A Foreign Affairs Budget For the Future:
Fixing the Crisis in Diplomatic Readiness
"Our diplomatic leaders - be they in ambassadors' suites or on the State Department's seventh floor - must have the resources and political support needed to fully exercise their statutory responsibilities in leading American foreign policy."
- Defense Secretary Robert Gates, July 2008
The situation that Secretary Gates calls for does not exist today. On the contrary, our foreign affairs capacity is hobbled by a human capital crisis. We do not have enough people to meet our current responsibilities. Looking forward, requirements are expanding. Increased diplomatic needs in Iraq, Afghanistan, and "the next" crisis area, as well as global challenges in finance, the environment, terrorism and other areas have not been supported by increased staffing. Those positions that do exist have vacancy rates approaching 15% at our Embasssies and Consulates abroad and at the State Department in Washington, DC. USAID's situation is even more dire. Today, significant portions of the nation's foreign affairs business simply are not accomplished. The work migrates by default to the military that does not have the necessary people and funding but neither sufficent experience or knowledge. The "militarization" of diplomacy exists and is accelerating.
Currently the Secretary of State lacks the tools - people, competencies, authorities, programs and funding - to execute the President's foreign policies. The status quo cannot continue without serious damage to our vital interests. We must invest on an urgent basis in our capabilities in the State Department, USAID, and related organizations to ensure we can meet our foreign policy and national security objectives. There must be enough diplomatic, public diplomacy, and foreign assistance professionals equipped and trained to be out, engaged with the populace and, where needed, working closely with the nation's military forces to advance America's interests and goals. This report provides a plan and a process to begin and carry forward the rebuilding of America's foreign affairs capability.
A Foreign Affairs Budget for the Future in the News:
- US must deploy more foreign diplomacy personnel, Politico, June 25, 2009.
- The Other Federal Deficit, The New Yorker, November 19, 2008.
- New Secretary Faces Fixing Under-Resourced State Dept., Washington Post, November 15, 2008.
- Five Ways to Spend $5 billion, GW Hatchet, November 3, 2008.
- Mistakes We Can't Afford, Washington Times, November 1, 2008.
- Phoenix Rising: A Stunning Week of Calls, Global Development Matters Blog, October 30, 2008.
- New Report Cites Shortage of Diplomats, Homeland Security Digital Library, October 17, 2008.
- Diplos Still Not Ready for National Building: Report, Wired, October 15, 2008.
- Top Ex-Diplomats Slam Militarisation of Foreign Policy, IPS News, October 15, 2008.
- Personnel Shortfalls Slow State Department, Washington Post, October 14, 2008.
- Fixing a Hollow Service, Foreign Policy Association Blog, October 13, 2008.
- Diplomacy Needs More Attention and Funding, Report Argues, Oh My Gov Blog, October 9, 2008.
- State Department: Web 2.0 and the Next Generation of Diplomats, Generation Shift Blog, October 9, 2008.
- State Department Needs to Hire More Staff Says Foreign Affairs Community, Government Executive Magazine, October 8, 2008.
- Report Critical of Diplomatic Shortfalls, United Press International, October 6, 2008.
