The only people (or person) at fault here was whoever leaked the ambassador's cables.

The ambassador was right to write to his government as he saw it.
The UK government was right to keep these missives secret.
The US government was right to make the point that the ambassador's position was now untenable and to force the UK to make changes. There was no way the ambassador could ever again deal with the US government in any meaningful sense.

It seems clear that the leaks were designed to embarrass Boris Johnson. No sooner had the cables been exposed than the anti-Brexit press were trying to force Johnson between a rock and a hard place. Boris played the trap well and comes out with an enhanced reputation, although his enemies will continue to claim otherwise.

So someone was happy to endanger the 'special' relationship for crass internal political purposes.

As to the ambassador, while he was right to offer his honest opinions, they were clearly coloured by his own background. Trump and his administration is overhauling all internationals processes and norms, recognising that they have worked for many years against US interests. But the elite in the US and Europe are utterly dismayed that the policies that gave them power and wealth are being dismantled. They want their privileged position protected and that means opposing Trump wherever they can.

Many here won't understand that.

As to things being inept and dysfunctional...

"Sudanese say US pressure was key to reaching transition deal" (http://apnews.com/2649713a1c90439aa6abc297cc2e2a4d)

I'm pretty sure this wasn't covered in any of the normal press read by those with TDS, because anything favourable to Trump must be suppressed, n'est pas?

mhaze total agreement,the leaker may never be found but let us hope they are

Dear mhaze,

Trump finally showed a glimpse of intelligence bringing in Donald Booth who was U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan under Obama.

Appointed just a few weeks ago he has brought about concrete results. That is what you get when you appoint an experienced career diplomat who isn't your son-in-law or your daughter.

Booth's appointment was an aberration in the otherwise turgid swamp Trump has created in the Whitehouse.

Perhaps he is owning up to the mess he has made of the job and starting to step up even if it is a little.

mhaze. "Trump and his administration is overhauling all internationals processes and norms, recognising that they have worked for many years against US interests."

The US works for its own self interest, to protect its power and privilege, and that means that it will often work against other countries' interests. So why is it so wrong if, when other countries have worked in their own self interest, to protect their power and privilege, that sometimes that may be against US interests?

There are however circumstances where a country's self interest may be advanced by helping another country's interests. That's why there are alliances and trade deals - you can often help yourself better by helping others, and that may involve some concessions for the greater gain. I see little indication that Trump understands this. His philosophy seems to be along the lines of 'whoever dies with the most stuff wins'.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-12/sir-kim-darrosh-british-ambassador-cable-leaks-brexit/11302182
Link confirms the man is far more sibstancial that some would have us think
Too if found the leaker may be put in prison

"Trump finally showed a glimpse of intelligence bringing in Donald Booth"

Yes I see a lot of people saying that anything good coming out of the US is down to others, while anything even passably bad is all down to Trump. Those people consider themselves to be unbiased!

Cossomby,

"The US works for its own self interest".

Actually most countries do. (exceptions like North Korea do exist).

The changes Trump is wringing in are which USians the nation works for.

In the past, the US championed global trade and Pax America, to the advantage of some Americans but significant disadvantage to many others. Manufacturing was out-sourced to China et al, providing the coastal elite with cheaper goods while the workers in the fly-over states saw the jobs and livelihoods disappear. Additionally, illegal immigration was quietly accepted, providing the elite with cheap labour at the expense of the displaced US workers. Equally, with Pa America where it was the the sons and daughters of the working class who fought the elite's wars.

Places like China, Europe, Australia and a host of others were all good with this since they also benefited.

Trump is unravelling all this, which is why there are screams of hurt from around the world. Its why the British upper-class (eg ambassadors) hate Trump and long for a return to the old ways where their power and wealth were subsidised by the US working class.

Many don't get this. In the midst of the Reagan/Thatcher economic revival, many didn't see what was happening around them and only a decade or two later was it acknowledged. Trumpism will be likewise misunderstood until its finally understood.

Of coarse, the elite aren't beaten yet and there's every chance they will ultimately defeat Trump and his revolution in 2020. All revolutions hang on a knife-edge. Its a bit like Brexit where the elite are working to overwhelm the clear wish of the people. They may still win. Or the EU where the will of the people is largely irrelevant.

Its interesting times...a shame so many are missing it.