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U.S. Department of State Strategic Plan (2000)
Released by the Office of Management Policy and Planning
U.S. Department of State, October 25, 2000
[ Contents ]
SUMMARY OF THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE STRATEGIC PLANThis Strategic Plan outlines the roles and mission of the Department of State in achieving the foreign policy goals of the United States, under the direction of the President and the Secretary of State. It is a companion to the International Affairs Strategic Plan, which articulates the fundamental national interests of the United States in terms of long-range goals to create a more secure, prosperous, and democratic world for the American people. The Department's Strategic Plan also demonstrates that "diplomacy" has a new definition in the post-Cold War era, and that the strategic goals pursued by the Department and all US diplomatic missions overseas are directly linked to the real-life, daily concerns of the American people.
The Strategic Overview outlines trends that have a major, global impact on US foreign policy, and identifies the means by which the United States pursues its objectives.
The International Affairs Mission Statement defines core US values and priority interests, establishing strategic goals for national security, economic prosperity, protection of American citizens and border security, law enforcement, democracy, humanitarian assistance, environment, population, and health. The Department of State Mission Statement identifies the core responsibilities and values of State as the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy.
The 16 International Affairs strategic goals are long-term, with timeframes of 6 years or more. Targets are specific where possible. A set of strategies is presented for achieving each goal, along with assumptions about potentially critical external factors and indicators that can be used to measure progress.
The role of the State Department is defined for each of the goals and the strategies associated with them. Lead agencies and responsible State bureaus are also identified. The legal authorities of the State Department and International Affairs resources are included as sections in this Plan.
The Diplomatic Activity section of the Strategic Plan covers support activities needed to achieve our goals: public diplomacy information and exchange programs and administrative support expressed in terms of Diplomatic Readiness. Diplomatic Readiness includes goals for the human resources, information resources management, and infrastructure and operations of the State Department. The Department of State, as the provider of the basic platform from which all Federal agencies operate overseas, considers the achievement of these Diplomatic Readiness goals as the sine qua non for our ability to address the Plan's strategic goals effectively.
Drafts of this plan were shared with the Congress, other Federal agencies, and a variety of our customers. No contrary views were expressed.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MISSION STATEMENT
Create a more secure, prosperous, and democratic world for the benefit of the American people.
In an increasingly interdependent and rapidly changing world, international events affect every American. Successful US international leadership is essential to security at home, better jobs and a higher standard of living, a healthier environment, and safe travel and conduct of business abroad.
Under the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, the United States conducts relations with foreign governments, international organizations, and others to pursue US national interests and promote American values. The goals of US foreign policy are to:
- Secure peace; deter aggression; prevent, and defuse, and manage crises; halt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and advance arms control and disarmament;
- Expand exports, open markets, assist American business, foster economic growth, and promote sustainable development;
- Protect American citizens abroad and safeguard the borders of the United States;
- Combat international terrorism, crime, and narcotics trafficking;
- Support the establishment and consolidation of democracies, and uphold human rights;
- Provide humanitarian assistance to victims of crisis and disaster; and
- Improve the global environment, stabilize world population growth, and protect human health.
To advance the interests of the nation and the American people through foreign affairs leadership, the US Government requires a strong international presence; a highly qualified, motivated, and diverse Civil and Foreign Service serving at home and abroad; extensive communication with the public, both foreign and domestic; and the political, military, and economic means to carry out the nation's foreign policies.
STATE DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT
US diplomacy is an instrument of power, essential for maintaining effective international relationships, and a principal means through which the United States defends its interests, responds to crises, and achieves its international goals. The Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy, a mission based on the role of the Secretary of State as the President's principal foreign policy adviser.
In order to carry out US foreign policy at home and abroad, the Department of State:
- Exercises policy leadership, broad interagency coordination, and management of resource allocation for the conduct of foreign relations;
- Leads representation of the United States overseas and advocates US policies foreign governments and international organizations;
- Coordinates, and provides support for, the international activities of US agencies, official visits, and other diplomatic missions;
- Conducts negotiations, concludes agreements, and supports US participation in international negotiations of all types;
- Coordinates and manages the US Government response to international crises of all types;
- Carries out public affairs and public diplomacy;
- Reports on and analyzes international issues of importance to the US Government;
- Assists US business;
- Protects and assists American citizens living or traveling abroad;
- Adjudicates immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to enhance US border security;
- Manages those international affairs programs and operations for which State has statutory responsibility; and
- Guarantees the Diplomatic Readiness of the US Government.
Department of State personnel in the United States and abroad carry out these core diplomatic activities in pursuit of specific goals. Some ongoing responsibilities are essential to the conduct of effective international relations and contribute to all international affairs goals, for example maintaining contacts and access overseas, or supporting official visits. Similarly, State's management functions provide the foundation support essential to maintain US diplomatic readiness around the world.
At posts overseas, the Ambassador reports to the President through the Secretary of State and, as Chief of Mission, has authority over all US Government executive branch personnel except for those under a US area military commander. The Country Team, led by the Chief of Mission, is the principal coordinating body for all US Government agencies represented at that specific overseas Mission. As the lead agency abroad, State manages US Embassies, Consulates, and other diplomatic posts, and supports the international activities of the rest of the US Government.
The world is more complex and the conduct of international relations is more demanding than ever before. Successful diplomacy requires deep understanding of the international environment and careful application of influence, persuasion, and negotiation. These are particular strengths of the Department of State.
As long as US international leadership requires a universal presence overseas, State will have a core responsibility to maintain the Diplomatic Readiness of the US Government. This means ensuring that resources are adequate, matched to priorities, and are used effectively to put the right people in the right places, with the security and support needed for them to defend national interests and achieve US goals.
The men and women of the Department of State, at home and overseas, represent and advocate the interests and people of the United States in the rest of the world. The International Affairs Mission Statement is the map of what we aim to accomplish; this Values Statement articulates the guiding principles for us as individuals and as an institution.
- Impact: Our work significantly advances the interests of the American people at home and abroad.
- Expertise: Language and cultural skills, area and technical expertise, science and technology literacy, management ability, and international experience are critical to our role as the lead US Government agency overseas; our skills help others representing the United States do their jobs more effectively.
- Discipline: We faithfully execute policy regardless of personal views; members of the Foreign Service are ready to serve worldwide as needed.
- Dissent: The constructive, thoughtful expression of divergent views strengthens the formulation and execution of foreign policy.
- Diversity: We strive for a merit-based workforce that is excellent, reflective of the American people, and confident that solid, mission-related performance is rewarded.
- Partnership: Our effectiveness as an institution is heightened by the unique mix of skills and experiences that our Civil Service, Foreign Service, and foreign national colleagues bring to the workplace.
- Commitment: We are dedicated to America's leadership in the world and to the effective conduct of international relations; we take the long-term view that comes with a career, not merely a job.
This Strategic Plan outlines the roles and mission of the Department of State, under the direction of the President and the Secretary of State, in achieving the foreign policy goals of the United States. The underlying premise of this plan is threefold. First, that the State Department alone provides the essential diplomatic platform without which the conduct of a multi-faceted cross-agency foreign policy would not be possible.
Second, that State's strategic plan must be crafted differently because foreign policy, properly understood, is not concerned solely with the attainment of specific time-defined goals but with the maintenance of a vital, ongoing process. Finality is not the language of foreign policy, and any strategic plan applied to foreign affairs and overseas representation must take account of that fact.
Third, that a major paradigm shift has occurred in global, diplomatic, and economic affairs since the end of the Cold War. This has rendered the distinction between domestic and foreign affairs one of convenience rather than one of fact. As the proliferation of US Government agencies with overseas responsibilities illustrates, almost every facet of national life, from crime, to travel, to the environment and the economy, is related, intimately and directly, to the conduct of global policy.
In light of the massive expansion of America's global trade; the multiplicity of threats impinging on America's domestic and international security; and the American public's deep and abiding concerns regarding crime, health, and the environment; this Strategic Plan seeks to offer a vision of a foreign policy that is not bound by the now artificial distinction between domestic and global affairs. The State Department will therefore expand its outreach to the American public to explain the deep and interrelated linkages that exist between the United States and the wider world. The State Department, which alone in the Federal government is responsible for monitoring the overall international arena, will also work to enhance its traditional role as the effective coordinator and platform for the nation's relations to the rest of the world.
The Department of State Strategic Plan links the Department's activities to the international affairs goals of the United States. This Strategic Plan -- in addition to three brief sections describing the State Department's strategic planning process, legal authorities, and the resources allocated to International Affairs -- is comprised of two essential categories:
International Affairs Strategic Goals. The State Department identified 16 long-term goals (with timeframes of 5 years or more) for the entire US Government -- not just the State Department -- to achieve in international affairs. Such goals are as specific as the nature of international relations permit. The role of the State Department is defined for each of the goals. A set of strategies is presented for achieving each goal, along with assumptions about potentially critical external factors, and measures for determining progress in the accomplishment of those goals. Lead agencies and responsible State bureaus are also identified.
State's Diplomatic Activities. To accomplish our nation's foreign policy goals, we rely heavily on two types of Diplomatic Activities: public diplomacy information and exchange programs and Diplomatic Readiness. The former category is critical to foster trust and understanding between the U.S. and other countries. This is done though the dissemination of information in support of key U.S. foreign policy goals through a variety of means to convey U.S. Government positions without distortion. Another way to foster mutual understanding is through academic, professional and cultural exchanges.
Because US diplomatic missions represent the entire US Government, the Department of State provides the critical platform from which all Federal agencies operate and without which it is impossible to achieve the 16 International Affairs Strategic Goals. Diplomatic Readiness covers the human resources, information resources management, and infrastructure and operations necessary for maximizing the State Department's Diplomatic Readiness Platform.
The Changing International Affairs Context
Many experts heralded the end of the Cold War as ending the need for American global engagement. As the last ten years have demonstrated, the dramatic changes in the world's political and economic landscape have meant just the opposite. Today, we are confronted with a host of international problems that affect America's security and domestic welfare, from financial crises and the closing of markets to global environmental challenges, AIDS, terrorism, drug trafficking, and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. These foreign policy problems are national security challenges, and we must think about the work that we do to meet them in those terms.
In pursuing its international objectives, the United States must take into account the multiple and often competing intentions and interests of other governments and organizations, public opinion, Congress, and other US Government agencies, as well as resource constraints. The intersection of domestic and foreign issues has expanded to affect every American and involve virtually the entire US Government.
Successful US foreign policy depends on recognizing the conditions that are likely to prevail in the new and evolving international context, including:
Multiple conflicts, crises, and threats -- many of them transnational -- rather than a single overriding challenge, will continue to emerge and may increase in frequency. While these may be small or localized in nature, they will frequently have potential for wider impact. These challenges will require determination, resources, and time to resolve.
New scientific advances and discoveries, changing technologies, the information revolution, and economic growth have increased the rate of global change, accelerated communications, and diminished the importance of geographical distance. As a result, the world is more interdependent, and the consequences of political, social, economic, military, scientific, technological and health developments more interrelated.
Global problems, especially those related to the environment, population, and disease, will have ever greater impact. These problems demand international attention based on solid science, and solutions must take into account implications of any actions on future generations and the integrity of the planet.
Multilateral cooperation and communication will prove increasingly feasible and effective to prevent crises, resolve problems, build trust, and advance common interests. Relations between nation-states will still remain central to the conduct of international affairs, but nongovernmental actors will gain increasing influence.
Democracy will continue to advance internationally, but democratic practices will vary among states and will be subject to countervailing influences and interests.
Economic interdependence will increase. Private enterprise and technology will be the primary drivers, although the role of government in maintaining stable macroeconomic conditions, promoting business opportunities, and supporting research and development activities will remain critical. New centers of economic growth and power will emerge, trade and financial flows will accelerate, but distribution of the economic benefits, both internally and internationally, will be uneven.
The Role of the State Department
Diplomacy is America's first line of defense. While sustained military strength and flexibility are necessary to assure national security, the conduct of US relations with the rest of the world through an effective international presence and discerning leadership is what makes the United States a force for peace. Relatively small investments in diplomacy and sustainable development now -- to prevent conflicts, create the conditions for economic growth, promote democracy, enhance communication, and protect the environment -- decrease the possibility of more costly conflict later.
Protecting national interests and advancing US goals involves virtually every agency of the US Government and requires a set of strategic assets, including:
-- Expert diplomacy, a strong military, and effective intelligence, working in coordination to maintain national security;
-- Fundamental capabilities for carrying out international affairs missions in public diplomacy, mutual understanding, sustainable development, and arms control;
-- Full participation by domestic and specialized US Government agencies in those aspects of international affairs that pertain to their particular scopes of authority and expertise, particularly those related to issues of science, technology and health;
-- Programs in sustainable development, military cooperation, peacekeeping, law enforcement, finance, international information, academic and cultural exchange, and other fields to provide the means necessary to address problems and achieve objectives; and
-- Diplomatic Readiness consisting of the human resources, infrastructure and operations, and information resources management necessary for a strong US international presence.In order for the United States to fulfill its foreign policy goals with lasting effect, these assets must be deployable worldwide. They must also be well coordinated, stable enough to pursue long-term objectives, flexible enough to prevent and mitigate emerging crises, have sufficient resources to meet established objectives, and have the support of the American people.
US international leadership requires a universal presence overseas. The State Department has the core responsibility for maintaining the Diplomatic Readiness Platform of the US Government. This requires resources that are adequate, matching them to priorities, and using them effectively to put the right people in the right places, with the security and support necessary for them to defend America's goals and national interests.
Successful diplomacy requires a deep understanding of the international environment and the careful application of influence, persuasion, and negotiation. These are particular strengths of State Department personnel. The Department of State's highly qualified, motivated, and diverse Civil and Foreign Service personnel at home and abroad have a distinct responsibility to represent and advocate the interests and people of the United States in the rest of the world. That is why the State Department employs a cadre of men and women of the highest education, temperament, character, language and cultural skills.
The State Department coordinates the more than 30 US government agencies that operate overseas. State's management functions provide the foundation of support essential for maintaining the US Diplomatic Readiness Platform around the world. As the lead agency abroad, State manages US embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic posts, and supports the international activities of the rest of the US Government.
To facilitate these cross-cutting efforts, the State Department heavily engages in interagency consultations and coordination in order to align strategic goals and clearly define roles and missions. Such agency-to-agency consultations will continue, as will interagency performance planing and Country Team participation in mission performance planning overseas.
Goals and Objectives
The 16 International Affairs Strategic Goals encapsulate what the US desires to accomplish in world affairs. None of the 16 Strategic Goals is exclusive to a single agency, but the Department of State has a vital role in achieving each of them. National Security is preeminent, but economic, humanitarian, and other concerns also require first-class diplomacy.
The goals do not always lend themselves to concrete statistical analysis. Goals are nearly always interrelated, and at times can even be in conflict -- as is sometimes the case with human rights and economic prosperity. Some of the goals -- such as protection of American citizens abroad -- necessarily represent ongoing responsibilities rather than missions that are ever finished. And other goals -- such as those regarding the environment, population, and health -- focus on global problems where results are far in the future.
That is why, at present, not all of the goals in the Strategic Plan are easily quantifiable. Counter-narcotics is a useful example: there is a wealth of quantitative data available, but the data reveals little about the direct impact of increasing drug seizures on the desired outcome of reducing the flow of narcotics into the United States. Qualitative, rather than quantitative, measurements are therefore more practical for most national security and other goals. Where possible, the Strategic Plan does include more specific measurements, such as when applied to specific countries or to objectives with shorter time frames.
US NATIONAL INTERESTS AND STRATEGIC GOALS
National Security:
- Prevent regional instabilities from threatening US vital national interests.
- Reduce the threat to the United States and its allies from weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Economic Prosperity:
- Open foreign markets to increase trade and free the flow of goods, services, and capital.
- Expand US exports to $1.2 trillion by early in the 21st century.
- Increase global economic growth and stability.
- Promote broad-based growth in developing and transitional economies to raise standards of living, reduce poverty, and lessen disparities of wealth within and among countries.
American Citizens and US Borders:
- Protect the safety and security of American citizens who travel and live abroad.
- Facilitate travel to the US by foreign visitors, immigrants, and refugees, while deterring entry by those who abuse or threaten our system.
Law Enforcement:
- Minimize the impact of international crime on the United States and its citizens.
- Reduce the entry of illegal drugs into the United States.
- Reduce the incidence and severity of international terrorist attacks, particularly against American citizens and interests.
Democracy:
- Open political systems and societies to democratic practices, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights.
Humanitarian Response:
- Prevent or minimize the human costs of conflict and natural disasters.
Global Issues: Environment, Health, and Population
- Secure a sustainable global environment to protect the US citizens and interests from the effects of international environmental degradation.
- Achieve a healthy and sustainable world population.
- Strengthen international health capabilities.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
Changes in the world at the end of the 20th century make this new millennium a time of profound choice for the United States. The foreign policy goals of creating a more secure, prosperous, and democratic world for the benefit of the American people remain fundamental. However, deep and lasting changes to the global landscape, such as new technologies, increasing population, and economic and geopolitical transformations, have strategic implications for the U.S. international leadership.
Defined by reference to the past, the post-Cold War era has as its most significant attribute the absence of any immediate, vital threat to national security. The demise of the Soviet Union has left the United States as the preeminent world power and invested it with unparalleled leadership responsibilities and opportunities. But the end of superpower competition also eliminated the unifying strategy for U.S. foreign policy. Now, in addition to regional security issues, an array of threats-weapons proliferation, terrorism, ethnic and religious conflict, organized crime, drug trafficking, and environmental degradation-challenges U.S. interests and blurs the traditional dividing lines between domestic and foreign affairs.
Successful U.S. foreign policy depends on recognition of the conditions that are likely to prevail in this new and evolving international context. Six strategic assumptions about long-term global trends are an essential starting point for determining where, when, and how the United States is to engage in the world:
1. Multiple conflicts, crises, and threats-many of them transnational-rather than a single overriding challenge, will continue to emerge and may increase in frequency. While these may be small or localized in nature, they will frequently have potential for wider impact. These challenges will require determination, resources, and time to resolve.
2. New scientific advances and discoveries, changing technologies, the information revolution, and economic growth have increased the rate of global change, accelerated communications, and diminished the importance of time and distance. As a result, the world is more interdependent, while the consequences of political, social, economic, military, scientific, technological and health developments are more interrelated.
3. Global problems, especially those related to the environment, population, and disease, will have ever greater impact. These problems demand international attention, based on sound science and appropriate technology, and solutions must take implications for future generations and the integrity of the planet into account.
4. Multilateral cooperation and communication will prove increasingly feasible and effective to prevent crises, resolve problems, build trust, and advance common interests. Relations between nation-states will nevertheless remain central to the conduct of international affairs, but non-governmental actors will gain increasing influence.
5. Democracy will continue to advance internationally, but democratic practices will vary among states and will be subject to countervailing influences and interests.
6. Economic interdependence will increase. Private enterprise and technology will be the primary drivers, although the role of government in maintaining stable macroeconomic conditions, promoting opportunities and supporting research and development activities will remain critical. New centers of economic growth and power will emerge, trade and financial flows will accelerate, but distribution of the economic benefits, both internally and internationally, will be uneven.
A clear understanding and articulation of foreign policy goals must be based on recognizing how these six trends affect U.S. conduct of its international relations. Security, political, economic, and global priorities are not uniformly fixed, but vary with time and circumstance, are inter-related, and often involve difficult tradeoffs.
Diplomacy is America's first line of defense. Sustained military strength and flexibility are necessary to assure national security, but the conduct of U.S. relations with the rest of the world through an effective international presence and discerning leadership is what makes the United States a force for peace. Relatively small investments in diplomacy and sustainable development now to prevent conflict, create the conditions for economic growth, promote democracy, enhance communication, fight the spread of disease, and protect the environment decrease the possibilities of much more costly conflict later and help ensure the prosperity and well-being of the American people.
Foreign affairs today has many dimensions in addition to national security, trade, and other traditional concerns. The number of nation-states, international organizations, and other involved parties-each with their own interests and objectives-has multiplied. Direct interaction and communication with foreign and domestic non-governmental organizations and publics is an increasingly essential responsibility. Equally important, the intersection of domestic and foreign issues has expanded to affect every American and involve virtually the entire US Government. In pursuing international objectives, the Department of State must take into account the multiple and often competing intentions and interests of other governments and organizations, public opinion, Congress, and other US Government agencies, as well as resource constraints.
Protecting national interests and advancing US goals involves virtually every agency of the US Government and requires a set of strategic assets:
- Expert diplomacy, a strong military, and effective intelligence, working in coordination to maintain national security;
- Fundamental capabilities to carry out international affairs missions in public diplomacy, sustainable development, and arms control;
- Full participation by domestic and specialized US Government agencies in those aspects of international affairs that pertain to their particular scopes of authority and expertise, particularly those related to science, technology and health;
- Programs in sustainable development, military cooperation, peacekeeping, law enforcement, finance, international information, academic and cultural exchange, and other fields to provide the means necessary to address problems and achieve objectives; and
- Diplomatic readiness consisting of the human resources, infrastructure and operations, and information resources management necessary for a strong US international presence.
In order for the United States to fulfill its foreign policy goals with lasting effect, these assets must have the capability for worldwide deployment, be well coordinated, be stable enough to pursue long-term objectives, be flexible enough to prevent and mitigate emerging crises, have sufficient resources to meet established objectives, and have the support of the American people.
[end document]
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