American Foreign Service Association
@afsaorg.bsky.social
Championing America's diplomats since 1924
"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...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
How recall of career diplomats fits into Trump's foreign policy shift
In an unusual move, the Trump administration is recalling the ambassadors from nearly 30 countries around the world. William Brangham discussed this move with John Dinkelman, president of the American...
www.pbs.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"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...
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...
Trump Administration Orders Nearly 30 U.S. Ambassadors to Leave Their Posts
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM
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...
This history-making mayor-elect also served the country as a member of the Foreign Service
www.nbcmiami.com/news/politic...
Democrat Eileen Higgins sworn in as Miami's first female mayor after 30 years of GOP control
Eileen Higgins has been sworn in as Miami’s first female mayor, taking office two weeks after defeating a Trump-endorsed Republican. She’s also the first Democrat to lead the city in nearly 30 years. ...
www.nbcmiami.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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...
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...
www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
Trump admin broke spending deal agreement to halt mass layoffs, judge rules
Judge Susan Illston plans to issue yet another order blocking RIFs.
www.politico.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“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...
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...
Find out how to watch the AFGE v. OMB proceedings in person or virtually: cand.uscourts.gov/judges/si/il...
Illston, Susan
cand.uscourts.gov
December 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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...
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.
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.
December 16, 2025 at 5:25 PM
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.
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.
Others pay attention to who represents the U.S., and credibility suffers when expertise is diminished.
In a time of global complexity, experience matters.
December 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM
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.
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-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Destroying American Diplomacy: Pulling Down our First Line of Defense
The Steady State | by Charles A. Ray
substack.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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-...
substack.com/home/post/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...
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...
At the Breaking Point: The State of the U.S. Foreign Service in 2025 — A Report by the American Foreign Service Association
America’s global leadership depends on a strong, professional diplomatic workforce. But in 2025, the U.S. Foreign Service faces an unprecedented crisis. Personnel losses, political interference, and t...
afsa.org
December 3, 2025 at 8:13 PM
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...
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...
“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...
U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers
www.nytimes.com
December 3, 2025 at 2:48 PM
“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...
November 24, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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
USAID left a void in Mozambique after the Trump administration dismantled the agency. And it appears that ISIS has stepped into the vacuum.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh traveled to the African nation to see firsthand how quickly things have changed.
Stream the full story at https://CNN.com/allaccess
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh traveled to the African nation to see firsthand how quickly things have changed.
Stream the full story at https://CNN.com/allaccess
November 21, 2025 at 6:29 PM
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...
As Rights Are Taken Away, a Transgender Trailblazer Seeks Refuge Abroad
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:22 PM
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-...
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-...
November 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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-...
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
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
November 13, 2025 at 4:28 PM
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
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
Reposted by American Foreign Service Association
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
He urges America to keep that voice alive in today’s era of disinformation.
#SaveVOE #VOEGeo
The Voice of America: The Sound of Truth
The Voice of America: The Sound of Truth In a powerful tribute, Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili recalls how his parents listened secretly to the Voice of America during the Soviet era — a rare connection to truth beyond propaganda. He says the Voice of America “helped win two world wars — against fascism and against lies,” and urges America to keep that voice alive in today’s age of disinformation. #SaveVOE #VOEGeorgia #PressFreedom #short
youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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
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
October 31, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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
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...
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...
As Caribbean dreads Hurricane Melissa’s destruction, it can no longer count on USAID
When catastrophic Hurricane Dorian became the strongest storm ever to hit The Bahamas six years ago, submerging the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama under floodwaters, the U.S. government was among t...
www.miamiherald.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
@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...
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.govexec.com/workforce/20...
‘I have no idea what I’m going to do:’ Feds abroad fret about making rent without pay or subsidies during shutdown
Some employees say their foreign landlords have little sympathy for their “U.S. issue.”
www.govexec.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The shutdown hurts civilian federal employees stationed overseas, too:
www.govexec.com/workforce/20...
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...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The federal workers who showed up at "No Kings" are not the villains in this story
A shutdown, mass firings, political hacks aiming to traumatize them: It's been a rough year for dedicated civil servants.
www.motherjones.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:32 PM
“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...
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The Peace Summit in Egypt, and Shutdown Lessons From U.S.A.I.D.
Podcast Episode · The Daily · 10/14/2025 · 37m
podcasts.apple.com
October 14, 2025 at 1:23 PM
The Peace Summit in Egypt, and Shutdown Lessons From U.S.A.I.D.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
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...
Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay
A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.
www.axios.com
October 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
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...