At The Breaking Point The State Of

A report prepared by the American Foreign Service Association, released December 3, 2025.

“America’s global leadership depends on a strong, professional diplomatic workforce. But in 2025, the U.S. Foreign Service faces an unprecedented crisis. Personnel losses, political interference, and the erosion of America’s soft power have pushed the diplomatic corps to a breaking point—just as global threats intensify.

To document the realities and challenges facing career diplomats in this moment of profound institutional strain, the American Foreign Service Association conducted a survey of its active-duty membership between August and September 2025. More than 2,100 diplomats responded—from entry-level officers to senior leaders, serving in Washington and at posts worldwide.

With the federal government’s own workforce survey discontinued earlier this year, AFSA undertook this study to fill the gap and ensure the voices of America’s diplomats are heard.”

To read the full report: https://afsa.org/at-the-breaking-point

Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 360 former senior national security professionals. Our membership includes former officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on deep expertise across national security disciplines including intelligence, diplomacy, military affairs and law, we advocate for constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the preservation of America’s national security institutions.