What Do Diplomats Do?

What Do Diplomats Do?

What do diplomats really do? In these videos and this article will unpack the various roles and responsibilities of a U.S. Diplomat! Let’s go!

The Mission Of U.S. Diplomats

The primary mission of U.S. diplomats is to represent the interests and policies of the United States overseas and provide assistance to American citizens abroad. According to the State Department’s website, a U.S. diplomat in the foreign service works to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American citizens while advancing the nation’s interests abroad.

Career Tracks Or Cones For Diplomats

In the Foreign Service, diplomats have the opportunity to specialize in different career tracks, often referred to as “cones.” These cones define the roles and responsibilities they will carry out during their diplomatic careers. Here are the five main career tracks or cones in the U.S. foreign service:

1. Political

• Political officers are responsible for understanding the political situation in the host country.
• They analyze the host country’s domestic and foreign policies and seek to align U.S. interests with those of the host country.
• Political officers use persuasion skills to encourage host governments to adopt certain policies or actions.
• They maintain contacts with national and local governments, think tanks, NGOs, and media outlets.

2. Economic

• Economic officers focus on building and maintaining positive economic relationships between the host country and the United States.
• They work to advance U.S. economic and commercial interests through diplomatic channels.
• Economic officers also report on issues related to technology, health, the environment, and science, in addition to economic matters.
  

3. Management

• Management officers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of U.S. embassies and consulates.
• They oversee embassy operations, including real estate, personnel, and budgets, to ensure everything runs efficiently.

4. Consular

• Consular officers are often the first point of contact for American and foreign citizens when they visit an embassy or consulate.
• Their primary duty is to assist American citizens in distress, such as those facing legal issues, health emergencies, or passport problems.
• Consular officers also issue visas to non-U.S. citizens seeking to travel, work, study, or live in the United States.
  

5. Public Diplomacy

• Public diplomacy officers act as public relations representatives for the foreign service.
• They work to create mutual understanding between the U.S. and the host country.
• Public diplomacy officers use traditional and social media to convey messages that support U.S. policy and interests abroad.
• They also manage cultural exchanges and people-to-people programs to strengthen international ties.

Career Choices And Training For Diplomats

One of the first decisions for those joining the foreign service is choosing their career track or cone. Diplomats typically spend the initial two to four years of their foreign service career specializing in consular work, gaining valuable experience in assisting American citizens abroad.

Conclusion

Diplomats play a crucial role in representing their country’s interests and promoting international cooperation. They work across various career tracks, each with its unique responsibilities, contributing to the broader goal of advancing their nation’s interests and maintaining peaceful relations with other countries. Understanding the diverse roles of diplomats in the foreign service helps shed light on the complexity and importance of diplomatic efforts worldwide.

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