Getting up to speed on the wife's future State Dept career.

U.S. Department of State Careers - Foreign Service Political Officer:

"As a Political Officer, you’ll keep a trained eye on the political climate at your foreign post and decipher events as they relate to U.S. interests, negotiations and policies. As you learn new skills and enjoy outstanding benefits, you’ll communicate with foreign governments to seek support for shared goals...

*Developing foreign contacts in and out of politics and government to advance U.S. political interests

*Assessing the impact of political developments on the U.S. and making recommendations on action by our government

*Supporting high level visits and advising policymakers on how to communicate with foreign governments"

Political Cone:

"Traditionally, the political cone was the creme de la creme of the Foreign Service. In the olden days of diplomacy, state department political officers held a near monopoly on foreign policy...

Political officers manage the U.S. bilateral political relationship. They maintain contacts among members of the host government, opposition parties, and civil society. They report back to Washington on the various goings on in the host government. Political officers are at the forefront in issues like democratization, national security, political-military affairs, women’s rights, and the day-to-day machinations of governments all over the world. As the State Department continues to become just one of a number of government agencies at embassies, political officers have also become facilitators and continue to serve as resident experts on governmental workings..."