Top US diplomat for Middle East retires (age 57)

[Tanuki]

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKCN18C1W1

"The top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East has told colleagues that he has decided to retire, three U.S. officials said on Tuesday, the latest senior U.S. diplomat to leave the Trump administration.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones has extensive experience in the Middle East, having previously served as U.S. ambassador to Iraq and Jordan and as deputy chief of mission in Cairo.

Jones, 57, told colleagues the decision was his own and that he had not been pushed out or asked to leave the department.

"This is his own decision... There’s not been a falling out," said one U.S. official who spoke on condition that he not be identified. "There's no story here, except another senior government official with real competence is leaving."... (more)

[nycbos]

1. Not good.

Losing senior diplomats with their institutional memory is bad. Especially now.

[bdamomma]

2. this is not good at all

our standing in the world has deteriorated badly. Putin must be elated.