Where is Marco? Where is our secretary of state? These questions echo across Washington as a cascade of high-stakes global crises unfolds. Look at the headlines on any given day. The chief diplomat of the United States seems to be missing in action. In almost every major breakthrough, President Donald Trump has conspicuously used other individuals.

For the NATO, Ukrainian, and Russian theater, the president designated his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Steve Witkoff as peace envoys. They negotiate directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.