Source: New York Post
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration could close or “drastically” downsize its footprint at dozens of US embassies and consulates — including at what some former US officials have said are critical installations in Somalia and Iraq — while reducing spending on agency operations by up to $26 billion, according to memos obtained by The Post. One State Department document shows at least 17 consulates — in the UK, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Korea, and Bosnia and Herzegovina — and 10 embassies — including outposts in Malta, the Maldives, Grenada, Luxembourg and several African nations — have been suggested for the chopping block. Three significant posts in Iraq were also designated as part of cost-reduction efforts — with the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, a massive compound in the Iraqi capital, slated for potential closure and missions in Baghdad and Erbil listed as places to “drastically reduce expenditures.
