James Rogan
@roganjs.bsky.social
Working on crisis & conflict globally | Proud father | Managing Director, Exterion | Former @UN, @OSCE, @USAID partner | @GeorgetownSFS, @UChicago
Some Staff Absorbed, Others Lost Their Jobs
Many USIA employees were transferred to the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs and the newly created Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
Some overseas positions were cut, and employees had to reapply for roles in the new structure.
Many USIA employees were transferred to the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs and the newly created Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
Some overseas positions were cut, and employees had to reapply for roles in the new structure.
February 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Some Staff Absorbed, Others Lost Their Jobs
Many USIA employees were transferred to the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs and the newly created Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
Some overseas positions were cut, and employees had to reapply for roles in the new structure.
Many USIA employees were transferred to the State Department’s Bureau of Public Affairs and the newly created Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
Some overseas positions were cut, and employees had to reapply for roles in the new structure.
Two-Year Transition Period
USIA was given nearly two years to wind down and integrate into the State Department. Employees had time to transition, and some programs (like Fulbright exchanges and VOA broadcasting) survived under new management.
USIA was given nearly two years to wind down and integrate into the State Department. Employees had time to transition, and some programs (like Fulbright exchanges and VOA broadcasting) survived under new management.
February 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Two-Year Transition Period
USIA was given nearly two years to wind down and integrate into the State Department. Employees had time to transition, and some programs (like Fulbright exchanges and VOA broadcasting) survived under new management.
USIA was given nearly two years to wind down and integrate into the State Department. Employees had time to transition, and some programs (like Fulbright exchanges and VOA broadcasting) survived under new management.
Process Leading to USIA's Closure
Bipartisan Political Decision (1997-1998)
The Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (pushed by Congress and Clinton administration) mandated the merger of USIA into DoS. The decision was framed as a way to streamline foreign policy ops, cut costs.
Bipartisan Political Decision (1997-1998)
The Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (pushed by Congress and Clinton administration) mandated the merger of USIA into DoS. The decision was framed as a way to streamline foreign policy ops, cut costs.
February 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Process Leading to USIA's Closure
Bipartisan Political Decision (1997-1998)
The Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (pushed by Congress and Clinton administration) mandated the merger of USIA into DoS. The decision was framed as a way to streamline foreign policy ops, cut costs.
Bipartisan Political Decision (1997-1998)
The Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (pushed by Congress and Clinton administration) mandated the merger of USIA into DoS. The decision was framed as a way to streamline foreign policy ops, cut costs.
I found it highly informative to look back at how the US Information Agency was shuttered. Here is how it went down:
February 5, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I found it highly informative to look back at how the US Information Agency was shuttered. Here is how it went down:
The USAID site is now down. The "pause" in foreign aid is shocking in its ignorance of the global, multipolar dynamics at play now, and the massive national security benefits of US soft power. Ultimately one must ask: cui bono? It's certainly not the US.
February 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The USAID site is now down. The "pause" in foreign aid is shocking in its ignorance of the global, multipolar dynamics at play now, and the massive national security benefits of US soft power. Ultimately one must ask: cui bono? It's certainly not the US.