Secretary of State Marco Rubio's plan to streamline what he called the "bloated" State Department by slashing staff and closing or consolidating bureaus was widely criticized Tuesday as a dangerous retreat from diplomacy and soft power that would weaken U.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has unveiled his plan to streamline a department that he says has become too bloated over the years. He's cutting 132 offices and about 700 jobs at the state department

Mr Rubio said his department was unable to perform "in a new era of great power competition". Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.