Global Geopolitical Series: ‘Special Relation’ sours with UK ambassador Darroch shown exit

Last month, during his state visit to the United Kingdom, President Trump hailed the ‘special relationship/bond’ between the UK and the United States, and everyone was thinking that the relationship, which has been in troubled water in recent times by President Trump’s decision to exit JCPoA, accepting Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and Brexit, is finally turning the corner for the better. President was very impressed with the visit and especially his time with the Queen.

However, the ‘Darroch incident’ has opened the wounds again and this time it wouldn’t heal quickly. The controversy was triggered by the leaking of confidential emails where the UK ambassador to the United States, Sir Kim Darroch, was candidly criticizing the Trump administration, calling it dysfunctional, as well as the administration’s foreign policies, which according to him hasn’t served the United Kingdom well. He also suggested that Mr. Darroch doesn’t believe President Trump’s explanation for not launching an attack on Iran, in response to the downed Drone. President Trump called the ‘would strike’ on Iran as not proportional as it would have killed 150 Iranians against a downed U.S. unmanned spy drone.

After the leak, Sir Darroch has been shown the exit by the United States, with President Trump announcing no further dealings with him.  Sir Darroch resigned yesterday. The reactions around the incident clearly show that the UK and the U.S. remain far apart in foreign policy outlook. Many in the United Kingdom, including former diplomats and ambassadors, called the President’s actions as inappropriate since ambassadors are expected to give assessments and be candid privately. Even the top candidate to replace Theresa May as the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson called Sir Darroch’s exit as regretful while praising his skills as a top-notch diplomat.

The relationship is very likely to survive the current turbulence, but the recent happenings have once again made it clear that the relationship is not so special currently.