State of the World from NPR Big Changes at the U.S. State Department
Apr 14, 2025
Significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy are reshaping the State Department, causing alarm among veteran diplomats. Concerns arise over cuts to internships and hiring freezes, impacting diplomatic efficiency. The reduction of USAID raises questions about its effects on American diplomacy and the humanitarian crisis in Syria. Families struggle with the aftermath of the civil war, facing challenges in burying loved ones amid mass graves. The urgency for international aid grows as activists document human rights abuses in a complex landscape.
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State Department Changes
- The State Department faces dramatic cutbacks and is absorbing the remnants of USAID.
- Veteran diplomats are worried about the changes, including the loss of collective bargaining rights and talent.
State Department Cutbacks and Controversial Appointment
- The State Department canceled summer internships and there's a hiring freeze.
- A junior Foreign Service officer was put in charge of the Bureau of Global Talent, alarming some officials.
Differing Views on State Department Changes
- Senator Jim Risch backs the Trump administration's changes, including dismantling USAID.
- Senator Chris Van Hollen is alarmed, saying the changes damage America's diplomacy and leave an opening for China.