The United States has built a “fortress” in Baghdad in the new American embassy, a building which speaks volumes about the way the U.S. views the situation there, according to a critic of the new diplomatic headquarters writing in Foreign Policy magazine.

The largest, most expensive embassy ever built will be completely isolated from the nation in which is centered, writes historian Jane Loeffer in the September/October issue.

“Walled off and completely detached from Baghdad, it conveys a devastating message about America’s global outlook,” she reports.

“The United States has designed an embassy that conveys no confidence in Iraqis and little hope for their future,” Loeffler says in her article, “Fortress America.”

“The embassy in Baghdad is designed to be completely self’sufficient. American diplomats will have their own shopping market, movie theater, gym, and dry cleaners,” Loeffler reports. “The embassy will be encased by 15-foot-thick blast walls, house a special defense force, and operate its own electrical, sewage, and water treatment plants. There will be no need to interact with Iraqis for anything.

This is a strong departure from the way America’s embassies historically have been built, Loeffler says. Traditionally, U.S. embassies were designed to further interaction with the community. Diplomats visited with local officials at their offices, shopped at local businesses, and mixed with the general public.

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