T

he chaos in faraway Yemen brought unexpected news: an air strike badly damaged the Indonesian Embassy; two of our diplomats were injured alongside one Indonesian citizen and many Yemenis. This news should shed light on the precarious situation that our diplomats have to face in some parts of the world.

Many reports have shown the challenges that the Indonesian government is facing in protecting our citizens abroad, particularly that of our migrant workers. Every piece of news on persecution, mistreatment and death sentences is often associated with the failings of our foreign policy and our diplomats.

But beyond the images of glamor and champagne, there are hard working people in the diplomatic circle who truly believe they are doing well by serving their country. The dedication shown by our diplomatic corps in Yemen is but one example.

I have been fortunate enough to work alongside some of these people during my time in the office of the special staff on international relations for former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, under then spokesman Teuku Faizasyah.

I came to understand that the problems faced by diplomats and other staff of the Foreign Ministry were not too different from other middle class professionals. However, the burden can be very different.

For example, some have problems in finding quality time with their families. Indeed, some are often required to work late even on weekends and holidays to ensure that our national interests are met during bilateral meetings, summits and other meetings that are always around the corner owing to Indonesia'€™s rising prominence on the global stage.

One diplomat asked me about what I wanted to do after completing my stint at the special staff office. I told him that I might take up teaching. He then asked, '€œCan you see your wife and kids in the morning before you teach?'€ As I replied in the affirmative he continued, '€œThen I might take up teaching too.'€

Moreover, as civil servants, not only can they not choose their boss, their boss might arrive loaded with political baggage and a questionable agenda.

Ahead of the last presidential election, for instance, diplomats chatted about their new bosses '€” from the President, Vice President down to minister '€” and in what direction they would take Indonesia'€™s foreign policy.

The conversation showed a potential clash of values between the diplomats as employees and civil servants and their politically appointed bosses. In a democracy this can be solved with deliberation between them and their bosses, as well as with other stakeholders, to formulate a rational foreign policy. Yet there are potential scenarios where they simply have to swallow their values and just follow through with their diplomacy. To borrow from the Band of Brothers, it is because they salute the rank and not the man.

And then there are the hardship postings. As we just saw in what happened in Yemen, our diplomats also serve in Libya, Syria and Iraq, among other conflict zones. They had to evacuate thousands of Indonesians to avoid looming dangers. On top of the stray bullets and rockets, they have to be very careful in dealing with local authorities to ensure safe passage for their fellow Indonesians. One wrong sentence abroad or at home could always jeopardize the whole operation.

All of these are the reality of their work. And these are only a part of the responsibility that they willingly take on when they enter Pejambon, the Foreign Ministry headquarters.

It is important to give credit where credit is due. And for our diplomats it has been due for a while. So, kudos, ladies and gentlemen.

And good luck with your next posting.