James F. Jeffrey

Ambassador James F. Jeffrey is one of the nation’s most senior diplomats with experience in political, security, and energy issues in the Middle East, Turkey, Germany, and the Balkans. He has held a series of highly sensitive posts in Washington D.C. and abroad, including as United States Ambassador to Iraq (2010–2012); United States Ambassador to Turkey (2008–2010); and United States Ambassador to Albania (2002–2004). Ambassador Jeffrey also served as assistant to the president and Deputy National Security Advisor (2007-2008) in the George W. Bush administration, with a special focus on Iran. He previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State, where his responsibilities included leading the Iran policy team and coordinating public diplomacy. Earlier appointments included service as senior advisor in Iraq to the secretary of state; chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission in Baghdad; and deputy chief of mission in Ankara.

Ambassador Jeffrey retired from the Foreign Service in 2012 after a 37-year tenure with the rank of career ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. He was recalled in 2018 until Nov. 2020, to serve as U.S. special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. He joined the Wilson Center in Dec. 2020 as Chair of its Middle East Program.

A former infantry officer in the U.S. Army, Ambassador Jeffrey served in Germany and Vietnam from 1969 to 1976. He received his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and his master’s degree from Boston University