04/11/2026
April 11, 2026—As the world remains on pins and needles, awaiting the outcome of peace talks mediated by Pakistan in a US-Israel-Iran war that has lasted nearly a month and a half, observers are beginning to question why diplomacy failed and who is responsible.
One of the most apparent things is that U.S. diplomacy is largely outsourced to two billionaires serving as special envoys without government pay: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Both are billionaires with interests that extend beyond U.S. priorities.
Nevertheless, the two volunteers are heading up talks with Iran, Israel, and Gulf states, deeply involved in Israel-Palestine issues, and lead U.S. negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. It’s a significant portfolio for two unpaid volunteers. Only recently has Vice President JD Vance stepped into the U.S.-Iran talks. And Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, did not join the envoys on the trip.
The problem with the volunteer service is twofold. It creates a risk of:
1. Absence of professional diplomacy in the interest of the country.
2. The potential for corruption and conflict of interest.
What’s remarkable is role of traditional diplomacy has largely been gutted.
-- Read more on America's shadow diplomacy on the Global Economic Report.
One of the most apparent things is that U.S. diplomacy is largely outsourced to two billionaires serving as special envoys without government pay: Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Both are billionaires with interests that extend beyond U.S. priorities.