Department+of+State

The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department and the Foreign Service of the United States.
 * __ Leaders __**
 * Secretary of State – Hillary Rodham Clinton **

The Deputy Secretary serves as the principal deputy, adviser, and alter ego to the Secretary of State; serves as Acting Secretary of State when called upon; and assists the Secretary in the formulation and conduct of U.S. foreign policy and in giving general supervision and direction to all elements of the Department. Specific duties and supervisory responsibilities have varied over time.
 * Deputy Secretary – James B. Steinberg **

Create a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community.
 * __ Mission Statement __**


 * __ Issues __**
 * War in Iraq: **

U.S. launches cruise missiles at Saddam Cnn.com

The United States launched bombs and missiles in Iraq, which were aimed at Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Bush quickly gave the okay to attack because they could not lose the “target of opportunity”. Saddam later denounced the U.S.-led military campaign claiming he would be victorious. There were more than forty satellite-guided Tomahawk cruise missiles fired in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Two thousand pound bombs were also launched during the attack, which were aimed at another target. Thirty-five other nations supported the attack in an effort to save Iraqi civilians. The U.S. and Britain have sent almost 300,000 troops to the Persian Gulf region.

Bush: ‘No outcome except victory’ By: Bryan Long  cnn.com

Bush tells how the campaign has been set forth to oust Saddam Hussein from Iraq and to free the civilians. He tried to assure the American people we will only receive victory and every effort will be made to free the innocent civilians. Hussein has troops and equipment in civilian areas. In these towns men, women, and children are being used as shields for his military. Earlier that day, missiles were launched at Saddam. The American and coalition forces are still in the early stages of military operations to free the civilians.

Obama meets with officials on Iraq, Signaling his commitment to Ending War By: Peter Baker and Thom Shanker  nytimes.com

On Obama’s first day in office he began fulfilling his campaign to pull combat forces out of Iraq within 16 months. He fears that acting too quickly will jeopardize the progress we have made. He met with General Ray Odiemo, commander of forces in Iraq, to discuss the issues occurring with Iraq. Military planners have come up with possible withdrawal solutions. Senior officials debated on whether to have it be a rapid withdrawal or a gradual one. However, a number of officials warned about the risks of a rapid withdrawal.

 S. Korea: N. Korea launches rocket reported by CNN
 * Missile Launch in North Korea: **

North Korea launched a long-range rocket in what the United States and South Korea have deemed as a provocative act. Japan has requested an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting. Obama states ""With this provocative act, North Korea has ignored its international obligations, rejected unequivocal calls for restraint, and further isolated itself from the community of nations." Japan's chief Cabinet secretary told reporters after the launch that the country's military was not forced to intercept any missiles, which it had pledged to do if necessary. U.S. representative, Howard Berman, says " It is alarming that North Korea carried out this missile launch in direct defiance of the international community. The test is an unnecessary provocation that raised tensions in the region, and I urge the North Koreans to stop using their missile and WMD programs to threaten their neighbors and the rest of the world.

U.N. condemns North Korean rocket launch reported by CNN

The U.N. Security Council has formally condemned North Korea's rocket launch. The members of the council unanimously voted that the statement made by the president of the Security Council. The statement demanded that North Korea make no more launches. The United States views this statement as binding and heartily agrees with it. They view the launch as a "provocative act." China agreed that it was "conductive to peace." Pyongyang said the launch was a satellite.

North Korea demands apology, threatens nuke test reported by CNN

North Korea is angered by the U.N.'s condemnation of recent rocket launch. "The U.N. Security Council "should promptly make an apology for having infringed the sovereignty of [North Korea] and withdraw all its unreasonable and discriminative 'resolutions' and decisions adopted against [North Korea]," a spokesman for the North's Foreign Ministry said in a statement." North Korea has begun reprocessing nuclear fuel rods, which will bolster country's nuclear deterrence. They have also threatened to walk away from the six-party nuclear talks.

The Department of State’s money is used to "strengthen the core programming, policy, & management capabilities of the Department necessary to carry out vital U.S. diplomatic & consular relations with 180 countries,” increase capacity of American diplomacy to meet challenges to U.S. national security and welfare in international areas, and support USG civilian efforts to help stabilize and reconstruct post-conflict states (help support, train, equip, and deploy an interagency Civilian Response Corps). Programs in which money is given are:  · Border Security Program  · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Worldwide Security Protection- to increase security for diplomatic personnel, property, and information against terrorism <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"> · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Security-driven construction products and address major physical security and maintenance needs of U.S. embassies and consulates Public diplomacy- to influence foreign opinion and win support for U.S. foreign policy goals <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"> · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Educational and cultural exchanges to increase mutual understanding and engage the leaders of tomorrow <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"> · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Central Fund investments in information technology <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"> · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Pay U.S. assessed contributions to 47 international organizations (such as the UN) <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Verdana; mso-hansi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"> · <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Pay U.S. share of costs for UN peacekeeping missions Division of the Department of State that advises the Secretary about sub-Saharan Africa. The Bureau's priority is conflict resolution. With U.S. support, since 2002 violent conflicts have ended in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the North-South element of the Sudan crisis. African Affairs has provided. Deals with much of the humanitarian assistance and logistical support and training for African peacekeepers in Darfur and Somalia. At the same time, the U.S. has led by example to confront Africa's worst diseases. The U.S. Government’s fight against AIDS (PEPFAR) is the largest foreign assistance program since the Marshall Plan. The U.S. Government is also confronting malaria and a host of other tropical diseases. In the long term, Africans have established priorities to consolidate democratic gains and sustain broad-based economic growth. In the long term, Africans have established priorities to consolidate democratic gains and sustain broad-based economic growth.
 * __ Budget __**
 * __ Bureaus __**
 * African Affairs **

Leads the interagency policy process on nonproliferation and manages global U.S. security policy, principally in the areas of nonproliferation, arms control, regional security and defense relations, and arms transfers and security assistance.
 * Arms Control and International Security **

Responsible for signing and issuing certificates under the Seal of the U.S. Department of State (22 CFR, Part 131) providing authentication services to U.S. citizens and foreign nationals on documents that will be used overseas. This office receives a variety of documents from commercial organizations, private citizens, and officials of the Federal and State governments. Documents include but not limited to: company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademarks, diplomas, transcripts, distributorship agreements, articles of incorporation, good standing certificates, home studies, letters of reference etc. It also ensures that the requested information will serve in the interest of justice and is not contrary to U.S. policy.
 * Authentication Division **

Forges partnerships with non-state actors, multilateral organizations, and foreign governments to advance the counterterrorism objectives and national security of the United States. Develops coordinated strategies to defeat terrorists abroad and in securing the cooperation of international partners. Enhance our nation's institutional capacity to respond to crises involving failing, failed, and post-conflict states and complex emergencies.
 * Coordinator for Counterterrorism **
 * Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization **

Advises and assists the Secretary and other principal officers in equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy and diversity management issues that relate to the Department of State. The office is symbiotically separated into three sections: Diversity Management and Outreach, Intake and Resolution, and Legal.
 * Civil Rights, Office of **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Protects the lives and interests of American citizens overseas and to strengthen U.S. border security. Consular work is about touching people’s lives in a thousand different ways every day. We deal with events and issues that have a personal impact: birth, death, marriage, adoption, child custody, citizenship, and relocation to another country. CA provides the passports that enable Americans to travel internationally and stands ready to lend a helping hand when citizens fall victim to crime, accident or illness in other countries, or just want to vote absentee. We make decisions and take actions every day that form key turning points in people’s lives. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Leads the U.S. efforts to promote democracy, protect human rights and international religious freedom, and advance labor rights globally. The security and law enforcement arm of the U.S. Department of State. DS is a world leader in international investigations, threat analysis, cyber security, counterterrorism, security technology, and protection of people, property, and information.
 * Consular Affairs **
 * Democracy, Human Rights and Labor **
 * Diplomatic Security **

Deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
 * East Asian and Pacific Affairs **

Mission is to promote economic security and prosperity at home and abroad. The Bureau's work lies at the critical nexus of economic prosperity and national security.
 * Economic, Energy and Business Affairs **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world.
 * Educational and Cultural Affairs **

Implements U.S. foreign policy in Europe and Eurasia. The Bureau promotes U.S. interests in the region on issues such as national security, NATO enlargement, coordination with the European Union and other regional organizations, support for democracy, human rights, civil society, economic prosperity, the war on terrorism, and nonproliferation.
 * European and Eurasian Affairs **

Is responsible for coordination of the work of the Department internally, serving as the liaison between the Department's bureaus and the offices of the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Under Secretaries. It also handles the Department's relations with the White House, National Security Council, and other Cabinet agencies.
 * Executive Secretariat **

The Federal Government's primary training institution for officers and support personnel of the U.S. foreign affairs community, preparing American diplomats and other professionals to advance U.S. foreign affairs interests overseas and in Washington. At the George P. Shultz National Foreign Affairs Training Center, the FSI provides more than 450 courses -- including some 70 foreign languages -- to more than 50,000 enrollees a year from the State Department and more than 40 other government agencies and the military service branches.
 * Foreign Service Institute **

Provides the legal foundation to facilitate secure and efficient operations of U.S. missions abroad, and of foreign missions and international organizations in the United States. In doing so, OFM serves the interests of the American public, the American diplomatic community abroad, and the foreign diplomatic community residing in the United States to see that all diplomatic benefits, privileges, and immunities are properly exercised in accordance with federal and international laws.
 * Foreign Missions, Office of **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Mission is to lead implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
 * Global AIDS Coordinator, Office of **

Handles recruitment, assignment evaluation, promotion, discipline, career development, and retirement policies and programs for the Department's Foreign and Civil Service employees.
 * Human Resources **

Provides the information technology and services the Department needs to successfully carry out its foreign policy mission.
 * Information Resource Management **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Inspects each of the approximately 260 embassies, diplomatic posts, and international broadcasting installations throughout the world, to determine whether policy goals are being achieved and whether the interests of the United States are being represented and advanced effectively. Additionally, OIG performs specialized security inspections and audits in support of the Department's mission to provide effective protection to our personnel, facilities, and sensitive intelligence information. OIG also audits Department and BBG operations and activities to ensure that they are as effective, efficient, and economical as possible. Finally, OIG investigates instances of fraud, waste, and mismanagement that may constitute either criminal wrongdoing or violation of Department and BBG regulations.
 * Inspector General **

Drawing on all-source intelligence, provides value-added independent analysis of events to Department policymakers, ensures that intelligence activities support foreign policy and national security purposes; and serves as the focal point in the Department for ensuring policy review of sensitive counterintelligence and law enforcement activities. INR's primary mission is to harness intelligence to serve U.S. diplomacy. The bureau also analyzes geographical and international boundary issues. INR is a member of the U.S. intelligence community.
 * Intelligence and Research **

Communicates with foreign publics, including opinion makers and youth, about U.S. policy, society, and values. IIP engages foreign publics through speaker programs, print outreach, and the web in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Persian, Russian, and Spanish. The Bureau also provides policy and technical support of official embassy websites and develops new social networking and PD 2.0 outreach tools.
 * International Information Programs **

Advises the President, Secretary of State, other bureaus in the Department of State, and other departments and agencies within the U.S. Government on the development of policies and programs to combat international narcotics and crime. INL programs support two of the Department's strategic goals: (1) to reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the United States; and (2) to minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens. Counternarcotics and anticrime programs also complement the war on terrorism, both directly and indirectly, by promoting modernization of and supporting operations by foreign criminal justice systems and law enforcement agencies charged with the counter-terrorism mission.
 * International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs **

Strives to advance U.S. interests through international organizations in areas including human rights, peacekeeping, food security, humanitarian relief, and climate change.
 * International Organization Affairs **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Spearheads efforts to promote international consensus on WMD proliferation through bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Leads the development of diplomatic responses to specific bilateral and regional WMD proliferation challenges, including today's threats posed by Iran, North Korea, and Syria. Develops and supports strategic dialogues with India, Pakistan, China, and other key states or groups of states. Addresses WMD proliferation threats posed by non-state actors and terrorist groups by improving physical security, using interdiction and sanctions, and actively participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). Works closely with the UN, the G-8, NATO, and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other international institutions and organizations to reduce and eliminate the threat posed by WMD. Supports efforts of the international community to prevent, protect against, and respond to the threat or use of WMD by terrorists. Leads coordination for the U.S. government's as co-chair to the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism, a partnership of 75 countries (and growing) committed to preventing, protecting against, and responding to nuclear terrorism. Furnishes advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department's work. This includes assisting Department principals and policy officers in formulating and implementing the foreign policies of the United States, and promoting the development of international law and its institutions as a fundamental element of those policies.
 * International Security and Nonproliferation **
 * Legal Advisor **

(H) coordinates legislative activity for the Department of State and advises the Secretary, the Deputy, as well as the Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries on legislative strategy. H facilitates effective communication between State Department officials and the Members of Congress and their staffs. H works closely with authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees of the House and Senate, as well as with individual Members that have an interest in State Department or foreign policy issues. H manages Department testimony before House and Senate hearings, organizes Member and staff briefings, and facilitates Congressional travel to overseas posts for Members and staff throughout the year. H reviews proposed legislation and coordinates Statements of Admini stration Policy on legislation affecting the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The H staff advises individual Bureaus of the Department on legislative and outreach strategies and coordinates those strategies with the Secretary's priorities. Deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. diplomatic relations with Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Regional policy issues that NEA handles include Iraq, Middle East peace, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and political and economic reform.
 * Legislative Affairs **
 * Near Eastern Affairs **

Promotes transformational diplomacy through advancing environmental stewardship, encouraging economic growth, and promoting social development around the globe to foster a safer, more secure and hopeful world.
 * Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs **

Directs the worldwide overseas buildings program for the Department of State and the U.S. Government community serving abroad under the authority of the chiefs of mission. In concert with other State Department bureaus, foreign affairs agencies, and Congress, OBO sets worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, use, and sale of real properties and the use of sales proceeds. OBO also oversees the Art in Embassies Program.
 * Overseas Buildings Operations **

Provides long-term strategic planning and performance measurement capability for public diplomacy and public affairs programs. It also enables the Under Secretary to better advise on the allocation of public diplomacy and public affairs resources, to focus those resources on the most urgent national security objectives, and provide realistic measurement of public diplomacy's and public affairs' effectiveness.
 * Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Office of **

Serves as a source of independent policy analysis and advice for the Secretary of State. Mission is to take a longer term, strategic view of global trends and frame recommendations for the Secretary of State to advance U.S. interests and American values.
 * Policy Planning Staff **

Department of State's principal link to the Department of Defense. Provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and plans, and defense trade. Plays a key role in achieving peace and security around the world
 * Political-Military Affairs **

<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Provides aid and sustainable solutions for refugees, victims of conflict and stateless people around the world, through repatriation, local integration, and resettlement in the United States. PRM also promotes the United States' population and migration policies. Responsible for activities including the planning, hosting, and officiating of ceremonial events for visiting chiefs of state and heads of government, as well as coordinating logistics for the visits; managing Blair House, the President's guesthouse; and overseeing all protocol matters for Presidential or Vice Presidential travel abroad, working alongside the White House.
 * Population, Refugees, and Migration **
 * Protocol **

Carries out the Secretary's mandate to help Americans understand the importance of foreign affairs. Pursues the State Department's mission to inform the American people and to feed their concerns and comments back to the policymakers.
 * Public Affairs **

Assists foreign affairs agency heads with developing policies, plans, and programs to achieve foreign policy goals. The Assistant Secretary of RM and Chief Financial Officer also coordinates resource requirements to enable the Secretary of State to present integrated international affairs resource submissions to the Office of Management and Budget and to the Congress.
 * Resource Management **

Serve the U.S. national interest by promoting global scientific and technological progress as integral components of US diplomacy. Builds partnerships with the national and international scientific communities; Provides accurate scientific and technological advice to the Department of State; Enhances science and technology literacy and capacity within the Department of State; Shapes a global perspective on emerging and envisioned scientific and technological developments.
 * Science & Technology Advisor **

Deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
 * South and Central Asian Affairs **

Provides the tools to combat trafficking in persons and assists in the coordination of anti-trafficking efforts both worldwide and domestically.
 * Trafficking in Persons **

Ensures that appropriate verification requirements and capabilities are fully considered and properly integrated throughout the development, negotiation, and implementation of arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament agreements and commitments and to ensure that other countries' compliance is carefully watched, rigorously assessed, appropriately reported, and resolutely enforced.
 * Verification, Compliance, and Implementation **

Advises the Secretary of State directly and formulates U.S. policy responses to atrocities committed in areas of conflict and elsewhere throughout the world. The office coordinates U.S. Government support for war crimes accountability in the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, Iraq, and other regions where crimes have been committed against civilian populations on a massive scale. The office works closely with other governments, international institutions, and non-government organizations, and with the courts themselves, to see that international and domestic war crimes tribunals succeed in their efforts to bring those responsible for such crimes to justice. Helps secure peace and stability, ensure accountability, and build the rule of law. Additionally, since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the office has been responsible for negotiating the repatriation, to their home countries, of individuals detained by the United States for their involvement in terrorist activities. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Manages and promotes U.S. interests in the region by supporting democracy, trade, and sustainable economic development, and fostering cooperation on issues such as drug trafficking and crime, poverty reduction, and environmental protection. <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Promotes and establishes policies for women’s rights. Acknowledges great achievements by women of political and professional careers alike.
 * War Crimes Issues **
 * Western Hemisphere Affairs **
 * Women’s Issues **