Joseph Nye, Political Scientist Who Extolled ‘Soft Power,’ Dies at 88
He coined the term, arguing that a country’s global influence can’t be built on military might alone. Diplomats around the world paid heed.
State Department
U.S. to Downgrade Palestinian Affairs Office in Jerusalem, Officials Say
The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, plans to shut down a direct communications channel between U.S. diplomats in Jerusalem working on Palestinian issues and agencies in Washington.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of Everything
The former senator from Florida is now the head of four government bodies. He has outdone Henry Kissinger and even Xi Jinping, China’s leader, who has only three titles.
How Trump Plays Into Putin’s Hands, From Ukraine to Slashing U.S. Institutions
Many of President Trump’s actions have been seen as benefiting Russia either directly or indirectly, so much so that Russian officials have celebrated some of his moves.
Fired U.S.A.I.D. Workers to Keep Government-Issued Phones and Computers
The devices will be remotely wiped “to simplify processes and to reduce burden” of terminating thousands of federal workers before the agency is closed.
Critics Call Rubio’s Overhaul Plan a Blow to U.S. Values
A proposed reorganization of the State Department would eliminate an office whose official goal is to build “more democratic, secure, stable, and just societies.”
State Dept. Expands Plans for Closing Embassies and Consulates
A departmental memo describes paring back the American diplomatic presence on every continent.
Pete Marocco, Who Helped Gut Foreign Aid for Trump, Leaves State Department
Pete Marocco oversaw the cutting of thousands of contracts at U.S.A.I.D. and the firing of most of its roughly 10,000 workers. Aid agency employees have accused him of mismanagement.
Trump Administration Fires U.S. Aid Workers in Quake Zone in Myanmar
The move comes despite Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the U.S. would still do some humanitarian work while shrinking foreign aid. Democratic lawmakers have denounced the cuts.
In Burisma Letter, Hunter Biden Sought Support from State Department
While Joe Biden was vice president, his son used the letterhead of a Ukrainian energy company when writing to a U.S. ambassador with ties to the family.