Trump Administration Plans to Close Nearly 30 US Embassies, Majority in Africa
This proposal is one of a larger strategy to reorganize the State Department, slash its budget by almost 50%, and lower US foreign aid by about 75%. The plan, which has raised alarm among policymakers and foreign diplomats, is likely to dramatically change the US presence in the world.
The proposed closures, outlined in an internal State Department document, involve diplomatic missions in well-established and lesser-known regions, with a particular emphasis on Africa and Europe.
Among the embassies targeted for closure are those in Lesotho, Eritrea, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, The Gambia, and South Sudan. These countries, while not always in the global spotlight, have been significant in US foreign policy efforts, particularly in areas like counterterrorism and humanitarian aid.
Apart from closing the embassies, the plan also calls for the closure of several consulates in strategic locations. These include consulates in Durban, South Africa, and Douala, Cameroon, two cities that have served as focal points for American diplomatic and economic presence.
The closures, however, are not exclusive to Africa. Some European countries, such as Malta and Luxembourg, are also on the list for potential embassy closures. Consulates in major cities throughout France, Germany, and other regions of Europe and Asia are also being eyed.
The Trump administration's push to downsize its diplomatic footprint comes at a time when global geopolitical dynamics are shifting. In Africa, for instance, US influence has been increasingly challenged by the growing presence of China, which has expanded its economic and political reach across the continent.
Closing that many embassies and consulates would also have long-term effects on US foreign aid.
While the Trump administration moves ahead with its agenda to reduce the size of the federal government, the destiny of US foreign policy remains in limbo. The proposed shutting down of nearly 30 diplomatic missions is guaranteed to generate debate in Washington as well as globally, as many question the long-term price of America's diplomatic presence contracting on the world stage. Tags: TrumpTrump administrationUS diplomacyUS Embassies
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