Now Would Be a Great Time to Send US Ambassadors to the Middle East

As a fragile ceasefire takes hold in the Middle East, countries are jockeying to shape the peace. But one group remains largely absent: US ambassadors.

Many Americans would be surprised to realise that in several of the Arab states that have been bombarded by Iran — including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq — there is no US ambassador present. Not one of these posts even has a nominee awaiting Senate confirmation.

Photo by Nathan Howard – Pool/Getty Images

The Middle East Institute (MEI) is an independent, non-partisan, not-for-profit, educational organization. It does not engage in advocacy and its scholars’ opinions are their own. MEI welcomes financial donations, but retains sole editorial control over its work and its publications reflect only the authors’ views. For a listing of MEI donors, please click here.