The members of the U.S. foreign service (USFS) are the lifeblood of American diplomacy, staffing embassies and protecting both American interests and citizens around the world. Often posted thousands of miles from home, USFS staff and their families expect the U.S. government to take the appropriate steps to keep them safe while serving abroad.
As President Trump ordered strikes on Iran on February 28, he neglected this duty, failing to prepare for the evacuation of embassy staff, families, and other American citizens from the Middle East in advance of the war in Iran.
Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event on Thursday, March 12 at 2:30pm EDT discussing this dereliction of duty. Panelists will draw on their experience dealing with prior evacuations in the region and the importance of congressional oversight in this moment. Additionally, General Manner was transiting the Middle East last week and was stranded in the United Arab Emirates as he along with scores of American citizens sought to return home. After five days on the ground, he managed to get on one of the first flights out of the UAE amid warnings of missile attacks from Iran.