRESIDENT’S VIEWS
Taking Care of Our Colleagues—
and Ourselves
BY ERIC RUBIN
L
ife in the Foreign Service is always ing pandemic is just one example of the We believe the Foreign Service needs
challenging. The constant moves, bravery and dedication of its members. significant growth in both resources and
the stresses on spouses and fami- Another is the first impeachment personnel, with a rough ideal target of
lies, the unfamiliar illnesses and process of 2019-2020, which saw more 1,000 additional Foreign Service posi-
the recurring heavy doses of risk can make than a dozen of our colleagues com- tions at State and equivalent proportional
our profession hard to sustain. pelled to testify or give depositions increases in the other departments and
For members who do not look like under oath against the express instruc- agencies we represent.
the white males making up the major- tions of the president of the United We need a strong and urgent focus on
ity of America’s diplomats throughout States. Our colleagues who testified turning around the intolerable decline in
most of our history, there are additional turned what could have been a wrench- diversity in all our agencies. And we need
obstacles and stresses. Add to this the ingly painful experience into a moment to get the Foreign Service back to the cen-
frequent swings of the political pen- of pride, patriotism and determination. ter of the policymaking process on both
dulum that undermine trust in our Career colleagues across the govern- foreign affairs and foreign assistance.
nonpartisan Service. ment also demonstrated that loyal public From President Biden on down, the
This set of problems was com- servants will not be hung out to dry when new administration has sent many posi-
pounded in recent years by a hostile and pulled into the Washington political mael- tive signals. We welcome the commit-
suspicious attitude toward the Foreign strom, and that their colleagues—and ment to support and defend our country’s
Service from our country’s senior lead- their union—will be there to support them career public servants and to ensure they
ers, and a lack of respect for experience, even in the toughest of times. That was have the resources and backing to get the
expertise and professional knowledge. not the case during the Red Scares and job done right for the American people.
Some of our most talented senior col- Lavender Scares of the 1940s and 1950s, We especially welcome the announced
leagues were forced out of the Service, when some of our best diplomats found readiness to work with us and other
and with them went much of our ability themselves alone and without support in federal unions as partners, with the shared
to speak truth to power. The events of the face of unfair, outrageous and some- goal of improving the effectiveness and
Jan. 6 deeply affected many members, times illegal attacks on their integrity. impact of the U.S. Foreign Service while
both for the attack on the core institu- The recent annual federal employee raising morale and job satisfaction.
tions of our country but also the lack of a surveys show a big drop in career and We also welcome the renewed focus
strong response from agency leaders to personal satisfaction in all the foreign on work-life balance, quality of life for
the concerns of their career employees. affairs agencies. We need to swiftly take employees and their family members,
Yet this difficult period also saw sus- action to get back to the kind of broad and support for locally employed staff
tained excellence and a renewed com- satisfaction our colleagues reported less who often sacrifice much to make U.S.
mitment to serve than a decade ago. efforts succeed.
our nation. That In conveying our priorities to the We at AFSA want to seize this hopeful
the Foreign Service new administration and to Congress, and urgent moment. We need your advice
helped more than AFSA has laid out a vision for achiev- and suggestions on how we can best serve
100,000 Americans ing a significant increase in our positive you in helping to build a healthier and
get home in the contributions to the country’s national happier career Foreign Service. Please
midst of a surg- security, prosperity and global role. write to us at member@afsa.org. n
Ambassador Eric Rubin is the president of the American Foreign Service Association.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 7
FOREIGN
CONTACTS
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8 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Virtual Diplomacy in an Age of Disruption
B Y S H AW N D O R M A N
A
s I write in mid-March, it’s Foreign Service Officers Jessica Hua- Parenting,” particularly for moms.
been exactly a year since racayo (writing from Madrid) and Alexis After three tours overseas, FSO
everything started to shut Ludwig (writing from D.C.) start us off with Kimberly Harmon (writing from
down in response to the “Can Diplomacy Be Done Virtually?” From Charleston) came “home” to the U.S.
COVID-19 pandemic spread- observation and personal experience, they during the pandemic. In her inspiring
ing worldwide. Since then, our FSJ team illustrate how “building relationships of journey, “My Reintroduction to Amer-
has been working from Baltimore, Manito- trust—the coin of the diplomatic realm— ica,” she finds meaning and community
woc, Fort Myers, Bogotá and Washington, depends on actual human contact.” by helping others locally.
D.C. Our Editorial Board meets on Zoom. Commercial Officer Aileen Nandi FSO Josh Glazeroff (writing from D.C.)
We’ve been lucky: Publications work (writing from New Delhi) describes how speaks out about the need for “Resilience
lends itself to online collaboration and commercial work has adapted in a difficult Leadership” and offers suggestions.
communication. We haven’t (yet) missed a business environment worldwide. FCS In this month’s feature, “Effective
magazine deadline or release date. officers are playing an even more valuable Public Diplomacy: Lessons from Tuk-
For Foreign Service life and work, role for the small and medium-sized U.S. Tam,” retired FSO Ken Moskowitz (writ-
the picture is more complicated and the companies seeking to do business abroad ing from Tokyo) offers insights from his
adjustment to new pandemic realities yet less able to travel. work with a Bulgarian nongovernmental
more challenging. As always, diplomacy Turning to “In-Person Exchanges, organization.
and development work has carried on, Interrupted,” former FSO and University FSO alum and former FSJ Editor in
and with vaccinations moving quickly of Montana Mansfield Center Executive Chief Steven Alan Honley did the honors
and a new administration at the helm Director Deena Mansour (writing from of writing our Appreciation of “A Truly
that values diplomacy, the future begins Missoula) explains that while some new Trustworthy Leader—George P. Shultz:
to look brighter. online innovations will be maintained 1920-2020.”
We decided it was time to look at post-pandemic, no matter how sophisti- In our special Retirement Supplement,
what’s changed during the pandemic, cated the platform or carefully crafted the former head of the Retirement Office at
and at the difficulties and the innova- content, electronic engagement cannot State and AFSA Retiree VP John Naland
tions that have come with the extreme replace connecting face-to-face. flags “Twelve Retirement Pitfalls to Avoid”
disruption it has caused. Then on to the personal. One common, when planning for your post-FS life.
We did not coordinate with authors if obvious, theme from the “life” side of the In the Reflection, “The Case of the Bun-
for a particular bottom-line conclu- work-life equation is that transferring and gled Blacklist,” retired Foreign Commercial
sion from this focus, and yet one did parenting during the pandemic are no Service Officer Kevin Chambers submits a
emerge. A distinct thread runs through picnic. FS family member and FSJ Associ- great case study on the value of FCS.
the articles: While virtual diplomacy and ate Editor Cameron Woodworth (writing Don’t miss the AFSA officer columns,
virtual engagement are possible and can from Bogotá) reports on “Transferring in starting with Ambassador Eric Rubin’s
be successful, and a Time of Chaos” based on his own recent President’s Views, “Taking Care of Our
have even produced move and discussions with others. Colleagues—and Ourselves.”
changes to keep, they FS family member and former FSJ Next month, look for a primer on Arctic
are no substitute Associate Editor Donna Scaramastra diplomacy, including an interview with the
for being there, in Gorman (writing from Moscow) describes U.S. Arctic coordinator and an op-ed from
person. the unique complications of “Pandemic Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Please keep the letters and submissions
Shawn Dorman is the editor of The Foreign Service Journal. coming! Write to us at journal@afsa.org. n
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 9
LETTERS
What about the an easy way to get rid of dead wood, but As far as I know, neither of these
Other Agencies? that is perhaps the only advantage. world-class ambassadors took skin
I began reading “The Future of the We lose too many good midlevel color into account in their management
Foreign Service: A Discussion with Nich- officers who may not be Senior Foreign of our embassies abroad. I also served
olas Burns, Marc Grossman and Marcie Service material (or who are, but for with two other outstanding American
Ries” in the January-February edition whom there might not be space) but ambassadors, Jeff Davidow, in Venezu-
with interest, until I realized that a more who do excellent work ela, and Viron “Pete” Vaky, in Colom-
accurate title would have probably been at their level. bia, both of whom just
“The Future of State.” More than that, happened to be white
Although the phrase “Foreign scoring points on an males, as I am.
Service” was used generously through- employee evaluation My point is that
out (I counted at least 20 instances), report (EER) carries too skin color has little, if
there was not one mention of or allusion much weight if what anything, to do with the
to the other five foreign affairs agencies is at stake is the job, performance of our dip-
whose staff also make up the Foreign not just the promo- lomats. I think Ambassa-
Service. tion. Disagreement is dors Perkins and Todman
While presumably some of the rec- stifled, conformity to would agree that experi-
ommendations, such as “#2—Revise the the superior’s biases ence and qualifications are
Foreign Service Act,” would have a direct rewarded. far more important than
impact on us, it seems that we were not In the military, skin color when evaluating
considered or included in the thinking youth and physical American diplomats.
that went into developing the recom- strength play a huge role, All of us should agree
mendations. but not in diplomacy where cool heads with the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,
I applaud the efforts of Ambassadors and experience should rule. who said people should “not be judged
Burns, Grossman and Ries, and agree I remember reading about the by the color of their skin but by the con-
with many of their concerns and obser- “new system” shortly after I joined the tent of their character.”
vations. I also feel confident that there Foreign Service in 1980, and thinking Guy W. Farmer
are FSOs, like myself, from USAID, FCS, then that it was more a nod to the idea USIA FSO, retired
FAS, APHIS and USAGM, who would be that we are “officers” than to forming Carson City, Nevada
more than willing to contribute our sug- an excellent Service. Although I “made”
gestions and insights to this effort. the SFS cut and retired of my own voli- The Consul Who Saved
Going forward, I would ask that we be tion, I still think so. My Family
explicitly included in any plan to reform Kiki Skagen Munshi My grandfather and I recently stum-
the Foreign Service. FSO, retired bled upon a copy of the entry visa his par-
Brandy Witthoft Julian, California ents received at U.S. Consulate Stuttgart
USAID FSO in January 1938. It was thrilling to see the
Democracy, Human Rights A Color-Blind FS? document that saved their lives.
and Governance Center I read with great interest Stacy I decided to see if I could find out any
Washington, D.C. Williams’ laudatory article on the late information about the consulate and
Ambassador Edward Perkins in the Vice Consul Francis L. Spalding, who had
“Up or Out” Should Go January-February Journal. I had the high signed the visa that changed my family’s
I appreciated the good discussion in honor of serving as public affairs officer life forever.
“Talking Points” in the January-February for Ambassador Perkins in Australia and Though the full story cannot be told in
FSJ. But I wonder why in “The Future of serving with another outstanding African a brief note, I hope this letter will give you
the Foreign Service” we still think the American ambassador, Terence Todman, a taste of the contributions of the small
“up or out” system a good one. Yes, it is in Spain. consulate and a young vice consul.
10 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALThere was no little anxiety when my Consulate Stuttgart and Vice Consul citizens, which for Africa means that the
great-grandparents, Sauli Goldmeier and Spalding merit recognition for making a programs need to be nearly free.
his wife, Mali, journeyed in the winter serious contribution to rescuing Jewish • A tightly controlled student
from their home in central Germany families from the Holocaust. applicant selection process will avoid
to Stuttgart to seek an entry visa to the Gabriel Faber, Ph.D. candidate endemic fraud and bribery and recruit
United States and escape the furnaces of Bar Ilan University, Center for the best and brightest students, albeit
Europe as they were beginning to heat. Nanotechnology with remedial needs because of the
They must have wondered about the Tel Aviv, Israel poor quality of public schools the
official who might issue the desired prize. majority of them attend.
Would he be sympathetic or obdurate? How the U.S. Can Compete To make such a U.S. State Depart-
They were surely aware of the thou- with China in Africa ment–sponsored effort more cost-
sands of legal immigration quota spots In an April 2016 FSJ article, “Develop- effective, I propose constructing one
from Germany to the United States that ment Aid to Africa: Time for Plan B?” modest, state-of-the-art classroom/
were going unfilled every year. What they I proposed building universities in lecture/computer lab building on each
likely did not know was that this was part African nations. of several campuses of willing African
of a deliberate strategy by the Franklin Such an initiative is even more universities, and staffing these centers
D. Roosevelt administration to suppress timely today, when the scope of Chi- with two to five American IT and educa-
immigration to the U.S. by bureaucratic nese inroads into Africa has begun to tion professionals.
means. Fortunately for them, their visa be appreciated. The crux of the Online courses and
application landed on the desk of Vice proposal is as follows. programs from U.S.
Consul Francis L. Spalding. • U.S. univer- universities would serve
Spalding’s exact work in this case is sity centers can as the program’s founda-
something I will always wonder about, help Africans build tion, provided they are
but his heroics are documented. We their societies with a adapted to Africans,
know he worked with the U.S. consulate foundation in freedom who are community-
in Luxemburg to supply Jews with the of thinking and free oriented. The small U.S.
necessary papers. enterprise. staff would admin-
Describing the events of Kristallnacht • The hunger of ister online courses
in Stuttgart, for instance, Consul General Africans for U.S. educa- (massive open online
Samuel Honaker wrote: “For more than tion and the low quality courses, or MOOCs,
five days the office has been inundated of most universities in as well as contracted
with people. Each day a larger and larger Africa are additional driv- courses).
crowd has besieged the consulate, filling ing forces. Africans know I did this hybrid
the rooms and overflowing into the cor- that the U.S. higher educa- type of teaching—a MOOC course
ridors of a building six stories high. … The tion system is the best in the world. from the Massachusetts Institute of
entire staff has responded most loyally. • University graduates will be the Technology on genetic engineering in
… I wish especially to mention … Vice leaders of the African nations—in gov- the development of pharmaceuticals—
Consul Spalding.” ernment as well as the private sector. at St. John’s University of Tanzania
In fact, of the 18,000 visas issued They will come from the demographic (2011-2016), and it worked well. I
worldwide under the German quota in that I propose be targeted: the educa- streamed the lectures to the students in a
1938, 10,000 came from the small Stuttgart tion-hungry, driven visionaries, bril- lecture hall, helped them understand the
consulate. Vice Consul Spalding would liant but deficient in academic skills, content, gave them links to transcripts
be named an “Honorable Diplomat” in from poor rural settings with dismal and carefully proctored the exams.
the files of the Holocaust Museum for public education systems. Staffing would not need to be expen-
the number of visas he issued to Jewish • The programs would be modeled on sive: The U.S. has a surfeit of talented
applicants. the U.S. system of accessibility for average individuals with doctorates who would
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 11jump at the chance to spend several
years in Africa in a Peace Corps–type
situation.
One caveat: The model of private U.S.
universities, such as those in the Middle
East, would be far too expensive for the
average African and would simply per-
petuate the current “higher-education-
for-the-rich” situation there.
We Americans developed our educa-
tion system based on free and afford-
able education. Let’s help Africa do the
same. n
Don Lotter, Ph.D.
Senior lecturer, Department of Biology
California State University, Sacramento
facebook.com/don.lotter.1
CORRECTION
In the March Podcast of the
Month, the correct web address
for the Institute for the Study of
Diplomacy’s podcast Diplomatic
Immunity is https://diplomatic
immunity.libsyn.com/. We regret
the error.
Share your
thoughts about
this month’s issue.
Submit letters
to the editor:
journal@afsa.org
12 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALLETTERS-PLUS
RESPONSES TO MARCH FOCUS “Notes to the New Administration”
Maximize Our Abilities
BY ELIZ AB E T H P OW E RS
I
was disappointed to read Secretary define the problem and the end state they
Antony Blinken’s message on his first seek, and communicate this message women have been the “only” such in
day at the State Department: “Let’s get throughout our ranks. the room, surrounded by white, male
to work.” Respectfully, Sir, we’ve been Use this opportunity to set forth in colleagues. Our regional bureaus’ front
working our arses off. Your diplomatic simple terms what our most pressing issue offices have been exceptionally male and
corps worked until the last days of the is and unleash our initiative. Like at home, pale in recent years. The voices of women,
Trump administration to implement most nations where we serve are con- people of color and younger generations
its policies. We began implementing sumed with COVID-19. We will have only have been excluded from senior positions
President Biden’s policies at noon, Jan. a moment once sufficient populations either through intent or neglect. Please
20, 2021. There is no pause button for our are vaccinated to seize the opportunity to ensure that senior ranks, from under
work. We work for the United States of lead on the United States’ and earth’s most secretaries down through deputy assistant
America. existential issue—climate change. This is secretaries, reflect our greatest American
But I was encouraged to see The For- the issue of our lifetime. strength—our diversity.
eign Service Journal’s “Notes to the New In the meantime, if you are looking to Recognize us. Whether appointed by
Administration” shortly thereafter, and I improve the morale of your diplomatic a Democratic or Republican president,
would like to add my thoughts and advice corps: political ambassadors have often been
to the mix. Vaccinate us. Our ability to perform counterproductive to our bilateral rela-
The past four years were difficult. to our maximum capacity cannot be tions with the host country or disastrous
Many of us proudly recalled that the achieved until the pandemic is curbed to post morale. Diplomats are profession-
Foreign Service officer’s oath is to the and we are vaccinated—not just back at als, trained in doctrine and experienced in
Constitution. When we disagreed with the home, but in the field. Thousands of us are tradecraft. Appointing amateurs degrades
previous administration’s policies, we dis- in places with austere medical infrastruc- our professional morale and can under-
sented, and those who could not in good ture now entering a second wave of infec- mine policy objectives abroad. Bring us in
conscience execute the administration’s tions. Please speed vaccines to the field. line with other Western democracies by
policies resigned. Diversify us. Most Foreign Service recommending career diplomats for all
Sir, you are inheriting a corps that has officers who are persons of color or ambassadorships. n
been tested but is resilient. We are com-
mitted to continuing to serve our country
and not the persona of a temporally Three Steps to Boost
limited executive branch.
It is up to you to maximize our abilities.
State Technology
Give us a clear strategic vision and your
intent on how to implement it—and we’ll BY M A R IYA ILYAS
T
execute the mission. Our work is most
effective when our political leaders clearly he March FSJ, which con- In 2001, a decade after the birth of the
tained recommendations internet, then Secretary of State Colin
Elizabeth Powers is an economic officer for the new administra- Powell ordered 44,000 computers and
in Lima. The views expressed in this article tion, inspired me to submit demanded the department bring internet
are her own and do not necessarily reflect some proposals of my own to desktops. Secretary Powell recognized
those of the Department of State or the for needed improvements at the State that for American foreign policy to com-
U.S. government. Department. pete—and triumph—in a world swept by
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 13the technological revolution, his team ment, Consular Affairs, Public Diplo- and pictures, and enhanced team col-
needed appropriate tools. macy, and Diplomatic Security all have laboration technologies for international
When it comes to technological inno- their own separate IT units. Despite their development work, election monitoring,
vation to support modern-day diplo- distinct organizational and leadership disaster reporting, security and budgeting.
macy, the State Department consistently structures, however, bureau IT specialists Drone technology, for example, could be
lags. In a world where démarches are could collaborate and share information. particularly helpful for the Population,
delivered on WhatsApp, cyberattacks are For example, other bureaus can lever- Refugees, and Migration Bureau to moni-
common, and mobile technologies are age IRM’s partnerships with Microsoft, tor Syrian refugees on the border, capture
essential for on-the-road diplomats, it Google, Facebook and Amazon. aerial images of population density and
behooves the department to stay ahead Emphasize greater technological experi- provide real-time analytics.
of the technological curve. mentation. IRM has made great strides in Technological preparedness should
I recommend the Biden administra- artificial intelligence to speed department not be taken lightly. When the COVID-
tion take the following three steps. operations, reduce operational redundan- 19 pandemic struck, the telework envi-
Establish a Research & Develop- cies through automation, and provide ronment revealed an underequipped
ment Office. The Bureau of Information greater remote capabilities through cloud workforce. The 90-day Reimagine Task
Resource Management (IRM) is the networking. The challenge, however, is Force was a step in the right direction to
principal entity charged with supply- convincing early adopters to experiment increase adaptivity and workforce resil-
ing and maintaining the State Depart- with these technologies. Also, limited bud- ience. The Biden administration has an
ment’s technological needs, from secure gets, lack of understanding, and bureau- opportunity to modernize State Depart-
networks to department-issued mobile cratic challenges within organizational ment technology. n
phones. Dr. Glen Johnson, IRM chief cultures are often the source of hesitation
technology officer, noted that the depart- in adopting new technologies. Mariya Ilyas joined the U.S. Foreign Service in
ment needs to break away from “the need There is untapped potential for visu- September 2018 and is currently serving her
has to arise” mentality. IRM suffers from alization software, mapping with photos first tour in the consular section in Amman.
underfunding, and this prevents it from
assuming new initiatives or venturing
into new technologies. For an “Administrative”
Dissent Channel
Having an office dedicated solely to
research and development within IRM
will allow the State Department to experi-
ment with cutting-edge technologies.
BY B R E NDAN M . RIVAG E-SEU L
With the establishment of the Cyber-
I
space Security and Emerging Technolo-
gies Bureau, there are opportunities for appreciated all the insightful notes to diplomats overseas to convey via front-
partnerships to secure cyberspace and the new administration in the March channel cable why certain administrative
critical technologies, as well as reduce FSJ, and would like to add one of my policies do not make sense or are not in
the likelihood of cyber conflict. own on the subject of constructive the department’s interest (operationally,
Consolidate IT under the depart- dissent. financially, culturally or otherwise), and
ment’s chief information officer. State There is a growing sense among State recommend changes.
needs a one-stop-shop bureau for all personnel that the department’s Dissent For those unfamiliar, the Dissent
operational IT needs. Indeed, the lack Channel (for policy), established in 1971, Channel is a tool that empowers State
of an information-sharing apparatus is was an important, but ultimately incom- and USAID personnel to confidentially
a vulnerability. IT experts are scattered plete breakthrough in U.S. foreign policy express “dissenting or alternative views
across bureaus, functioning in silos, accountability. Still desperately needed, on substantive issues of policy” (2 FAM
focused only on applications on which 50 years later, is a parallel structure for 070). By congressional mandate, depart-
they are trained. Global Talent Manage- our professionals in Washington and ment policy dictates that the Office of
14 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALPolicy Planning (S/P) draft substantive to hear from the rank and file about (often individual) as opposed to depart-
front-channel responses to all Dissent what is working and not working within mentwide administrative policies.
Channel cables received. The most effec- their organizations—and, importantly, Even if the department’s response to
tive dissent cables spark interagency what ideas their subordinates have for most Administrative Dissent Channel
reflection at the highest levels and, in improving conditions and operations. cables and proposed solutions is “Sorry,
some instances, lead to a shift in policy. An Administrative Dissent Channel no change in policy, and here is why…,”
Much like the Dissent Channel for promises to do all those things by giving it would go a long way toward increasing
policy, the spirit and objective of a Dis- our personnel a mechanism to share transparency into administrative deci-
sent Channel for administrative issues constructive criticisms and propose pos- sions and allowing those of us in the rank
would ultimately be about strengthening sible solutions and innovations. and file to feel engaged in the process.
our institution. Such a channel would It would also hold the State Depart- Such a structure would encourage
empower our personnel to address ment accountable for responding to and our people to speak up thoughtfully and
otherwise bureaucratic dead ends and, addressing those concerns and propos- creatively (individually and collectively)
in the process, increase department als—something neither the now-defunct about how to improve administrative
accountability, transparency and visibil- Sounding Board nor the Director Gen- policies that may be missing the mark
ity vis-à-vis a wide range of administra- eral’s Innovation Portal is required to do. or leaving people behind. It would also
tive challenges and concerns facing our The DG Direct Channel, meanwhile, is convey that as an institution, we strive
people. more geared toward personnel concerns to constantly improve. Announcing the
It would also be good for State
Department morale and retention, spark
innovation, and help identify opportuni-
ties for cost-savings and more efficient
provision and delivery of services.
An “Administrative Dissent Chan-
nel” would have the most impact if
overseen by the deputy secretary of State
for management and resources (D-MR)
who, in consultation with the Offices of
the Secretary and Under Secretary for
Management, would also be responsible
for drafting substantive replies to all
administrative dissent cables received.
What Could We Expect?
What could we expect to happen if the
department implemented this proposal?
A generation of case studies on organiza-
tional effectiveness from business and
public policy schools have taught us that
some of the best ideas for improving
administrative and management policies
and practices come from entry- and
midlevel professionals on the ground who
are directly affected by those policies.
They also teach us that the most
effective organizational leaders seek
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 15launch of an Administrative Dissent • The shortcomings of volunteer pro- In the final analysis, it is incumbent
Channel in 2021—the 50th anniversary motion panels. on any new Secretary who hopes to suc-
of the establishment of the Dissent • The shortsightedness of not conduct- ceed as America’s top diplomat to get to
Channel for policy—would be fitting. ing exit interviews or tracking personnel know the department as an institution
separation data. and its people. What are their frustra-
Some Administrative • The institutional costs of appointing tions and aspirations?
Challenges political-donor ambassadors who lack Collective hopes for our new Secre-
Specific administrative challenges— qualifications. tary are justifiably high. We all eagerly
and ideas for solutions or alternatives— • Integrity gaps in the department’s await an announcement of the steps he
one might reasonably expect to see evaluation system. will take to strengthen our institution
highlighted for department attention in • The inadequacy of embassy medical and position us for success. The launch
administrative dissent cables are famil- facilities and staffing. of an Administrative Dissent Channel
iar to many of us. They include, among • Insufficient hardware, software and would be a good place to start. n
other things: financial support for teleworking.
• Lack of diversity and inclusion in • The flaws of the outdated State train-
the Foreign Service. ing model. Brendan Rivage-Seul, an 11-year veteran
• Insufficient support for “tandem” • The department’s inability to con- of the U.S. Foreign Service, has served in
Foreign Service couples and families sistently staff priority service posts with Mexico, Afghanistan, Pakistan, France and
with two working spouses. our best people. the Operations Center in Washington, D.C.
16 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALTALKING POINTS
to do. You are the heart of it. We’re going
to rebuild our alliances. We’re going
to reengage the world and take on the
enormous challenge we face dealing with
a pandemic, dealing with global warm-
ing, and again, standing up for democracy
and human rights around the world.
“You’re the face of America abroad.
And in our administration, you’re going
to be trusted, and you’re going to be
empowered—to do your job.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
“But I ask each of you to abide by a
few core tenets: Integrity in all you do.
Transparency and accountability to
rebuild trust in America and around the
world. Working in the service of American
President Joe Biden delivers remarks to State Department employees on Feb. 4 at the
Truman building in Washington, D.C. people, not self-interest. And promoting
diversity, equity, inclusion—accessibility
across the board—because our diplomats,
President Biden to FS: the screen behind me: You’re among the at all levels, should reflect the full diver-
I Trust You brightest, most involved, best educated sity of this great country.
O n Feb. 4, just two weeks after taking
office, President Joe Biden and Vice
President Kamala Harris visited the State
group of people America has to offer. I
come today to talk to everyone at Main
State watching remotely and those who
“I also know that you’ve never let
us down. I believe in you. We need you
badly. I trust you. And I’m going to have
Department, welcomed by Secretary of will not be able to see this but will hear your back—that I promise you—just like
State Antony Blinken. about it. … you’re going to have the backs of the
In a speech broadcast to embassies “I’ve been with some of you when American people.
and consulates around the world, Presi- we’ve been shot at. I’ve been with some “When I was chairman of the Senate
dent Biden lauded Foreign Service and of you when we’ve been in places that Foreign Relations Committee, I’d make
Civil Service employees and told them, you would have any idea you’d want to be sure that my committee staff came to my
“I’m going to have your back.” It was a when you were going to school of foreign home state and worked on constituent
significant shift in tone from the past four policy and foreign service. They never told services, which many of them thought
years, during which the Foreign Service you that was going to happen. But you’re was sort of beneath them: ‘I’m a foreign
sometimes felt under attack by the previ- an incredible group of individuals. policy specialist.’ But it’s all about who
ous administration. “We don’t thank your families you work for—who I work for, who we
Following is an abridged version of the [enough] for the sacrifices they make. work for. Foreign policy is about pro-
president’s remarks: Your spouses, they give up their careers to moting the interests of the people of the
“Thank you for welcoming the vice follow you. Many times, their careers are United States.
president and me back to the State as consequential or more consequential “Now, I’ve got a lot of work to do and
Department. It’s true, the Secretary and I than yours; but they do it for the country. a lot of catching up to do, a lot of rebuild-
have worked together a long time. And I And they’re to be thanked. ing to do. And I can’t think of any group
know that he has the background and the “But the main message that I want of people better capable of doing it, more
capacity needed to lead the State Depart- to communicate to you all is that you’re ready, than all of you.
ment at a critical moment. vital, and the success and strength of our “So, thank you all very much, and may
“Those of you who work here, includ- nation depends in no small part on you. God bless you, and may God keep you all
ing the new class of diplomats that are on “You are the center of all that I intend safe when you’re abroad.”
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 17his climate envoy, and on Feb. 19 the U.S.
Contemporary Quote officially rejoined the Paris Agreement.
On Feb. 22, Secretary Blinken said the
So here’s our plan. First, we will stop COVID-19 and strengthen global United States will try to strengthen the
health security. Second, we will turn around the economic crisis and build
agreement between world powers and
a more stable, inclusive global economy. Third, we will renew democracy,
Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear pro-
because it’s under threat. Fourth, we will work to create a humane and effec-
gram, CNBC reported. Blinken said that if
tive immigration system. Fifth, we will revitalize our ties with our allies and
partners. Sixth, we will tackle the climate crisis and drive a green energy Iran comes back into “strict compliance”
revolution. Seventh, we will secure our leadership in technology. And eighth, with the 2015 pact, the Biden admin-
we will manage the biggest geopolitical test of the 21st century: our istration will do the same. The Trump
relationship with China. administration had pulled out of the Iran
nuclear deal in 2018.
—Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his March 3 speech,
“The United States remains commit-
“A Foreign Policy for the American People.”
ted to ensuring that Iran never acquires a
nuclear weapon,” Blinken told the U.N.-
Biden, Blinken Signal including arms sales. On Feb. 5, State sponsored Conference on Disarmament
Foreign Policy Changes announced that Secretary Blinken was in Geneva. “Diplomacy is the best path to
P resident Joe Biden and Secretary of
State Antony Blinken have signaled
sweeping foreign policy changes.
lifting the foreign terrorist designation for-
mer Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had
placed on Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi
achieve that goal.”
State Adds Chief
“The message I want the world to hear rebels. Blinken appointed FSO Tim Lend- Diversity Officer
today: America is back. America is back.
Diplomacy is back at the center of our
foreign policy,” Biden said during Feb. 4
erking as special envoy for Yemen.
In a Feb. 16 interview on NPR, Blinken
explained: “We are now doubling down on
T he State Department will create a
new chief diversity and inclusion
(D&I) officer position, Secretary of State
remarks at the State Department. diplomacy to try to end that horrific war in Antony Blinken announced in a state-
The president said that America’s Yemen that’s helped produce what is the ment on Feb. 24. This officer—not named
leadership must meet the challenges worst humanitarian crisis in the world.” in the statement—will report directly to
of “advancing authoritarianism” in the On Jan. 26, the Biden administration the Secretary.
world, “including the growing ambitions announced it would restore U.S. relations “Our goal is to incorporate diversity
of China to rival the United States and the with the Palestinians, which had been and inclusion into the department’s work
determination of Russia to damage and cut off during the Trump administration. at every level,” Blinken said. He directed
disrupt our democracy.” Richard Mills, then acting U.S. ambas- all State Department bureaus to designate
In hot spots around the globe, the sador to the United Nations, reaffirmed an existing deputy assistant secretary to
new administration is pointing to new U.S. support for the two-state solution support that bureau’s diversity and inclu-
approaches and moving away from some between Israelis and Palestinians. sion efforts, and to serve on a new D&I
Trump administration policies. Mills added that the United States Leadership Council bringing senior lead-
In his speech at the State Depart- would renew economic and humanitar- ers together to push for the goals outlined
ment, President Biden announced that ian aid to the Palestinians and reopen in a new, updated Diversity and Inclusion
the United States and Russia have agreed diplomatic missions shut down by the Strategic Plan that will be released soon.
to extend the New START arms treaty for Trump administration, such as the Pal- “Diversity and inclusion make us
five years, “preserving the only remaining estine Liberation Office in Washington, stronger, smarter, more creative, and
treaty between our countries safeguard- D.C., and the consulate general in Jerusa- more innovative,” Blinken said. “And our
ing nuclear stability.” lem, which dealt with Palestinian affairs. diversity gives us a significant competi-
Biden declared that the United Signaling renewed attention to climate tive advantage on the world stage. This
States was ending support for Saudi-led change issues, President Biden named is something that the president, the vice
offensive operations in the war in Yemen, former Secretary of State John Kerry as president and I firmly believe.”
18 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALCongressional Report
Highlights Diversity
Issues
T he workforce at U.S. foreign policy
agencies “is less racially and ethni-
cally diverse than the U.S. population as
a whole,” especially at senior pay grades,
according to a Jan. 21 report by the Con-
gressional Research Service.
The 41-page report, “Faces and Voices
of the United States Abroad: Diversity at
U.S. Foreign Affairs Agencies,” finds that
the Civil Service workforce at State and
USAID have more racial and minor-
ity employees proportionately than the
American workforce as a whole; but the
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink performs in a rap song recorded to
celebrate Vietnam’s Lunar New Year. Foreign Service at these agencies has
fewer racial and ethnic minorities, as
well as women, compared to the general
Ambassador Dan’s Rap First shared on Embassy Hanoi’s workforce. Moreover, the portion of
Video Goes Viral Facebook page, the video went viral. women and racial and ethnic minorities
“T ime for introductions are at hand.
Hi, my name is Dan. I’m from
Nebraska. I’m not a big city boy. Then
By late February it had been viewed
more than 60,000 times on Facebook,
generating thousands of comments and
declines at the higher levels.
Among the foreign affairs agencies, the
U.S. Agency for Global Media is the most
three years ago, I moved to Hanoi.” re-shares. racially and ethnically diverse, CRS found.
So begins a rap song by career FSO Some of the comments on YouTube
Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kriten- (where it was also shared) below remind us Vaccines Slow in
brink released on Feb. 8. The ambassador that it’s nice to see something positive and Getting Out to Posts
recorded the music video to send best
wishes for the Lunar New Year—or as it is
known in Vietnam, Tet—the most impor-
fun for a change, although no one recom-
mended Ambassador Dan give up his day
job.
I n late 2020 the Foreign Service com-
munity expected that vaccines would
be distributed quickly to overseas posts.
tant celebration of the year. • Who cares if it’s kinda cringey. He In December, however, the State Depart-
Produced by a Ho Chi Minh City clearly loves Vietnam and is just trying to ment received only about 5 percent of its
media company, Vietcetera, the video have some fun. Seems like a genuinely requested allocation. And as of mid-Feb-
starts with Kritenbrink expressing interest nice guy and a fantastic ambassador. ruary, the agency had received only 23
in competing in “Rap Viet,” a Vietnamese • This is the most ... BEAUTIFUL percent of the 315,000 doses it requested
TV talent show. He works with Vietnam- THING I’VE EVER SEEN. to vaccinate its entire workforce, includ-
ese rapper Wowy to create a song and rap. • Breaking down barriers through ing family members, NBC News reported.
He raps about Tet traditions such as respect and appreciation ... I love it! A cable from the U.S. ambassador to
buying cherry blossoms and cleaning the • No ... no. Nope, nooo, No. … Kosovo was leaked and then cited on Feb.
house, concluding with some lines about • Okay wait I love this. 15 by NBC News. It gave “a snapshot into
improving the U.S.-Vietnam relationship: Media in Vietnam, the U.S. and else- the mounting mental health crisis faced
“From my shores to your shores, our where picked up the rap story, and the by U.S. diplomats” waiting to receive the
friendship endures. U.S. and Vietnam, video has been shown on NBC News and vaccine after 11 months of sheltering
from now to forever, we’re trusted part- CNN. Stories have run on PRI’s The World, during the pandemic in one of Europe’s
ners prospering together.” in The Washington Post and elsewhere. poorest countries.
THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | APRIL 2021 19On social media, members of the a top priority for the department, and we neurological symptoms suffered by U.S.
Foreign Service community have been are committed to providing our work- diplomats in Cuba in late 2016 and 2017.
discussing the challenges of waiting for force timely, accurate information about Posted Feb. 10 by the National Security
vaccines, especially at hardship posts, vaccine distribution,” Acting Under Sec- Archive, the report says the department’s
and the isolation they feel in dealing with retary for Management Carol Perez told response “was characterized by a lack of
local quarantines and travel restrictions. The Washington Post. “This is a very fluid senior leadership, ineffective communi-
At least 13 foreign governments have situation, and we understand employees cations, and systemic disorganization.”
offered to vaccinate U.S. diplomats with are eager for information.” As of May 2018, two dozen Embassy
their own allotment of Pfizer or Moderna In January, Secretary of State Antony Havana community members had been
vaccines, The Washington Post reported Blinken told staff that five American “medically confirmed to have sustained
on Feb. 17. The State Department has diplomats and 42 locally employed staff brain injuries” while serving in Cuba,
accepted these proposals, the Post said, serving overseas had died from COVID- with some injuries so severe that those
with offers from at least eight more pend- 19 to date. afflicted might never be able to return to
ing. work, the report says. Some diplomats
Some U.S. diplomats in Russia have ARB: State’s Response have also been affected by similar myste-
asked Moscow for doses of its Sputnik to “Havana Syndrome” rious illnesses in China.
V vaccine, according to the Post, which Illnesses Faulted “To this day, no senior official at the
added that State does not recommend
that vaccine but is allowing employees to
make their own decisions.
A recently declassified State Depart-
ment Accountability Review
Board report from June 2018 says the
State Department has been assigned
responsibility for leading and coordinat-
ing efforts to assess past incidents and
“The health and safety of our people is department mishandled the mysterious prevent/mitigate future events,” the report
states.
According to the report, State commis-
Podcast of the Month: Moments in History: Association for Diplomatic sioned the Centers for Disease Control
Studies & Training https://adst.org/moments and Prevention to launch an investigation
into the Cuba illnesses at the end of 2017,
but blocked sharing of medical data the
T he Association for
Diplomatic Studies
& Training is known for its
CDC needed for the study to go forward
for nearly a year.
The State Department announced it
collection of more than 2,500
was appointing an adviser to manage
oral histories from U.S. dip-
future incidents, CNBC reported on Feb.
lomats. ADST’s special web
11. Meanwhile, the National Academy
series, based on excerpts from
of Sciences, in a report released on Dec.
the oral histories, of more than 800 “Moments in U.S.
5, determined that directed microwave
Diplomatic History” captures historical events as well as humorous aspects of
radiation is the likely cause of illness
diplomatic life, as seen through the eyes of those who were there.
among diplomats in Cuba and China. The
Moments include such topics as “Trust in Diplomacy: Secretary of State
report had been commissioned by the
George Shultz,” “The Consequences of Serendipity: From Peace Corps to
State Department.
USAID,” “Life as a New Foreign Service Spouse” and “The State Department
“The health effects from these mys-
Under the Red Scare: McCarthy’s Campaign.”
terious injuries have tormented those
Topics feature short write-ups, as well as links to the related oral histories
afflicted. Their illnesses and suffering are
and other educational resources.
real and demand a response from Con-
ADST’s mission is to capture, preserve and share the experiences of the
gress,” Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.),
country’s diplomats with the American public.
a senior member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, said in a statement.
20 APRIL 2021 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNALYou can also read
