Recently, a draft executive order from the US government indicates that the US president is planning a large - scale reform of the US State Department, which means the US diplomatic structure will be reorganized.
The 16 - page draft executive order, if implemented, will have a huge impact on the US State Department. It includes closing US embassies in sub - Saharan Africa and eliminating departments dealing with issues such as democracy and human rights and affairs related to international organizations like the United Nations.
Will Embassies in Multiple Countries Be Closed?
According to the draft, these changes aim to "streamline mission delivery, project US power overseas, cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and align the State Department with the 'America First' strategy that reflects the priorities of the executive branch".
The draft executive order proposes to eliminate all "non - essential embassies and consulates" in sub - Saharan Africa, only retaining some affairs, including access to Africa's "critical natural resources".
Under the executive order, the existing regional bureaus will be integrated into four regional departments: the Eurasian region, including Europe, Russia, and Central Asia; the Middle East region, including Arab countries, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan; the Latin American region, including Central America, South America, and the Caribbean; and the Indo - Pacific region, including East and Southeast Asia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.
According to the executive order, the US diplomatic presence in Canada will be significantly reduced. In the future, the State Department's operations in Canada will "fall under a significantly reduced team within the office of the Secretary of State, the North American Affairs Office".
Will Multiple Departments Be Axed?
The report points out that the draft also calls for the elimination of offices and positions within the State Department that focus on issues such as climate, women's issues, democracy, human rights, immigration, and criminal justice.
In addition, the draft details a comprehensive reform of the US diplomat selection and training process, as well as a fundamental reform of the State Department's recruitment practices.
Specifically, the long - standing diplomat exam will be cancelled and replaced by an assessment partly based on whether candidates "align with the president's foreign - policy vision".
The draft proposes that the "comprehensive structural adjustment and transition" should be completed by October 1st.
It also states that any current diplomats or civil servants who do not want to participate in the new regional organizational structure or "serve the interests of this administration" can choose to voluntarily leave the State Department through a one - time buyout and transition plan, with the plan's deadline being September 30th.
So far, the White House has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the draft executive order. However, the Secretary of State responded on a social platform, saying, "This is fake news."