Key Terms in U.S. Public Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs

DOS

Department of State: U.S. government agency responsible for foreign affairs and diplomacy.

U/S for PD and PA

Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs: Senior State Department official overseeing U.S. efforts to inform and influence foreign publics.

PD

Public Diplomacy: U.S. government programs and strategies aimed at engaging and influencing foreign audiences.

ECA

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: Manages U.S. exchange programs like Fulbright, IVLP, and youth scholarships.

USIA

U.S. Information Agency: Former agency (1953-1999) for public diplomacy; integrated into the State Department.

USIS

U.S. Information Service: The name used abroad for USIA posts; now typically called the Public Affairs Section.

PAS

Public Affairs Section: Embassy section handling cultural programs, media relations, and educational exchanges.

FSO

Foreign Service Officer: U.S. diplomats who represent American interests overseas in various specialties.

LES

Locally Employed Staff: Host-country nationals who support embassy or consulate operations.

PAO

Public Affairs Officer: Leads the PAS and public diplomacy efforts at an embassy or consulate.

IO

Information Officer: Manages media relations and press messaging for a U.S. embassy.

CAO

Cultural Affairs Officer: Oversees cultural programming and educational exchange initiatives.

IRC

Information Resource Center: Resource center promoting U.S. policy, values, and culture; often within PAS.

Country Team

The interagency leadership group in an embassy, led by the ambassador, coordinating all U.S. activity in the host country.

AMB

Ambassador: The chief diplomat and head of the U.S. mission in a foreign country.

DCM

Deputy Chief of Mission: Second in command at an embassy; assumes ambassadorial duties when needed.

POL

Political Section: Analyzes and reports on political developments in the host country.

ECON

Economic Section: Manages economic reporting and diplomacy on trade, finance, and development issues.

CONS

Consular Section: Provides visa services and assists U.S. citizens abroad.

ADMIN

Administrative Section: Oversees logistics, budgeting, HR, and general embassy operations.

IVLP

International Visitor Leadership Program: Exchange program bringing current/future foreign leaders to the U.S. to meet counterparts and explore American society.

VOA

Voice of America: U.S. government-funded international broadcaster offering news in multiple languages.

RELO

Regional English Language Officer: Oversees English language programming and teacher support in a given region.

Fulbright Program

Flagship U.S. academic exchange program promoting mutual understanding.

Embassy

Main diplomatic post in the capital of a host country.

Consulate

Sub-office offering services and outreach in major cities.

Mission

Diplomatic office to international organizations (e.g., UN).

Interest Section

Operates in countries without formal relations, usually under a third country's embassy.

UNSC

United Nations Security Council: UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

UNGA

United Nations General Assembly: Main deliberative body of the UN, with equal representation for all member states.

Access Micro Scholarships

Provides English language learning to underserved youth around the world.

American Speakers

Program sending U.S. experts abroad for public engagements and diplomacy.

American Corners

Cultural and information hubs partnered with local institutions to share U.S. values and offer programs.

Binational Centers (BNCs)

U.S.-affiliated cultural/educational institutions in partner countries, often focused on English learning and American studies.

On the record

Can be quoted and attributed to the source.

background

Can be used but attributed vaguely (e.g., 'a U.S. official').

deep background

Can be used, but no attribution at all

off the record

Cannot be published or used.