The former New Mexico governor and ambassador to the U.N. filled a specialized diplomatic niche, talking to strongmen when presidents and other officials could — or would — not.
After serving in Congress and as governor of New Mexico, he practiced quasi-public diplomacy, working to secure the release of people he believed were being wrongfully detained.
The State Department went public with its push to negotiate Griner’s release from custody in Russia, where she has been held on drug charges since February.