This is reported by Kyiv24
Last week marked significant personnel changes at the US State Department, with approximately 1,350 employees being laid off. Among them were senior analysts from the Bureau of Intelligence and Research who specialized in Russia and Ukraine issues.
Reductions in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research
The layoffs affected the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), which does not engage in espionage but is responsible for providing analytical support for US foreign policy decisions. This bureau prepares in-depth analytical reports on global events that help shape the country’s diplomatic strategy. It remains unclear how many analysts specifically focused on Russia and Ukraine were laid off; however, following the merger of two offices within INR, the relevant analytical areas are still maintained, although their personnel has significantly decreased.
Former bureau chief Ellen McCarthy described these cuts as “short-sighted.”
The State Department did not provide a specific justification for the reorganization of its intelligence agency. In response to a request for comment on the situation, a department representative stated that the changes would make the bureau more streamlined, efficient, and flexible without jeopardizing its core functions, and that any claims to the contrary are “baseless political attacks.”
New Administration Course and Consequences of the Cuts
The staff reductions coincided with an intensification of US President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate the war between Russia and Ukraine, which remains one of the key focuses of Washington’s foreign policy. Experts believe that the loss of experienced analysts may impact the level of expertise and the quality of analytical support for such processes.
On July 11, State Department employees were officially notified of their layoffs as part of a large-scale reorganization plan initiated by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Under this plan, hundreds of offices in the US will be closed or merged, but foreign representations and their personnel will remain unaffected by the cuts.