State Department

The U.S. Department of State is the agency which deals with foreign affairs for the U.S. Government. The head of the State Department is called the Secretary of State and is one of the President's Cabinet members. The current Secretary of State is Condoleezza Rice. She uses her expertise in diplomacy to ensure that the U.S. maintains friendly relations with other countries, and her credentials as an expert on the former Soviet Union ensured that the U.S. was well-prepared in dealing with the Russian invasion of Georgia. Ha-ha. But seriously.....

FUNCTIONS:
-primarily: advancing U.S. interests globally through the implementation of the President's foreign policy agenda
-negotiation with other nations
-protecting and assisting U.S. citizens abroad
-assisting U.S. business internationally
-organizing and assisting the international programs of other agencies
-informing the public on U.S. foreign policy