Embassy of the United States Baghdad, Iraq

Ambassador James F. Jeffrey (State Dept)

Ambassador James F. Jeffrey was nominated to be Ambassador to Iraq by President Obama in June 2010 and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on August 5, 2010.

Ambassador Jeffrey, a career member of the Foreign Service, previously served as Ambassador to Turkey from October 2008 – July 2010. Prior to that, he served on detail to the National Security Council as the Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor. Prior to this, he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State. His responsibilities included leading the Iran Policy Team and coordinating public diplomacy.

Ambassador Jeffrey served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State for Iraq from August 2005 to August 2006. Previously, he served as U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq from March – June 2005 and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Baghdad from June 2004 – March 2005.

Earlier in his career, Ambassador Jeffrey served as Ambassador to Albania from 2002 – 2004. Other assignments have included three tours in Turkey, including Deputy Chief of Mission from 1999 – 2002, as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait and Deputy Special Representative for Bosnian Implementation.

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

Ambassador Jeffrey is accompanied by his wife, Gudrun. They have two grown children, Jahn and Julia.