(MENAFN- Arab Times) The Senate has confirmed US ambassadors to six countries, including the important posts of Iraq and Ukraine.
The nominations passed by voice vote late Thursday before Congress exited Washington for a seven-week recess. The ambassadors all are career members of the senior foreign service.
Douglas Silliman is the new chief American diplomat in Iraq. He'll replace Stuart Jones as ambassador. Iraq has been struggling to keep up its prolonged and costly fight against the Islamic State group.
Marie Yovanovitch takes over as ambassador to Ukraine, replacing Geoffrey Pyatt. Eastern Ukraine is mired in a conflict between government forces and Russia-backed rebels.
Pyatt is the new ambassador to Greece.
Anne Hall is the ambassador to Lithuania. Lawrence Silverman is the ambassador to Kuwait. Carol Perez is the ambassador to Chile.
Silverman, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, currently serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State (DAS) in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State, a position he has held since 2014. Silverman is well known as a strategic policy thinker with a deep understanding of foreign policy issues in Europe and the Middle East. He also is known for his outstanding ability to articulate US policy, his advocacy overseas for democratic and economic reforms, and excellent interpersonal and managerial skills that build strong teams and foster respect for colleagues. Silverman's background and skills make him an excellent choice for US Ambassador to Kuwait.
Previously, Silverman served as Acting DAS for Near Eastern Affairs (2012-2014), Director of the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs (2012-2014), and Special Advisor to the Vice-President (2011-2012). Prior to that, he served in the Bureau of European Affairs as Director of the Office of Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus Affairs (2009-2011), and as Deputy Director in the Office of Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (2008-2009). Silverman also served as Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy Bratislava, Slovakia (2005-2008), Deputy Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs (2002-2004), and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (2001-2002). He also served as Deputy Political Counselor, US Embassy Ankara, Turkey (2000-2001). Earlier assignments include service in Syria, Jordan and South Africa, and in other positions in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
Silverman earned a BA from Brandeis University and an MA from Duke University. He has won numerous Department of State performance awards. His languages are Arabic, Turkish and Slovak.
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