Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken made his final trip as America’s top diplomat last week, arriving in Paris, his former hometown, to a hero’s welcome. France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, hailed Mr. Blinken as “an eminent servant of peace” and awarded him the Legion of Honor medal. With the red silk ribbon pinned to his jacket, Mr. Blinken called it “the honor of a lifetime.”
In Washington a few days later, a protester disrupted Mr. Blinken’s farewell speech with accusations of genocide, highlighting the contrasting scenes that epitomized his tenure as secretary of state.
The protester at the Atlantic Council event called Mr. Blinken “Bloody Blinken, Secretary of Genocide,” while security officers removed her and another man who was waving a sign labeling Mr. Blinken as a war criminal.
Mr. Blinken’s tenure as secretary of state was marked by involvement in two wars: one defending Ukraine against Russia, and the other in Israel and Gaza. The former garnered praise for upholding international law and human rights, while the latter led to accusations of abandoning those principles.
Mr. Blinken’s work with conflict earned him the moniker of “secretary of war,” a title that reflects the duality of his reputation.
Reflecting on his term, Mr. Blinken acknowledged the challenges of engaging with a complex world from a position of strength, emphasizing the importance of forging international partnerships.
In Paris, Mr. Blinken shared a lesson from his stepfather about remaining vigilant in the face of humanity’s capacity for evil, a sentiment that resonated with the numerous conflicts and atrocities he encountered as secretary of state.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Blinken demonstrated commanding diplomacy, rallying a coalition of nations to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.
Mr. Blinken’s role in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza presented a starkly different challenge, with accusations of complicity in war crimes and criticisms of U.S. support for Israel.
Mr. Blinken’s efforts in defending Ukraine and engaging in conflict resolution in Gaza showcased the complexities and moral dilemmas of his diplomatic work.
Despite facing criticism and challenges, Mr. Blinken remained committed to his diplomatic efforts, grappling with the inherent uncertainties and moral complexities of conflict resolution.
Mr. Blinken’s legacy is characterized by the juxtaposition of his diplomatic successes in Ukraine and the moral dilemmas he faced in Gaza, illustrating the nuanced realities of international relations and conflict resolution.
As he departs from his role as secretary of state, Mr. Blinken reflects on the challenges of navigating the complexities of conflict and diplomacy, acknowledging the lack of neat solutions in dealing with global crises.