"Morale is dangerously low,"
"This report is a wake-up call,"
"America's diplomats are being asked to represent and defend this country at a time of growing global instability - while the institution that supports their work is being hollowed out in real time."
"Respondents voiced alarm over the replacement of career positions with political appointees, widespread budget reductions across the foreign affairs agencies, and the erosion of the merit-based systems that govern assignments and promotions,"
A voluntary AFSA survey of roughly 2,100 Foreign Service members found 98% reported poor morale. Eighty-six percent said changes since January hindered their ability to advance U.S. diplomatic priorities. Sixty-four percent reported key projects and initiatives are being delayed or suspended, and 61% said they are managing significantly heavier workloads due to staffing losses. Nearly a third now plan to leave their posts, compared with about a quarter in 2022. Cuts at USAID and the U.S. Agency for Global Media eliminated thousands of positions and capabilities, and a single-day layoff removed more than 200 Foreign Service members. Respondents reported alarm over replacement of career positions with political appointees, widespread budget reductions, and erosion of merit-based assignment and promotion systems.
Read at Axios
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