November 24, 2020, President Joe Biden introduced seasoned national security team he said was prepared to resume US leadership of the world after the departure of President Donald Trump.Most of the top jobs in the Foreign Service have been filled, and they aren't by career diplomats.
Brett Bruen was the director of global engagement in the Obama White House and a career American diplomat. He runs the crisis-communications agency Global Situation Room.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more storiesI expected more from this administration. Joe Biden promised to build America's global leadership back better. A big part of that is our ability to conduct diplomacy.
As a former diplomat, this development is personally pretty dispiriting, but it is also potentially quite damaging at a time when our diplomatic ranks are already so depleted. for the most important positions at the State Department, there are no picks who are current career diplomats. One diplomat was assigned to run Africa at the National Security Council – a significant reduction from when I served there under President Obama.
Second, outside appointees owe their allegiances to the political types, not the institution. This was on display when Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who Biden named as our representative to the United Nations, announced– all from outside of government. It sends a message that the only way to get promoted is to go through the revolving door rather than up the ladder.
Those of us who are dedicated to the profession of diplomacy may be proven wrong in the coming days. The Biden Administration may name no other political personalities to positions at the State Department. Even so, most of the big jobs are filled.
Politicsinsider BrettBruen
BrettBruen Stupid headline & irresponsible media!! The man has been in office 8 days!!! Did you criticize Trump for ALL his failures? After 30, 90, 120, 180 days of not doing a damn thing about the pandemic?! Or ruining diplomatic relationships in the first place? media Democracy GOP