State Department
In taking Syria off state sponsor of terrorism list, US is putting its faith in al‑Qaida alumni – that presents risks and opportunities
Syria was among the first nations to be added to the State Department’s proscribed list. It has been removed under the rule of a former al-Qaida-affiliated militant.
Trump’s insistence on personal loyalty from ambassadors could crimp US foreign policy
Ambassadors play a middle role between the countries where they serve and the one they represent. Trump insists their loyalty must be to the US.
Operational secrecy kept the US from making evacuation plans – and that means Americans in the Mideast could wait days
A longtime diplomat explains how the State Department normally encourages and helps Americans to leave countries amid political instability and war – which didn’t happen over the last week.