US diplomacy
Missing ambassadors, inexperienced appointees – is Washington dropping the diplomatic ball?
Almost half of US ambassador jobs remain vacant. Meanwhile, political appointees are outnumbering career diplomats being put forward.
Iraq is emerging as the Middle East’s strategic connector – but can it turn foreign competition into advantage?
Iraq has pursued friendly relations with many countries who are themselves at odds. The strategy has lots of upside for war-torn Iraq – but holds key risks as well.