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The Foreign Service Journal

@fsjournal.bsky.social
59 followers 73 following 34 posts

Covering diplomacy & foreign affairs from the inside. Flagship publication of the American Foreign Service Association, the voice of the U.S. Foreign Service since 1924. www.afsa.org/fsj

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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
@washingtonpost.com article, incl. thoughts from AFSA President John Dinkelman: www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
washingtonpost.com
Under Trump, 90% of ambassador nominations have gone to political supporters
More than any other president in recent history, Donald Trump is relying on wealthy donors and political loyalists rather than career diplomats to fill ambassadorships, a Washington Post analysis foun...
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
@washingtonpost.com recently highlighted data from @afsaorg.bsky.social’s Ambassador Tracker. For a look at the history behind the numbers, Steve Adams-Smith examines the longstanding tension between political appointments and a professional diplomatic corps in the #FSJ 🔗 afsa.org/fsj/foreign-...
afsa.org
Are We Seeing the Reemergence of the Spoils System? | American Foreign Service Association
The rigorous and competitive process for becoming a Foreign Service officer is in jeopardy due to reforms instituted in 2025 and projected reforms being considered by State Department leadership.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Drawing on more than 40 years at Voice of America, including as acting director, Elez Biberaj explores what the U.S. loses when one of its most influential public diplomacy tools falls silent. Read in the latest #FSJ: afsa.org/fsj/foreign-... @savevoa.bsky.social
afsa.org
When America Falls Silent: The Strategic Costs of Dismantling VOA | American Foreign Service Association
For millions, VOA was a beacon of hope and a window into America that no other institution could replicate.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
As the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary, the new #FSJ explores how diplomacy can continue to advance U.S. interests in a changing world, featuring timely perspectives on #democracy & foreign policy, the National Security Council, VOA, and public diplomacy. Read: afsa.org/foreign-serv...
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
“Some of the most moving entries are from officers engaged in assisting Americans”—from evacs in Liberia & Vietnam to helping women escape abusive marriages abroad. Read more about the history of diplomatic heroism in Amb. McKinley’s review of “Representing America.” 🔗 afsa.org/sites/defaul...
Dark blue book cover depicting one man holding a microphone up to a statue.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
“America’s competitors are not waiting to innovate with AI—and neither can we.” Virginia Blaser explores what U.S. diplomats can learn from the rapidly evolving international AI landscape & why diplomacy must keep pace with technological change. Read it in the May-June FSJ: afsa.org/beyond-borde...
Black, white, blue image of a 3-dimensional world map lit by tiny strings of light.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
This issue wasn’t written by AI—but it is all about it. The May-June FSJ explores how AI is reshaping diplomacy, from real-world use to its limits. Highlights: • AI in diplomatic work • A halted USAID pilot • Declassified Putin-era cables Read here: afsa.org/foreign-serv...
Blue Foreign Service Journal (magazine) cover with the text "AI in Diplomacy Takes Shape" and an abstract image of a person in a suit and tie made up of fragmented light and triangular shapes
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
“This is a heavy read, especially for those who served in Afghanistan.” Get an insider’s take on “What Went Wrong in Afghanistan?” from Keith Mines’ review of Jon Lee Anderson’s book 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘯. 🔗 afsa.org/sites/defaul...
A book cover with the text, "To Lose a War: The Fall and Rise of the Taliban" in white against a background of a grey sky, a large full moon, and the silhouette of a stone building on a hill.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
A nonpartisan Foreign Service is essential to U.S. leadership—but it’s under strain across the ranks. Amb. Ronald Neumann on what’s at stake: afsa.org/our-professi... #FSJ #diplomacy #SpeakingOut
A sign reads "Department of State" in front of a long government buildling.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
“The truth is inescapable: Terrorists are seeking the combination of public shock and physical devastation that even a crude nuclear weapon can provide, and no country can stop them alone.” Amb. Laura Holgate underscores the importance of nuclear/scientific diplomacy: afsa.org/nuclear-secu...
Laura Holgate standing with members of her “sherpa team” in business attire at the final National Security Summit in Washington, D.C., in 2016.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
“For nearly half a century following President Richard Nixon’s 1972 visit, the United States and China cooperated, rather than competed, in nuclear technology and science—from fundamental nuclear and high-energy physics to fission and fusion.” Read more from Yianling Pan: afsa.org/brief-histor...
Grey buildings and large machinery next to blue water: an aerial view of operating Westinghouse AP1000 under construction at the Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant in the Shandong province of China, 2024.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“It is also essential to the credibility of American global leadership.” Watch for more from former VOA journalist Elez Biberaj in an upcoming edition of the FSJ. (8/8) @savevoa.bsky.social | @voanews.com.web.brid.gy | @afsaorg.bsky.social
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“A VOA that remains grounded in the journalistic principles that have always defined its mission—accuracy, objectivity, comprehensive reporting, a clear presentation of U.S. policy, and the full diversity of American perspectives—is essential to U.S. national interests.” (7/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Only a revitalized, strategically focused VOA protected by strong guardrails that ensure its editorial independence can effectively serve the nation’s interests.” (6/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Restoring VOA—beyond today’s limited programming in a handful of languages—to the core regions where it once played a decisive role has become an urgent strategic imperative. But restoration alone isn’t enough.” (5/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“A VOA that remains grounded in the journalistic principles that have always defined its mission—accuracy, objectivity, comprehensive reporting, a clear presentation of U.S. policy, and the full diversity of American perspectives—is essential to U.S. national interests.” (7/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Only a revitalized, strategically focused VOA protected by strong guardrails that ensure its editorial independence can effectively serve the nation’s interests.” (6/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Adversaries have moved quickly to fill that void, defining the narratives and frames through which key strategic audiences interpret the United States and its policies.” (4/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“As the war in Iran has shown, stepping back from the global information contest has weakened America’s ability to shape global understanding of its intentions, values, and actions.” (3/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Last week, in response to a lawsuit joined by AFSA, a federal judge moved to undo the mass staff layoffs ordered last year. I am hopeful VOA can be brought back to life. Its yearlong silence has been profound and corrosive to U.S. credibility and long-term national interests.” (2/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“One year after the Trump administration dismantled the Voice of America, the United States is confronting the consequences of relinquishing one of its most enduring instruments of soft power.” (1/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Only a revitalized, strategically focused VOA protected by strong guardrails that ensure its editorial independence can effectively serve the nation’s interests.” (6/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Restoring VOA—beyond today’s limited programming in a handful of languages—to the core regions where it once played a decisive role has become an urgent strategic imperative. But restoration alone isn’t enough.” (5/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Adversaries have moved quickly to fill that void, defining the narratives and frames through which key strategic audiences interpret the United States and its policies.” (4/8)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“As the war in Iran has shown, stepping back from the global information contest has weakened America’s ability to shape global understanding of its intentions, values, and actions.” (3/87)
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
“Last week, in response to a lawsuit joined by AFSA, a federal judge moved to undo the mass staff layoffs ordered last year. I am hopeful VOA can be brought back to life. Its yearlong silence has been profound and corrosive to U.S. credibility and long-term national interests.” (2/87)
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Reposted by The Foreign Service Journal
American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
This crisis exposes real gaps in America’s diplomatic readiness. For months, AFSA has warned that the State Department’s capacity has been weakened as the result of layoffs and forced departures. Read AFSA's statement: afsa.org/afsa-statement-middle-east…
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
War & rising nuclear tensions have put diplomacy back at the center of global security. The latest FSJ takes a close look at nuclear security—with insights from experts who’ve been there—and features AFSA leadership’s position on strengthening the FS at a critical moment. ➡️ afsa.org/foreign-serv...
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
“In his new book, 𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥, Robert D. Kaplan goes full pessimist.” What can the foreign affairs community learn from Kaplan’s dark analyses? Find out in Joseph Novak’s review, “An Unsettling View of the Global Landscape.” 🔗 afsa.org/sites/defaul... @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social
Waste Land book cover: white text on a dark background and a small black and white image of armed soldiers near the top, with a small image of a world map along the bottom.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Real-world diplomacy 🤝 rugged road-clearing … Veteran FSO Dick Virden reflects on an unusual (and uniquely successful) assignment in “Logrolling in Central Thailand.” 🔗 afsa.org/logrolling-r...
A sketch of an elephant carrying a rider on its back and a large log in its trunk.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
What drives people to join extremist movements? Ambassador Stephen G. McFarland’s article on guerrilla recruitment in Peru offers rare on-the-ground insight. 🔗 afsa.org/lightning-cl...
A Shining Path poster from 1985 showing a man carrying a flag with a serious expression, and an armed crowd shouting, below. The poster highlights the “armed struggle” and illustrates the “cult of personality” surrounding Shining Path leader Abimael Guzmán.
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Reposted by The Foreign Service Journal
American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
A good reminder of the depth, breadth, and important work of the U.S. Foreign Service. abcnews.go.com/US/diplomati...
abcnews.go.com
How the Diplomatic Security Service is helping to secure the Winter Olympics for fans and athletes
The Diplomatic Security Service is helping to secure the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan for fans, athletes and companies.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Thank you for sharing your expertise with our readers!
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Reposted by The Foreign Service Journal
ASTMH @astmh.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Opinion article co-authored by ASTMH CEO Jamie Bay Nishi with U.S. Foreign Service veteran Troy Fitrell for the latest issue of The Foreign Service Journal. #FSJ @JBayNishi afsa.org/states-oppor...
afsa.org
State’s Opportunity Ahead for Global Health
A “tumultuous” year doesn’t begin to describe the impact on lives, livelihoods, and global health initiatives of the dismantling of USAID, the pulling back from multilateral partnerships, and budget c...
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
How does a diplomat earn the title of “The People’s Ambassador”? AFSA’s Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award winner Linda Thomas-Greenfield tells us. ➡️ afsa.org/peoples-amba...
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and President Ellen Sirleaf smile as they sit to enjoy a private chat in Monrovia, Liberia.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Our first edition of 2026 highlights AFSA award winners, the costs of the Oct. 2025 govt. shutdown, a foray into Eastern Türkiye, and more. ➡️ afsa.org/foreign-serv...
cover of the January-February 2026 Foreign Service Journal picturing a globe made up of pictures of Foreign Service officers at work in office and outdoor settings, around the world.
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The Foreign Service Journal @fsjournal.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Welcome to 'The Foreign Service Journal'—independent insider perspectives on global issues, diplomacy in practice & life overseas (since 1924). Follow us for: 🌍 Firsthand accounts from around the world 🔀 Updates on the work of @afsaorg.bsky.social 📚 Stories you won’t find anywhere else.
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