Posted on 11/08/2017 9:19:38 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
The U.S.’s ranks of diplomats are losing key leaders at a “dizzying speed” as the State Department struggles to recruit talent amid a hiring freeze and sinking morale in the Trump administration, according to a new letter from a top ambassador.
Sixty percent of the agency’s career ambassadors, the highest rank for diplomats, have retired or quit since January. Nearly half of career ministers — the next level down and equivalent to the military’s three-star generals — are gone too, down to 19 from 33. The next-level minister counselors have seen their numbers drop by 62 diplomats since Labor Day alone “and are still falling,” writes Ambassador Barbara Stephenson, the president of the American Foreign Service Association union.
Without these leaders, the U.S. could face a diminished role on the world stage, unable to keep up with the increasingly aggressive foreign policies of rising countries like China, she argues.
So far, the Trump administration has only seven high-level political appointees confirmed by the Senate and working in the department — outside of Tillerson but including USAID Administrator Mark Green and Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan. An additional eight nominees are working their way through the confirmation process now, with the Senate either awaiting their paperwork or the nominees awaiting a Senate hearing or vote.
But in the absence of Trump nominees, there are 30 senior roles filled by career diplomats in acting capacities. Although there is someone doing the work, they do not enjoy the full legal authority of their role or the image of speaking on the administration’s behalf to the world.
There are 39 other senior roles that are vacant, but Tillerson has said he plans to eliminate 18 of those and fold their responsibilities into other jobs.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Maybe the air is clearing finally to Foggy Bottom.
WINNING!
The swamp at Foggy bottom is draining.
Albeit slowly.
5.56mm
How about another change— make an executive order eliminating from cabinet agencies ANY government employee unions. And cite FDR when he does it. NO fedgov employee should be in a union— period, on the basis that they may not “lobby” to increase funding for their agency (and by so doing, increase their union membership). In NO other employment would this capability exist— private company employees of course should be able to organize into a union. Not fedgov lifetime employees. This is what is bankrupting States and the ever increasing (hint: baseline budgeting increases) for the last 50 years in the federal government. Ask any fedgov management (who uh, isn’t in the same union as their employees).
Closing the whole State department for 20 years would be a great thing.
Foggy bottom is a geographic zone in DC.
Blessed be the Name of The Lord. Praise God. Works for me. May it become a mass exodus.
Man, in before I could call dibs.
In the Navy I visited many US embassys. They are plush.
Replace them with retired Seals.
(AfganistaMr Obama said theoal was to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda” and its allies.)....What?
OUTSTANDING!!!!!
Fixed.
that’s not my post
With the great reception Trump is getting in Asia, bad timing for this article fretting over diminishing relationships with the world.
It’s what these career diplomats do on the sly and the leaks that worry me.
Think this is great news. FBI next!
IF???
Foggy Bottom is the very worst of the worst federal agencies. Not only career bureaucrats, but all one-worlders, largely pro-totalitarian. Good riddance! Winning! Indeed.
The state department has been a hotbed of anti-americanism since the 20s
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