[Southack]

"The US ambassador to Pakistan, Wendy Chamberlain, has asked to return home after less than a year in Islamabad because of the disruption to her family life caused by the security situation there. Chamberlain, who is a single mother, has been frequently separated from her school-going daughters China, 14, and Jade, 12, since she moved to Pakistan last summer. The girls went to Islamabad last August to be with their mother and study there but were evacuated in September following the 9/11 catastrophe. They returned to Islamabad in January but were evacuated again after the March 17 church bombing that killed a female US diplomat and her daughter. That made the kids intercontinental yo-yos and destroyed any kind of stable home life. It also damaged Chamberlain's ability to concentrate on matters at hand, which were of pretty high import the whole while. A person — man or woman — can be a sharp, even ruthless diplomat and negotiator, but they remain parents and (sometimes) spouses. Chamberlain’s recall will seriously undermine US diplomatic activity in a country where the American ambassador enjoys enormous clout, unparalleled access, and is often referred to as the viceroy of the country. Compounding her exit will be the departure also of Michelle Sison, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Islamabad, who is completing her tour of duty and returning to Washington."

Our State Department is an international bathhouse.

[razorback-bert]

separated from her school-going daughters China, 14

Hmm, did she named her daughter after the country or the tableware?

[FreedomCalls]

It also damaged Chamberlain's ability to concentrate on matters at hand, which were of pretty high import the whole while.

I don't recall General George S. Patton having any problems "concentrating" on his task (also of pretty high import) while he was forced to be separated from his son from 1941-1945.