ISLAMABAD: The United States today confirmed the appointment of Donald Armin Blome as the next US ambassador to Pakistan, about three years after David Hale left Islamabad in August 2018.
The US State Department confirmed the appointment this morning (March 3/Thursday).
“Congratulations to Donald Blome on being confirmed by the Senate as our next Ambassador to Pakistan,” it said. “Partnership with Pakistan is key to progress on regional security, trade and investment, the climate crisis, and human rights.”
Blome is currently serving as the US Ambassador to Tunisia. He has served US diplomatic missions in Kabul, Jerusalem, Cairo, Baghdad and Kuwait.
In October 2021, the US nominated Blome as an ambassador for Pakistan, three years after David Hale left Islamabad in August 2018. The diplomatic mission in Pakistan has been headed by a charge d’affaires since then.
Following his nomination, Blome had said that he will push Islamabad to target all terrorist groups without distinction.
Who is Donald Blome
The White House described him as “a career member of the Senior Foreign Service” from the “class of Minister-Counselor.”
The senior diplomatic ranks in the US are (from lower to higher) Counselor, Minister Counselor, Career Minister, and Career Ambassador.
According to the White House, before becoming the US ambassador to Tunisia Blome was Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the Libya External Office in Tunis, Tunisia, Consul General at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, and Director, Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.
He has also served as Political Counselor, Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan and Minister-Counselor for Economic and Political Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, the White House said.
Earlier in his career, Ambassador Blome served as the Civilian Co-Director, Multinational Force Strategic Engagement Cell, Baghdad, Political Counselor, Embassy Kuwait, and as Israel Desk Officer, Deputy Director and Acting Director, Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, it said.
