Analysis & Opinions - Foreign Policy

The State Department Needs Rehab

| Mar. 05, 2018

American diplomacy is losing its battle with the Trump administration — but it can still win the war.

When a U.S. president thinks most positions at the State Department are "unnecessary" and insists "I’m the only one that matters," it's a safe bet that serious, professional diplomacy will get short shrift. And that has clearly been the case in the Trump administration. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have done serious damage to American diplomacy. And it's time to consider how that damage can be repaired.

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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Walt, Stephen M.“The State Department Needs Rehab.” Foreign Policy, March 5, 2018.

The Author

Stephen Walt

Stephen M. Walt

  • Robert and Renée Belfer Professor of International Affairs; Faculty Chair, International Security Program
  • Member of the Board, Belfer Center
  • Faculty Affiliate, Future of Diplomacy Project
  • Faculty Affiliate, Middle East Initiative
Expertise:
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