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{| border=1 align=right cellpadding=2 cellspacing=0 style="margin-left:0.5em;"
{{Redirect|Department of State|the term as used in Ireland|Department of state (Ireland)}}
|+ <font size="+1">'''Dept. of State'''</font>
{{Infobox Government agency
|-
|agency_name = United States<br>Department of State
|style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan="2"|[[Image:US-DeptOfState-Seal.png|Seal of the Department of State]]<br>[[media:US-DeptOfState-Seal.jpg|Larger version]]
|nativename =
|-
|nativename_a =
|'''Established:'''||[[July 27]], [[1789]]
|nativename_r =
|-
|logo = Flag of the United States Secretary of State.svg
|'''Renamed:'''||[[September 15]], [[1789]]
|logo_width = 155px
|-
|logo_caption = Flag of the U.S. Secretary of State
|'''[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary]]:'''||[[Colin Powell]]
|seal = Department of state.svg
|-
|seal_width = 140px
|'''Deputy Secretary:'''||[[Richard L. Armitage]]
|seal_caption = Seal of the U.S. Department of State
|-
|formed = {{Start date and years ago|1789|7|27}}
|'''Budget:'''||$9.96 billion (2004)
|date1 = September 15, 1789
|-
|date1_name = Renamed
|'''Employees:'''||30,266 (2004)
|date2 =
|}
|date2_name =
The '''United States Department of State''', often referred to as the '''State Department''', is the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]-level [[foreign affairs]] agency of the [[United States]] [[government of the United States|government]], equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. It is administered by the [[United States Secretary of State]].
|preceding1 = Department of Foreign Affairs
|preceding2 =
|dissolved =
|superseding =
|jurisdiction =
|headquarters = [[Harry S Truman Building]]<br>2201 C Street, [[Northwest, Washington, D.C.|NW]]<br>[[Washington, D.C.]]
|latd = 38
|latm = 53
|lats = 39
|latNS = N
|longd = 77
|longm = 2
|longs = 54
|longEW = W
|employees = 11,500 [[United States Foreign Service|Foreign Service]] employees<br>7,400 [[United States civil service|Civil Service]] employees<br>31,000 Foreign Service National employees<ref>[http://careers.state.gov/general/about-us.html ]{{dead link|date=June 2012}}</ref>
|budget = $57.533 Billion (FY 2012)<ref>{{cite web|work=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/200506.pdf}}</ref>
|chief1_name = [[John Kerry]]
|chief1_position = [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]]
|chief2_name = [[William Joseph Burns]]
|chief2_position = [[United States Deputy Secretary of State|Deputy Secretary]]
|chief3_name = [[Thomas Nides]]
|chief3_position = [[United States Deputy Secretary of State|Deputy Secretary]]
|parent_agency =
|child1_agency =
|child2_agency =
|website = [http://www.state.gov state.gov]
|footnotes =
}}


It is headquartered in the [[Harry S. Truman Building]] a few blocks from the [[White House]] in the [[Foggy Bottom]] neighborhood of [[Washington, DC]]. The headquarters house (among other things) the [[State Department Operation Center]] and the [[Nuclear Risk Reduction Center]].
The '''United States Department of State''' ('''DoS'''),<ref>[http://www.acronymfinder.com/Department-Of-State-(United-States)-(DoS).html Acronym Finder: DoS]</ref> often referred to as the '''State Department''', is the [[United States federal executive departments|United States federal executive department]] responsible for [[international relations]] of the [[United States]], equivalent to the [[foreign minister]] of other countries. The Department was created in 1789 and was the first executive department established.

The Department is headquartered in the [[Harry S. Truman Building]] located at 2201 C Street, [[Northwest, Washington, D.C.|NW]], a few blocks from the [[White House]] in the [[Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.|Foggy Bottom]] neighborhood of [[Washington, D.C.]] The Department operates the [[List of diplomatic missions of the United States|diplomatic missions of the United States]] abroad and is responsible for implementing the [[foreign policy of the United States]] and U.S. [[diplomacy]] efforts. The Department is also the [[depositary]] for more than 200 multilateral treaties.

The Department is led by the [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]], who is nominated by the [[President of the United States|President]] and [[Advice and consent|confirmed]] by the [[United States Senate|Senate]] and is a member of the [[United States Cabinet|Cabinet]]. The current Secretary of State is [[John Kerry]]. The Secretary of State is the first Cabinet official in the [[United States order of precedence|order of precedence]] and in the [[United States presidential line of succession|presidential line of succession]].


==History==
==History==
The [[United States Constitution|U.S. Constitution]], drafted in [[Philadelphia]] in the summer of [[1787]] and ratified by the states the following year, gave the [[President of the United States|President]] responsibility for the conduct of the nation's foreign relations. It soon became clear, however, that an executive branch was necessary to support the President in the conduct of the affairs of the new Federal Government.
[[Image:State Department Building, Washington, D. C., 1865.png|left|thumb|Old State Department building in [[Washington, D.C.]], c. 1865]]
The [[United States Constitution|U.S. Constitution]], drafted in [[Philadelphia]] in 1787 and ratified by the states the following year, gave the [[President of the United States|President]] the responsibility for the conduct of the nation's foreign relations. It soon became clear, however, that an executive department was necessary to support the President in the conduct of the affairs of the new federal government.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}


The [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and [[United States Senate|Senate]] approved legislation to establish a '''Department of Foreign Affairs''' on July 21, 1789, and President Washington signed it into law on July 27, making the Department of Foreign Affairs the first Federal agency to be created under the new Constitution.<ref>[http://rs6.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsl&fileName=001/llsl001.db&recNum=151 1 United States Statutes at Large, Chapter 4, Section 1]</ref> This legislation remains the basic law of the Department of State. In September 1789, additional legislation changed the name of the agency to the Department of State and assigned to it a variety of domestic duties.
The [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and [[United States Senate|Senate]] approved legislation to establish a '''Department of Foreign Affairs''' on [[July 21]], [[1789]], and President Washington signed it into law on [[July 27]], making the Department of Foreign Affairs the first Federal agency to be created under the new Constitution. This legislation remains the basic law of the Department of State. In September 1789, additional legislation changed the name of the agency to the Department of State and assigned to it a variety of domestic duties.


These responsibilities grew to include management of the [[United States Mint]], keeper of the [[Great Seal of the United States]], and the taking of the [[United States Census Bureau|census]]. President [[George Washington]] signed the new legislation on September 15.<ref>[http://www.glin.gov/view.action?glinID=85633 United States Statutes at Large, First Congress, Session 1, Chapter 14]</ref> Most of these domestic duties of the Department of State were eventually turned over to various new Federal departments and agencies that were established during the 19th century. However, the Secretary of State still retains a few domestic responsibilities, such as being the keeper of the Great Seal and being the officer to whom a President or Vice-President of the United States wishing to resign must deliver an instrument in writing declaring the decision to resign.
These responsibilities grew to include management of the [[United States Mint]], keeper of the [[Great Seal of the United States]], and the taking of the [[United States Census Bureau|census]]. President [[George Washington]] signed the new legislation on [[September 15]]. Most of these domestic duties of the Department of State were eventually turned over to various new Federal departments and agencies that were established during the [[19th century]].


On September 29, 1789, President Washington appointed [[Thomas Jefferson]] of [[Virginia]], then [[United States Ambassador to France|Minister to France]], to be the first [[United States Secretary of State]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://future.state.gov/when/timeline/1784_timeline.html |author=[[Bureau of Public Affairs]] |publisher=United States Department of State |title=1784-1800: New Republic |accessdate=11 May 2012}}</ref> [[John Jay]] had been serving in as Secretary of Foreign Affairs as a holdover from the Confederation since before Washington had taken office and would continue in that capacity until Jefferson returned from Europe many months later.
On [[September 29]], [[1789]], President Washington appointed [[Thomas Jefferson]] of [[Virginia]], then Minister to [[France]], to be the first [[United States Secretary of State]].


== Duties and responsibilities ==
From 1790 to 1800, the State Department had its headquarters in the then-capital of the United States, Philadelphia. It occupied a building at Church and Fifth Streets (although, for a short period during which a [[yellow fever]] epidemic ravaged the city, it resided in the [[New Jersey State House]]).<ref name="Plischke">Plischke, Elmer. ''U.S. Department of State: A Reference History.'' Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 1999, p. 45.</ref> In 1800, it moved from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., where it first occupied the [[Treasury Building (Washington, D.C.)|Treasury Building]]<ref name="Plischke" /> and then the [[Seven Buildings]] at 19th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.<ref>Tinkler, Robert. ''James Hamilton of South Carolina.'' Baton Rouge, La.: Louisiana State University Press, 2004, p. 52.</ref> It moved into the [[Six Buildings]] in September 1800, where it remained until May 1801.<ref>Burke, Lee H. and Patterson, Richard Sharpe. ''Homes of the Department of State, 1774-1976: The Buildings Occupied by the Department of State and Its Predecessors.'' Washington, D.C.: US. Government Printing Office, 1977, p. 27.</ref> It moved into the War Office Building due west of the White House in May 1801.<ref name="Michael">Michael, William Henry. ''History of the Department of State of the United States: Its Formation and Duties, Together With Biographies of Its Present Officers and Secretaries From the Beginning.'' Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1901, p. 12.</ref> It occupied the Treasury Building from September 1819 to November 1866,<ref>Burke and Patterson, p. 37.</ref> except for the period from September 1814 to April 1816 (during which it occupied a structure at G and 18th streets NW while the Treasury Building was repaired).<ref name="Michael" /> It then occupied the Washington City Orphan Home from November 1866 to July 1875.<ref>Burke and Patterson, 1977, p. 41.</ref> It moved to the [[Eisenhower Executive Office Building|State, War, and Navy Building]] in 1875.<ref>Plischke, p. 467.</ref> Since May 1947, it has occupied the [[Harry S Truman Building]].


The Executive Branch and the [[Congress of the United States|U.S. Congress]] have [[United States Constitution|constitutional]] responsibilities for U.S. foreign policy. Within the Executive Branch, the Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, and its head, the Secretary of State, is the President's principal foreign policy adviser, though other officials or individuals may have more influence on his foreign policy decisions. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the [[United States Diplomatic History|foreign affairs]] activities of other U.S. Government entities including the [[United States Department of Commerce]] and the [[U.S. Agency for International Development]]. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S.
==Duties and responsibilities==
[[File:United States Department of State headquarters.jpg|thumb|[[Harry S. Truman Building]], headquarters of the U.S. State Department since 1947]]
The Executive Branch and the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] have [[United States Constitution|constitutional]] responsibilities for U.S. foreign policy. Within the Executive Branch, the Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, and its head, the Secretary of State, is the President's principal foreign policy advisor, though other officials or individuals may have more influence on their foreign policy decisions. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the [[United States Diplomatic History|foreign affairs]] activities of other U.S. Government entities including the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], the [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]], the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]], the [[Central Intelligence Agency]], and the [[United States Agency for International Development|U.S. Agency for International Development]]. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S.


All foreign affairs activities—U.S. representation abroad, foreign assistance programs, countering international crime, foreign military training programs, the services the Department provides, and more—are paid for by the foreign affairs budget, which represents little more than 1% of the total federal budget. The total Department of State budget, together with 'Other International Programs' (see below), costs about 45 cents a day ($165.90 a year) for each resident of the United States<!--budget, w/ USAID, of $51.7B/311,624,000 total population-->. As stated by the Department of State, its purpose includes:
All foreign affairs activities -- U.S. representation abroad, foreign assistance programs, countering international crime, foreign military training programs, the services the Department provides, and more -- are paid for by the foreign affairs budget, which represents little more than 1% of the total federal budget, or about 12 cents a day for each American citizen. As stated by the Department of State, its purpose includes:
* Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad;
* Assisting U.S. [[business]]es in the international marketplace;
* Coordinating and providing support for international activities of other U.S. agencies (local, state, or federal government), official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts.
* Keeping the public informed about U.S. foreign policy and relations with other countries and providing feedback from the public to administration officials.
* Providing [[diplomatic license plates in the United States|automobile registration]] for non-diplomatic staff vehicles and the vehicles of diplomats of foreign countries having [[diplomatic immunity]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/150546.pdf |page=15 |title=Diplomatic and Consular Immunity: Guidance for Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities |date=July 2011 |accessdate=11 May 2012 |author=United States Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security |publisher=United States Department of State}}</ref>


* Promoting peace and stability in regions of vital interest;
The Department of State conducts these activities with a civilian workforce, and normally uses the Foreign Service personnel system for positions that require service abroad. Employees may be assigned to diplomatic missions abroad to represent America, analyze and report on political, economic, and social trends; adjudicate visas; and respond to the needs of American citizens abroad. The U.S. maintains diplomatic relations with about 180 countries and maintains relations with many international organizations, adding up to a total of more than 250 posts around the world. In the United States, about 5,000 professional, technical, and administrative employees work compiling and analyzing reports from overseas, providing logistical support to posts, communicating with the American public, formulating and overseeing the budget, issuing passports and [[Warden message|travel warnings]], and more. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Department of State works in close coordination with other federal agencies, including the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Commerce. As required by the principle of [[checks and balances]], the Department also consults with Congress about foreign policy initiatives and policies.
* Opening markets abroad;
* Helping developing nations establish stable economic environments that provide investment and export opportunities;
* Bringing nations together to address global problems such as cross-border pollution, the spread of communicable diseases, [[terrorism]], nuclear smuggling, and humanitarian crises.


As the lead foreign affairs agency, the Department of State has the primary role in:
==Organization==
[[File:John Kerry official Secretary of State portrait.jpg|thumb|Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] ]]


* Leading interagency coordination in developing and implementing foreign policy;
===Mission Statement===
* Managing the foreign affairs budget and other foreign affairs resources;
To: 'Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.'<ref name="AboutDoS">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/150505.pdf |title=United States Department of State FY 2010 Agency Financial Report (''vid.'' p. 5) |publisher=US Department of State |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref>
* Leading and coordinating U.S. representation abroad, conveying U.S. foreign policy to foreign governments and international organizations through U.S. embassies and consulates in foreign countries and diplomatic missions to international organizations;
* Conducting negotiations and concluding agreements and treaties on issues ranging from trade to nuclear weapons;
* Coordinating and supporting international activities of other U.S. agencies and officials.


The services the Department provides include:
===Core activities===
The DoS promotes and protects the interests of American citizens by (1) 'Promoting peace and stability in regions of vital interest'; (2) 'Creating jobs at home by opening markets abroad'; (3) 'Helping developing nations establish investment and export opportunities'; and (4) 'Bringing nations together and forging partnerships to address global problems, such as terrorism, the spread of communicable diseases, cross-border pollution, humanitarian crises, nuclear smuggling, and narcotics trafficking'.<ref name="AboutDoS"/>


* Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad;
BioPrepWatch reported that, on May 30, 2013, the State Department submitted the ''Country Reports on Terrorism 2012'' to Congress. Most [[terrorist]] attacks have been decentralized and target the [[Middle East]] countries. There have been no other reports that have previously talked about this topic, but the biggest shifts in terrorism in 2012 included an increase in [[state-sponsored terrorism]] in Iran. The State Department states the best way to counter international terrorist attacks is to work with international partners to cut funding, strengthen law-enforcing institutions and eliminate terrorist safe havens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bioprepwatch.com/threats/state-department-submits-terrorism-report-to-congress/330554/ |title=State Department submits terrorism report to Congress |last1=Sievers |first1=Lisa |date=June 4, 2013 |publisher=BioPrepWatch |accessdate=6 June 2013}}</ref>
* Assisting U.S. [[business| businesses]] in the international marketplace;

* Coordinating and providing support for international activities of other U.S. agencies (local, state, or federal government), official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts.
===Secretary of State===
* Keeping the public informed about U.S. foreign policy and relations with other countries and providing feedback from the public to administration officials.
[[United States Secretary of State]]: [[Chief executive officer]] of the Department of State, member of the [[United States Cabinet]], answers directly to the [[President of the United States]]. Secretary of State organizes and supervises the entire department and its staff.
* Provides [[diplomatic license plates in the United States|automobile registration]] for non-diplomatic staff vehicles and the vehicles of diplomats of foreign countries having [[diplomatic immunity]] in the United States.

====Staff====
* [[United States Deputy Secretary of State]]: The Deputy Secretary (with the Chief of Staff, Executive Secretariat, and the Undersecretary for Management) assists the Secretary in the overall management of the department. Reporting to the Deputy Secretary are the six undersecretaries and the counselor, along with several staff offices:
** Chief of Staff
** [[Executive Secretariat]]
** Office of Global Intergovernmental Affairs
** [[National Foreign Affairs Training Center]] (which houses the Foreign Service Institute)
** International Information Programs
** [[United States Department of State Office of the Legal Adviser|Office of the Legal Adviser]]
** Office of Management Policy
** [[Chief of Protocol of the United States|Office of Protocol]]
** Office of the Science and Technology Adviser
** [[Office of the Senior Advisor for Civil Society and Emerging Democracies]]
** [[Office of War Crimes Issues]]
** [[Bureau of Intelligence and Research]]
** [[Bureau of Legislative Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of Resource Management]]
[[Image:Us department of state.jpg|thumb|Hierarchy of the U.S State Department. Click the image to enlarge.]]
* [[Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs]]: The third-ranking State Department official. Becomes Acting Secretary in the absence of the Secretary of State and Deputy Secretary of State. This position is responsible for bureaus, headed by Assistant Secretaries, coordinating American diplomacy around the world:
** [[Bureau of African Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of International Organization Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs]]
* [[Under Secretary of State for Management]]:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/m/index.htm|title=Under Secretary for Management|work=State.gov|accessdate=2009-07-26}}</ref> The principal adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on matters relating to the allocation and use of Department's budget, physical property, and personnel. This position is responsible for bureaus, headed by Assistant Secretaries, planning the day-to-day administration of the Department and proposing institutional reform and modernization:
** [[Bureau of Administration]]
*** Office of Allowances
*** Office of Authentication
*** Language Services
*** Office of Logistics Management
*** Office of Overseas Schools
*** Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
*** Office of Multi-Media Services
*** Office of Directives Management
*** Office of Commissary and Recreation Affairs
*** Office of the Procurement Executive
** [[Bureau of Consular Affairs]]
*** [[Office of Children's Issues]]
** [[Bureau of Diplomatic Security]] (DS)
*** [[Diplomatic Security Service|U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)]]
*** [[Office of Foreign Missions]]
** Bureau of Human Resources
** [[Bureau of Information Resource Management]]
** [[Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations]]
** Director of Diplomatic Reception Rooms
** [[Foreign Service Institute]]
** Office of Management Policy, Rightsizing, and Innovation
** Office of Medical Services
** Office of White House Liaison
* [[Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment]]: The senior economic advisor for the Secretary and Deputy Secretary on international economic policy. This position is responsible for bureaus, headed by Assistant Secretaries, dealing with trade, agriculture, aviation, and bilateral trade relations with America's economic partners:
** [[Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs]]
** Bureau of Energy Resources
** [[Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs]]
** Office of the Science and Technology Adviser
** Office of the Chief Economist
* [[Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs]]: This Undersecretary leads functions that were formerly assigned to the [[United States Information Agency]] but were integrated into the State Department by the 1999 reorganization. This position manages units that handle the department's public communications and seek to burnish the image of the United States around the world:
** [[Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs]]
*** [[Internet Access and Training Program]]
** [[Bureau of Public Affairs]]
*** [[Office of The Historian]]
** [[Bureau of International Information Programs]]
** Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
* [[Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs]]: This Undersecretary coordinates the Department's role in U.S. military assistance. Since the 1996 reorganization, this Undersecretary also oversees the functions of the formerly independent [[Arms Control and Disarmament Agency]].
** [[Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation]]
** [[Bureau of Political-Military Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of Verification, Compliance, and Implementation]]
* Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights:
**[[Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations]]
***[[Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization]]
** [[Bureau of Counterterrorism]]
** [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]]
** [[Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs]]
** [[Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration]]
** Office of Global Criminal Justice
** Office of Global Youth Issues
** [[Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons]]
* [[Counselor of the United States Department of State|Counselor]]: Ranking with the Under Secretaries, the Counselor is the Secretary's and Deputy Secretary's special advisor and consultant on major problems of foreign policy. The Counselor provides guidance to the appropriate bureaus with respect to such matters, conducts special international negotiations and consultations, and undertakes special assignments from time to time as directed by the Secretary.
* [[United States Global AIDS Coordinator|Office of Global AIDS Coordinator]]: President's main task force to combat global [[AIDS]] The Global AIDS Coordinator reports directly to the Secretary of State.

====Other agencies====
Since the 1996 reorganization, the Administrator of the [[United States Agency for International Development]] (USAID), while leading an independent agency, has also reported to the Secretary of State, as does the [[United States Ambassador to the United Nations]] (also known as the Permanent Representative).

==Franklin Fellows Program==
The Franklin Fellows Program was established in 2006 by the DoS to bring in mid-level executives from the [[private sector]] and [[non-profit organization]]s to advise the Department and to work on projects.<ref>[http://www.lmdulye.com/oldp/october07/print/AlumniCorner1.pdf Operation Development Leadership Project, Alumni Corner, September 2007]</ref> Fellows may also work with other government entities, including [[United States Congress|the Congress]], [[White House]], and [[United States Executive Branch|executive branch]] agencies, including the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]], and [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]]. The program is named in honor of [[Benjamin Franklin]], and together with the Thomas Jefferson Science Fellows, aims to bring mid-career professionals to enrich and expand the Department's capabilities.

==Department of State Air Wing==
In 1978, the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) formed an office to use excess military and government aircraft for support of foreign nations' counter-narcotics operations. The first aircraft used was a crop duster used for eradication of illicit crops in Mexico in cooperation with the local authorities. The separate Air Wing was established in 1986 as use of aviation assets grew in the war on drugs.<ref name="USDoSMagazine">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/161997.pdf |title=US Department Of State Magazine, May 2011}}</ref>

The aircraft fleet grew from crop spraying aircraft to larger transports and helicopters used to support ground troops and transport personnel. As these operations became more involved in direct combat, a further need for search and rescue and armed escort helicopters was evident. Operations in the 1980s and 1990s were primarily carried out in [[Colombia]], [[Guatemala]], [[Peru]], [[Bolivia]] and [[Belize]]. Many aircraft have since been passed on to the governments involved, as they became capable of taking over the operations themselves.

Following the events of the [[September 11 attacks]], and the subsequent war on terror, the Air Wing went on to expand their operations from mainly anti-narcotics operations to also support security of United States nationals and interests, primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Safe transport for various diplomatic missions were undertaken, requiring the acquisition of larger aircraft types, such as [[Sikorsky S-61]], [[Beechcraft King Air]] and [[Bombardier Dash 8|De Haviland DHC-8-300]]. Armed escorts were also increased using various helicopters fitted as gunships.{{fact|date=May 2013}}

In 2011, the Air Wing was operating more than 230 aircraft around the world, the main missions still being counter narcotics and transportation of state officials.<ref name="USDoSMagazine"/>

==Expenditures==
In [[Fiscal Year|FY]] 2010 the Department of State, together with 'Other International Programs' (for example, [[United States Agency for International Development|USAID]]), had a combined projected discretionary budget of $51.7 billion.<ref name="FY10Budget">{{cite web |url=http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy10/pdf/fy10-newera.pdf |title=United States Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2010 (''vid.'' pp.88,89) |publisher=[[United States Government Printing Office|Government Printing Office]] |accessdate=9 January 2011}}</ref> The [[2010 United States federal budget|United States Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2010]], entitled 'A New Era of Responsibility', specifically 'Imposes Transparency on the Budget' for the Department of State.<ref name="FY10Budget"/>

The end-of-year FY 2010 DoS Agency Financial Report, approved by Secretary Clinton on 15 November 2010, showed actual total costs for the year of $27.4 billion.<ref name="FY10FinRep">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/150505.pdf |title=United States Department of State FY 2010 Agency Financial Report (''vid.'' pp.3,80) |publisher=US Department of State |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref> Revenues of $6.0 billion, $2.8 billion of which were earned through the provision of consular and management services, reduced total net cost to $21.4 billion.<ref name="FY10FinRep"/>

Total program costs for 'Achieving Peace and Security' were $7.0 billion; 'Governing Justly and Democratically', $0.9 billion; 'Investing in People', $4.6 billion; 'Promoting Economic Growth and Prosperity', $1.5 billion; 'Providing Humanitarian Assistance', $1.8 billion; 'Promoting International Understanding', $2.7 billion; 'Stengthening Consular and Management Capabilities', $4.0 billion; 'Executive Direction and Other Costs Not Assigned', $4.2 billion.<ref name="FY10FinRep"/>

===Audit of Expenditures===
The Department of State's '[[Auditor independence|independent auditors]]' are [[Kearney & Company]].<ref name="FY10FinRepAudit">{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/150505.pdf |title=United States Department of State FY 2010 Agency Financial Report (''vid.'' p.62ff.) |publisher=US Department of State |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref> Since in FY 2009 Kearson qualified its [[audit opinion]], noting [[materiality (auditing)|material]] financial reporting weaknesses, the DoS restated its 2009 [[financial statements]] in 2010.<ref name="FY10FinRepAudit"/> In its FY 2010 audit report, Kearson provided an unqualified audit opinion while noting significant deficiencies, of controls in relation to financial reporting and budgetary accounting, and of compliance with a number of laws and provisions relating to financial management and accounting requirements.<ref name="FY10FinRepAudit"/> In response the DoS Chief Financial Officer observed that 'The Department operates in over 270 locations in 172 countries, while conducting business in 150 currencies and an even large number of languages ... Despite these complexities, the Department pursues a commitment to financial integrity, transparency, and accountability that is the equal of any large multi-national corporation.'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/150505.pdf |title=United States Department of State FY 2010 Agency Financial Report (''vid.'' p.76.) |publisher=US Department of State |accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref>

==Central Foreign Policy File==
Since 1973 the primary record keeping system of the Department of State is the Central Foreign Policy File. It consists of copies of official telegrams, [[airgram]]s, reports, memorandums, correspondence, diplomatic notes, and other documents related to foreign relations.<ref name="aad_rg59_state_dept_faq">{{cite web | title=FAQ: Record Group 59: General Records of the Department of State Central Foreign Policy File, 1973-1976| url=ftp://216.54.96.55/aad_docs/rg59_state_dept_faq.pdf|publisher = National Archives and Records Administration | accessdate=2010-11-26 | date=2010-08-06}}</ref> About 900,000 records spanning the time period from 1973 to 1976 can be accessed online from the [[National Archives and Records Administration]].<ref name="aad_whatnew2009">{{cite web | title=What's New in AAD: Central Foreign Policy Files, created, 7/1/1973 - 12/31/1976, documenting the period 7/1/1973 ? - 12/31/1976| url=http://aad.archives.gov/aad/whats-new.jsp|publisher = National Archives and Records Administration | accessdate=2010-11-26 | year=2009}}</ref>

==Other==
In 2009, the Department of State was the fourth most desired employer for undergraduates according to BusinessWeek.<ref>{{cite web | title = The Most Desirable Employers |url = http://www.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/most_desirable_employers.html | publisher = [[BusinessWeek]] | accessdate = 2011-01-24}}</ref>

The Department's blog, started in 2007, is known as [[Dipnote]], and a [[Twitter]] account is maintained with the same name. The internal [[wiki]] is [[Diplopedia]]. The internal suggestion blog within State is called the [[State Department Sounding Board|Sounding Board]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2009/02/hillary-clint-1.html |title=Hillary Clinton Launches E-Suggestion Box..’The Secretary is Listening’ - ABC News |publisher=Blogs.abcnews.com |date=2009-02-10 |accessdate=2012-06-16}}</ref> and their internal professional networking software, "Corridor", is a success.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lipowicz |first=Alice |url=http://fcw.com/articles/2011/04/22/state-dept--preparing-to-launch-corridor-social-network-for-employees-only.aspx |title=State Department to launch "Corridor" internal social network - Federal Computer Week |publisher=Fcw.com |date=2011-04-22 |accessdate=2012-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.businessofgovernment.org/blog/business-government/peering-down-corridor-new-social-networks-features-and-their-uses |title=Peering down the Corridor: The New Social Network's Features and Their Uses &#124; IBM Center for the Business of Government |publisher=Businessofgovernment.org |date=2011-05-05 |accessdate=2012-06-16}}</ref> Finally, State has embraced [[Government crowdsourcing]], establishing the [[Virtual Student Foreign Service]].

In 2009, the State Department launched 21st century statecraft. The U.S. Department of State’s official explanation of 21st Century Statecraft is: “The complementing of traditional foreign policy tools with newly innovated and adapted instruments of statecraft that fully leverages the networks, technologies, and demographics of our interconnected world.”.<ref>{{cite web|title=21st Century Statecraft|url=http://www.state.gov/statecraft/overview/index.htm|publisher=The Office of Electronic Information, Bureau of Public Affairs|accessdate=1 April 2012}}</ref>

In November 2010, it was revealed that over a quarter million diplomatic cables between the Department of State and US embassies around the world were leaked to [[Wikileaks]], which has slowly started releasing the cables to the public. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the leak as harmful to international diplomacy.


The Department of State conducts these activities with a workforce comprising Civil Service and Foreign Service employees. Overseas, Foreign Service officers represent America; analyze and report on political, economic, and social trends in the host country; and respond to the needs of American citizens abroad. The U.S. maintains diplomatic relations with about 180 countries and also maintains relations with many international organizations, adding up to a total of more than 250 posts around the world. In the United States, about 5,000 [[profession | professional]], technical, and administrative Civil Service employees work alongside Foreign Service officers serving a stateside tour, compiling and analyzing reports from overseas, providing logistical support to posts, consulting with and keeping the Congress informed about foreign policy initiatives and policies, communicating with the American public, formulating and overseeing the budget, issuing passports and travel warnings, and more.
==See also==
{{Portal|Government of the United States|International relations}}
* [[Diplomatic missions of the United States]]
* [[Diplomatic Reception Rooms, U.S. Department of State]]
* [[State Magazine]]
* [[United States Foreign Service]]
* [[Awards of the United States Department of State]]
* [[Five Nations Passport Group]]
* [[Shared values initiative]]


== Operating units ==
==References==
* [[Bureau of Administration]]
{{Reflist}}
** [[Office of Allowances]]
** [[Office of Authentication]]
** [[Office of Logistics Management]]
** [[Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization]]
** [[Office of Overseas Schools]]
** [[Office of Multi-Media Services]]
** [[Office of Directives Management]]
** [[Office of Commissary and Recreation Affairs]]
** [[Office of the Procurement Executive]]
* [[Bureau of African Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Arms Control]]
* [[Bureau of Consular Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]]
* [[Bureau of Diplomatic Security]]
* [[Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Human Resources]]
* [[Bureau of Information Resource Management]]
* [[Bureau of Intelligence and Research]]
* [[Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of International Organization Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Legislative Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Nonproliferation]]
* [[Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations]]
* [[Bureau of Political-Military Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration]]
* [[Bureau of Public Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Resource Management]]
* [[Bureau of South Asian Affairs]]
* [[Bureau of Verification and Compliance]]
* [[Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs]]
* [[Counterterrorism]] Office (which produces the [[Patterns of Global Terrorism]] report)
* [[Foreign Service]] Institute
* [[Office of International Information Programs]]
* [[Office of the Legal Adviser]]
* [[Office of Management Policy]]
* [[Office of Protocol]]
* [[Office of the Science and Technology Adviser]]
* [[Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons]]
* [[Office of War Crimes Issues]]


==External links==
== External links ==
{{Commons category|United States Department of State}}
* [http://www.state.gov/ United States Department of State website]
* [http://www.state.gov United States Department of State] ''official website''
* [http://www.state.gov/www/about_state/history/dephis.html History of the U.S. Department of State]
* {{official website|1=http://www.state.gov/}}
** {{official blog|1=http://blogs.state.gov/}}
** [http://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history History.state.gov], [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/82073.pdf Telephone directory], state.gov
** [http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/statemag/index.htm State Magazine]
* [http://uk.youtube.com/user/statevideo US Department of State YouTube channel], [[YouTube.com]]
* [http://www.america.gov/ America.gov] official DoS Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) website (for international audiences)
* [http://www.rewardsforjustice.net Rewardsforjustice.net], Rewards for Justice official DoS Counter-Terrorism Rewards Program,
* [http://thefederalregister.com/b.p/department/DEPARTMENT_OF_STATE/ Department Of State Meeting Notices and Rule Changes] from The [[Federal Register]]
** [http://thefederalregister.com/rss/department/DEPARTMENT_OF_STATE/ RSS Feed], thefederalregister.com
* [http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/diplomacy/index.html Frontline Diplomacy: The Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection of the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training] from the [[Library of Congress]], memory.loc.gov
* [http://archives.gov/research/state-dept/ State Department Records in the National Archives], archives.gov
* [http://aad.archives.gov/aad/series-description.jsp?s=4073&cat=all Central Foreign Policy Files documenting the period 7/1/1973 ? - 12/31/1976]
* [http://openregs.com/agencies/view/97/department_of_state Proposed and finalized federal regulations from the United States Department of State], openregs.com


{{USDOS agencies}}
{{cabinet}}
{{USCabinet}}


[[Category:U.S. Dept. of State]]
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[[Category:United States Department of State| ]]
[[Category:United States Executive Departments]]
[[fr:Département d'État des États-Unis d'Amérique]]
[[Category:Foreign affairs ministries]]
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[[Category:Foreign relations of the United States|State Department]]
[[Category:Ministries established in 1789]]
[[Category:1789 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:United States federal executive departments|State]]

Revision as of 05:18, 19 August 2013

Dept. of State
Seal of the Department of State
Larger version
Established: July 27, 1789
Renamed: September 15, 1789
Secretary: Colin Powell
Deputy Secretary: Richard L. Armitage
Budget: $9.96 billion (2004)
Employees: 30,266 (2004)

The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. It is administered by the United States Secretary of State.

It is headquartered in the Harry S. Truman Building a few blocks from the White House in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, DC. The headquarters house (among other things) the State Department Operation Center and the Nuclear Risk Reduction Center.

History

The U.S. Constitution, drafted in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787 and ratified by the states the following year, gave the President responsibility for the conduct of the nation's foreign relations. It soon became clear, however, that an executive branch was necessary to support the President in the conduct of the affairs of the new Federal Government.

The House of Representatives and Senate approved legislation to establish a Department of Foreign Affairs on July 21, 1789, and President Washington signed it into law on July 27, making the Department of Foreign Affairs the first Federal agency to be created under the new Constitution. This legislation remains the basic law of the Department of State. In September 1789, additional legislation changed the name of the agency to the Department of State and assigned to it a variety of domestic duties.

These responsibilities grew to include management of the United States Mint, keeper of the Great Seal of the United States, and the taking of the census. President George Washington signed the new legislation on September 15. Most of these domestic duties of the Department of State were eventually turned over to various new Federal departments and agencies that were established during the 19th century.

On September 29, 1789, President Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, then Minister to France, to be the first United States Secretary of State.

Duties and responsibilities

The Executive Branch and the U.S. Congress have constitutional responsibilities for U.S. foreign policy. Within the Executive Branch, the Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, and its head, the Secretary of State, is the President's principal foreign policy adviser, though other officials or individuals may have more influence on his foreign policy decisions. The Department advances U.S. objectives and interests in the world through its primary role in developing and implementing the President's foreign policy. The Department also supports the foreign affairs activities of other U.S. Government entities including the United States Department of Commerce and the U.S. Agency for International Development. It also provides an array of important services to U.S. citizens and to foreigners seeking to visit or immigrate to the U.S.

All foreign affairs activities -- U.S. representation abroad, foreign assistance programs, countering international crime, foreign military training programs, the services the Department provides, and more -- are paid for by the foreign affairs budget, which represents little more than 1% of the total federal budget, or about 12 cents a day for each American citizen. As stated by the Department of State, its purpose includes:

  • Promoting peace and stability in regions of vital interest;
  • Opening markets abroad;
  • Helping developing nations establish stable economic environments that provide investment and export opportunities;
  • Bringing nations together to address global problems such as cross-border pollution, the spread of communicable diseases, terrorism, nuclear smuggling, and humanitarian crises.

As the lead foreign affairs agency, the Department of State has the primary role in:

  • Leading interagency coordination in developing and implementing foreign policy;
  • Managing the foreign affairs budget and other foreign affairs resources;
  • Leading and coordinating U.S. representation abroad, conveying U.S. foreign policy to foreign governments and international organizations through U.S. embassies and consulates in foreign countries and diplomatic missions to international organizations;
  • Conducting negotiations and concluding agreements and treaties on issues ranging from trade to nuclear weapons;
  • Coordinating and supporting international activities of other U.S. agencies and officials.

The services the Department provides include:

  • Protecting and assisting U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad;
  • Assisting U.S. businesses in the international marketplace;
  • Coordinating and providing support for international activities of other U.S. agencies (local, state, or federal government), official visits overseas and at home, and other diplomatic efforts.
  • Keeping the public informed about U.S. foreign policy and relations with other countries and providing feedback from the public to administration officials.
  • Provides automobile registration for non-diplomatic staff vehicles and the vehicles of diplomats of foreign countries having diplomatic immunity in the United States.

The Department of State conducts these activities with a workforce comprising Civil Service and Foreign Service employees. Overseas, Foreign Service officers represent America; analyze and report on political, economic, and social trends in the host country; and respond to the needs of American citizens abroad. The U.S. maintains diplomatic relations with about 180 countries and also maintains relations with many international organizations, adding up to a total of more than 250 posts around the world. In the United States, about 5,000 professional, technical, and administrative Civil Service employees work alongside Foreign Service officers serving a stateside tour, compiling and analyzing reports from overseas, providing logistical support to posts, consulting with and keeping the Congress informed about foreign policy initiatives and policies, communicating with the American public, formulating and overseeing the budget, issuing passports and travel warnings, and more.

Operating units

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