Nearly 2,000 U.S. Diplomats Departed Government in Past Year

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, investigations by NBC News reveal that nearly 2,000 U.S. diplomats have departed the government in the past year through various avenues, including dismissals and forced retirements.

Among those affected, the nominations for dozens of diplomats were revoked in February 2025, including Kelly Adams-Smith, the designated ambassador to Moldova. By December of the same year, the U.S. government recalled approximately 30 ambassadors who had previously held their positions. These recalled ambassadors were given a 90-day window to secure new posts or face mandatory retirement under the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

The report indicates that more than half of U.S. embassies, roughly 100 missions, are currently operating without ambassadors confirmed by the Senate. Half of these diplomatic missions, including those in four Persian Gulf countries, alongside Pakistan and Qatar, are without their designated ambassadors. Furthermore, U.S. ambassadors are absent from over 75% of African nations.

Senior members of the U.S. Foreign Service are notably absent from high-level negotiations concerning the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran. Instead, individuals like Jared Kushner, son-in-law of the U.S. President, and his close associate Steve Witcoff have been present in these discussions.