Biden nominates new Iraq ambassador, awaits rare Senate confirmation

Alina Romanowski will replace Matthew Tueller as Iraq ambassador - if she can become one of the few Biden nominations for diplomats to be confirmed by the Senate.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab Staff

09 December, 2021

Alina Romanowski is currently US Ambassador to Kuwait [Anadolu/Getty]

US President Joe Biden has nominated career diplomat Alina Romanowski as Ambassador to Iraq, but awaits approval from the Senate that has been difficult for the president to obtain.

The White House announced Biden's nominations for ambassadors of Iraq, Malta and Kenya on Wednesday.

Romanowski is currently US Ambassador to Kuwait, holding that role since February 2020.

Her career has included service in the CIA and across departments.

"During almost 40 years of service across various US government agencies, Romanowski has become expert on Middle East affairs," the State Department said.

The best way to learn about a country is to get to know its people! Former minister & army veteran Abdulwahid Al-Awadhi welcomed me to his family’s diwaniya earlier this week — loved hearing about his days in 🇺🇸 and I was equally inspired by his role in 🇰🇼’s liberation. pic.twitter.com/mtlHh8n0vO
— Ambassador Alina Romanowski (@USAmbKuwait) December 9, 2021

Romanowski will replace current Iraq ambassador Matthew Tueller - if she is confirmed by the Senate.

Very few of Biden's diplomatic nominations have been confirmed by the Senate, which is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans.

The vacant ambassador seats have proved a headache for the Biden administration, which has sought to repair foreign relations damaged by predecessor Donald Trump.

Earlier this year, Republican senators led by Josh Hawley for months held up the appointment of Biden's choice for Ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides.