Welcome to the Hegemonist

Welcome!  The Hegemonist is a personal weblog touching on international relations, foreign policy, and diplomacy. In the interest of full disclosure, I work for the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. Politically, I strongly feel that politics has to stop at the water’s edge and judge foreign policy on pragmatism rather than on ideology. For now, I’ve chosen to write anonymously to avoid unnecessary repercussions in my professional life. I hope you enjoy the blog!

Some of my Favorite Posts:
Getting a Job as a Foreign Service Officer
Is America the Microsoft of Countries?
The Hegemonist Spring Break 2009
Dealing with a Democratizing World

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Leigh June 14, 2009 at 9:38 am

I really like your website! Thanks so much for the helpful & useful information.

Alexis August 3, 2009 at 2:17 pm

Hey, I am curious about the social life within the embassy.

Who else works at the embassy? Is it like the military, where you cant socialize with anyone who is not an officer?
Is dating another FSO okay? I am 20 and just wondering what THAT side of life is like while on an assignment. Is it unusual for someone under 25 or so to pass the oral exam?
I guess you work a regular 5 day week? If not, what is it?

If you dont have regular internet, im cool with that.

please email

Mamuka August 6, 2009 at 12:03 pm

It is perfectly acceptable to date other people within the embassy. Just as long as neither of you is married. This seemingly simple rule is often overlooked. Plus it has been known to happen where an American and one of the local hires become involved. Or an American and a local national not working in the embassy. Please notify the RSO.

Maryellen October 28, 2009 at 3:31 pm

Absolutely LOVE your blog, I just found it and it’s been quite helpful. I am thinking of switching careers after ten years of practicing law. Am I going to be the only almost-40 junior officer in my class? Assuming I can pass the exam . . .

Thanks

olu January 4, 2010 at 8:01 am

I will be a new United States citizen. I speak fluent English, Ibo and some french. I will however hold a dual nationality. Is this an advantage to joining the FSO?

Thank you

Bryan March 4, 2010 at 2:49 am

I’m thinking about taking the FSO exam this June. However, I will not graduate from university until the end of the summer. Do you recommend waiting until after graduation to take the exam?

I do not know if these things matter - although I have not graduated yet, I speak Mandarin fairly well, have spent five years in the military and three years in embassies as a guard.

Thanks in advance,

Bryan

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