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James Jeffrey

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Ambassador James Jeffrey
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Ambassador James F. Jeffrey was the Philip Solondz distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute from 2013-2018, where he focused on U.S. diplomatic and military strategy in the Middle East, with emphasis on Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. From 2018 until November 2020, he served as U.S. special representative for Syria engagement and special envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

One of the nation's most senior diplomats, Ambassador Jeffrey has held a series of highly sensitive posts in Washington D.C. and abroad. In addition to his service as ambassador in Ankara and Baghdad, he served as assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor in the George W. Bush administration, with a special focus on Iran. He previously served as principal deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the Department of State, where his responsibilities included leading the Iran policy team and coordinating public diplomacy. Earlier appointments included service as senior advisor on Iraq to the secretary of state; chargé d'affaires and deputy chief of mission in Baghdad; deputy chief of mission in Ankara; and ambassador to Albania.

A former infantry officer in the U.S. army, Ambassador Jeffrey served in Germany and Vietnam from 1969 to 1976.

Education

M.A., Boston University; B.A., Northeastern University

Ambassador James Jeffrey
Download High-Resolution Portrait

Contact

(202) 230-9550 (media inquiries only)
(202) 452-0650 (other inquiries)
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Featured Publications

General Principles to Guide U.S. Middle East Policy
Given the unprecedented turmoil and uncertainty afflicting the Middle East, the new administration will need to devote particular care and
Jan 19, 2017
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Dennis Ross
U.S. Policy on Turkey
The Trump administration should revamp policy toward Turkey to emphasize a transactional approach to critical bilateral issues, counsels two leading
Jan 11, 2017
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Soner Cagaptay
U.S. Military Engagement in the Broader Middle East
Reflecting broad foreign policy themes dating to World War I, U.S. grand strategy in the Middle East since the Cold
May 3, 2016
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Michael Eisenstadt
Key Elements of a Strategy for the United States in the Middle East
The United States needs to take action to prevent the collapse of the state system in the Middle East and
Apr 30, 2015
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  • Samuel Berger
  • Stephen Hadley
  • James Jeffrey
  • Dennis Ross
  • Robert Satloff
Moving to Decision: U.S. Policy Toward Iran
Barring an across-the-board change in Tehran's strategic goals, the Iranian people's readiness for regime change, or the scope and immediacy
Feb 7, 2013
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  • James Jeffrey
Obama II and the Middle East Strategic Objectives for U.S. Policy
THE MIDDLE EAST has been home to incessant turmoil and instability since the end of World War II, yet as
Mar 19, 2013
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  • Dennis Ross
  • James Jeffrey

Policy Articles by James Jeffrey

Syrian flag over a ruined building destroyed by bombing
Brief Analysis
The Struggle for Peace in Syria: A Decade of Decisionmaking
Mar 11, 2021
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  • بسمه قُضمانی
  • Robert Ford
  • James Jeffrey
Brief Analysis
Putting Iraq-KRG Oil Relations on Solid Legal Ground
Jul 19, 2018
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Bilal Wahab
Brief Analysis
Institute expert quoted by McClatchy on the diplomatic ramifications of the Helsinki summit.
Jul 16, 2018
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  • James Jeffrey
Trump in a Meeting with Putin
Getting Syria Right at the Trump-Putin Summit
Jul 13, 2018
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  • James Jeffrey
  • Barbara A. Leaf
  • Dennis Ross
Brief Analysis
Institute expert quoted by the Jerusalem Post on Russia's role in the Syrian conflict.
Jul 12, 2018
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  • James Jeffrey
In-Depth Reports
Toward a New U.S. Policy in Syria Ground Zero for Countering Iran and Deterring an Islamic State Revival
Jul 10, 2018
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  • Katherine Bauer
  • Soner Cagaptay
  • Patrick Clawson
  • Michael Eisenstadt
  • James Jeffrey
  • Barbara A. Leaf
  • Matthew Levitt
  • Dennis Ross
  • Robert Satloff
All Policy Analysis
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