U.S. Department of State :The Week at State: April 3 - April 9, 2026

 

April 3 – April 9 U.S. Foreign Service Officers represent America in embassies, foreign capitals, and halls of power across the globe. Go where America needs you. Become a Foreign Service Officer. Here’s what happened at State this week.  Secretary Rubio announced major reforms to the Foreign Service to prioritize America First diplomacy. Artemis II is heading back from the Moon. Secretary Rubio announced the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson after her kidnapping in Iraq. Modernizing the Foreign Service The State Department is recruiting Foreign Service Officers to meet challenges around the world. The State Department announced a comprehensive series of reforms to the U.S. Foreign Service. These updates ensure the nation’s diplomatic corps is equipped to meet 21st-century challenges with a focus on merit and core tradecraft. The modernization efforts include reinstituting a written examination, testing applicants’ knowledge of American history, and reforming the Foreign Service orientation to include content on diplomatic theory, economic statecraft, and strategic competition.  “The State Department has undertaken efforts to bolster Foreign Service recruitment efforts and refine the selection process to ensure that our diplomatic mission is prepared to deliver America’s answer to the most pressing of challenges, from the reorientation of supply chains to mass migration and beyond,” Secretary Rubio said in a Substack post. For All Humankind U.S. Embassy Libya hosted an Artemis II watch party. (U.S. Embassy Libya/Facebook) On April 10, after traveling for 10 days and more than 685,000 miles, the four astronauts on Artemis II are preparing to return to Earth.  Artemis II is expected to splash down in the Pacific just after 8 p.m. EDT off the coast of California.  These brave explorers traveled farther than any human has ever gone, having circled the moon and now returning to Earth.  The State Department will be working in close coordination with the Department of War, U.S. Coast Guard, and NASA to coordinate the global search and rescue once Artemis II splashes down. American Journalist Released in Iraq On April 7, Secretary Rubio announced the release of American journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was recently kidnapped by members of the foreign terrorist organization Kata’ib Hizballah near Baghdad, Iraq. The State Department worked with multiple federal agencies and with partners in Iraq to help secure her release.  “This resolution reflects the Trump Administration’s steadfast commitment to the safety and security of American citizens, no matter where they are in the world,” Secretary Rubio said. “We will continue to use every tool to bring Americans home and to hold accountable those responsible.” News You May Have Missed Secretary Rubio met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and they discussed increasing coordination and burden shifting with NATO Allies. The State Department announced a new phase of global health engagement across Asia to enhance regional health and security. We revoked the green cards of several foreign nationals with ties to the Iranian terror regime. We championed a new commercial diplomacy approach, announcing a new resource for U.S. companies to register to receive alerts on strategic investment opportunities abroad. The U.S.-Uzbekistan Business Investment Council met in Washington, D.C., hosted by U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor. The United States nominated USDA Under Secretary Luke Lindberg for Executive Director of the UN World Food Program.  Secretary Rubio celebrated Easter, emphasizing his faith with a video on X. Note to Our Readers  We welcome feedback at EmailTeam@state.gov  Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe to The Week at State for weekly updates on important work, activities, and news straight from the State Department.

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