Trump administration removes ambassadors from 29 countries
In late December 2025, the Trump administration issued a mass recall of nearly 30 career diplomats serving as ambassadors and chiefs of mission.
These officials, all appointed during the Biden administration, were notified last week that their tenures would end in January 2026.
While it is standard for political appointees to resign when a new administration takes office, this move is considered unusual because it specifically targets career Foreign Service officers who typically serve three-to-four-year terms regardless of the political party in power.
Affected Countries by Region
The recall impacts at least 29 countries, with the largest concentration in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region:
| Region | Countries Affected |
| Africa (13) | Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Uganda |
| Asia-Pacific (6) | Fiji, Laos, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam |
| Europe (4) | Armenia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovakia |
| Middle East (2) | Algeria, Egypt |
| South/Central Asia (2) | Nepal, Sri Lanka |
| Western Hemisphere (2) | Guatemala, Suriname |
Key Details of the Move
Reasoning: The State Department defended the decision as a "standard process," stating that the President has the right to ensure envoys are individuals who will advance the "America First" agenda.
Timing: Most of the affected diplomats were told they must vacate their posts by January 15 or 16, 2026.
Status of Diplomats: Those recalled are not losing their jobs within the Foreign Service; they are expected to return to Washington D.C. for new assignments.
Concerns: The move has drawn criticism from the American Foreign Service Association (the diplomats' union) and some lawmakers, who argue that removing experienced career professionals simultaneously can create a "diplomatic vacuum" in sensitive regions.
The administration has already begun naming replacements in some areas, such as the recent appointment of a special envoy to Greenland.
Lt-Gen Fanil Sarvarov wounded in Moscow car explosion
On the morning of Monday, December 22, 2025, a high-ranking Russian officer, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in a car explosion in southern Moscow.
Details of the Incident
Location: The explosion occurred around 7:00 a.m. local time on Yasenevaya Street in the Orekhovo-Borisovo Yuzhnoye district, as the General was entering his vehicle to head to work.
The Device: Investigators state an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted under the chassis of his white Kia Sorento.
Investigation: Russia's Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case for murder. Officials have publicly suggested that the attack was likely orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services, though Kyiv has not officially claimed responsibility.
Who was Lt-Gen Fanil Sarvarov?
Sarvarov, 56, was a highly decorated officer holding a pivotal role in the Russian military structure:
Current Role: Head of the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
He was responsible for overseeing combat training and staff exercises, a critical function for Russia’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Military History: He was a veteran of both the Chechen wars in the 1990s and early 2000s and Russia’s military campaign in Syria (2015–2016).
A Growing Pattern
This is the third high-profile assassination of a Russian general via bombing in Moscow within the last year:
Lt-Gen Igor Kirillov: Killed in December 2024 by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter.
Lt-Gen Yaroslav Moskalik: Killed in April 2025 by a car bomb in the Moscow region.
Lt-Gen Fanil Sarvarov: Killed December 22, 2025.
The Kremlin has confirmed that President Vladimir Putin was "immediately informed" of the death. This event occurs against a backdrop of intensified diplomatic activity, following recent peace talks in Florida involving U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian envoys.
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