Biography

Paul Sutphin

Paul R. Sutphin

Consul General

Consulate General - Erbil

Paul Sutphin became Consul General in Erbil in July 2012, responsible for covering the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.  Previously, he served as Director of the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, part of the Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, from 2010-2012.  Prior to that, he was Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates in the United Arab Emirates from 2006-2009.  A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, he has had postings in the United Kingdom (as liaison with the UK government on all Middle Eastern issues and liaison with the London based Iraqi opposition, from 1996-2001).  He has also served in Jerusalem, Denmark and Guyana, as well as a variety of positions in Department of State offices dealing with Iraq, Arab-Israeli issues, terrorism, South Asia and Human Resources.

 He speaks Arabic, Danish, and French.  Born in Syracuse, NY, Mr. Sutphin is an honors graduate of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and has a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the National War College in Washington, D.C.  He is married to Catherine Kaputa Sutphin and has two school-age children.