Tipping Point: The State of the U.S. Diplomatic Service Report, 2024

Key Chapter Title List

1. Executive Summary
2. The Overall Picture
3. Erosion of Capacity to Implement U.S. Foreign Policy
4. A Workforce in Free Fall
5. Policy Priorities
6. AFSA Policy Recommendations
7. Conclusion
8. Survey Methodology
9. About AFSA

Document Introduction

This report, released by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in 2025, reveals that the U.S. professional diplomatic system is facing an unprecedented systemic crisis, based on a global survey of over 2,100 active-duty U.S. diplomats. The report's core argument is that America's professional diplomatic corps is being hollowed out from within, and the rate of personnel loss, the depth of low morale, and the breadth of institutional integrity damage pose a direct threat to U.S. global leadership and national security.

The report begins by stating that since January 2025, as many as one-quarter of U.S. diplomats have left their positions, retired, or lost their jobs due to their agencies being disbanded. This unprecedented loss of talent and institutional capacity is the result of systemic damage by America's own leadership. The report paints a grim picture through data and qualitative feedback: 86% of respondents said changes in the work environment have harmed their ability to advance diplomatic priorities, 98% reported low morale, and nearly one-third have changed their career plans since early 2025. Key foreign policy areas, such as development and humanitarian aid, public diplomacy, national security initiatives, and economic and trade promotion, have seen their capabilities significantly weakened due to resource cuts and political interference.

The analytical method of this report primarily relies on an anonymous electronic questionnaire survey conducted among AFSA's global active-duty members from August to September 2025, yielding 2,102 valid responses with a response rate of 32%. Respondents covered a broad spectrum from junior officers to senior leadership, and from Washington headquarters to global postings. Against the backdrop of the federal government halting official personnel surveys, this report becomes a crucial primary source for understanding the current situation, challenges, and perspectives of frontline U.S. diplomatic personnel.

The report's core findings point to a professional corps in "free fall." Beyond the alarming attrition rate, the report focuses on analyzing the "brain drain" phenomenon: a significant number of diplomats who originally planned for lifelong service are reconsidering their careers due to increased politicization, loss of job protections, resource reductions, and fear of the government. Particularly concerning is the erosion of the foundations of the career system, such as introducing "loyalty" assessments in employee evaluations, unilaterally amending the Foreign Affairs Manual, and stripping collective bargaining rights. These measures are undermining the fundamental principles upon which U.S. diplomats rely to maintain professionalism and non-partisanship.

Based on the survey findings, the American Foreign Service Association has presented a series of policy recommendations to the U.S. Congress aimed at restoring the effectiveness and independence of the diplomatic service. Core demands include: legislating to protect non-partisan career diplomats from political retaliation; reinvigorating Congressional oversight of the executive branch's management of the diplomatic service and formulation of foreign policy; and collaborating with AFSA to promote modernization reforms of the diplomatic service designed to strengthen training, leadership, and development to meet 21st-century challenges. The report ultimately warns that repairing America's diplomatic strength requires immediate action; otherwise, it will continue to weaken the U.S. ability to respond to crises, manage alliances, and compete on the global stage.