Americans Everywhere Pay the Price.
When Diplomacy Is Disrupted,
Service Disrupted is more than a message. It’s a wake-up call. We’re letting Americans know what’s at stake and asking you to speak up before it’s too late.
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In an increasingly volatile world, America’s first line of defense—our professional Foreign Service—is under attack. Career diplomats and development experts are being sidelined and politicized, putting our national security, economic prosperity, and global leadership at risk.
This isn’t just a foreign policy crisis.
This is an American crisis.
If it weren’t for the team at the U.S. embassy in Addis Ababa and the State Department HQ, we wouldn’t have been able to establish the rightful citizenship of our adopted children.
—Elaine Simmons, Virginia
20%
of diplomatic corps gone since January 20, 2025.
1/3
of U.S. foreign
affairs agencies dismantled.
50
U.S. states impacted
by cuts to Foreign Service.
U.S. ambassador to Namibia, Randy Berry, celebrates the 2023 opening of the new U.S. embassy in Namibia with Linda Thomas-Greenfield (L), U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, deputy prime minister of Namibia. U.S. ambassadors serve as vital links between the U.S. and the world, advocating for national interests and fostering diplomatic relationships that enhance international cooperation and peace. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of State
Bryan Dalton (l), the U.S. consular chief of Chennai, India, looks on as a visa applicant gets fingerprinted in 2011. Members of the Foreign Service represent America abroad at more than 250 U.S. embassies and consulates. Among these dedicated professionals, consular officers ensure that travelers satisfy the necessary criteria for entry into the U.S. Their work is essential in facilitating travel, safeguarding Americans abroad, and maintaining the integrity and security of U.S. borders. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai
Sesame Street muppets, Zobi and Kami, pose with (l-r) Ahmed Tijani of the Nigerian Television Authority; USAID Mission Director Dr. Ray Kirkland; Charlotte Cole of the Sesame Workshop; U.S. Ambassador Terence McCulley; and Nigerian singer Onyeka Onwenu. The Foreign Service strengthens ties between the U.S. and other countries by working with local partners on important educational and public outreach initiatives. Courtesy of Idika Onyukwu / Foreign Service Journal
Wendy R. Sherman, U.S. deputy secretary of State, and Nathaniel Fick, ambassador-at-large for the State Department's Office of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, visit the T-Mobile Innovation Center in Seattle in 2022. Today’s Foreign Service professionals must contend with a myriad of international cybersecurity issues while negotiating cyber norms and fostering cooperation among nations to ensure a safe and secure digital world. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Deptartment of State
The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is the unseen shield protecting America's diplomatic efforts abroad. These Foreign Service members secure embassies, consulates, and other outposts in often volatile environments. Beyond physical security, the DSS safeguards classified information and protects high-level officials and visiting dignitaries. Their vigilance extends to combating passport and visa fraud and ensuring the integrity of U.S. borders. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Department of State
A cohort of Payne Fellows gather at the National Press Club. Programs like the Payne, Pickering, and Rangel Fellowships aim to increase diversity in the Foreign Service, ensuring a more representative American voice on the world stage. Photo courtesy of the Payne Fellowship Program/Maraina Montgomery
Staff from the U.S. Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspect tulip bulbs in the Netherlands before the bulbs are shipped stateside. Foreign Service members who work for APHIS ensure that imported agricultural goods, ranging from avocados to mangos, are free of pests and diseases that could devastate U.S. crops and ecosystems. By working with international partners, APHIS protects American agricultural resources and facilitates safe trade, promoting economic growth and securing America’s agricultural resources. Courtesy of APHIS Brussels
Diplomatic couriers prepare shipments in 2017. Foreign Service members who work as couriers are critical to transporting classified materials across international borders, ensuring the integrity of vital communications. Courtesy of U.S. Diplomatic Security Service
A medical team, which includes Foreign Service professionals, deploys to Kabul in 2021. Foreign Service medical professionals provide primary and preventive health care services in more than 170 countries. They also manage health units and coordinate emergency medical responses. Courtesy of Bob Shim
Staff from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) receive a shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in Uganda during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. By managing humanitarian assistance, health initiatives, and economic programs, USAID’s Foreign Service members foster stability and progress for people around the world. Photo courtesy of USAID
With the help of a fellow diver, former U.S. Ambassador to the Marshall Islands, Tom Armbruster, relocates coral threatened by construction. Members of the Foreign Service are actively engaged in environmental diplomacy. They collaborate with local communities, international partners, and experts to implement sustainable practices and develop strategies that address the impacts of climate change. Courtesy of Karl Fellenius Meese / Foreign Service Journal