This crisis exposes real gaps in America’s diplomatic readiness. For months, AFSA has warned that the State Department’s capacity has been weakened as the result of layoffs and forced departures.
Read AFSA's statement: https://afsa.org/afsa-statement-middle-east-conflict
A good reminder of the depth, breadth, and important work of the U.S. Foreign Service.
abcnews.go.com/US/diplomati...
We were proud to take part of yesterday's rally to call for a restoration of labor protections for our federal workers. America is only as strong as its public workforce. #PAWA
marylandmatters.org/2026/01/14/f...
Grateful for this opportunity to talk about what is happening to the Foreign Service workforce and why it matters.
"This is not standard practice. This is unprecedented. This is unheard of. This is a sabotage of the American diplomatic machine." - AFSA President John Dinkelman on PBS News Hour
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
These abrupt, opaque, and unexplained recalls sabotage diplomatic effectiveness and U.S. credibility abroad: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
Here’s proof that diplomatic skills are exceeding transferable.
This history-making mayor-elect also served the country as a member of the Foreign Service
www.nbcmiami.com/news/politic...
“The government did what it was ordered not to do,” according to the judge in our case against State Department separations during the government shutdown.
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Members: Support our lawsuit against the use of the government shutdown to carry out workplace separations and mass reductions in force at a hearing in San Francisco on 12/17 at 10:30 a.m. PT.
Find out how to watch the AFGE v. OMB proceedings in person or virtually: cand.uscourts.gov/judges/si/il...
This morning, many FS staff discovered that their 2024 performance evaluations were no longer in their personnel files.
Maybe this is an error, maybe not.
AFSA is asking the Department of State to explain the removal of these evaluations and to restore transparency to the process.
Black background with orange and white text: Just 6 out of 7 people tapped to serve as U.S. ambassadors are career Foreign Service members. That’s 91% with zero Foreign Service experience.
Since 1/1/25, career diplomats have been increasingly passed over for political appointees in key roles, at rates we haven’t seen before.
Others pay attention to who represents the U.S., and credibility suffers when expertise is diminished.
In a time of global complexity, experience matters.
What’s left of America’s diplomatic service after the administration’s bloodletting is demoralized and unable to perform at its optimum. @steadystatevets.bsky.social reviewed our sobering workforce survey and lays out a plan that could bring the FS back from the brink:
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Some good news to start your morning
www.reuters.com/business/wor...
You’ve seen the headlines, but the full picture is even more alarming.
New data reveals just how severe the crisis inside the diplomatic workforce has become.
Our grim findings are drawn from the voices of more than 2,000 active-duty Foreign Service members.
Read it: afsa.org/at-the-break...
Join today's virtual report launch at 1:00 p.m. ET to hear the whole story: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
“Damage is being done to America’s diplomatic service that we will be paying for decades to come.” AFSA's John Dinkelman on the findings of our new survey: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/02/u...
Since January, executive orders have rolled back collective bargaining rights across the government—a serious blow to unions and workers. Watch our discussion “The War on Federal Labor Unions” for what this means for federal employees, organized labor, and democracy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=la_x...
Not surprising when our greatest soft power tool is dismantled others fill the void
An intimate and powerful portrait of a now-retired Foreign Service member and trailblazer: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
The treatment of feds, including attacks on their unions, is unprecedented. AFSA’s Sharon Papp shares what she’s seeing & why it’s so concerning.
Learn about what's happening to federal employee unions on Nov. 20 at 1 pm ET with AFSA, AFGE & Georgetown University experts. afsa.org/war-federal-...
We applaud Congress for ending the shutdown and getting federal employees back to work. But the damage is real.
Political dysfunction can’t be allowed to weaken America’s diplomats. AFSA will keep fighting for stability, respect, and support for those on the front lines.
Read more: bit.ly/49SFVWR
Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili recalls how his parents secretly tuned in to Voice of America during Soviet times — “a voice that helped win two world wars: against fascism and against lies.”
He urges America to keep that voice alive in today’s era of disinformation.
#SaveVOE #VOEGeo
It's a month of feds being used as political pawns.
The longer the shutdown, the weaker we become economically, diplomatically, and morally. We're ceding ground to competitors, compromising safety, and undermining those who defend our interests.
Read our full statement: bit.ly/47AlLhJ
@miamiherald.com
Jamaica’s economy is tightly connected to U.S. trade, tourism, and migration. Sending aid isn't just the moral thing to do, it also can help prevent regional disruption that can affect American jobs, supply chains, and markets.
www.miamiherald.com/news/weather...
The shutdown hurts civilian federal employees stationed overseas, too:
www.govexec.com/workforce/20...
“I took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. And that is exactly what I’m doing here today, and I love this country.” Feds speak out during this weekend's protests via @motherjones.com
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Peace Summit in Egypt, and Shutdown Lessons From U.S.A.I.D.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Using federal workers as pawns to maximize the negative impacts of a shutdown isn’t just partisan and reckless, it’s also bad for America. It jeopardizes the vital services we all depend on. AFSA stands with all public servants. www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...
