Abbas Blocked: The Visa Snub and America's Fading Diplomatic Clout The latest development in Mahmoud Abbas' denied visa saga is a symptom of the United States' rapidly diminishing diplomatic influence.
For years, Palestinian leaders have participated in the UN General Assembly as a matter of course, but this year's snub marks the third time Washington has blocked their entry.
The State Department's justification for the decision is vague and unconvincing.