Operational Updates

Under Secretary Rogers to visit Ireland, Hungary, Poland, and Germany Feb. 5–15, 2026

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Key takeaways

  • Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, will travel to Dublin, Budapest, Warsaw, and Munich from February 5–15, 2026.
  • She will meet with government counterparts and private-sector leaders to advance freedom of speech and digital freedom and to strengthen American economic interests.
  • The trip includes events celebrating American initiatives under the Freedom 250 program (https://www.state.gov/freedom-250).
  • Rogers will attend the Munich Security Conference as part of the U.S. delegation.

Follow Up Questions

What are the responsibilities of the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy?Expand

The Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy leads the State Department’s public diplomacy and public affairs work: setting policy and strategy to engage, inform, and build relationships with foreign publics; overseeing bureaus such as Educational and Cultural Affairs and Global Public Affairs (and Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources); coordinating U.S. public diplomacy across agencies; countering misinformation; and advising senior leaders on public outreach to advance U.S. foreign-policy goals.

What is the Freedom 250 initiative and what does it involve?Expand

Freedom 250 is the U.S. government’s program tied to America’s 250th anniversary (the semiquincentennial) that organizes and promotes U.S. events and public-diplomacy celebrations abroad and at home—bringing government, civil-society and private-sector partners together to highlight American history, values, and initiatives through coordinated events and outreach.

What is the Munich Security Conference and what role does a U.S. delegation typically play there?Expand

The Munich Security Conference (MSC) is an annual global forum in Munich where heads of state, defense and foreign ministers, and security experts discuss international security issues. A U.S. delegation typically attends to present U.S. policy, participate in panels, conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings with allies and partners, and coordinate on security and diplomatic priorities.

Which U.S. agencies or officials typically accompany the Under Secretary on such trips?Expand

Accompanying officials vary by mission but commonly include senior State Department deputies and assistant secretaries, regional bureau officials, embassy country teams, and interagency partners (Defense, NSC, USAID, Treasury, Commerce, USAGM) or private‑sector/public‑private partners when public diplomacy and economic outreach are priorities.

What does the phrase "digital freedom" cover in U.S. foreign policy practice?Expand

In U.S. foreign policy, “digital freedom” covers free expression, privacy, open access to information and the internet, protection of human rights online, promoting secure and interoperable digital infrastructure, and resisting censorship, surveillance abuses, and online repression—through norms, technical cooperation, policy advocacy, and support for civil-society and industry partners.

Will there be public events or press briefings during the trip, and where can schedules be found?Expand

The State Department often lists public events and media schedules for senior travel in media notes and on embassy websites; detailed itineraries or press engagements (town halls, Freedom 250 events, MSC participation) are posted on the State Department press releases page, the Under Secretary’s bureau page, and the U.S. embassies’ sites for each visited country.

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