Downsizing the US Department of State

 The New York Times published on 6 March 2025 an article titled "State Dept. Plans to Close Diplomatic Missions and Fire Employees" by Edward Wong and Mark Mazzetti.

The State Department has been hemorrhaging senior staff since the beginning of this year.  The Trump administration is looking to cut staffing by as much as 20 percent.  A dozen consulates, mostly in Western Europe, are on the chopping block.  Locally hired staff may be hit especially hard by the firings.  Embassies are also reportedly under discussion for closure.  

US Working to Counter Russia's Wagner Group in Africa and Ukraine

 Vice News posted on 8 March 2023 an article titled "The CIA Says It's Already Fighting Russia's Wagner Mercenaries Abroad" by Ben Makuch.

CIA Director Bill Burns, without getting into specifics, said the United States is doing everything in its power to counter Russia's mercenary Wagner Group in Africa and Ukraine.  

CIA Officer Killed in Somalia

 The New York Times published on 25 November 2020 an article titled "C.I.A. Officer Is Killed in Somalia" by Julian E. Barnes, Eric Schmitt, and Adam Goldman.

A member of the CIA's paramilitary division, the Special Activities Center, and former member of the Navy's elite SEAL Team 6 was recently killed in combat in Somalia.  The death occurred as the Trump administration considers pulling Americans out of Somalia.