Coons rejects the idea that he is replacing Blinken. Still, he is embracing the identity that Senator Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) has described as a “force multiplier” for the president. While Blinken crosses the globe to address a range of diplomatic and national security issues, Biden can count on Coons to attack.
“The fact that I am known for having a close relationship with [Biden] it helps me to convey a stronger message, ”said Coons of his weekend trip to Addis Ababa, where he met Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“President Biden thought it was important to send someone who could speak for him and deliver a message directly to him,” he added, referring to himself as Biden’s “personal emissary” on this mission.
In fact, Coons did not hesitate to say yes when Biden asked him to make the long journey to Africa to deal with the atrocities in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.
Coons delivered a letter from Biden to Abiy and returned to Washington with an answer for Biden in hand. In an interview with POLITICO two hours after landing in the United States, in a hoarse voice of tiredness, Coons described the trip as “positive and purposeful”. And there is already evidence to prove it.
On Tuesday, Abiy admitted – after consistent denials – that Eritrean troops had, in fact, entered the Tigray region, where they are accused of massacre and rape of civilians. It was a major breakthrough in the long-standing conflict between Eritrea and the regional ruling party in Tigray, which tried to overthrow Abiy’s government.
The United States has asked Eritrean troops to leave Tigray and that Abiy, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, take responsibility for protecting all its citizens – including ethnic minorities in that region – after credible reports have emerged detailing dire violations of human rights. Blinken described the massacres earlier this month as “ethnic cleansing”, a claim that the Ethiopian government denies.
Coons’ position as a replacement for the Biden government is unique, going back to calls he received last fall from foreign officials in hopes of gaining access to his colleague Delawarean. It is one that senators from both parties said Biden should continue to take advantage of.
“You have members of Congress who show an interest in the subject, they can be really useful,” said Graham. “I think it is a smart move by President Biden, and I know that Chris is very capable.”
Despite the potential for frictions between Coons and Blinken on foreign policy issues, none have yet emerged. The senator at length informed the secretary on his way back from Ethiopia and noted that Blinken is “incredibly busy”, having met with Chinese officials in Alaska last week before flying to Brussels for talks with NATO and European Union officials.
“So if I can play a small role in advancing our shared priorities,” said Coons, “I’m very happy to do so
Coons was a natural match for the Ethiopian mission, carrying deep ties to the region, as well as a bond with the president. The third-term senator worked in humanitarian aid in Kenya before attending law school and served as the main democrat in the African subcommittee on the Foreign Affairs panel.
A National Security Council spokesman said Coons, Blinken and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield “have repeatedly involved the Ethiopian government, as well as other international partners at the highest levels, to help ensure the end. of violence “in Tigray.
In addition to foreign policy, Coons will remain instrumental while Biden tries to bring his agenda to Congress. The Senate is set to accept several major bills in the coming months that are likely to need Republican support, and Coons’ good standing with Republican senators – although it has caused problems with liberals – leaves him well positioned to help attack an to deal.
“Diplomacy is important to him – international diplomacy, but also, he is a great diplomat in the Senate,” said Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). “And he has been a good partner.”
This partnership mentality would make Coons an easy choice if Biden ends up having to look for a replacement for Blinken later in his administration. The post of secretary of state would be easy for Coons, his fellow senators said, and he would likely be confirmed with more than 90 votes.
It helps that Coons is always happy to talk about international affairs, both with reporters and with his colleagues. Senators from both parties questioned Coons about his trip when he returned to the Capitol on Monday. Coons remained on the ground for about 30 minutes during a series of voting at night answering questions about the situation in Ethiopia.
Despite his tiring travel schedule – Coons estimated that he only slept six hours during the three-day trip – he was eager to stay and talk.
The 57-year-old declined to say whether he hopes to make similar diplomatic efforts on behalf of Biden in the future, saying only that it depends on the president.
“I think it is important for the United States more broadly, and President Biden in particular, to show commitment, concern, commitment to address the humanitarian and human rights challenges in Tigray,” said Coons.
But while his Democratic friend remains in the Senate, Cornyn offered Coons a peculiar task that would be familiar to Tom Cruise fans: “Quan’s ambassador”.
Cornyn jokingly awarded that title to Coons when the two paths crossed the Capitol this week. It refers to the 1996 film “Jerry Maguire”, in which Cruise’s agent shows Cuba Gooding Jr. the NFL star how to pursue more than just cash.
In the film, “quan” means currency and community respect, two qualities that Coons currently represents as a slash-globetrotter senator for the White House – which explains why Coons scoffed at the Republican that his provocation was “almost literal” correct.