Alva Review-Courier -

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is losing its top career diplomat in a heavy blow to the State Department amid numerous international crises.

The retirement of the department's third-ranking official, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Tom Shannon, was announced on Thursday at a time when the administration's foreign policy and its treatment of veteran diplomats has come under heavy criticism.

While not a household name, Shannon is widely respected by his colleagues, lawmakers and others, and his departure in the coming months will leave another void in the top ranks. He...