In a significant move, the State Department has terminated its leading experts on the South China Sea and disbanded the Office of Multilateral Affairs, which played a crucial role in Indo-Pacific security, as part of a broader reorganization earlier this month. This decision has raised alarm among officials and analysts alike, who describe the action as detrimental to U.S. interests in a strategically vital region.
The cuts come at a time when both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, as well as members of President Donald Trump’s administration, continue to prioritize security and the maintenance of free navigation in the South China Sea, a vital artery for global trade. For years, China has engaged in aggressive territorial claims, including the construction of artificial islands and military installations, while also harassing fishing and oil exploration vessels belonging to the Philippines, Vietnam, and other nations in the Pacific. The U.S. has long collaborated with these countries to counter China’s actions.
Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, underscored the urgency of addressing China’s threats, saying, “China’s actions undermine peace and stability in the region.” He noted the growing readiness of Beijing to use force to achieve its objectives, particularly in the South China Sea and around Taiwan, while also highlighting an unprecedented military buildup.
The now-defunct Office of Multilateral Affairs within the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs was essential in managing U.S. engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), coordinating diplomatic responses to China’s aggressions, and overseeing efforts in the Mekong River region. Current and former officers have indicated that the elimination of this office, along with others, has resulted in the loss of over 1,300 government jobs.
Interestingly, the office played a key role in preparing Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his recent visit to Malaysia for ASEAN-related meetings. The timing of the layoffs—announced while Rubio was traveling home—has drawn criticism. One fired foreign affairs officer lamented, “After he used us, he fired us. It’s mind-boggling.”
Many of the dismissed officials expressed concerns that their termination could severely undermine U.S. interests and enable China to gain the upper hand in the region. They had anticipated being reassigned to other offices despite the elimination of their workplace. However, termination notices did not suggest that performance was a factor; many had recently earned outstanding performance reviews, which fosters suspicion about the motivations behind the disbanding of their office.
The fired officials were predominantly civil service employees who possessed extensive regional expertise, unlike their foreign service counterparts who typically cycle through positions every few years. One officer emphasized, “We are the consistency. We keep the train running while everyone rotates.”
In defense of the reorganization, the State Department stated that essential functions would still be covered by teams in different offices, suggesting an integration of mission-critical activities. Yet, the absence of the top experts raises questions about the competence of future decision-making related to the South China Sea. Those who were let go worry that individuals lacking the necessary knowledge may face challenges in identifying potential risks associated with their options.
There were also frustrations surrounding the lack of preparation for the office’s closure. Despite a congressional notification in May, which hinted at the cuts, proper planning for knowledge transfer and coordination seems to have been neglected, revealing a concerning lack of foresight.
The Trump administration has publicly emphasized its commitment to countering Chinese aggression and maintaining freedom of navigation in the South China Sea—a perspective echoed by both Republican and Democratic leaders. Illustrating the continued diplomatic engagement, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recently visited Washington to meet with Trump and Rubio, highlighting the importance of the U.S.-Philippine alliance in the face of escalating tensions in the region.
In a direct response to these developments, China has asserted an increasingly aggressive stance, with its aircraft carriers operating in waters historically dominated by U.S. forces. These actions are being closely monitored, following a long-standing refusal by the U.S. to accept China’s broad claims over the South China Sea, as affirmed during the Trump administration under Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The decision to eliminate the Office of Multilateral Affairs has prompted confusion among diplomacy and security experts, given the dire implications for American strategic interests in the region. Gregory Poling, director of the Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, labeled the move as “really harmful” for American efforts in the Indo-Pacific.
He articulated concerns that finding individuals equipped to handle such a complex issue would be nearly impossible if they were brought in from unrelated departments. Poling also highlighted that this organizational change could reinforce perceptions among American allies that the U.S. is withdrawing from its commitments in the region.
Piper Campbell, a former diplomat and current chair of the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security at American University, expressed disappointment regarding the closure of the Office of Multilateral Affairs and the subsequent job losses. She underscored that this decision could weaken U.S. influence and diminish its understanding of the region’s dynamics.
Experts such as James Caruso, a former diplomat with extensive experience in Southeast Asia, cautioned that these cuts, particularly in conjunction with recent tariffs and reductions in aid programs, might weaken long-standing alliances and push U.S. partners toward China. He firmly stated, “If our chief goal is pushing back against Chinese expansionism — how does this help? I would argue it hurts.”
Henrietta Levin, a former deputy China coordinator for global affairs during the Biden administration, echoed these apprehensions, admitting she was “surprised and somewhat concerned” about the specific cuts made. She urged that these reductions eliminate valuable tools that the U.S. had previously utilized effectively in the region.
As China remains committed to expanding its influence in the Indo-Pacific, experts argue that the United States should leverage every available tool to maintain its presence and credibility in the region.
image source from：npr
