Citizenship | Literature
Select novels, short stories, and nonfiction on contemporary life.
What began as a bold experiment in grassroots service produced future ambassadors to help guide U.S. diplomacy through seven decades of global upheaval.
Read, Listen, Watch
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On the eve of Foreign Affairs Day, the event recognizes the dedicated service of America’s diplomatic corps in these difficult times for the entire foreign affairs community.
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Duty not to power. Duty to truth and audience.
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By decimating the team of Foreign Service Asia experts—people who would have known about 11 centuries of enmity between Vietnam and China—McCarthy left the State Department unprepared for the coming conflict in Southeast Asia and contributed to the debacle of America’s engagement in the Vietnam War.
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I can understand if the hygienist wants to talk: it’s the loneliest profession in the world. But why—WHY?—did the person with eight fingers and two implements in my mouth insist on asking questions?
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Captured along the Shiloh Greenway in Morrisville North Carolina. Lots of pollen and sunshine yesterday. Thunderstorms and heavy rain in the evening. The streets looked painted yellow this morning and the pollen count remains elevated. Touring UNC and have thoughts on that to share tomorrow. ##
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Ran past a graveyard Lost in the wood Buried in pollen From pines in the sky Celebrated a birthday Singing las manzanitas Eating tacos and chips Guac and mole Test drove an Outback Twenty twenty-five Nice improvement Over the twenty one-one Napped, walked, and YouTubed The SNL cold open Watched college hoops And cleaned up…
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Today I fulfilled a long-held aspiration, joining the editorial board of the Foreign Service Journal. For nearly a quarter century this storied publication has followed me around the world from Jeddah to Nicaragua and Mexico City to Mumbai.
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This is not my first time designing a jacket. That turned out disastrously…
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Spring begins this week. All the harbingers are there: buds on trees, birdsong in plenty, St. Patrick’s Day, notable birthdays, then Friday: Spring.
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From the first generation of Peace Corps Volunteers emerged 50 future ambassadors, protagonists in some of our nation’s most dramatic events over the last 65 years.
Ben East Books 