Academy views on State Department reorganization and proposed budget cuts

Current issues:

AAD Letter to Secretary Pompeo on Harassment of Diplomats by CBP – July 13, 2020

In a letter issued to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on July 13, 2020, the American Academy of Diplomacy calls on the State Department to address the deeply troubling pattern in the mistreatment of Black, Hispanic and other minority officers crossing U.S. border and other entry points.

Appeal to Confirm Ambassador Nominations – June 12, 2020

In a joint letter issued to the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, the American Academy of Diplomacy and the Council of American Ambassadors call on Chairman Risch and Ranking Member Menendez to move the maximum number of ambassadorial nominations through the confirmation process before the end of the 16th Congress.

Academy Reviews on Reform:

AAD Letter to Congress on State Department Reform – February 2, 2021

The American Academy of Diplomacy offers assistance as changes are considered that are critical to effective American diplomacy, including increasing the acceptable risk paradigm, career officers in senatorially confirmed positions, diversity in the State Department and the treatment of minority officers and staff , and revising the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

AAD Letter for House Foreign Affairs Committee on State Reorganization– September 22, 2017

The American Academy of Diplomacy offers expertise on the State Department’s reorganization plan for testimony at the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Testimony for Senate Appropriations Committee – June 13, 2017

Written Testimony from Ambassador Ronald Neumann for the June 13, 2017 Senate Appropriations Committee, on the Views of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

Principles for Reorganizing the Department of State – April 18, 2017

When the news of a proposed reorganization of the Department of State came out in March 2017, the American Academy of Diplomacy decided to draft a paper to give to senior Department leadership laying out the Academy’s views of principles and recommendations that we believe should guide the Department’s reorganization. The recommendations draw extensively on our previous studies, particularly American Diplomacy at Risk.

Past Actions:

Academy Opposes Administration’s State Department Budget – May 2, 2019

In a statement issued on May 2, 2019, the American Academy of Diplomacy calls for the rejection of the proposed budget on the grounds that it weakens American diplomacy and, therefore, poses serious risks to American security.

Access the full Press Release here: Academy Opposes Administration’s State Department Budget

Protecting Diplomatic Immunity is a National Interest – July 20, 2018

In a joint statement issued on July 20, 2018 the American Academy of Diplomacy and the Council of American Ambassadors stress the vital importance of protecting diplomatic immunity for U.S. national interest.

Letter to Congress ahead of Secretary Pompeo’s hearings on May 23 and 24, 2018 – May 21, 2018

This letter, sent to the Chairman, Ranking Member and Members of both the Senate Foreign relations Committee (SFRC) and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, details the views of the American Academy of Diplomacy concerning essential points to raise when Secretary of State Pompeo testifies on May 23 and 24, 2018.

Ten Former Directors General Call on the SFRC to Oppose Confirmation of Stephen Akard- December 8, 2017

Ten former Directors General of the State Department oppose the confirmation of Stephen Akard as Director General. The ten, whose service covers more than a quarter century, hold Mr. Akard to be unqualified for the position for which he has been nominated. They call on the Senate not to confirm Mr. Akard.

Academy Opposes Nomination of Stephen Akard to Director General of the Foreign Service- October 30, 2017

The American Academy of Diplomacy urges Chairman Bob Corker and Ranking Member Ben Cardin of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to oppose the nomination of Stephen Akard to Director General of the Foreign Service.

Academy requests that the State Department reorganization be made public – September 18, 2017

The American Academy of Diplomacy strongly believes that the reorganization plan for the State Department should be public. The attached letter from Ambassadors Thomas Pickering and Ronald Neumann requests Secretary Tillerson to change course and release the plan.

Academy welcomes proposed reduction in Special Envoys – August 31, 2017

The Academy supports the direction taken by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to reduce the numbers of special envoys and to consult publicly about the decision.

The Academy opposes the proposed budget cuts – March 21, 2017

The Council of American Ambassadors has joined the American Academy of Diplomacy in this effort to make the case for sensible funding of the State Department budget. Identical letters went to Senators Cardin, Corker, Graham, Leahy, McConnell, Schumer, and Representatives Engel, Lowey, McCarthy, Pelosi, Rogers, and Royce.