Most if not all of these roles (in the western sphere at least) are political appointees selected from a pool of politicians or those adjacent to power. Certai

Most if not all of these roles (in the western sphere at least) are political appointees selected from a pool of politicians or those adjacent to power. Certainly their baseline of experience and knowledge is higher than the average man in the street, however, as a political appointee everthing is filtered through the lens of national proaganda and partisan politics. The end result is indistinguishable from a total idiot. There are some seasoned (life long professional) diplomats out there who are very knowledgeable, however, you wont hear from them in the media this side of their retirement.