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No one needs to quit any job, but I do have to think that a "France expert" who speaks no French would be laughed out of the room.
And since I learned a second language at age 16-17 and did decently enough to practice law with it, I am mystified by people whose job is to learn about another country who just ... don't ... learn ... the ... language.
(Don't give me that "Chinese is hard" crap. Chinese is one of the easiest languages to learn. The grammar is so simple it may as well be caveman language. I fought this battle many times and this is the hill that I shall die on.)
I wouldn't go so far as to dismiss all "Asia experts" who don't speak the language. Some experts have deep insights in, say, weapons system or the export control laws which have particular applicability in Asia.
Some experts spent a long time in the US Govt dealing with Asia-related policy, such that they know at least one side of the ledger very well. Their expertise is real and useful.
But still, come on.
But still, come on.
