For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org). To order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

/ Front Cover

1 / Advertising

3 / Table of Contents

4 / Advertising

5 / PRESIDENT'S VIEWS
Overseas Comparability Pay: Defining Issue and Litmus Test
By J. Anthony Holmes

6 / Advertising

7 / LETTERS

16 / CYBERNOTES

18 / MARKETPLACE

19 / SPEAKING OUT
Leadership at State
By Prudence Bushnell

22 / FS KNOW-HOW
FLO Is Here to Help with Career-Employment Issues
By Donna Ayerst

FOCUS ON FS AUTHORS
25 / IN THEIR OWN WRITE: BOOKS BY FOREIGN SERVICE AUTHORS
Once again we are pleased to feature a compilation of recently published books by Foreign Service-affiliated authors. In addition to seven memoirs of Foreign Service life, this year's selection is highlighted by a strong history section, a wide-ranging offering of fiction - in particular historical fiction -and a lively grouping of works on people and places.
By Susan Maitra

48 / Advertising

FEATURES
49 / MORE CEREMONY, MORE HISTORY, MORE THANKS
Those of us in the Foreign Service need to do a better job of formally acknowledging our debt to mentors and colleagues.
By Marc Grossman

51 / LEARNING FROM DAYTON
A decade after its signing, the Dayton Peace Agreement still offers valuable lessons about humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction.
By Theodore Tanoue

56 / RESCUE AT URMIA
In an obscure corner of Persia following World War I, an underestimated consul became an unlikely hero.
By David D. Newsom

66 / BOOKS

69 / IN MEMORY

74 / Advertising

78 / INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

80 / REFLECTIONS
Beans Love Cilantro
By Donna Scaramastra Gorman

81 / Advertising

/ AFSA NEWS
Center Insert

/ Back Cover

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org). To order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

/ Front Cover

1 / Advertising

3 / Table of Contents

4 / Advertising

5 / PRESIDENT'S VIEWS
Liberia in Louisiana
By J. Anthony Holmes

6 / Advertising

7 / LETTERS

14 / CYBERNOTES

16 / MARKETPLACE

17 / SPEAKING OUT
Let's Use International Organizations to Fight Terrorism
By Leon Weintraub

21 / FS KNOW-HOW
Tips for Getting Op-Eds Published
By Dennis Jett

24 / Advertising

25 / THE BUSH DOCTRINE AND "ROGUE" STATES
Bush administration policy aims to tame "rogue" states or, failing that, destroy them. Will it be judged a success?
By Christopher Preble

31 / WAR WITH IRAN, OR WITH THE FACTS?
Efforts by the British, French and Germans offer hope that the day Tehran acquires nuclear weapons can be put off indefinitely.
By Henry Precht

36 / Advertising

37 / A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME
Ruled by a brutal dictator who threatens the whole world, North Korea looks like the perfect foe. But that isn't the whole story.
By Leon V. Sigal

39 / Advertising

45 / LIBYA: AN ALTERNATIVE PARADIGM
The U.S.-Libya détente promises great mutual benefit, provided the forward momentum is maintained.
By David L. Mack

49 / INEXTRICABLY LINKED: THE U.S. AND SYRIA
The Bush administration could advance its objectives not only in Syria but throughout the Middle East by offering carrots instead of wielding sticks.
By Murhaf Jouejati

53 / BREAKING THROUGH DIPLOMACY'S GLASS CEILING - The Complete Report
Part I
Part II
Secretary of State Rice can give well-qualified Foreign Service women more opportunities to serve in key countries and in senior positions not previously offered them.
By Ann Wright

63 / BOOKS

66 / Advertising

70 / INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

72 / REFLECTIONS
By Steven Mendel

73 / Advertising

/ AFSA NEWS
Center Insert

/ Back Cover

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org). To order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

/ Front Cover

1 / Advertising

3 / Table of Contents

4 / Advertising

5 / PRESIDENT'S VIEWS
The Rhetoric and the Reality...
By J. Anthony Holmes

6 / Advertising

7 / LETTERS

16 / CYBERNOTES

18 / MARKETPLACE

19 / SPEAKING OUT
The Truth About Language Instruction at FSI
By Marie T. Huhtala

22 / EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
By Steven Alan Honley

23 / A THANKLESS JOB: THE DIPLOMATIC SECURITY BUREAU
Already the second-largest bureau in the State Department, DS continues to grow. How well is it keeping up with its responsibilities?
By David T. Jones

33 / STATE'S GLOBAL SECURITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TEAM
DS is bringing courage and creativity to the mission of providing a secure environment for the conduct of American diplomacy.
By Richard J. Griffin

38 / DS GETS ITS MAN
Collaborating with U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies is an important, if underpublicized, component of the Diplomatic Security Bureau's work.
By Kevin Whitelaw

44 / EMBASSY DESIGN: SECURITY VS. OPENNESS
Is architecture important for diplomacy? An architectural historian discusses the need to balance safety and accessibility.
By Jane C. Loeffler

46 / Advertising

52 / CYBER SECURITY AT STATE: THE STAKES GET HIGHER
Over the past five years State has greatly expanded its IT networks. Just how secure are the data filling up its new computers?
By Joe Johnson

58 / SECURITY CLEARANCE SUSPENSION: KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
State Department investigators are not required to advise you of your right to have an AFSA representative and attorney present during questioning.
By J. Michael Hannon

62 / LEFT IN LIMBO
Two AFSA members offer first-person accounts of their problems with DS.

71 / WORKING TOGETHER FOR SECURE BORDERS, OPEN DOORS
The Bureaus of Diplomatic Security and Consular Affairs are cooperating to combat passport and visa fraud around the world.
By Anthony Renzulli

74 / THE SPOKESMAN LEAVES THE PODIUM
FSO Richard Boucher was the voice for six Secretaries of State over the past 13 years. Here, for a change, he speaks for himself.
By George Gedda

79 / BOOKS

82 / IN MEMORY

86 / Advertising

90 / INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

92 / REFLECTIONS
By Jessica P. Hayden

93 / Advertising

/ AFSA NEWS
Center Insert

/ Back Cover

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org). To order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

/ Front Cover

1 / Advertising

3 / Table of Contents

4 / Advertising

5 / PRESIDENT'S VIEWS
The More Things Change, the Better They Get
By John Limbert

6 / Advertising

7 / LETTERS

10 / CYBERNOTES

12 / MARKETPLACE

13 / SPEAKING OUT
Making Better Use of Eligible Family Members
By Scott I. Danaher

17 / THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE SETTLES INTO ARLINGTON HALL
FSI is charged with designing and providing formal instruction to all employees of foreign affairs agencies.
How well is it doing?
By Steven Alan Honley

32 / FSI: COMMENTS FROM THE FIELD
Members share kudos and critiques of the Foreign Service Institute.
By Susan Maitra

41 / AT FSI'S HELM: AN INTERVIEW WITH KATHY PETERSON
The past four years have ranked among the Foreign Service Institute's busiest. FSI Director Katherine Peterson discusses the challenges of accommodating record enrollment.
By Steven Alan Honley

44 / AFSA AWARD WINNERS IN ACTION
Photos and citations for some of this year's winners.
By Shawn Dorman

49 / LANGUAGE LEARNING 101
While some people find language learning a joy and a Foreign Service perk, others will always find it a long, hard slog.
By Robin Holzhauer

54 / Advertising

55 / ON THE ROAD AGAIN! THE LIFE OF A CMT TRAINER
FSI's CMT Division has a mandate to train all of our overseas posts in crisis management.
By Amelia Bell Knight

59 / Advertising

60 / THE FSN EXECUTIVE CORPS: A WIN-WIN IDEA
Since 2000, Foreign Service National employees have pooled and shared their expertise with thousands of colleagues around the world.
By Aldo Negrotti

62 / E-LEARNING FOR DIPLOMATS
Internet-based training and education offer unique advantages for foreign affairs professionals.
By Kishan Rana

66 / FAMILY MEMBER EMPLOYMENT: AT WORK IN THE MISSION
By Shawn Dorman

77 / Advertising

78 / BOOKS

82 / Advertising

86 / INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

88 / REFLECTIONS
By Barbara M. Bever

89 / Advertising

/ AFSA NEWS
Center Insert

/ Back Cover

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

FOCUS ON FS FICTION

27 / Harmony's Tooth
Harmony Tukuka doesn't know what to expect, but she knows that her husband Ibori has finally gone too far.
By Rachel Herr Cintron

32 / The Guard
One man chooses not to step over a line in the dirt.
By Rakesh Surampudi

37 / The Allemande Left Plan
The ambassador was a man of action, even if he didn't use many verbs.
By Brian Aggeler

42 / Dream Reincarnate
For one young Indian woman, hope trumps reality.
By Barbara M. Bever

46 / When Fang Fang Cooked the Jackal
A shaggy dog story has a startling ending.
By Janice S. Smyth

51 / The Interview
A stranger helps Rosa learn the truth of the Mexican proverb, "There is no bad from which good does not come."
By Stephanie Rowlands

FEATURES

18 / A True Friend of the Foreign Service: Richard Lugar
During 28 years in the Senate, Richard Lugar has consistently supported the Foreign Service. This month AFSA is honoring him for his contributions to American diplomacy and a lifetime of public service.
By Steven Alan Honley

58 / Fear vs. Hope: America And Global Security
To be truly secure, America needs to change the way it looks at the rest of the world - and pay attention to some larger underlying trends.
By Gordon Adams

SCHOOLS SUPPLEMENT

67 / Applying To U.S. Colleges: A Primer for FS Teens
The basics may be the same today as in the past, but the process is now far more competitive.
By Francesca Huemer Kelly

90 / Dip Kids Fill Void at U.S. Colleges"
American universities are increasingly looking to youth who grew up overseas to maintain the international perspective inside their classrooms.
By Antje Schiffler

74 / Schools at a Glance
Essential data on educational choices.

COLUMNS

5 / President's Views
The Importance of Leadership
By John Limbert

15 / Speaking Out
Guideposts for Generalists: The Career Development Program
By Josh Glazeroff

108 / Reflections
By Stanton Jue

DEPARTMENTS

7 / Letters
12 / Cybernotes
14 / Marketplace
94 / Books
97 / In Memory
106 / Index to Advertisers
Center Insert / AFSA News

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

This month's issue of the Foreign Service Journal focuses on a nation that has been much in the news of late: the People's Republic of China. (Our survey also encompasses the Republic of China, otherwise known as Taiwan, and Hong Kong.) We are pleased to offer seven articles by authors ranging from Foreign Service officers (current and retired) to academics and journalists, most of whom are China specialists. They examine China's economic performance, prospects for democratization, Sino-American relations, and Beijing's relations with the U.S., Taiwan and its neighbors.

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Table of Contents:
We regret that we are only able to make some of these items available online. To order copies of articles not posted here, or to order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

"Congressional Pressures and U.S.-China Policy"
As the Bush administration seeks to manage Sino-American relations, it would be wise to keep in mind congressional sensitivities.
By Robert Sutter

"China's Economic Growth: Source of Disorder?"
The PRC's rapid rise has raised concerns about its consequences for the region and the rest of the world.
By Robert Wang

"China's New Diplomacy in Asia"
The PRC's increased activism is transforming international relations throughout Asia. Here is a look at the four pillars of Beijing's new regional posture.
By David Shambaugh

"Deepening Sino-American Ties at the Grass Roots"
Improvements in China's human rights record will not come overnight from the top down, but will develop gradually through social activism.
By Carol Lee Hamrin

"Zhao Ziyang: Buried but Not Dead"
The leader's remains were interred on Jan. 29, but a recent book reflects the unfinished historical reckoning of Tianenman Square.
By Joseph Fewsmith

"Hong Kong's Seven-Year Itch"
Economic malaise, outbreaks of disease and mass protests have marked Hong Kong's first years as part of the PRC.
By Heda Bayron

"The 'One China' Policy: Terms of Art"
Despite calls from various quarters to reassess the "one China" policy, it remains the cornerstone of Sino-American relations.
By Stanton Jue

The May issue also includes the following features:

"Hugo Chavez: A New Castro?"
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's authoritarian tendencies represent a growing concern to the Bush administration, which is speaking out more about the threat he poses.
By George Gedda

"Depleted Uranium Munitions: A New WMD"
The United States should lead the international community to responsible global control of depleted uranium munitions
By Frank Cunningham

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

April 2005
(Vol. 82, No. 4)

Most issues of the Foreign Service Journal contain a set of articles focusing on a particular theme or region. But every so often, we run a cover story that takes an in-depth look at a more specialized topic, followed by an assortment of feature articles.

So it is this month. Our April cover story offers a detailed examination of how the commercial diplomatic function has evolved over the 25 years since the U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service was established, and what the outlook is for this key component of U.S. foreign policy. On a (somewhat) related note, we follow that with two articles examining the Millennium Challenge Account, and an article recounting how Foreign Service personnel in the Indian Ocean region assisted American citizens following last December's tsunami.

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org. To subscribe or place an ad, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org).

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Table of Contents:
We regret that we are only able to make some of these items available online. To order copies of articles not posted here, or to order reprints of any articles appearing in the magazine, please contact Business Manager Mikkela Thompson (thompsonm@afsa.org).

"Commercial Diplomacy: The Next Wave"
The U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service celebrates its 25th anniversary on April 1. What should its direction be in the coming quarter-century?
By Charles Ford

"The Millennium Challenge Account: Spur to Democracy?"
The MCA opens the door to a debate on democracy and governance conditionality for assistance. NGOs in developing countries need to walk through that door.
By Elizabeth Spiro Clark

"The Millennium Challenge Corporation: Making It Work"
Potentially the MCC could help sharpen the focus of U.S. development policy. But to succeed in breaking new ground major challenges will have to be overcome.
By Aaron M. Chassy

"After the Tsunami: Assisting Americans in Distress"
Consular officers and other Foreign Service personnel throughout the Indian Ocean region played a crucial role in assisting many stricken American tourists and residents.
By Steven Alan Honley

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

March 2005
(Vol. 82, No. 3)

The March Foreign Service Journal looks at the situation in Iraq two years after the U.S. ousted Saddam Hussein, and eight months since Embassy Baghdad reopened last July, as well as prospects for the country's stability and democratization.

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org.

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Table of Contents:
We regret that we are only able to make a few of these items available online. To read other articles and columns, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org) to order copies of the magazine.

"Extreme Diplomacy: Evaluating Embassy Baghdad"
Foreign Service employees work hard in dangerous places all around the world. But nowhere are the risks - and the stakes - higher than in Iraq.
By Shawn Zeller

"Reality Check in Iraq"
2005 promises to be a fateful year for Iraq. Instead of building utopian sandcastles, the U.S. should embrace modest but achievable expectations.
By David L. Mack

"Iraqi Judges Come to Prague"
Thanks to the efforts of U.S. diplomats and international organizations, Iraq is making real progress on promoting the rule of law.
By Barbara Dillon Hillas

The March issue also contains the following feature articles:

"Doing Diplomacy Differently: The Canadian Foreign Service"
Our neighbor to the north has long punched above its diplomatic weight. But there are signs that it may not be able to continue doing so.
By David T. Jones

"The Cuban-Thistle Crisis: Rethinking U.S. Sanctions Policy"
The Cuban embargo is often cited abroad as a prime example of a U.S. unilateral economic sanctions program that has clearly failed to achieve its stated aims, and is now maintained purely for domestic political purposes.
By Peter L. Fitzgerald

"AFSA Annual Report" (inside AFSA News)
(AFSA members will find the report posted on the members' page of our Web site, www.afsa.org).

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

February 2005
(Vol. 82, No. 2)

The February Foreign Service Journal features eight different perspectives on the current transition from Colin Powell to Condoleezza Rice. Most of the articles concentrate on assessing Secretary Powell's legacy, both as the Department of State's top manager and as a policy-maker, while several look ahead to prospects for the Bush administration's second term. In particular, will the changes in the team at Foggy Bottom also mean substantive changes to U.S. foreign policy?

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org.

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Table of Contents:
We regret that we are only able to make a few of these items available online. To read other articles and columns, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org) to order copies of the magazine.

"'FAC'-Checking: Secretary Powell's State Department"
The Foreign Affairs Council gives generally high marks to Colin Powell and his management team for their work at State over the past four years.
By Thomas D. Boyatt

"The Failure of Colin Powell"
Colin Powell likes to compare himself to another general who served as Secretary of State, George C. Marshall. But such comparisons only highlight Powell's squandered legacy.
By Dennis Jett  

"Colin Powell: A Legacy of Success"
Colin Powell has served the nation with honor and distinction in almost every national security job out there. His tenure at Foggy Bottom is no exception.
By Peter T.R. Brookes

"Colin Powell: Four Tumultuous Years"
Colin Powell's personal popularity consistently exceeded that of the policies he was defending. Even so, within the administration he found himself outgunned much of the time.
By George Gedda

"Secretary Powell's Blemished Latin American Record"
The Secretary allowed a small clique of hard-line policy-makers with tight links to White House political operatives lacking any comprehension of the region's realities to dictate U.S. hemispheric policy.
By Larry Birns

"The Rice Doctrine"
Condoleezza Rice has the opportunity to restore realism in U.S. foreign policy. The alternative, attempting to sell a grandiose foreign policy to an increasingly cautious and skeptical public, will prove ruinous.
By Christopher Preble

"Putting U.S. Diplomacy to Work in the Post-Powell Age"
If the State Department remains sidelined, it will be because Secretary Rice declines to use her relationship with the president to restore State as America's outermost line of defense.
By John Brady Kiesling

"Thoughts from the Field"
AFSA members weigh in with tributes and observations on Colin Powell's tenure at the State Department.
By Susan Maitra

The February issue also includes the following features:

"The Cold War: A Pyrrhic Victory?"
It has been more than a decade since the U.S. won the Cold War. But the unintended consequences of our anti-Soviet efforts contributed to many of the problems we face today.
By David D. Newsom

"2004 Tax Guide" (inside AFSA News)
(AFSA members will find the guide posted on the members' page of the Web site, www.afsa.org).

Viewing the articles above requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Back to Top

January 2005
(Vol. 82, No. 1)

The January Foreign Service Journal features a set of extended "Reflections" (reminiscences) by Foreign Service personnel.

For information on how to submit a letter, column or article, or for general inquiries (address changes, etc.), please e-mail us at journal@afsa.org. To submit a piece for possible publication, kindly send it to: authors@afsa.org.

Viewing the following articles requires the use of Acrobat Reader. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download it here for free.

Table of Contents
We regret that we are only able to make a few of these items available online. To read other articles and columns, please contact Advertising and Circulation Manager Ed Miltenberger (miltenberger@afsa.org) to order copies of the magazine.

"Letter from the Editor"
As this annual column explains, there are many ways you can share your insights and expertise in our pages. Let us hear from you.
By Steven Alan Honley

"Life and Death in the Foreign Service"
When you live where death comes easily, sometimes you lose no matter what you do.
By Thomas H. Armbruster

"The Good Old Days"
Despite all the pressure and unpaid overtime required to handle the crush of visa applicants, a retired consular officer has fond memories of those times.
By Frederick D. Purdy

"Second-Line Diplomacy: The First Korean Airlines Incident"
In the shadow of crucial talks in Moscow between Cyrus Vance and Andrei Gromyko, quiet diplomacy resolved the first Korean Airlines incident.
By Kenneth N. Skoug Jr.

"Unpacking My Books"
An FSO explains his baggage, metaphorically.
By Alexis Ludwig

The January issue also includes the following features:

"Inside a Promotion Panel"
What do selection boards look for in deciding whom to promote? Here is a "top ten" list of tips to maximize one's chances of career advancement.
By John Naland

"Gertrude Bell and Iraq: Deja Vu All Over Again"
The extraordinary Englishwoman who played a key role in the birth of modern Iraq confronted the same issues the U.S. and the new Iraqi government face today.
By Barbara Griffith Furst