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Will Fitzgibbon

Shadow Diplomats

Jordan, Latvia and Israel Shake Up Diplomatic Corps After “Shadow Diplomats” Investigation

After receiving questions from journalists, governments announced the termination and reviews of honorary consuls tied to controversies or accused of wrongdoing.

Shadow Diplomats

These Documents Reveal Abuses and Breakdowns in Rogue System of Global Diplomacy

Nine documents show how journalists built the first comprehensive account of wrongdoing by volunteer diplomats known as honorary consuls.

Shadow Diplomats

Nazi Germany Used Honorary Consuls to Advance Agenda Globally, Records Show

A ProPublica-ICIJ investigation into shadow diplomats identified about 20 honorary consuls suspected of supporting the Third Reich through espionage and other activities.

Shadow Diplomats

Shadow Diplomats Have Posed a Threat for Decades. The World’s Governments Looked the Other Way.

The U.S. State Department trusts foreign governments to nominate reputable honorary consuls, despite global accounts of wrongdoing.

Shadow Diplomats

The Global Threat of Rogue Diplomacy

How honorary consuls leverage perks, wield political power amid reports of wrongdoing.

Shadow Diplomats

Governments Call for Reforms to Centuries-Old Honorary Consul System

Authorities launch probes and propose overhauls following ProPublica and ICIJ’s global “Shadow Diplomats” investigation.

Shadow Diplomats

Agents of Influence: How Russia Deploys an Army of Shadow Diplomats

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has appointed dozens of honorary consuls. Many have spread pro-Kremlin sentiment around the world.

Shadow Diplomats

The Global Threat of Rogue Diplomacy

Honorary consuls were meant to foster ties between countries. Accused terrorist financiers, arms traffickers and drug runners are among those who have wielded diplomatic protection, a global investigation finds.

Shadow Diplomats

The Global Threat of Rogue Diplomacy

Honorary consuls are meant to foster ties between countries. But criminals and others accused of exploiting the position have infiltrated their ranks.

Shadow Diplomats

Consul Cases: Details of Troubled Diplomats Around the World

ProPublica and ICIJ identified at least 500 current or former honorary consuls publicly accused of wrongdoing or embroiled in controversy. Here are snapshots of some of those cases.