Portraits of Diplomacy: 2023
A Photographic Journey with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken calls America’s partnerships its greatest strategic asset. In 2023, he traveled more than 380,000 kilometers and visited over two dozen countries to meet with our nation’s partners. He pledged solidarity with allies and offered assistance after disasters.
As the State Department's photographer assigned to the secretary, Chuck Kennedy traveled with him. The upwards of 100,000 pictures he took chronicle the secretary’s mission to safeguard our country’s partnerships and forge new ones.
These images recall a challenging, yet collaborative year. We share a few of the most memorable moments of 2023 with you.
NOTE: Click on the smaller images in the galleries below for full-screen display and the ability to click or swipe through each image. For optimal viewing, rotate your phone or tablet horizontally.
The secretary consults U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a U.N. Security Council meeting in New York on February 24.
The secretary consults U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a U.N. Security Council meeting in New York on February 24.
During a trip to India for a G20 meeting, the secretary, seen stepping from an auto rickshaw March 3, stopped to greet U.S. embassy staff in New Delhi.
During a trip to India for a G20 meeting, the secretary, seen stepping from an auto rickshaw March 3, stopped to greet U.S. embassy staff in New Delhi.
With a hectic schedule of engagements, the secretary may hold meetings while on the move. Above, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen speaks with Blinken on the way to the tarmac.
With a hectic schedule of engagements, the secretary may hold meetings while on the move. Above, Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen speaks with Blinken on the way to the tarmac.
Children of U.S. embassy staff get to see the world but also grow up far from home. On March 16, the secretary met with the children of embassy staff in Niger to show appreciation for their support for U.S. diplomacy.
Children of U.S. embassy staff get to see the world but also grow up far from home. On March 16, the secretary met with the children of embassy staff in Niger to show appreciation for their support for U.S. diplomacy.
When the traveling stops, the work continues. Back in Washington, on March 22, the secretary testifies before the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees on Capitol Hill.
When the traveling stops, the work continues. Back in Washington, on March 22, the secretary testifies before the House Foreign Affairs and Appropriations committees on Capitol Hill.
Fortunately, diplomacy isn’t always hard work. A weeklong trip in April spanned over 30,578 kilometers but left time for a few high-fives at the St. Paul de Chartres Convent in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 15.
Fortunately, diplomacy isn’t always hard work. A weeklong trip in April spanned over 30,578 kilometers but left time for a few high-fives at the St. Paul de Chartres Convent in Hanoi, Vietnam, on April 15.
Long flights don’t necessarily mean time for rest. While traveling home from Japan, the secretary received information from the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum about the conflict in Sudan.
Long flights don’t necessarily mean time for rest. While traveling home from Japan, the secretary received information from the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum about the conflict in Sudan.
In Denver, the secretary finds a quiet moment to review his notes before speaking to the Cities Summit of the Americas on April 28.
In Denver, the secretary finds a quiet moment to review his notes before speaking to the Cities Summit of the Americas on April 28.
Blinken delivers the closing keynote address at the Cities Summit of the Americas at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on April 28.
Blinken delivers the closing keynote address at the Cities Summit of the Americas at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on April 28.
The secretary visited the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, both in Atlanta, on May 6. Recruiting from HBCUs helps the State Department build a talented and diverse workforce.
The secretary visited the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University, both in Atlanta, on May 6. Recruiting from HBCUs helps the State Department build a talented and diverse workforce.
Wendy Sherman served under three presidents and five secretaries of state before retiring this year. On May 11, Blinken joined senior staff in a standing ovation for the outgoing Deputy Secretary of State.
Wendy Sherman served under three presidents and five secretaries of state before retiring this year. On May 11, Blinken joined senior staff in a standing ovation for the outgoing Deputy Secretary of State.
In a major speech in Helsinki on June 2, the secretary welcomed Finland as NATO's newest member and promised continued support for Ukraine.
In a major speech in Helsinki on June 2, the secretary welcomed Finland as NATO's newest member and promised continued support for Ukraine.
On June 20, Blinken caught up with the cast of the Netflix series, The Diplomat, at the U.S. Embassy in London. Actress Keri Russell (left) plays a U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom on the show.
On June 20, Blinken caught up with the cast of the Netflix series, The Diplomat, at the U.S. Embassy in London. Actress Keri Russell (left) plays a U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom on the show.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team gave the secretary an honorary soccer jersey during a meeting in Wellington, New Zealand, July 26.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team gave the secretary an honorary soccer jersey during a meeting in Wellington, New Zealand, July 26.
The secretary joined a community soccer clinic July 27 in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
The secretary joined a community soccer clinic July 27 in Wellington, New Zealand, as part of the FIFA Women's World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
On the train to Kyiv, the secretary prepares for his visit to Ukraine, where he announced more than $1 billion in new aid to Ukraine.
On the train to Kyiv, the secretary prepares for his visit to Ukraine, where he announced more than $1 billion in new aid to Ukraine.
On September 6, Secretary Blinken joined Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in placing a memorial wreath at a cemetery in Kyiv.
On September 6, Secretary Blinken joined Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in placing a memorial wreath at a cemetery in Kyiv.
The secretary’s job requires in-depth knowledge of complex policies and global events. Briefing materials, such as these on board the train to Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 6, are always close at hand.
The secretary’s job requires in-depth knowledge of complex policies and global events. Briefing materials, such as these on board the train to Kyiv, Ukraine, on September 6, are always close at hand.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets the secretary during their September 6 meeting in Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets the secretary during their September 6 meeting in Kyiv.
During his September trip to Ukraine, the secretary visited the Yahidne School, where Russia’s forces once held residents captive. The school in the village of Yahidne is now a museum.
During his September trip to Ukraine, the secretary visited the Yahidne School, where Russia’s forces once held residents captive. The school in the village of Yahidne is now a museum.
Doing the same job, even for different countries, can bring people together. After a G7 dinner in New York on September 18, the secretary laughed with fellow foreign ministers Yōko Kamikawa of Japan, Mélanie Joly of Canada, and the United Kingdom’s James Cleverly.
Doing the same job, even for different countries, can bring people together. After a G7 dinner in New York on September 18, the secretary laughed with fellow foreign ministers Yōko Kamikawa of Japan, Mélanie Joly of Canada, and the United Kingdom’s James Cleverly.
Blinken attends the unveiling of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s official portrait on September 26 at the State Department. Artist Steven Polson painted the portrait, as well as those of former secretaries Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice.
Blinken attends the unveiling of former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s official portrait on September 26 at the State Department. Artist Steven Polson painted the portrait, as well as those of former secretaries Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell, and Condoleezza Rice.
Secretary Blinken participated in a fireside chat at the Baker Institute in Houston with former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker on October 3.
Secretary Blinken participated in a fireside chat at the Baker Institute in Houston with former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker on October 3.
The secretary arrived in Mexico City October 4 for a meeting with Mexican officials, including Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena.
The secretary arrived in Mexico City October 4 for a meeting with Mexican officials, including Foreign Minister Alicia Bárcena.
The secretary speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on October 11, before departing for Tel Aviv.
The secretary speaks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on October 11, before departing for Tel Aviv.
Blinken confers with Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Tom Sullivan and Chief Speechwriter Nik Steinberg while en route to Tel Aviv on October 11.
Blinken confers with Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Tom Sullivan and Chief Speechwriter Nik Steinberg while en route to Tel Aviv on October 11.
On October 12, the secretary met with survivors of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel in Tel Aviv.
On October 12, the secretary met with survivors of the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel in Tel Aviv.
Blinken speaks by phone with President Biden from Tel Aviv on October 12.
Blinken speaks by phone with President Biden from Tel Aviv on October 12.
A woman passes by as the secretary puts his shoes back on after visiting the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 14.
A woman passes by as the secretary puts his shoes back on after visiting the Imam Al-Tayeb Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 14.
A stunning sunset casts shadows as the secretary arrived for a meeting in Cairo on October 15 before traveling on to Jordan.
A stunning sunset casts shadows as the secretary arrived for a meeting in Cairo on October 15 before traveling on to Jordan.
Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are on the move after a rocket warning interrupted their meeting at The Kirya, Israel’s Ministry of Defense complex in Tel Aviv, on October 16.
Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are on the move after a rocket warning interrupted their meeting at The Kirya, Israel’s Ministry of Defense complex in Tel Aviv, on October 16.
Blinken works on alongside State Department Counselor Derek Chollet on October 16 in Tel Aviv.
Blinken works on alongside State Department Counselor Derek Chollet on October 16 in Tel Aviv.
Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan, on October 17.
Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan, on October 17.
Blinken and his wife Evan Ryan (right) laugh with Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff (left) at a State Department luncheon on October 26.
Blinken and his wife Evan Ryan (right) laugh with Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff (left) at a State Department luncheon on October 26.
The secretary talks with the People’s Republic of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) at the State Department on October 26.
The secretary talks with the People’s Republic of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (center) at the State Department on October 26.
During a visit from the secretary, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland displays her Halloween-themed attire in her State Department office on October 31.
During a visit from the secretary, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland displays her Halloween-themed attire in her State Department office on October 31.
The secretary meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet on November 3 in Tel Aviv.
The secretary meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of his cabinet on November 3 in Tel Aviv.
For U.S. officials, diplomacy is a team effort. During a break in a meeting with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on November 3, Blinken received input from colleagues, including U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues David Satterfield (center).
For U.S. officials, diplomacy is a team effort. During a break in a meeting with Israeli officials in Tel Aviv on November 3, Blinken received input from colleagues, including U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues David Satterfield (center).
Locally employed State Department staff are vital to the U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad. Above, Blinken meets with locally employed staff at the Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo on November 8.
Locally employed State Department staff are vital to the U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad. Above, Blinken meets with locally employed staff at the Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo on November 8.
Blinken took questions from a young audience member during a meet and greet in Seoul, South Korea, on November 9. The question gave the secretary a chance to share how living and studying abroad as a young person helped shape his life.
Blinken took questions from a young audience member during a meet and greet in Seoul, South Korea, on November 9. The question gave the secretary a chance to share how living and studying abroad as a young person helped shape his life.
The secretary speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco on November 14.
The secretary speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco on November 14.
Photographer: Chuck Kennedy
Photo Editor: Linda Epstein
Writer: Dave Reynolds
Copy editor: Kathleen Hendrix
Digital storyteller: Pierce McManus
December 2023
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