Stopping the Dangerous Political Games with State Department Nominees
US Department of State twitter photo, 7/3/14
Fueled by conservative obstructionism, over 50 nominees for top posts at the Department of State remain unconfirmed by the U.S. Senate, including over 40 nominees for ambassador positions. But the foot-dragging is not motivated by substantive concerns regarding most of the nominees. Instead, conservative obstructionism appears to be primarily a politically motivated retaliation – what Senator Corker (R-TN) called ”blowback” – for last year when the Senate made filibustering nominations more difficult following conservatives’ abuse of that tactic at historically high levels. This kind of political brinksmanship is dangerous and holds American interests at risk in regions across the world where diplomacy plays a leading role in advancing American national security. As the recent confirmations of the U.S. Ambassadors to Qatar and Kuwait demonstrates, filling these top posts is possible. But the rest of America’s diplomats in limbo should also receive full consideration. The question is whether conservatives want to fully empower American diplomacy or leave the U.S. national security toolbox at less than full strength.
Conservative obstructionism resulting in mass unconfirmed posts at the State Department undermines U.S. national security. Secretary of State John Kerry explains that, “This very minute, we have 58 nominees pending before the Senate, including 43 ambassadors. That means we’re going without our strongest voice on the ground every day in more than 25 percent of the world.” The New York Times reports, “In addition to 43 ambassadors, there are 11 other nominees for top State Department jobs awaiting confirmation.” The State Department adds that of the unconfirmed nominees, 35 have already been approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and are ready to receive a vote on the Senate floor, 23 are held up in the SFRC, 35 are career diplomats and 75 percent have been waiting longer than one year for confirmation. [John Kerry, 7/10/14. NY Times, 7/15/14. U.S Department of State, accessed 7/15/14]
Diplomacy and full diplomatic representation abroad is crucial to American national security. NSN Senior Advisor and Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton (ret.) emphasizes the significance of diplomacy in the national security toolbox: “The current failure in the Senate to approve the State Department’s nominees is further evidence of America’s propensity to militarize U.S. foreign policy. Generals and admirals do not suffer the same foolishness. I understand the reluctance to approve some political appointees selected for their fundraising ability. I reject, however, the failure to treat our State Department nominees and Foreign Service Officers with the same respect we tender to the military. The generals will tell you that we very much need our diplomats in place – not to serve as our wingmen, but as our flight lead.” [Paul Eaton, 7/16/14]
Lack of full diplomatic representation around the world holds American interests at risks in multiple regions:
The Middle East and North Africa: At a time of pressing security problems in the region, numerous posts remain unconfirmed, including the Ambassador to Algeria. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) operates in Algeria and aims to overthrow the existing government – something noted at the start of the U.S.-Algeria Strategic Dialogue in April when Secretary Kerry stressed the importance of U.S.-Algerian security cooperation, noting threats to Algeria from AQIM and other jihadist groups. “In the years to come,” Kerry said, “the United States hopes to partner with Algeria to build a more robust defense relationship based on mutual respect, and…our shared interests.” Algeria has also contributed to addressing insecurity in neighboring Libya, including the deployment of special operators. [John Kerry, 4/3/14. The Times, 5/30/14]
Europe: The State Department explains that, “Eleven countries in Europe are awaiting new ambassadors – more than 20 percent of the U.S. presence. Without the authority of an ambassador, engaging fully with strategic countries like Turkey, a key NATO ally on the front lines of civil war in Syria, is more challenging.” This lack of full representation also comes at a time of major security challenges in Europe, especially the need to reassure European partners and allies as the crisis in Ukraine continues with Russia redeploying up to 12,000 troops to its border there, according to the New York Times. [State Department, accessed 7/14/14. NY Times, 7/14/14]
Africa: The State Department notes that, “Eleven nominees await confirmation – nearly 25 per cent of the U.S. presence – across this vast and vital continent. No U.S. ambassadors are in Cameroon and Niger, countries that must play a key role in fighting Boko Haram and assisting in the search for the hundreds of girls kidnapped in neighboring Nigeria.” The lack of full representation comes amid China prioritizing its relations with African nations and economies, raising questions about U.S.-Chinese strategic competition on the continent. If that is the case, securing U.S. interests in Africa will rely primarily on diplomatic tools: “The best way for the United States and other rich countries that have economic and political interests in Africa to respond is not by warning Africans about the advance of China – but rather, helping to strengthen African civil society and, thereby, governance,” writes Howard French of Columbia University. [State Department, accessed 7/14/14. Howard French, 5/16/14]
Latin America: The ambassadorial nominee for Guatemala is also awaiting confirmation. This comes at a time of humanitarian crisis as a surge of people – many of them children – largely from Central America have attempted to enter the country in southwestern border states, prompting President Obama to request nearly $4 billion in emergency relief funds. Effective coordination with Guatemala may be crucial to deal with the crisis. The New York Times reports, “The numbers of children making these journeys have been spiking dramatically,” noting that 14,086 children from Guatemala have attempted to enter the U.S. this year, making it the second-largest source in Latin America. [NY Times, 7/8/14]
