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American Foreign Service Association

@afsaorg.bsky.social
3.1K followers 51 following 138 posts

Championing America's diplomats since 1924

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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
On Tuesday, May 5, the State Department separated more than 200 Foreign Service members under the reduction in force first announced last July, even as it continues to recruit and onboard new officers. Read our statement: afsa.org/afsa-statement-state-depar…
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
The new State Department reform plan raises more questions than answers. Our statement: afsa.org/state-depart...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
AFSA condemns efforts to discredit former U.S. ambassadors over evacuation concerns Read the statement: afsa.org/afsa-condemn...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Voice of America’s mission depends on truth, professional journalists, and the rule of law. Judge Lamberth’s ruling underscores that reality. AFSA stands with union partners and VOA journalists to defend both the people and the institution. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/u...
nytimes.com
Judge Voids Mass Layoffs at Voice of America
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
This crisis exposes real gaps in America’s diplomatic readiness. For months, AFSA has warned that the State Department’s capacity has been weakened as the result of layoffs and forced departures. Read AFSA's statement: afsa.org/afsa-statement-middle-east…
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
A good reminder of the depth, breadth, and important work of the U.S. Foreign Service. abcnews.go.com/US/diplomati...
abcnews.go.com
How the Diplomatic Security Service is helping to secure the Winter Olympics for fans and athletes
The Diplomatic Security Service is helping to secure the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan for fans, athletes and companies.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
We were proud to take part of yesterday's rally to call for a restoration of labor protections for our federal workers. America is only as strong as its public workforce. #PAWA marylandmatters.org/2026/01/14/f...
marylandmatters.org
Federal unions, employees urge Senate to take up bill restoring collective bargaining - Maryland Matters
Hundreds of federal employees, union members and other workforce advocates gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon to urge the passage of legislation that would restore their collect...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Grateful for this opportunity to talk about what is happening to the Foreign Service workforce and why it matters.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 24/12/2025
"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...
pbs.org
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...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 23/12/2025
These abrupt, opaque, and unexplained recalls sabotage diplomatic effectiveness and U.S. credibility abroad: www.nytimes.com/2025/12/22/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Orders Nearly 30 U.S. Ambassadors to Leave Their Posts
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
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...
nbcmiami.com
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. ...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
“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...
politico.com
Trump admin broke spending deal agreement to halt mass layoffs, judge rules
Judge Susan Illston plans to issue yet another order blocking RIFs.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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...
cand.uscourts.gov
Illston, Susan
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
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.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
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.
Black background with orange and white text: Just 6 out of 7 people tapped to serve as U.S. ambassadors are career Foreign Service members.

That’s 91% with zero Foreign Service experience.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
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
Destroying American Diplomacy: Pulling Down our First Line of Defense
The Steady State | by Charles A. Ray
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Some good news to start your morning www.reuters.com/business/wor...
reuters.com
US judge blocks 250 State Department layoffs for now
A judge on Thursday blocked the U.S. State Department from immediately laying off more than 250 workers, a legal setback for President Donald Trump and his mass firings of government employees.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
This is an existential crisis. www.cnn.com/2025/12/03/p...
cnn.com
Trump administration changes have left US diplomats demoralized and less able to do their jobs, report says | CNN Politics
The report, based on a survey of foreign service members, found that a vast majority of respondents — 98% — said morale had declined since January, and a third were considering leaving the foreign ser...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
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...
afsa.org
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...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
“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...
nytimes.com
U.S. Diplomats Report Broken Morale and Abandoned Careers
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
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...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
Not surprising when our greatest soft power tool is dismantled others fill the void
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
An intimate and powerful portrait of a now-retired Foreign Service member and trailblazer: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/18/u...
nytimes.com
As Rights Are Taken Away, a Transgender Trailblazer Seeks Refuge Abroad
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
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-...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
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
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Reposted by American Foreign Service Association
Save VOA @savevoa.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
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
youtube.com
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
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
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
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
@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...
miamiherald.com
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...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
The shutdown hurts civilian federal employees stationed overseas, too: www.govexec.com/workforce/20...
govexec.com
‘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.”
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
www.devex.com/news/former-... via @devex.com
devex.com
Former USAID staff honored for their ‘constructive dissent’
At the American Foreign Service Association, a recognition of the USAID staff who spoke up as their agency was being pared down.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
“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...
motherjones.com
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.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
The Peace Summit in Egypt, and Shutdown Lessons From U.S.A.I.D. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
The Peace Summit in Egypt, and Shutdown Lessons From U.S.A.I.D.
Podcast Episode · The Daily · 10/14/2025 · 37m
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
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...
axios.com
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.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Per @reuters.com Gutting humanitarian aid has real-world impacts: www.reuters.com/business/hea...
reuters.com
Babies' deaths in Cameroon show how US aid cuts curtail malaria fight
Nine-month-old baby Mohamat burned with fever for three days before his family took him to the closest health centre in northern Cameroon, but it was too late. He died of malaria that day.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
As we await news of a possible government shutdown, we've temporarily lifted the paywall on our checklist of essential documents. Check it out: afsa.org/virtual-go-bag
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
We call on the Office of Personnel Management to immediately issue detailed information to agencies and employees about the potential layoffs, so Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel alike can prepare for what may come. afsa.org/afsa-stateme...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
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...
politico.com
Trump is breaking US diplomacy, State Department staffers say
More than 60 ambassadorships don’t even have a nominee, while diplomats are told they’re being evaluated on their “fidelity.”
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Per @reuters.com, top U.S. diplomats working on Syria have been pushed out: www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
reuters.com
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
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...
devex.com
State Department watchdog office expands foreign aid investigations
The State Department's OIG will be launching 25 new projects into the country's foreign assistance work, with a focus on how the State Department is managing the transfer of nearly 1,000 programs from...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
Turns out the mass firing of 25K probationary feds was illegal. Interesting. www.govexec.com/workforce/20...
govexec.com
Trump's mass probationary firings were illegal, judge concludes, but he won't order re-hirings
Agencies will have to send new letters to 25,000 impacted staff explaining the decision.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 15/09/2025
"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...
capenews.net
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
"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...
nbcnews.com
U.S. diplomats say they are reluctant to share inconvenient truths with the Trump administration
"What we’re seeing in the diplomatic corps right now is fear," John Dinkelman, president of the American Foreign Service Association, told NBC News.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
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
a woman wearing a shirt that says: Smart diplomacy prevents dumb wars
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 04/09/2025
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.

Taxpayers spent millions to train diplomats in critical skills and key languages like Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. 

Then the State Department fired
 250 of them.

How's that for "strategic?"
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
This Labor Day feels different.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
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...
federalnewsnetwork.com
State Dept promotes several diplomats after sending them layoff notices
American Foreign Service Association said the department’s decision to promote individuals after eliminating their positions “defies logic.”
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
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...
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
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...
theatlantic.com
A Letter to America’s Discarded Public Servants
You all deserved better.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
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...
newsweek.com
American Diplomacy Is Being Dismantled Before Our Eyes | Opinion
Last month, the U.S. State Department carried out what may be the largest single-day layoff in its history.
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American Foreign Service Association @afsaorg.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
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...
thehill.com
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