Ambassador James F. Jeffrey joined the Wilson Center in December 2020 as chair of the Middle East Program. Jeffrey served as the special representative for Syria engagement and the special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS until November 8, 2020. He is a former senior U.S. diplomat with experience in political, security, and energy issues in the Middle East, Turkey, Germany, and the Balkans. Jeffrey has held senior assignments in Washington, DC and abroad, including as deputy national security advisor (2007-08), U.S. ambassador to Iraq (2010-12), U.S. ambassador to Turkey (2008-10), and U.S. ambassador to Albania (2002-04). In 2010, Jeffrey was appointed to the highest rank in the Foreign Service, career ambassador. From 1969-76, Jeffrey was a U.S. Army infantry officer serving in Germany and Vietnam.