Vale the ambassador?

Is the Trump Administration precipitating a decline in the role of the ambassador?

More than two years have passed since Australia had a permanent US ambassador. Is this indicative of a wider trend?

Every few months, the Australian media raises the embarrassing absence of an American ambassador in Canberra. As of last month, Australia was one of 34 vacant ambassadorial posts across the globe. Commentators with expertise on each of these vacant posts question the commitment of the United States to the countries, regions, or issues that the posts cover.

With a highly competent Chargé d’Affaires, some commentators argue that the Australia-United States relationship is in good hands. But the situation raises another important question: is the Trump Administration precipitating a decline in the role of the ambassador?

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Ambassadors have been a constant in international relations. In the 13th century they emerged as autonomous representatives with the capacity to exercise initi…