text: Considerations for Stability
  5-31. The responsibility for recovering isolated persons within a host nation belongs with the government
  of that nation. Therefore, the goal of the USG is to handle all personnel recovery operations diplomatically.
  However, it uses a whole-government concept of personnel recovery operations. The concept recognizes
  that all entities of the government have some level of responsibility for the recovery and safe return of
  isolated and captured U.S. citizens. This includes DOD employees who are HN or third-country nationals.
  DEPARTMENT OF STATE AUTHORITY
  5-32. The authority of the DOS to command and control personnel recovery operations overseas is found
  in Sections 4801, 4802, and 4805, Title 22, United States Code (USC) (22 USC 4801, 4802, and 4805).
  Section 4801 sets forth the responsibility of the Secretary of State to secure diplomatic operations overseas,
  to include accountability of USG personnel. It directs the Secretary of State to evacuate U.S. citizens
  endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster. Section 4802 directs the Secretary of State to protect
  USG personnel on official duty overseas except those under the command of a U.S. military commander
  and some other exceptions. These responsibilities include security of U.S. missions abroad, development of
  emergency plans, liaison with overseas private sector security interests, and various training functions. Of
  special interest is a stipulation to evacuate endangered private citizens. This is the origin of the requirement
  to recover “designated individuals” whom the embassy chief of mission designates. Section 4805 directs
  federal agencies to cooperate with the Secretary of State. The secretary may delegate operational control of
  overseas security functions to other agencies—DOD, for example—but the authority remains with the
  Secretary of State. The language in this paragraph enables the DOD and its representatives with the
  American Embassies overseas—and geographic combatant commanders—to provide resources to
  personnel recovery operations in a host nation.
  5-33. Other authorizations under 22 USC include Sections 1732 and 4314. Section 1732 directs the
  President, through the DOS, to use all means short of war to obtain the release of captured U.S. citizens
  held by foreign governments. This language can include those held under the control of groups supported
  by governments who support their efforts. Section 4314 directs the Secretary of State to fund HN law
  enforcement agencies to protect diplomatic facilities.
  5-34. Of the more than 250 U.S. diplomatic missions around the world, the overwhelming majority are in
  host nations requiring emergency action plans accountable for personnel recovery operations within the
  host nation. As directed in 22 USC 3927, the chief of mission has authority over all USG elements and
  representatives in the host nation except military forces assigned to the appropriate combatant commander.
  The chief of mission is the representative of the President in a host nation and is responsible for personnel
  recovery activities in every case. The chief of mission is usually the ambassador. When no ambassador is
  appointed, or the ambassador is out of the host nation, the deputy chief of mission assumes responsibility as
  the chief of the mission.
  5-35. The chief of mission establishes a country team composed of the various officers, directors, attachés,
  counselors, chiefs, and senior government representatives. For personnel recovery operations, the chief of
  mission and the country team executing responsibilities under 22 USC coordinate with the geographic
  combatant commander executing responsibilities under 10 USC. The objective is to ensure a coordinated
  response among the DOS, DOD, and host nation. Although the chief of mission is responsible for
  conducting U.S. personnel recovery operations within the host nation, many resources for an immediate or
  deliberate recovery reside with the geographic combatant commander. In stability, the chief of mission
  coordinates the resources of the diplomatic, military, and civil authorities to execute personnel recovery
  responsibilities.
  5-36. The chief of mission and the embassy staff coordinate with resident defense attachés and the DOS
  regional security officer (RSO). Members of these organizations are normally a part of the country team
  coordinating recovery activities. The defense attaché is primarily responsible to foster good relations with
  the HN defense and security establishment. Attachés establish networks within the local military and
  paramilitary organizations to facilitate a rapid response to crises. The diplomatic security service special
  agents staff the embassy regional security office supervised by a RSO. The RSO is responsible for the
  physical, information, technical, and personnel security of the embassy. They assist the Marine security
  guard detachments, other U.S. forces assigned to the embassy, contract security guards, and HN security,
  intelligence, and law enforcement services. The team may include representatives of U.S. special