A Review of U.S. Diplomatic Readiness: Addressing the Staffing and Foreign Language Challenges Facing the Foreign Service

At the request of this Subcommittee, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) undertook two reviews of diplomatic readiness at the U.S. Department of State. First, GAO analyzed experience and staffing gaps that may complicate the Department of State’s efforts in conducting foreign policy at its overseas posts. Second, GAO reviewed language proficiency shortfalls at the Department’s missions abroad. This hearing focused on the findings and recommendations from those reviews. The full GAO Reports can be accessed online: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09874.pdf http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09955.pdf