By FARNOUSH AMIRI
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The highest-ranking U.S. representative now at the United Nations told Congress two years ago that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was “unprovoked” and “unjustified,” urging U.N. members to condemn Moscow’s aggression and demand an end to the war.
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In February, it was the same career diplomat, Dorothy Shea, who voiced the Trump administration’s extraordinary decision to split with European allies and refuse to back a U.N. resolution blaming Russia for its invasion on the third anniversary of the war.
While it is typical for diplomats to stay on as U.S. presidents — and their political parties — change, Shea’s interim role has unexpectedly made her a face of the stunning U.S. transition on the world stage, with President Donald Trump’s “America First” approach increasingly upending the post-World War II international order.
Shea will be in place longer than expected after Trump’s unusual decision last month to withdraw his nominee for U.N. ambassador, Rep. Elise Stefanik, from consideration because of a slim Republican House majority.
“I would say (Shea’s) position is unique. It is probably particularly unique in that because of the extraordinary change, not just from one administration to another, but really an era of U.S. foreign policy, even when there were nuanced differences,” said Phillip Reeker, the former acting assistant secretary of state for Europe. “The change in the vote that took place at the U.N. on the Russia-Ukraine war was really an inflection point in U.S. policy.”
A UN vote changes US messaging on Ukraine
On Feb. 24, the U.S. joined Russia in voting against a European-backed Ukrainian resolution demanding an immediate withdrawal of Moscow’s forces. A dueling U.S. resolution noted “the tragic loss of life” and called for “a swift end to the conflict,” but it didn’t mention Moscow’s aggression as the Trump administration opened negotiations with Russia on a ceasefire.
“Continuing to engage in rhetorical rivalries in New York may make diplomats feel vindicated, but it will not save souls on the battlefield,” Shea, 59, said at the time. “Let us prove to ourselves and to our citizens that we can come together and agree on the most basic principles. Let us show one another that the bold vision of peace that once pulled us out of hell can prevail.”
The message was a shocking retreat for the U.S. in the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, whose resolutions are not legally binding but are seen as a barometer of world opinion. It also reinforced the fears of some allies about what a second Trump presidency could mean for longstanding transatlantic partnerships — and whether the U.S. could remain a bulwark against aggressors like Russia.
For Shea, it was another day at work. She has spent the last 30-plus years serving as a diplomat under both Republican and Democratic presidents — from Bill Clinton to Trump — carrying out their policies even if they were a departure from longstanding U.S. positions.
“I don’t know what her personal views are on things. But administrations change, policies change. And your job as a diplomat is to advocate for those policies,” said a former colleague and deputy U.S. ambassador, Robert Wood, who recently retired.
The U.S. mission to the U.N. declined to comment. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The roots of a diplomat
Shea’s work has included stints in South Africa, where she witnessed Nelson Mandela become the first democratically elected president, and Israel, where she worked on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
Shea grew up in the suburbs of Washington — her father a World War II veteran and her mother active in the local Japanese American friendship society. The experience of Japanese exchange students staying with her family over several summers and wanting to understand world events propelled her into international relations at the University of Virginia. After graduation, she scored a job offer with the U.S. Foreign Service.
She worked her way up and in 2019 was tapped to be Trump’s ambassador to Lebanon, where the soft-spoken diplomat made headlines for her criticism of the Hezbollah militant group. A Lebanese judge banned local and foreign media outlets from interviewing Shea for a year, saying her criticism of Hezbollah was seditious and a threat to social peace.
In 2023, Biden nominated Shea to become No. 2 at the U.N.
The top US role at the UN — for now
It is unclear when Shea will hand off to a Senate-confirmed political appointee. Stefanik went through a confirmation hearing, but her nomination was pulled last month because her vote to advance Trump’s agenda remains crucial to Republicans in the House. The GOP congresswoman was the fourth Trump nominee not to make it through the confirmation process.
Trump has made no mention of whom he would nominate to replace Stefanik and fill his last remaining Cabinet seat. Until then, Shea is at the helm at a critical moment for U.S. foreign policy, selling big changes to dealing with both allies and adversaries and defending the administration’s slashing of foreign assistance.
The White House recently proposed additional drastic cuts to the State Department, which would include eliminating funding for nearly all international organizations, such as the U.N.
The proposal is highly preliminary but reflects the administration’s isolationist view, which, along with funding uncertainties, poses a major challenge to the mandate and work of the U.N.
