Book excerpt: This Strategic Plan outlines the roles and mission of the Department of State in achieving the foreign policy goals of the United States, under the direction of the President and the Secretary of State. It is a companion to the International Affairs Strategic Plan, which articulates the fundamental national interests of the United States in terms of long-range goals to create a more secure, prosperous, and democratic world for the American people. The Strategic Overview outlines trends that have a major, global impact on U.S. foreign policy, and identifies the means by which the United States pursues its objectives. The International Affairs Mission Statement defines core U.S. values and priority interests, establishing strategic goals for national security, economic prosperity, protection of American citizens and border security, law enforcement, democracy, humanitarian assistance, environment, population, and health. The Department of State Mission Statement identifies the core responsibilities and values of State as the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy. The sixteen International Affairs strategic goals are long-term, with timeframes of 5 years-plus. Targets are specific where possible. A set of strategies is presented for achieving each goal, along with assumptions about potentially critical external factors and indicators that can be used to measure progress.