{"id":14389,"date":"2022-05-06T05:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-06T05:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/axumawian.com\/?p=14389"},"modified":"2022-05-07T06:04:38","modified_gmt":"2022-05-07T06:04:38","slug":"frustration-growing-among-us-diplomats-at-the-state-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/axumawian.com\/?p=14389","title":{"rendered":"Frustration growing among US diplomats at the State Department"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While the US has successfully led a united Western front in pushing back against Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, Washington has not been as effective in its policies on Iran, China and the Horn of Africa.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source: Al Arabiya<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly before being confirmed as the top US diplomat last year, Antony Blinken<\/a> told lawmakers that he would work to revive what he said was damaged American diplomacy by forming a united front to counter Iran,<\/a> China and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But US diplomats and sources close to several former and current officials have said there is growing frustration within the State Department due to the centralized decision-making in the hands of only a few officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the US has successfully led a united Western front, with some Asian support as well, in pushing back against Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, the State Department has not been as effective in uniting the world against Iran or China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two veteran diplomats have also stepped down as special envoys for the Horn of Africa,<\/a> lasting for less than a combined year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On China, Gulf countries are looking to Beijing<\/a> for economic and security pacts due to a perceived lack of US interest in the Middle East.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for Iran, talks over reviving the 2015 nuclear deal appear to have been stalled – for now – over Tehran\u2019s demands to have the terror designation lifted<\/a> off the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least three members of the Iran negotiating team, which Robert Malley leads, have left in recent months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, when it was revealed that Richard Nephew had decided to step down from his role as Malley\u2019s deputy, the State Department sought to downplay any rifts and said personnel moves were \u201cvery common.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Nephew took to Twitter, saying he left on December 6 \u201cdue to a sincere difference of opinion concerning policy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Given there has been some interest in the last few weeks, I should clear up a few things. I departed the U.S. Iran team on 6 December due to a sincere difference of opinion concerning policy. I departed the State Department last week. 1\/3<\/p>— Richard Nephew (@RichardMNephew) February 15, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>