![Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides and USAID Administrator Shah deliver remarks on the FY 2013 Department of State budget request at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on February 13, 2012. [State Department image/ Public Domain]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/LW507_LIV1_m.jpg)
Senior officials deliver remarks on the FY 2013 Department of State budget request. Watch it live here on DipNote and www.state.gov at 1:30 p.m. EST. You can read more about the International Affairs Budget here. more »
Posted under: Policy
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![People look out the window at airplanes at Santos Dummont airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 25, 2012. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0207_nides_travel_m.jpg)
Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R. Nides authored an opinion piece that appears today on CNN's Global Public Square Blog. The text of his piece also follows below:
"Here's a simple equation that will help the economy: Bringing more international visitors to America equals new jobs here at home. The United States is the world's top tourist destination, but our share of that market has dropped since September 11, 2001.
"International travelers added $134 billion in exports to our economy in 2010, and we know there is appetite for much more. The Department of Commerce estimates that every 65 additional international visitors to the… more »
Posted under: Travel
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More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Germany and Bulgaria on February 3-5, 2012. In Munich, Germany, Secretary Clinton held bilateral meetings with her European and other counterparts and participated in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary reaffirmed the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges.
"Europe is… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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![The U.S. Embassy building is seen in Damascus, Syria on January 12, 2011. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0206_embassy_syria_m.jpg)
The United States advised the government of Syria that it has suspended all embassy operations effective February 6, 2012, given ongoing violence and a deteriorating security situation. All official U.S. embassy personnel and their family members have departed. In a statement, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said:
"We, along with several other diplomatic missions, conveyed our security concerns to the Syrian government but the regime failed to respond adequately. Ambassador Ford has left Damascus but he remains the United States Ambassador to Syria and its people. As the President's representative, he will continue his work and engagement with the Syrian people as head of our Syria team in Washington. Together with other senior U.S. officials, Ambassador Ford will maintain… more »
Posted under: Near East and Asia
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More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map
The 48th Annual Munich Security Conference took place February 3-5, 2012, in Munich, Germany. In this video from the U.S.-European Media Hub, U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Philip D. Murphy notes that this year marks the first-ever participation by two U.S. Cabinet officials in this event. Ambassador Murphy also describes how the conference has changed over the years, but points out that "one thing that hasn't changed over 48 years is how important the American role is, and how importantly we take that role."
During the conference, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "...I have now traveled to Europe 27 times… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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![Secretary Clinton boards plane in Beirut, Lebanon, April 26, 2009. [State Department Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2009_0716_clinton_departs_m.jpg)
More: Interactive Travel Map | Background Briefing En Route Munich
On February 3-5, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is on travel to Germany and Bulgaria. In Germany, Secretary Clinton will participate in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary will reaffirm the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges. While in Munich… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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![A woman walks past screens showing graphs of stocks at the Athens Stock Exchange on November 21, 2011. [AP File Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0130_invest_women_m.jpg)
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer and President of the Women in the World Foundation Kim Azzarelli co-authored an opinion piece that appears today on The Daily Beast website. In the piece, Ambassador Verveer and Ms. Azzarelli underscore why the global economy needs the "other 51 percent." The text of their article follows below.
"Businesses are starting to understand what development experts have long known: investing in women pays dividends. Women are more likely than men to put their income back into their communities, driving illiteracy and mortality rates down and GDP up.
"Now a corporate revolution is at hand, one that is moving beyond philanthropy,… more »
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More: Questions Submitted on DipNote | Text Transcript
Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, held a conversation with Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, on the role of religion in foreign policy. The discussion was moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public… more »
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![Egypt's newly-elected parliament as seen during the first session after the revolution that ousted former President Hosni Mubarak, in Cairo, Egypt, Jan. 23, 2012. [AP Photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2012_0125_egypt_transition_m.jpg)
On January 24, 2012, the White House Press Secretary issued the following statement:
"This week, Egypt achieved several historic milestones in its transition to democracy. Yesterday, democratically-elected representatives of the People's Assembly met for the first time since Egypt's revolution, and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces transferred legislative authority to them. Today, Field Marshal Tantawi took steps to lift the state of emergency that has existed in Egypt for several decades. And tomorrow, Egyptians will commemorate the anniversary of the revolution that made Egypt's transition to democracy possible.
"We congratulate the Egyptian people and their government on these important steps… more »
Posted under: Near East and Asia
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On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held the first meeting of the International Council on Women's Business Leadership (ICWBL) at the Department State in Washington, D.C. The ICWBL serves the U.S. government in an advisory capacity on major issues in international business and economic policy, including the effective integration of business interests and women's economic empowerment into overall foreign policy; the role and limits of international economic institutions from a gender-specific perspective; and the Department of State's role in advancing and promoting the role of women in a competitive global economy.
The ICWBL will meet at least once a year and at such other times and places as are required to fulfill the objectives of the Council. Subcommittees and working groups will meet as appropriate for their assigned responsibilities.… more »
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Spokesperson Nuland (Feb. 10): "We will have more of this declassified U.S. national available both on Robert's site in coming days but also on our new site www.stateondemand.com, where news organizations can find all of our content to pull down around the world. more »
Secretary Clinton (Feb. 9): "I want to underscore how confident we are in Italy, in Italy's future, in the extraordinary commitment that Prime Minister Monti and his government are bringing to the challenges confronting the Italian people..." more »