Overview

• The US government is weighing a nearly 50% reduction in the State Department's budget for fiscal year 2026, cutting it to $28.4 billion from $54.4 billion in 2025.
• Proposed cuts would eliminate nearly all funding for international organizations, including the United Nations and NATO, affecting peacekeeping missions and global initiatives.
• Plans include closing ten embassies and 17 consulates, with locations in Germany, France, Italy, and other countries potentially impacted.
• Key programs such as the Fulbright Scholarship and UN peacekeeping operations face significant funding reductions under the proposal.
• The proposals, drafted internally, require Secretary of State Marco Rubio's approval before being submitted to Congress for consideration.