The Foreign Service Journal

04/14/2025

Now online: the April-May Foreign Service Journal focuses on the evolution of U.S.- relations in honor of the 30th anniversary of restored diplomatic relations, the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s independence. Also inside …

🔸“Lives Upended”: a compilation of personal accounts revealing the effects of USAID’s dismantling
🔸New FS Know-How: A Brief RIF Explainer
🔸Requiem for the Voice of America

+ more. Read the full edition here🔗 https://afsa.org/foreign-service-journal-aprilmay2025

03/28/2025

“About 120 miles northwest of Johannesburg, Pilanesberg National Park sits within the crater of an ancient volcano."

Get a closer look at this early-morning scene from South Africa in the March by Michael Roome.

🔗https://afsa.org/sites/default/files/flipping_book/0325/78/index.html

03/18/2025

USAGM, which includes the Voice of America, is a vital tool of U.S. foreign policy and national security, playing a key role in promoting American interests, democracy, and press freedom around the world.

Read the full statement: https://afsa.org/afsa-statement-dismantling-us-agency-global-media

03/05/2025

Now online (and in the mail): the March Foreign Service Journal features our third “Notes to the New Administration” compilation, plus:

🖊️Defending and the — the American Foreign Service Association's legal response
🖊️A conversation with special representative Nina Hachigian on
🖊️How to “bridge the interagency gap” between military and FS personnel
🖊️Foundational skills for all professionals — cultural competency for effective communications

+ more. Read the full edition here 🔗 https://afsa.org/foreign-service-journal-march2025

02/25/2025

members ➡️ American Foreign Service Association recently compiled a new resource to help members be prepared for the unexpected.

See the “Virtual Go Bag” checklist, here: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag

MEMBERS | Every Foreign Service member knows the importance of a Go Bag. You probably have one packed right now. But do you have your employment Go Bag ready? These are the key documents and things you should have in case of a sudden departure.

Make sure you’re prepared for any eventuality & review our “Virtual Go Bag” checklist now: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag

02/18/2025

The is proud to serve as a historical record of the evolution of U.S. and the , since 1919. For breaking news, be sure to bookmark the American Foreign Service Association’s press center page 📰 https://afsa.org/press 📰 for the latest litigation updates and public statements by our organizational leaders.

02/04/2025

Weakening or eliminating USAID will only help those who seek to undermine American leadership.

Read the full statement: https://afsa.org/statement-afsa-decision-dismantle-usaid

01/30/2025

High in the Andes Mountains and two hours from Santiago, Chile, FSO Martin Claessens shot this image of the Inca Lagoon.

❄️ See it in the January-February (link below).

01/29/2025

Members of the often face unique tax situations—and we understand that it can get complicated. Check out our 2024 Federal in the January-February for valuable information on:

✅ The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) ✅ New tax updates that could impact your filing ✅ Key deadlines and tips for avoiding penalties. Link in comments, below!

01/11/2025

🖋️ Call for input: President Jimmy Carter left an indelible impression on so many in the community. Please share your remembrances for an Appreciation in an upcoming edition of the .

📧 Send up to 300 words and related photos (with your name and Foreign Service affiliation) to [email protected] by Friday, January 17.

Note: All submissions will be attributed. Submissions will be edited for style and clarity. AI-generated content will not be accepted. We cannot guarantee all submissions will be featured, but we will print as many as possible.

01/08/2025

📨 The first Foreign Service Journal edition of 2025 is now out!

In this , we dive into the dynamics of U.S. presidential transitions, with:

🔹 insights on the future of in “Liberate the Future” by Amb. Tom Shannon

🔹 inside perspectives from Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training (ADST)’s oral history collection in “Working a Presidential Transition: First-Person Accounts”

🔹 a fresh collection highlighting the significance of elections for the U.S. , “A Look Back—The Foreign Service and Presidential Elections”

+ more. Read the full edition here 🔗 https://afsa.org/foreign-service-journal-januaryfebruary2025

01/01/2025

As we bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our readers. This new year, we're excited to continue bringing you insightful content and inspiring stories from practitioners of across the globe.

🎉 Have a safe & happy New Year! 🎉