Abigail Williams

“Diplomacy is not a short-term gain. It’s a long-term gain,” another laid-off official said, summing up the damage caused by the cuts. “The connections we make now in our youth are with those officials who will be world leaders one day. Now those connections will be lost.”

She added that they had just found out the officials who they thought would be taking over their important work had also been laid off. “It’s shocking, and it’s baffling that the government doesn’t seem to care about keeping that kind of expertise.”

More than 1300 employees were forced out of the State Department Friday, leaving their offices with small boxes of plants and old coffee mugs and taking with them decades of specialized skills and on the job training as part of the United States Diplomatic Corps.

Please don’t forget we have American hostages imprisoned in horrific conditions by the Taliban - including this husband and father who was committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. Now Hu’s wife is appealing for help nbcnews.com/politics/natio…

Ryan Corbett is one of at least three Americans being held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan. His wife Anna stayed quiet about his case for more than 14 months. Now she's going public. nbcnews.com/politics/natio…

Our colleague, WSJ reporter @evangershkovich has been wrongfully detained in Russia for 16 weeks. We call for his immediate release. Journalists at @AspenSecurity say #IStandWithEvan

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was detained in Russia on March 29 during a reporting trip and remains in prison. We’re offering resources for those who want to show their support for him. #IStandWithEvan wsj.com/Evan

NEW: “We do not believe Syria merits readmission into the Arab League at this time, a point we have made with all of our partners,” a State Dept spox says. “That said, we share many of the same goals as our Arab partners with respect to Syria…”

Siamak’s interview was heartbreaking. Our family stands with him, his family, as well as Morad and his family. @POTUS, Siamak showed great courage in reaching out to you the way he has. Now, pls show us your courage. Our 3 families have repeatedly asked for a meeting with you since you took office 778 days ago. Still no meeting. Just silence. We are the family members of 3 innocent American citizens who have been imprisoned for a total of 17 years simply for being Americans. Meet with us. #freeEMAD @FreeMorad1 #freeSiamakNamazi

Brittney Griner is now back in the U.S.A.

While not a formal reopening of the US Embassy, the visit is the latest step since @SecBlinken announced the gradual return of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Ukraine just two weeks ago.

US Diplomats are in Kyiv for the first time since mid-February, a Senior State Department Official confirms to @NBCNews. The team which includes Charge d’Affaires Kristina Kvien arrived in the capital today to commemorate the 77th anniversary of Victory Day in Europe.

You guys its my brother, Nate Burger, in a fancy new show!