Resignations of senior State Department staff could make transition rocky, international relations scholar says


Thu, 01/26/2017

author

George Diepenbrock

LAWRENCE — As the entire State Department senior-level management team resigned Thursday, reported by the Washington Post, it will make for a rocky transition for Trump administration officials to implement changes in foreign policy, said a University of Kansas researcher on international relations.

John Kennedy, associate professor of political science, is available to discuss issues surrounding the State Department transition. Kennedy has published research on several topics, including local finance and rural governance in China, and he has taught a KU diplomacy labs course in which undergraduate students conducted research and briefed State staff members on policy issues.

Kennedy said the resignations suggest incoming Secretary of State Rex Tillerson might have a more difficult time dealing with the fallout of significant policy changes.

"The top people with the most experience to advise before a policy is announced and especially manage the fallout of failed or poor policies have left the department," Kennedy said.

However, he said there are more than 40 positions that require presidential appointment and Senate approval as well as about 188 ambassador positions.

"It is possible for Tillerson to find qualified people within the Department of State, but the sudden loss of long-serving undersecretary for management, Patrick Kennedy, and others must be demoralizing for the over 10,000 civil service staff and officials not including more than 10,000 foreign service corps overseas," Kennedy said.

Thu, 01/26/2017

author

George Diepenbrock

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