The entire internet is abuzz with talk of Iran. After a disputed election, much of the country has been erupting into protests met with harsh violence from the ruling regime. This has been extensively covered elsewhere, so I’ll just add a quick thought. I previously wrote that the U.S. is frequently blamed for everything that goes on the world, often wrongfully.
As Iran undergoes the worst protests since the revolution, I’m so thankful we do not have an embassy in Tehran. Aside from concerns about embassy security (that would be huge), on the policy side, we’re not nearly as visible without a presence there. While some are saying it’s the CIA, the simple lack of an official U.S. presence there seems to be calming hegemonic blame.
Of course, some know about the secret conspiracy of John McCain, George Soros, NGOs and satellite TV (as seen here a la Shrek):
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But what about all the Compulsive Carpet Buyers in the Foreign Service? Wouldn’t they love to be in Iran? Imagine all the CLO shopping trips to Shiraz and Esfahan that people are missing out on.
Haha. Great video! I agree with your post. What do you think of the current bashing of Obama for staying silent on the issue of the elections? Personally, I think it very wise. The events in Iran circa 1953 and Operation Ajax are not That far back in history. Regardless of whomever is president though it will remain the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Obama’s options for any concrete actions are limited, so therefore it is prudent that he not write any checks that he can’t cash, so to speak. However I am concerned that his lack of action comes from uncertainty rather than wisdom. Note that as time goes by he makes bolder statements.
At the opening of the US embassy in Georgia in 1992, during that spate of new openings after the dissolution ot he Eastern Bloc, an American diplomat told me that it is common for an entire career to pass without witnessing a new embassy opening. The first thought to flash through my mind was “when we return to Iran, I want to be there.”
During my 10 years there as a private citizen, I was lucky enough to interact with a number of Iranian diplomats and business people, and gather this intelligence: There are many moderate thinkers who wish to have dialogue with us, but they have been traveling against the overwhelming current of religious populism, like salmon going upstream. In 2009, I read the events as some of the fish having arrived at the spawning ground, so to speak.
I have a magnificent shiraz carpet that I keep as a reminder of Tehran, and what I believe is America’s inevitabile, careful, and considered return .
There is now a giant new embassy compound in Tbilisi, which has the chancery and USAID. I don’t know what is to become of the old embassy. I dont know if Maria remembers where the used car bazroba was but that’s where the embassy is now, way out on the edge of town.
There is now a new spate of new openings as we move out of the converted houses that made up that first round of embassies.
One of the old embassies has reverted to its previous owner: the Kyrgyz National Security Service, or the KGB successor organization.
My husband and I are both teachers with graduat degrees - he’s a U.S. combat veteran and I’m a fluent Farsi speaker and recent citizen. We are planning to take the written FSO test in October. I’m nervous about the test and ambivalent about the “qualifying” process after the test. There is SO much to study! We’ve got the Cliffs Test Prep and the flash cards - but the ambiguity of the “qualifying” processs gives me a pause…..Is there a chance for either of us? Where would we even be based if my Farsi language skills are put to use? There is no embassy in Iran as of yet. Another question that comes up is regarding the length of tour and language knowledge. If my Farsi language skills are to be in use, are there limited posts I’d be assigned to utilize my language skills? How does that effect bidding?
My husband and I are both teachers with graduate degrees - he’s a U.S. combat veteran and I’m a fluent Farsi speaker and recent citizen. We are planning to take the written FSO test in October. I’m nervous about the test and ambivalent about the “qualifying” process after the test. There is SO much to study! We’ve got the Cliffs Test Prep and the flash cards - but the ambiguity of the “qualifying” processs gives me a pause…..Is there a chance for either of us? Where would we even be based if my Farsi language skills are put to use? There is no embassy in Iran as of yet. Another question that comes up is regarding the length of tour and language knowledge. If my Farsi language skills are to be in use, are there limited posts I’d be assigned to utilize my language skills? How does that effect bidding?
Ana,
Are you a dual citizenship? Just a heads up that if and when you make it to the security clearance be prepared for it to take a while! Of course it all depends on the amount of time you’ve spent in Iran and your family history, but be prepared for a long and arduous journey.
Good luck.
Ana,
It’s worth mentioning that if you are still an Iranian citizen, or if you have family in Iran, you will not be posted there. State has concerns about whether your loyalties could be exploited.
Of course, you could be a French citizen and speak fluent Farsi, but, as you said, there is currently no embassy for you to work in.
The majority of the U.S. Government’s Farsi resources are currently being dedicated to outreach and information dissemination, largely through Radio Liberty’s “Radio Farda” program. Hopefully there will be a point within all of our careers where Farsi will be a useful language within the State Department, but it does not seem like right now is that time.