[rendall]

"The motive is to make it harder for US personnel to carry out foreign policy objectives in these nations."

If they were soldiers, sure, that makes sense. But I thought the the job of diplomats is essentially to be a messenger between governments. "Carry out foreign policy objectives" means to relay accurately the stance and desires of the home government. Hurting a diplomat in no wise hurts the home government, it just makes communication more difficult.

[p5a0u9l]

in a perfect world, and amongst allies, yes. between nations that see international cooperation differently, not so much. case in point, cuba.

[rendall]

What sorts of things can embassy staff do that works against the interests of the host country?

[p5a0u9l]

aside from old school spying, all sorts of soft power tactics: support or not a government measure with marginal support, connect people or not with resources in the home country, advocate or not for sales of defense products from home country.