It's a sad state of affairs.

It is a sad state of affairs in the USA that for the sick and the poor that jail offers better benefits than the freedom of no healthcare, bills that cannot be paid and starvation.

Secrecy is the first essential in affairs of the State.

Secrecy is the first essential in affairs of state.

Reputation runs behind the current state of affairs.

Comedy makes the subversion of the existing state of affairs possible.