Hisham Tawfiq, who played the consulate official, is more well-known as the Bodyguard Dembe for Raymond Reddington in The Blacklist (2013). John Davis is the executive producer for both shows. Also, Hisham is a firefighter for the New York Fire Department.
Although they don't have any scenes together, both guest stars Hisham Tawfiq and Diany Rodriguez have also been in the cast of The Blacklist (2013) as bodyguards of Raymond 'Red' Reddington.
NSTR is short for Nothing Significant To Report,
SERE is short for Survival Evasion Resistance Escape.
SITREP is short for SITuation REPort.