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Story summary
- The U.S. State Department faces challenges responding to the escalating Iran conflict as staffing cuts hit Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
- Under U.S. President Donald Trump, the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs underwent staffing cuts and management changes, with over 3,800 employees departing.
- Critics, including former officials, say these reductions hinder crisis management, while the State Department disputes that staffing changes affect operational effectiveness and evacuation planning left Americans stranded.
