Written by: Beck

The Diplomad, which virtually overnight became my favorite source for international relations news and analysis, has announced that it's closing its doors. This just weeks after winning multiple awards for Best New Blog of 2004 (Right Wing News' "Best Up & Coming Blog" and second runner up in Wizbang's 2004 Weblog Awards for "Best New Blog").

The news is so sudden and surprising, that I can't help but think that the Chief Diplomad, as the sites owner calls himself, has been outed within the State Department and is currently under major pressure to shut the site down. It's just about the only thing which makes sense considering the evidently large number of contributors it enjoyed, combined with the minimal effort required to maintain the site.

Regardless of the real reason for shutting the site down--their departure post only sites "a variety of personal and professional reasons," adding that they may some day blog again under a different name--they will be sorely missed. In their honor, I've got at least three big UN-bashing posts brewing.