Jonah Patel
Diplomacy is a key function of the US government, with the State Department and its diplomats, government officials, and personnel playing a crucial role in advancing national interests and protecting the country. The Secretary of State, appointed by the President, is the primary architect of US foreign policy and is responsible for its implementation through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and the US Agency for International Development. The State Department engages in public diplomacy, promotes mutual understanding, and provides support for international activities of other US agencies, while also addressing global challenges such as international terrorism, human trafficking, and environmental degradation. Local and state governments also have a role in diplomacy, engaging with foreign counterparts and contributing to global cooperation. Ultimately, the US Constitution grants the President and Congress the power to conduct foreign relations, with the President serving as the one voice for America's foreign policy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Department responsible for diplomacy | The U.S. Department of State |
| Who appoints the Secretary of State | The President with the advice and consent of the Senate |
| Who is responsible for the coordination and supervision of U.S. Government activities abroad | The Secretary of State |
| Who is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser | The Secretary of State |
| Who is the principal deputy, adviser, and alter ego to the Secretary of State | The Secretary of State |
| Who is responsible for the security of the mission | The country team |
| Who is responsible for providing information to the U.S. audience | The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs |
| Who is responsible for communicating with foreign opinion-makers and other publics | The Bureau of International Information Programs |
| Who is responsible for signing treaties, conducting summit negotiations, hosting swearing-in ceremonies, facilitating trade agreements, and promoting peace | The United States |
| Who is responsible for providing support for international activities of other U.S. agencies | The Department of State |
| Who is responsible for representing America overseas, analyzing and reporting on political, economic, and social trends in the host country, and responding to the needs of American citizens abroad | Foreign Service officers |
| Who is responsible for fighting international terrorism | The State Department |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the President
The President of the United States is the country's head diplomat. They are responsible for conducting the nation's foreign relations and determining foreign policy. The President is the only channel of communication between the United States and foreign nations, and foreign agents are bound to consider the President's communications as expressions of the nation's will.
The President has the power to recognise new governments, and to refuse to do so, as President Woodrow Wilson did in 1913 when he refused to recognise Provisional President Huerta as the de facto government of Mexico. The President also has the power to appoint the Secretary of State, who is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser and is responsible for carrying out the President's foreign policies. The Secretary of State assists the President in implementing their constitutional responsibilities for the coordination and supervision of U.S. government activities abroad.
The President also plays a role in the appointment of Chiefs of Mission, who are considered the President's personal representatives and assist in implementing the President's constitutional responsibilities. The President has the authority to take personnel action against officials appointed by the President or the Secretary, subject to the supervision of the President.
In addition to these formal diplomatic roles, the President also shapes foreign relations through their public statements and actions. For example, President-elect Joe Biden pledged to work with local and federal governments in a new partnership as part of his "Build Back Better" agenda. This signals a return to proactive American engagement in global cooperation and multilateralism.
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The Secretary of State
The State Department, under the Secretary of State, uses diplomacy to protect America and advance its interests. This includes fighting international terrorism, providing foreign policy oversight, and supporting US diplomats, government officials, and personnel abroad. The State Department also helps Americans travel, conduct business, and live abroad safely by providing information and travel warnings.
The State Department engages with foreign audiences on issues of foreign policy, society, and values to create an environment receptive to US national interests. This is done through public diplomacy programs and communication in multiple languages.
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The State Department
The US Department of State, commonly referred to as the State Department, is responsible for conducting diplomacy in the American government. The State Department is led by the Secretary of State, who is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary of State acts as the President's chief foreign affairs adviser and is responsible for carrying out the President's foreign policies through the State Department.
Additionally, the State Department plays a crucial role in combating international terrorism and addressing global challenges that cross national boundaries, such as environmental degradation and human trafficking. The State Department provides foreign policy oversight and guidance to all US Government international counterterrorism activities, reflecting the goals of the National Strategy for Combating Terrorism.
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Treaties and negotiations
The State Department, including the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and the US Agency for International Development, plays a vital role in facilitating negotiations and signing treaties. The Diplomatic Reception Rooms within the State Department serve as a backdrop for important diplomatic events, including the signing of treaties and conducting summit negotiations.
The State Department's efforts extend beyond the federal level, with initiatives to strengthen the relationship between the international affairs of local governments and foreign policy. This includes the creation of positions such as deputy mayors for international affairs and proposed legislation like the "City and State Diplomacy Act," reflecting the recognition of the importance of subnational activity in diplomacy.
Additionally, the State Department engages in public diplomacy through various programs and communication channels. The Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP), for example, leads public diplomacy efforts and supports US Embassy engagement with overseas audiences. The Department also communicates with foreign opinion-makers and international audiences to foster mutual understanding and promote US national interests.
The conduct of diplomacy in the United States also involves the coordination and supervision of US government activities abroad. This includes maintaining diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries and over 250 posts worldwide, with Chiefs of Mission acting as the President's personal representatives.
In summary, the conduct of treaties and negotiations in American diplomacy falls under the purview of the President, advised by the Secretary of State, and executed through the State Department. This includes signing treaties, conducting negotiations, and coordinating government activities on an international scale, with increasing recognition of the role of local governments in diplomatic endeavours.
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Countering terrorism
Diplomacy is one of the best ways to protect the United States and its citizens. The US Department of State uses diplomacy to protect America from threats such as international terrorism. The Department of State works to build a global consensus to defeat terrorist organizations such as ISIS, al-Qa'ida, and Hizballah, which continue to plot attacks against the United States and its allies.
The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) leads the efforts to defeat terrorism abroad through coordinated strategies and approaches with international partners. The State Department provides foreign policy oversight and guidance to all US Government international counterterrorism activities. The Department of State works with foreign government partners to build capabilities to prevent, degrade, detect, and respond to terrorist threats. This includes strengthening law enforcement and judicial capabilities, expanding aviation and border security, improving crisis response, and countering terrorist financing and violent extremism.
The US Department of State also works to counter ideological support for terrorism. The Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources (R/PPR) provides long-term strategic planning and performance measurement for public diplomacy and public affairs programs. The Bureau of Public Affairs (PA) helps Americans understand the importance of foreign affairs and communicates their concerns to policymakers.
Additionally, the US Department of Defense plays a crucial role in countering terrorism, particularly in securing the southern border of the United States. Executive Order 14167 outlines the military missions and actions to be taken to ensure the safety and security of military and federal personnel in areas of operation within federal lands along the southern border. This includes the use of border barriers, detection, and monitoring equipment, as well as the involvement of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Homeland Security.
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Frequently asked questions
The President of the United States is in charge of diplomacy, with the Secretary of State, appointed by the President, acting as their chief foreign affairs advisor.
The Secretary of State carries out the President's foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service, and the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The State Department uses diplomacy to protect America and its citizens and interests at home and abroad. This includes fighting international terrorism, fostering mutual understanding between Americans and people in other countries, and providing information to Americans about travelling, working, and living abroad.
The IIP is the State Department's public diplomacy communications bureau. It leads the Department's support for U.S. Embassy public diplomacy efforts and engagement with overseas audiences.
Local and state governments have wide latitude to engage with foreign counterparts and execute agreements. However, the U.S. Constitution grants responsibility and power for conducting foreign relations to the President and Congress, and local governments are constrained from interfering in its conduct by the national government.
