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  • Term

    Embargo

    An embargo is an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships and other vehicles from its ports. It is a legal prohibition on commerce.

  • Term

    Embassy

    The main building that houses diplomats representing their country to the host country where the embassy is located. The U.S. embassy is the headquarters for U.S. government representatives serving in a foreign country. An embassy is normally located in the capital city and led by the U.S. ambassador to that country.

  • Term

    Emergency Action Plan

    Every Foreign Service post is required to have an operative Emergency Action Plan (EAP) with procedures in place to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters, civil unrest, a pandemic, or mass casualties. The Post EAP is a living document, updated on a continuous basis and comprehensively reviewed once a year. Diplomatic missions are also required to run mock emergency training drills (usually an intense two-day session every two years) to test their capabilities and the relevance of their EAPs.

  • Term

    Emissary

    A diplomatic representative sent to another country on a special mission.

  • Term

    Envoy

    Synonymous with diplomat, or in the case of a Special Envoy, a person sent to deal with a specific issue; in the past, a diplomatic minister who was accredited to a foreign government and who ranked between an ambassador and a resident minister was also called "envoy extraordinary."

  • Term

    Espionage

    The collection of classified or secret information by a foreign individual for his or her native government or governmental agency; spying.

  • Term

    Exequatur

    Written, official recognition of a consular officer issued by the government to which the officer is accredited.

  • Term

    Expulsion

    The formal deportation of a diplomat, often as a form of protest against the diplomat’s home country or as a result of actions by the diplomat, such as espionage.

  • Term

    Extradition

    The legal process by which an accused or confirmed criminal is transferred from one country to another. Generally, treaties signed between governments determine the precise requirements, rules, and exemptions for transferring suspected criminals from one sovereign legal authority to another.