Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State at Work

Released by the Bureau of Public Affairs

May 25, 2005

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The State Department leads the United States in its relationships with foreign governments, international organizations, and the people of other countries. It aims to provide a more free, prosperous, and secure world. The management of all of these relationships is called diplomacy. Diplomacy is vital to the United States in that it is the way in which the State Department formulates, implements, and represents to other nations the foreign policy goals of the President. 

Diplomacy is vital to U.S. interests. The State Department is a vital part of the U.S. Government because it: 

• Represents the U.S. overseas and conveys U.S. policies to foreign governments and international organizations through American embassies and consulates in foreign countries and diplomatic missions; 
• Negotiates and concludes agreements and treaties on issues ranging from trade to nuclear weapons; 
• Coordinates and supports international activities of other U.S. agencies, hosts official visits, and performs other diplomatic missions; and 
• Leads interagency coordination and manages the allocation of resources for foreign relations. 

There are more than 190 countries in the world, and the United States maintains diplomatic relations with some 180 of them, as well as with many international organizations. Advances in travel, trade and technology have made the world more interconnected today than ever before, making interactions with other countries and their citizens more important for the United States.

The State Department has four main foreign policy goals: 

• Protect the U.S. and Americans; 
• Advance democracy, human rights, and other global interests; 
• Promote international understanding of American values and policies; and 
• Support U.S. diplomats, government officials, and all other personnel at home and abroad who make these goals a reality. 

Diplomacy is one of the best ways to protect the United States and the American people. We use diplomacy with other nations of the world to successfully deal with a number of challenges that cross national boundaries and affect us here in the United States, including:

• Terrorism; 
• The threat of weapons of mass destruction; 
• HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; 
• Dangers of illegal drug trafficking and crime; 
• Humanitarian needs of migrants and refugees; and 
• Environmental degradation. 

Americans at home and abroad face threats to their physical and economic well-being. The State Department protects our nation, its people, and our prosperity by helping to: 

• Prevent terrorist attacks and strengthen international alliances to defeat global terrorism; 
• Ensure America’s homeland security by promoting policies and practices to keep travel, trade, and important infrastructure safe; 
• Provide guidelines to manage the entry of visitors to the U.S.; 
• Promote stability in all regions of the world; 
• Prevent enemies from threatening the U.S. or our allies with weapons of mass destruction; 
• Reduce the impact of international crime and illegal drugs on Americans; and 
• Protect and assist American citizens who travel, conduct business, and live abroad. 

Following are just a few of the many ways the State Department uses diplomacy to protect America: 

Fighting Terrorism 

After the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the U.S. learned firsthand the serious threat it faces from terrorists and from countries supporting them. Terrorists who performed these attacks had no respect for human life or national borders. Terrorists threaten not only Americans, but all people who believe in freedom and democracy. They are the enemy of all civilized nations, and they will be defeated only through the united action of nations throughout the world. 

To provide leadership in the fight against terrorism, the State Department works with other U.S. agencies and foreign governments to: 

• Identify terrorist organizations and countries that support terrorists; 
• Investigate the activities of terrorist organizations; 
• Shut down terrorist financial networks; and 
• Bring terrorists to justice. 

The State Department’s annual report on terrorism explains what the United States and its allies are doing to contain the dangers and sponsors of worldwide terrorism. Also see www.state.gov/s/ct.

Homeland Security 

Security for Americans begins at home but extends beyond our borders. In pursuit of homeland security, the State Department conducts visa operations and leads U.S. diplomatic efforts to gain international cooperation on measures to deter threats to travel, communications, and other critical infrastructure networks—information systems, transportation, and energy—and to secure our borders. 

Visas: Welcoming Foreign Citizens 

Immigrants and visitors have contributed greatly to our country, and we welcome them to continue their important cultural contributions. Immigrants and visitors who want to enter the U.S. must apply for a visa from the State Department. The State Department carefully reviews more than 7 million visa applications per year. The visa regulations help ensure that no visas are approved for foreign citizens who might harm our country, thereby keeping us safe while continuing to welcome citizens from around the globe. Also see http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov.

Regional Stability 

The State Department uses diplomacy in all regions of the world to keep local conflicts from becoming wider wars that may harm U.S. interests. The State Department joins with other countries in international organizations to promote stability and economic prosperity. Following are some of the regional issues the State Department manages: 

Middle East Promote and support the development of democracy in Iraq. Continue to work with Israel, Egypt, other Middle Eastern countries, and the Palestinians to find a way for them to live peacefully together. Also see www.state.gov/p/nea.

Western Hemisphere Join with other countries to confront terrorism and illegal drug trafficking, while promoting institutions that support democracy and freedom. Also see www.state.gov/p/wha.

Africa Help fragile nations confront poverty, disease, and war that afflict the continent. Also see www.state.gov/p/af.

East Asia and the Pacific Participate in organizations such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum that deal with a wide range of economic issues facing its member nations. Also see www.state.gov/p/eap. 

South Asia Support developing democracy in Afghanistan. Work with India and Pakistan and the international community to deal with problems between these countries, including the status of Kashmir and nuclear arms. Also see www.state.gov/p/sa.

Europe and Eurasia Promote the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its expansion as keys to international cooperation and security. Also see www.state.gov/p/eur.

Weapons of Mass Destruction 

Weapons of mass destruction—such as nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons—pose a serious danger to the United States and the world. We must be concerned about the possibility that terrorists may acquire these weapons for use against innocent people. The State Department works to ensure that more countries do not obtain these weapons and to verify that international agreements restricting such weapons are being honored. Also see www.state.gov/t/np/wmd. 

International Crime and Illegal Drugs 

International crime and illegal drug trafficking affect Americans and people from every country. The State Department helps other countries establish and implement anti-crime and anti-drug laws, share costs and political burdens, and strengthen courts and government institutions so that it is easier to bring criminals to justice. 

Controlling the trafficking in illegal drugs has required increased international cooperation from all countries. The State Department has provided technical assistance and training programs for other governments. We have increased our support for law enforcement and assistance for developing countries—such as Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia—to stop production of illegal drugs and their shipment to the United States and other countries. The State Department’s annual report on international narcotics control (see www.state.gov/p/inl) outlines the strategy for dealing with this issue. 

Trafficking in persons is a modern-day form of slavery. Criminals force or deceive their victims into labor or sexual exploitation and often move them across borders into other countries. This crime of trafficking human beings has been increasing at an alarmingly fast rate.

Annually, approximately 800,000-900,000 people, mostly women and children, are trafficked worldwide, including 20,000 persons into the United States. The State Department’s annual report on trafficking in persons (see www.state.gov/g/tip) is an important diplomatic tool for ending this modern day slavery. 

Helping Americans 

The State Department helps U.S. citizens travel, conduct business, and live abroad safely by:

• Providing information, including pamphlets and Travel Warnings, on traveling and living abroad; 
• Issuing passports to U.S. citizens; 
• Helping U.S. citizens obtain emergency funds; 
• Checking on the welfare and whereabouts of U.S. citizens abroad; 
• Helping families with arrangements if a U.S. citizen dies overseas; 
• Assisting U.S. travelers who become ill or are arrested while overseas; 
• Assisting in international child custody disputes and adoptions; and 
• Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad during crises. 

Also see www.travel.state.gov. 

Economic Prosperity and Security 

The State Department supports U.S. businesses at home and abroad. Officers at U.S. embassies around the world are experts on the business practices of foreign countries and what products and markets are important in those countries. They identify opportunities for American firms and help support them in exporting or working within the country. The State Department: 

• Helps ensure that American workers, businesspeople, and farmers can fairly compete for foreign investment and trade; 
• Negotiates trade agreements to open foreign markets to increase opportunities to sell American products and services abroad; 
• Supports U.S. business interests overseas by pointing out potential problems and helping make sure that American companies can sell products or services within a foreign country;
• Works with international and U.S. organizations to represent business interests;
• Promotes and licenses exports that contribute tens of billions of dollars to the U.S. economy; 
• Protects American intellectual property rights, such as copyrights and patents; and 
• Helps other countries develop strong, freemarket economies that provide investment and export opportunities. 

Also see www.state.gov/e/eb. 

Democracy and Human Rights 

Democracy and the protection of fundamental liberties were the basis for the creation of the United States of America more than 200 years ago. Since then, a central goal of U.S. foreign policy has been to promote respect for democracy and human rights throughout the world. 

The State Department: 

• Promotes democracy as a way to achieve security, stability, and prosperity for the entire world; 
• Helps establish and assist newly formed democracies; and 
• Identifies and denounces regimes that deny their citizens the right to choose their leaders in elections that are free and fair. 

Human rights are a crucial foundation to create and maintain democracy. The State Department works especially hard to promote human rights in those countries where democracy is not firmly established. 

The Department: 

• Holds governments accountable to their promises to uphold universal human rights; 
• Promotes greater respect for human rights, including freedom from torture, freedom of speech and other expression, freedom of religion, freedom of press, protection of the rights of women and children, and protection of minorities; 
• Promotes the rule of law, such as fair judicial and voting procedures; 
• Helps reform and strengthen the UN Commission on Human Rights; 
• Coordinates support for human rights with our allies; and 
• Releases an annual report on human rights practices. 

Also see www.state.gov/g/drl.

Other Transnational Issues 

The State Department also deals with many issues that are transnational, extending beyond any single country’s borders. Just a few examples include: 

Health Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases pose problems for health around the world and in the U.S. As these diseases spread and larger numbers of people become sick, the stability—both political and economic—of a country becomes at risk. The State Department works with other agencies of the U.S. Government and countries overseas to prepare and respond to world health problems and monitor the spread of potentially dangerous diseases. Also see www.state.gov/s/gac and www.state.gov/g/oes. 

Environment Many environmental issues respect no borders and threaten the health, prosperity, and even the national security of Americans. Pesticides in food and water, polluted air, and invasive plant and animal species can hurt our welfare and economy. When people around the globe lack access to energy, clean water, food, or a livable environment, the economic instability and political unrest that may result can be felt at home. Climate change is another environmental issue, and the State Department works with other countries to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, for example, by sharing clean technologies with developing nations. Also see www.state.gov/g/oes. 

Refugees, Migration, and Population Growth The State Department helps millions of refugees and victims of conflict or natural disasters around the world. Each year, the United States also allows tens of thousands of refugees to live in the U.S. permanently. Population growth affects the environment and the ability of governments to provide services to the growing number of people who live in less space, use more fuel, and require more food. Also see www.state.gov/g/prm.

There is no country in the world that is not touched by America, and there is no country that does not touch us in some way. American principles of democracy, freedom, tolerance, and opportunity inspire people throughout the world. Increased recognition and understanding of these common values increases trust among nations and peoples and betters the chances of resolving differences and reaching agreements. 

To achieve this understanding of other people and nations, the State Department must explain the policies of the United States. While ensuring that its voice is heard in foreign affairs, good diplomacy dictates that we must also listen to the voices and concerns of other nations and peoples. The most effective way to have others hear our message is to welcome their views, from which we have much to learn. 

The State Department provides information to foreign audiences, often in various foreign languages, through television broadcasts, videos, print publications, and the Internet, and by arranging appearances by visiting speakers. The Department has placed announcements on international television programs to show America’s values of freedom and religious tolerance to audiences in Arab and Muslim nations. 

One of the most effective means of building mutual understanding is through one of our oldest tools: educational and cultural exchanges. The State Department annually sponsors more than 35,000 such exchanges—both visitors to this country and American traveling abroad. These exchange programs offer firsthand experiences of American people, culture, and art to foreign visitors; they also expose Americans to other cultures, ideas, and experiences. Such intercultural experiences give reality to the universal values of human rights, freedom, equality, and opportunity that bind together all civilized nations. Also see www.exchanges.state.gov.

U.S. diplomacy requires a group of highly motivated people to accomplish the foreign policy goals of the United States. The Foreign Service and Civil Service work together both in the United States and at U.S. missions abroad to make U.S. foreign policy happen. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, our diplomatic presence and programs are more important than ever before. 

The Foreign Service is a group of more than 11,000 employees who represent the United States in other countries. A Foreign Service career is a way of life that requires uncommon commitment, but through which one can achieve unique rewards. Members of the Foreign Service can be sent to any embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic mission anywhere in the world, at any time, to serve the diplomatic needs of the U.S. 

The Civil Service is made up of about 8,000 employees mostly in Washington, DC, who provide expertise, support, and continuity in accomplishing the mission of the Department. Some Civil Service employees are the domestic counterparts to consular officers abroad, issuing passports and assisting U.S. citizens at home and abroad. 

In addition, more than 31,000 Foreign Service National employees, who are citizens of the country in which an embassy or other post is located, are a very valuable part of the State Department team overseas. These employees provide continuity by remaining in their jobs, while the Foreign Service officers move in and out of the country. 

Both the Foreign and Civil Services offer a variety of career opportunities. For information on careers at the State Department or at international organizations, please visit: www.state.gov/employment.

The U.S. Department of State welcomes our readers' feedback, including any comments you may wish to share regarding the effectiveness of this publication, other foreign policy topics you would like to learn about, etc.

Write to us:
U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Public Affairs

Attention: Diplomacy at Work
PA/PL/PC - Public Communication

2201 C Street NW, Room 2206

Washington, DC  20520

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