Exclusive Workforce

State Dept. hopeful even a Trump administration would continue its hiring and reform efforts

Trump appointees clashed with the foreign service in his first term, but top official hopes to sell them on taking a new path if he is re-elected.

Defense

Meet the frustrated negotiators seeking a Gaza ceasefire

Qatar is increasingly the world’s mediator, but this is the energy-rich sheikdom’s toughest case yet.

Management

State Department warns of significant risks due to ongoing budget pressures

State's top appropriator says he will try to make FY25 as "minimally harmful" as possible for the department, but Secretary Blinken cautions an already understaffed workforce would suffer without more resources.

Workforce

‘We are more complicit:’ Biden’s Israel policies spur feds to protest at the White House

A group of federal employees say their knowledge and access force them to speak out against the administration's position in the Israel-Gaza war.

Workforce

State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels

A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.

Workforce

State Dept. employees praise Biden administration for encouraging dissent

The administration has faced some criticism for censoring employee speech related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, but staff say internal channels are open for disagreement.

Workforce

State Dept. expands capacity for training and onboarding amid hiring surge

Middle East war demonstrates need for a competent diplomatic workforce, State Secretary Antony Blinken says.

Defense

Marines Update Evacuation Playbook

A pre-deployment exercise allowed the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to practice what they learned from the Afghanistan withdrawal and other non-combatant evacuation operations.

Management

State, Union Say Complying With House Subpoena Would Create Chilling Effect on Career Staff

The department said turning over a protected communication on the Afghanistan withdrawal would undermine its "unique way" for employees to "speak truth to power."

Workforce

State to End Severe Restrictions on Disabled Individuals Entering Foreign Service

The department will pay out $37.5 million as part of a settlement that will make it easier for people with disabilities to serve in the government's diplomatic corps abroad.

Management

State Department Opens Up Refugee Sponsorship to Individual Americans

The Biden administration, having bemoaned its internal shortfalls, leans on others outside government to meet the president's lofty admission goals.

Management

State Department Releases its Roadmap for Increasing Diversity and Equity

The department also announced last month a new, paid fellowship and internship program aimed at bringing individuals with diverse backgrounds to the department.

Management

Biden Administration at Odds With the IG Over the Scrutiny Afghans Received Before Entering the U.S.

DHS cannot be sure it properly screened the evacuees, the IG said, raising the possibility it admitted "criminals, suspected terrorists or other nefarious actors."

Management

The State Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer Says ‘This Time is Different’

Amb. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley joined the U.S. Agency for International Development’s chief diversity officer, and the two testified about their work before a Senate committee on Tuesday.