American Foreign Service Association

On Tuesday, May 5, the State Department separated more than 200 Foreign Service members under the reduction in force first announced last July, even as it continues to recruit and onboard new officers. Read our statement: https://afsa.org/afsa-statement-state-department-reductions-force

The new State Department reform plan raises more questions than answers. Our statement: afsa.org/state-depart...

AFSA condemns efforts to discredit former U.S. ambassadors over evacuation concerns Read the statement: afsa.org/afsa-condemn...

Voice of America’s mission depends on truth, professional journalists, and the rule of law. Judge Lamberth’s ruling underscores that reality. AFSA stands with union partners and VOA journalists to defend both the people and the institution. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/u...

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.

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...

This is an existential crisis. www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...

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...

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...

www.devex.com/news/former-... via @devex.com

“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...

Per @reuters.com Gutting humanitarian aid has real-world impacts: www.reuters.com/business/hea...

As we await news of a possible government shutdown, we've temporarily lifted the paywall on our checklist of essential documents. Check it out: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag

We call on the Office of Personnel Management to immediately issue detailed information to agencies and employees about the potential layoffs, so Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel alike can prepare for what may come. afsa.org/afsa-stateme...

Even during COVID, we didn’t see this many ambassadorship vacancies. When the U.S. falters, our adversaries are quick to step in: www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

Per @reuters.com, top U.S. diplomats working on Syria have been pushed out: www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...

The State Department’s independent watchdog is set to launch 25 new reviews into U.S. foreign assistance. We're eager to hear how the agency is handling the transfer of nearly 1,000 programs from USAID. 🤔 www.devex.com/news/state-d...

Turns out the mass firing of 25K probationary feds was illegal. Interesting. www.govexec.com/workforce/20...

"Our Foreign Service [members] would never seek to [go on] strike. Like military officers, they take their oath to defend the Constitution seriously and serve with pride in many difficult locations." - From an op-ed by AFSA member Ambassador Day Mount: www.capenews.net/falmouth/opi...

"What we’re seeing in the diplomatic corps right now is fear." Read AFSA's John Dinkelman's frank assessment of the current climate at the State Department. www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...

𝐖𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩! We’re planning a relaunch of our merch store. Share your opinion of these slogans & any new ideas! 1. You don’t have to be a diplomat to stand with diplomacy 2. Loyal to the Constitution 3. Smart diplomacy prevents dumb wars 4. USA Needs USAID! 5. Strong diplomacy = Strong USA

From the data we've collected from fired State employees, here's what was lost on 7/11: —20 Chinese speakers —17 Russian/Ukrainian speakers —14 Arabic speakers —4 Farsi speakers —4 Korean speakers And that’s only a partial list. At a time of shifting alliances, we've traded expertise for chaos.

This Labor Day feels different.

The State Dept layoffs are just the latest blow to the Foreign Service. They come after the dismantling of USAID & USGM. The push for deferred resignations has meant losing many colleagues. These attacks weaken diplomacy and leave staff to pick up the pieces. federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/20...

The 2025 Foreign Service promotion lists reveal a stunning contradiction: according to our estimates, at least 10 of those promoted were also among the 264 FS laid off on July 11. Further proof that the cuts were not based on merit, despite official claims. Our statement: afsa.org/statement-20...

Ambassador Burns’ article is a must-read, not only for those who support our dedicated (and recklessly decimated) federal workforce, but also for those who believe the firings are justified. www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc...

America’s diplomatic shield is cracking, and it's not from a foreign attack, but by our own hand. AFSA's John Dinkelman details why we should all be concerned. www.newsweek.com/american-dip...