Embassies unstaffed, military gaps: America's toxic politics spills into foreign affairs

A jarring split-screen reality will come into focus this week, highlighting grand American ambitions internationally amid political dysfunction back home.

As the U.S. and China compete for influence, two cabinet members are making yet another trip to the Indo-Pacific, a region with vital naval hubs and shipping lanes: it's the 12th and eighth trip there for the secretaries of state and defence.

Meanwhile, at home, the U.S.'s notoriously bitter domestic politics is spilling into international issues in novel ways — with battles over abortion and LGBTQ issues stalling everything from U.S. military hiring and promotions, to diplomatic appointments and a new military budget.

After the Supreme Court limited abortion access last summer, the military started funding leaves to allow personnel to have the procedures in pro-choice states.

This prompted Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to start systematically blocking Senate military confirmations.

It's the same in U.S. diplomacy: Nearly three dozen countries lack U.S. ambassadors due to a blockade in the Senate, where Republican Rand Paul wants more information on the origins of COVID-19.

As well, an updated military budget has been paused over the above-mentioned abortion issue, as well as diversity initiatives and gender-affirming care, which Republicans want removed from the Pentagon budget.

Aside from all this, U.S. President Joe Biden recently had to cancel what would have been a historic first trip to a Pacific island nation at the centre of the U.S.-China power struggle; he was back in Washington amid a Congressional crisis over the debt ceiling.

One Pacific ally was in Washington last week recounting his past frustrations dealing with the U.S. political system, saying it creates doubts among America's friends.

Surangel Whipps, the president of Palau, noted that it took eight years for Congress to confirm permanent funding for a security and economic pact between the two countries as Democrats and Republicans grappled with other issues.

Whipps told a Washington audience at a Foundation for Defense of Democracies gathering that Palau is a model U.S. ally — it's blocked plans for a Chinese casino next to a U.S. radar site, and it wants to rip up and replace the country's Huawei cellular infrastructure.

But with the U.S.-Palau pact again up for renewal, Whipps said he hoped to avoid a repeat of last time.

"If the relationship is that important, you have to show it," he told the audience, noting that allies don't want to see the U.S. so caught up in internal politics that it ignores international responsibilities. 

"Because I think that's what our people at home kind of fear sometimes — you know, we see how divided [Capitol] Hill is."