Blinken Is Failing the Test

The idea that Blinken has been providing “a reassuring projection of American leadership” is impossible to take seriously.

Time published a puff-piece profile of Antony Blinken:

Even officials close to Blinken admit the U.S. position—calling on Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians while continuing to tout their support—is becoming untenable. But in interviews with more than a dozen current and former senior U.S. officials and diplomats, most argue the Secretary’s even-keeled approach is a reassuring projection of American leadership at a perilous moment. “He’s the right guy at the right time,” says Tom Nides, who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel until July. “I’ve sat in those rooms with him and Bibi. Tony’s a nice guy—but don’t screw with him.”

The idea that Blinken has been providing “a reassuring projection of American leadership” is impossible to take seriously. Who has been reassured by his empty rhetoric and shameless water-carrying for Israel’s brutal war? The people serving under him at the State Department certainly haven’t felt reassured by what Blinken has been doing. Morale in the State Department is extremely low under Blinken. As bad as things were under Tillerson and Pompeo, they are arguably even worse now. The State Department has been sidelined for the last three months and relevant area experts are ignored while Biden and Blinken drive U.S. policy into a ditch.