Unable to withstand Iranian strikes, U.S. embassies in the Middle East are forced to drastically cut staff, with diplomats returning home early.
With the U.S.-Iran conflict unresolved, U.S. embassies across the Middle East have been compelled to initiate "diplomatic retrenchment."
The so-called "diplomatic retrenchment" involves cutting embassy personnel to maintain minimal operations with the fewest possible staff. Given the uncertain state of the Middle East situation, and the possibility that hostilities may resume if negotiations between the U.S. and Iran fail, it has become necessary to evacuate as many embassy personnel as possible to safeguard both diplomatic officials' personal safety and embassy assets.
Before the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. Department of State had only issued a "mandatory evacuation" order for personnel stationed in high-risk areas—for example, Lebanon, which has been engaged in ongoing conflict with Israel.
Even the U.S. embassy in Israel was granted "authorized evacuation," allowing some non-essential staff and their families to voluntarily leave, without any mandatory requirement. After all, Israel ranks among the top-tier military powers in the Middle East, backed by substantial U.S. aid, making it highly unlikely to suffer total defeat—especially since most of the fighting has taken place within Lebanese territory.
However, after the war with Iran began, U.S. assets across the Middle East were repeatedly attacked, including diplomatic facilities. Faced with no other choice, the U.S. Department of State ordered the mandatory evacuation of non-essential personnel from U.S. embassies in the region.
During the most intense fighting in March, the U.S. embassy in Kuwait temporarily ceased all operations entirely, only resuming partial functions in June.
Diplomats who have already evacuated from the Middle East are now allowed to end their terms early. Even if no one applies voluntarily, there are currently no new positions available to assign them, so they must simply wait until the conflict ends before any further decisions can be made.
For these diplomats, the biggest challenge isn't personal safety—it's the long-term arrangements for their entire families. Many diplomats bring their spouses and children along on assignments. Now, with sudden evacuations, issues such as school transfers and housing must be urgently resolved. But since the war could end at any moment, they may need to return to the Middle East immediately afterward—posing a serious logistical dilemma.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873397334941696/
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