The State Department is difficult to leave. As with most hierarchical institutions, rituals entrench the solidarity of “members.” Stiff “initiation costs” include fiercely competitive foreign service exams, tedious years of stamping visas in consular offices around the world, and dull desk jobs in the home office. Because of the association of service with “honor” and “country,” exit is often seen as betrayal. Those few who depart on principle are excommunicated or labeled whistle-blowers. U.S. foreign policy lore is not laden with tales of the heroic resignee. A further deterrent to exit is
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