A Traveler In The Foreign Service: When Bureaucracy Keeps Diplomats Grounded

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10-22-2012 @ 9:55AM

Diane said...

I agree with Liz that no one back at Main State will read a long Field Trip cable, but I think what Dave is getting at is that it will give the traveling FSO the opportunity to better understand the country and people, so that when the officer writes their three "key bullet points" cable, it will be a better informed and more valuable short cable.

The other reality is that the funds for such travel in these economic times is shrinking and in some posts with a high-cost of living, shrinking quite rapidly.

10-22-2012 @ 10:05AM

Dave Seminara said...

Diane, very true that money is always going to be an issue. So much money is squandered and then there's nothing left for important projects. But these trips could be quite cheap if done right. Some FSOs wouldn't want to travel unless they could collect per diem and stay at fancy hotels but I wouldn't make those folks go. In many countries, there are plenty of families that would be proud to host an American diplomat in their home for a few days.

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