United Nations (AP) – The highest American representative now to the United Nations declared two years ago to the Congress that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia was “not provoked” and “unjustified”, urging UN members to condemn the aggression and the end of Moscow war.
In February, it was the same career diplomat, Dorothy Shea, who expressed the Trump administration extraordinary decision Separate with the European allies and refuse to support a United Nations resolution accusing Russia for its invasion on the occasion of the third anniversary of the war.
Although it is typical that diplomats remain as American presidents – and their political parties – the change, the temporary role of Shea made her a face of the amazing American transition on the world scene, with President Donald Trump “America First” approach Move more and more upset the international order of the post-second world war.
Shea will be in place longer than expected after Trump’s unusual decision last month To withdraw his candidate For the UN ambassador, representative Elise Stefanik, of consideration due to a thin majority of republican houses.
“I would say that the position (Shea) is unique. It is probably particularly unique with regard to the extraordinary change, not only from one administration to another, but really from an era of American foreign policy, even when there were nuanced differences,” said Phillip Reeker, former interim assistant secretary of state for Europe. “The change of vote that took place at the UN on the Russian-Ukraine war was really a point of inflection in American politics.”
A United Nations vote changes American messaging on Ukraine
On February 24, the The United States has joined Russia to vote Against a Ukrainian resolution supported by Europe requiring immediate withdrawal from the forces of Moscow. An American resolution Duel noted “tragic loss of life” and called for “a rapid end to conflict”, but that did not mention the assault of Moscow as a Trump Administration Opening of negotiations with Russia On a ceasefire.
“Continue to engage in rhetorical rivalries in New York can make diplomats justified, but that will not save souls on the battlefield,” said Shea, 59, at the time. “Let us expect ourselves to ourselves and our citizens that we can bring together and agree with the most fundamental principles. Show us that the daring vision of peace that has once removed us can prevail. ”
The message was a shocking retirement for the United States to the United Nations General Assembly of 193 members, whose resolutions are not legally binding but are considered a barometer of world opinion. It has also strengthened the fears of certain allies on what Trump Presidency could mean for longtime transatlantic partnerships – and if the United States could remain a rampart against attackers like Russia.
For shea, it was another day of work. She has spent the last 30 years and more to serve as a diplomat under Republican and Democrats – from Bill Clinton to Trump – putting their policies even if they were away from longtime American posts.
“I do not know what his personal opinions are on things. But the administrations change, politicians change. And your work as a diplomat is to defend these policies,” said a former colleague and ambassador of the United States, Robert Wood, who recently retired.
The American mission at the UN refused to comment. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
The roots of a diplomat
Shea’s work has included stays in South Africa, where she saw Nelson Mandela became the first democratically elected president, and Israel, where she worked on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Shea grew up in the suburbs of Washington – his father, a veteran of the Second World War and his active mother in the local Japanese American friendship society. The experience of students in Japanese exchange remaining with his family for several sums and wanting to understand the world events propelled him into international relations at the University of Virginia. After graduating, she marked a job offer in the American external service.
She progressed and in 2019 was exploited to be Trump’s ambassador to Lebanon, where the Diplomat with a soft voice made the headlines for his criticism from the militant group of Hezbollah. A Lebanese judge prohibited the local and foreign media of the interview with Shea for a year, saying that his critic of Hezbollah was seditious and a threat to social peace.
In 2023, Biden named Shea to become n ° 2 at the UN
The role of the United States at the UN – for the moment
It is not known when Shea will put a policy confirmed by the Senate. Stefanik underwent a confirmation hearing, but his appointment was withdrawn last month because his vote to advance Trump’s agenda remains crucial for the Republicans in the House. The GOP deputy was Trump’s fourth candidate not to go through the confirmation process.
Trump made no mention of who he would name to replace Stefanik and fill his last remaining cabinet seat. Until then, Shea is at the helm at a critical time for the United States foreign policy, selling great changes to deal with with allies and adversaries and the defense of the reduction of foreign aid by the administration.
The White House recently offered Additional drastic cuts in the State Department, which would include elimination Financing for almost all international organizations, like the UN
The proposal is very preliminary but reflects the isolationist point of view of the administration, which, as well as the fundamental uncertainties, poses a major challenge to the mandate and the work of the UN
