The Trump administration is considering closing nearly 30 overseas embassies and consulates, as revealed by an internal State Department document obtained by CNN. This potential move includes reducing the presence in key countries like Somalia and Iraq, pivotal to US counterterrorism efforts. The proposed changes are part of a broader initiative to streamline the US diplomatic agency, driven by the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency’s push to downsize the federal government. However, it remains uncertain whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio has endorsed these closures.

The document suggests shuttering 10 embassies and 17 consulates across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Among the embassies on the closure list are those in Malta, Luxembourg, Lesotho, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan, along with consulates in various countries. The recommendation implies that neighboring outposts would absorb the responsibilities of the closed embassies.

While ambassadorial nominees have been announced for only two of the embassies earmarked for closure, the State Department had already initiated steps to close some consulates mentioned in the internal document earlier this year. Embassies and consulates play crucial roles in offering services like visa processing, aiding American citizens, and gathering intelligence for diplomatic purposes. The evaluation criteria for closure decisions encompass consular workload, cost per US direct hire billet, facility conditions, and security ratings.

In addition, the proposal suggests a shift towards a more efficient model, with large missions in Japan and Canada potentially serving as consolidation hubs for consulate support. It also advocates for lighter footprint posts with specialized focuses in certain countries and dual-hatted leadership in multi-mission posts to enhance operational effectiveness.