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...

AFSA's president and general counsel zero in on what's really behind the "union-busting" executive order. Hint: It has nothing to do with national security, despite White House claims: thehill.com/regulation/c...

AFSA President John Dinkleman addresses the harm caused by the recent cuts at the State Department: foreignpolicy.com/2025/08/14/s...

On Aug. 15, every fired USAID career diplomat serving overseas will return home with their families. This marks another chapter in the dismantling of the agency. Explore a few firsthand accounts members shared with us: servicedisrupted.org/stories

With the dismantling of USAID and weakening of our diplomatic corps, adversaries like China are taking the opportunity to flex their soft power. See what's at stake and how you can help: www.servicedisrupted.org

Former Ambassador Christopher Hill shares his take on how the administration’s cuts and policies are hurting America’s standing in the world: www.cpr.org/2025/07/30/f...

Former ambassador Ken Brill lays out what's lost when diplomacy is disrupted: thehill.com/opinion/inte...

Why invest in global health? Nidhi Bouri, a former USAID official, led response efforts to some of the deadliest outbreaks, including Ebola & mpox. She’s seen how international efforts to prevent the spread of diseases help protect our health and safety at home. Read: afsa.org/putting-amer...

America is growing more protectionist, and our adversaries are taking notice.

We are exploring every avenue available to appeal. Read the decision here: afsa.org/sites/defaul...

Even as China doubles down on exerting global influence, recklessness weakens the Foreign Service. Our soft power has experienced a profound loss with unlawful cuts at USAID and USAGM. Now, State Department layoffs deal another blow, leaving us exposed in an complex world.

We're pleased to announce Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as the winner of AFSA’s 2025 Lifetime Contributions to American Diplomacy Award. We honor her leadership, mentorship, & dedication to the Foreign Service community. Read about her distinguished career: bit.ly/3GZEolX

Hear what Steve has to say about the impact of cuts to the VOA.

1,353 public servants are no longer at the State Department. They were RIFed while preventing fraud, supporting U.S. citizens, and advancing diplomacy. Now, some are speaking out anonymously about the work that’s been disrupted and what’s at stake for America.

"I fear that losing 1,300 Foreign Service professionals, civil service professionals, international affairs professionals in a world that is increasingly chaotic is a very, very bad move for our country." AFSA's John Dinkelman, talks about gutting the Foreign Service: www.npr.org/2025/07/17/n...

When retired Navy Admiral William McRaven says gutting USAID, the Voice of America, and the State Department puts all Americans at risk, we listen. As a high ranking military officer, he worked partnered with diplomats in some of the toughest crisis zones. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

AFSA welcomes John “Dink” Dinkelman as our new president. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Dinkelman takes on this role after receiving a RIF notice from the State Department. He now leads AFSA in representing 16,700+ members across six foreign affairs agencies. More: afsa.org/press

“You are true patriots." Even as the U.S. is gutting its diplomatic workforce, we want to underscore to our RIF'd friends & colleagues: your work matters, your service has been indispensable, you’ll be missed. Professor Reich joins us to share a message of support in the face of these reckless cuts

Today's purging of State Dept. employees is a blow to our global influence. The impact will echo for years. AFSA stands with the workforce & Americans who know that professional, non-partisan diplomacy is not expendable. We won't stop fighting to defend it. Read our statement: afsa.org/press

We are deeply grateful to Hui Jun Tina Wong for her service on the AFSA Board of Directors. She's helped lead the organization during an incredibly difficult time, and we thank her for her unwavering support of the Foreign Service community. Read the full article: afsa.org/foreign-serv...

Deeply concerning. The administration now has the green light to gut the diplomatic workforce in real time. This shortsighted decision will cause lasting harm to America’s diplomatic capacity for years to come. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/08/u...

By forcing these unvetted standards onto the workforce without meaningful consultation, the department is eroding the very foundation of an apolitical Foreign Service that serves the American people—not any single administration.

"We're shooting ourselves in the foot," Voice of America's Steve Herman (@newsguy.bsky.social) on what's at stake when diplomacy is dismantled. Watch the full recording from our Service Disrupted roundtable discussion here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_STb...

"I saw how you saved lives." As we mourn the dismantling of USAID it is important to remember the contributions, immense talent, and unwavering dedication of our development colleagues. Dr. @agawande.bsky.social witnessed that work firsthand.

On this difficult day, we honor the service and celebrate the countless contributions by our USAID colleagues. We'll continue this fight in court and beyond for an America that stands up for its apolitical public servants. Our statement: afsa.org/afsa-stands-...

Thank you to Rep. Beyer and the other signatories for your support of the Foreign Service workforce!

With the dismantling of USAID, VOA, and tomorrow's anticipated RIFs at the State Dept. Ambassador William Burns' warning that "the future of our diplomatic service is uncertain" could not be any more urgent or timely. We must continue to #StandUpForService. Learn how at ServiceDisrupted.org

Be prepared for the unexpected. In this time of heightened uncertainty for Foreign Service members, it’s essential to have critical paperwork ready in case of a sudden workplace separation. Here’s our comprehensive checklist of what you’ll want to have on hand: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag

We urgently call on the Department of State to comply with a federal court order that prohibits federal agencies from executing mass layoffs while litigation is ongoing. Read our statement: afsa.org/afsa-urges-s...

Diplomacy and development are under threat. We’re tracking the chaos and pushing for change in our new Service Disrupted newsletter. Stay informed. Stay engaged. Sign up now: bit.ly/3FVppcl

Deep gratitude to our Foreign Service members serving under dangerous conditions, like those at posts across the Middle East, where the State Department has issued “Do Not Travel” advisories "due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region."

“Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-America propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America’s voice.” - Patsy Widakuswara, a former Voice of America White House bureau chief www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/u...

Ambassador Nicholas Burns' quote says it all: "The cavalier destruction of Voice of America has hurt us in China and now in Iran." www.cnn.com/2025/06/16/m...

As the world burns, sidelining diplomacy is a losing strategy. The State Dept plans to cut 15% of staff on top of talent already lost. Reckless policies threaten America’s global leadership. We must speak up before it’s too late: ServiceDisrupted.org

Advocacy. Legal support. Resources. Just a few of the benefits your AFSA membership provides. Agencies still aren’t processing dues—convert to direct pay to ensure your membership remains active. Start by visiting afsa.org. Questions? Email us at [email protected]

Looks like someone’s finally realizing why VOA was an essential soft power tool in the first place. www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/...

This just in: www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

AFSA's State VP Hui Jun Tina Wong knows what it’s like to fear speaking out. After fleeing a communist regime, she became a U.S. diplomat & defender of democracy. In the June issue of the "Foreign Service Journal," she shares what’s at stake if we stay silent. Read it: afsa.org/speaking-abo...