U.S. Department of State (DOS)

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) is responsible for conducting foreign policy, representing the U.S. abroad, negotiating treaties, and promoting international cooperation. It oversees diplomatic missions, issues passports and visas, and supports global stability.

DOS Agencies and Their Functions

Diplomatic Relations and Foreign Policy

  • Bureau of Global Public Affairs (GPA) – Communicates U.S. foreign policy and global engagement.
  • Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) – Manages security assistance and defense diplomacy.
  • Bureau of International Organization Affairs (IO) – Coordinates U.S. engagement with the United Nations and other global organizations.

Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions

  • Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) – Oversees diplomatic relations in North, Central, and South America.
  • Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) – Manages relations with European and Eurasian nations.
  • Bureau of African Affairs (AF) – Develops U.S. policy towards African nations.
  • Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) – Handles diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa.
  • Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP) – Manages relations in Asia and the Pacific region.
  • Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) – Focuses on diplomacy in South and Central Asia.

Visas, Passports, and Consular Affairs

  • Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) – Issues passports, visas, and provides assistance to U.S. citizens abroad.

International Security and Counterterrorism

  • Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) – Develops strategies to combat global terrorism.
  • Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) – Helps nations combat drug trafficking and crime.

Economic Growth and Environmental Policy

  • Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB) – Promotes global trade, investment, and economic diplomacy.
  • Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) – Addresses global environmental and scientific issues.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance

  • Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) – Supports humanitarian assistance and refugee resettlement.
  • Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) – Promotes human rights and democratic governance worldwide.

Foreign Aid and Development

  • Office of Foreign Assistance (F) – Oversees foreign aid programs and funding.
  • U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – Provides economic, development, and humanitarian aid globally.

The Department of State plays a vital role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, fostering international diplomacy, and protecting U.S. interests abroad.