State Department employees should look more like society

Robert Moore, washingtonexaminer.com

Image from article, with caption: The appointment of Rex Tillerson, a businessman with little experience in public diplomacy, as secretary of state confirmed the president's intent on management and reform at Foggy Bottom

Excerpt:

The President of the American Foreign Service Association released an advanced view of her ‘President’s Views’ column detailing concerns about the depletion of career diplomats under President Trump. According to Ambassador Barbara Stephenson’s letter, the foreign service has lost nearly 60 percent if its Career Ambassadors and half of its Career Ministers since January, a result she largely blames on reductions in promotions and other proposed departmental cuts.

This conflict between diplomats and the administration shouldn’t come as a surprise. Trump campaigned on a rejection of the prevailing post-Cold War doctrines, condemning the military adventurism of the Bush administration as well as the internationalism of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He took direct aim at foreign assistance and international organizations that he portrayed as taxpayer-funded welfare for foreigners. The appointment of Rex Tillerson, a businessman with little experience in public diplomacy, as secretary of state confirmed the president’s intent on management and reform at Foggy Bottom. ...