What are the steps for a person to become a US Ambassador, after the nomination?

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I have heard on radio about the US Ambassador in Romania, Hans Klemm, being recalled to Washington:




US Ambassador Hans Klemm will be recalled to Washington, Romanian FM
Teodor Melescanu has confirmed on Monday evening. Melescanu said the
evaluation of Klemm’s activity here in Bucharest belongs to the US
Department of State.




The news also mentioned take it might take several months for US to send another ambassador and I am wondering why so much. Are there many bureaucratic steps a person must face in order to actually become an Ambassador?



Question: What are the steps for a person to become an US Ambassador? (starting with nominations, basically the steps after the ones nicely described here)










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    up vote
    12
    down vote

    favorite












    I have heard on radio about the US Ambassador in Romania, Hans Klemm, being recalled to Washington:




    US Ambassador Hans Klemm will be recalled to Washington, Romanian FM
    Teodor Melescanu has confirmed on Monday evening. Melescanu said the
    evaluation of Klemm’s activity here in Bucharest belongs to the US
    Department of State.




    The news also mentioned take it might take several months for US to send another ambassador and I am wondering why so much. Are there many bureaucratic steps a person must face in order to actually become an Ambassador?



    Question: What are the steps for a person to become an US Ambassador? (starting with nominations, basically the steps after the ones nicely described here)










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      12
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      12
      down vote

      favorite











      I have heard on radio about the US Ambassador in Romania, Hans Klemm, being recalled to Washington:




      US Ambassador Hans Klemm will be recalled to Washington, Romanian FM
      Teodor Melescanu has confirmed on Monday evening. Melescanu said the
      evaluation of Klemm’s activity here in Bucharest belongs to the US
      Department of State.




      The news also mentioned take it might take several months for US to send another ambassador and I am wondering why so much. Are there many bureaucratic steps a person must face in order to actually become an Ambassador?



      Question: What are the steps for a person to become an US Ambassador? (starting with nominations, basically the steps after the ones nicely described here)










      share|improve this question















      I have heard on radio about the US Ambassador in Romania, Hans Klemm, being recalled to Washington:




      US Ambassador Hans Klemm will be recalled to Washington, Romanian FM
      Teodor Melescanu has confirmed on Monday evening. Melescanu said the
      evaluation of Klemm’s activity here in Bucharest belongs to the US
      Department of State.




      The news also mentioned take it might take several months for US to send another ambassador and I am wondering why so much. Are there many bureaucratic steps a person must face in order to actually become an Ambassador?



      Question: What are the steps for a person to become an US Ambassador? (starting with nominations, basically the steps after the ones nicely described here)







      united-states embassy






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      edited Aug 11 at 4:51









      agc

      3,8631243




      3,8631243










      asked Aug 10 at 13:55









      Alexei

      13.5k1477150




      13.5k1477150




















          3 Answers
          3






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          15
          down vote



          accepted










          Basically, the President has to nominate a new ambassador and the Senate has to confirm the nomination. Article II Section 2 of the US Constitution states:




          [The president] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States...



          (emphasis mine)





          The following steps assume that the nominee has already become a Foreign Service Officer (for career diplomats) or is close to the President (for political appointees) and is nominated by the President.



          Firstly, the nominee has to fill up all the necessary paperwork which includes "financial disclosure forms, questionnaires from senators, background documents, security forms and more".




          "If the decision is made by the State Department, in coordination with the White House, to nominate you for an ambassadorship, the next thing that happens is you get about a half a truckload of paper," he noted.



          Source: State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork




          Secondly, government officials then vet the documents and the candidate. If nothing goes wrong, they inform the host country of the nominated ambassador (a process called agrément).



          Thirdly, if the host country does not object (it is rare that they object), the nomination is submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the nominee gets a hearing. Since it depends on the committee whether to hold hearings, nominations sometimes expire at the end of a Congress before they are even considered. Or in other times, hearings are held but delayed for a long period of time.



          Fourthly, when the committee approves the nominee through a committee vote, the nomination goes to the full Senate floor for a vote. Again, Senators can force up to 30 hours of floor debate per nominee which can delay the floor vote.



          For further information, check out State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork.




          Here's a simplified timeline of the steps to become an ambassador, taken from the US Embassy to the Holy See site.



          Image






          share|improve this answer




















          • ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
            – Max
            Aug 10 at 15:40










          • +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
            – Alexei
            Aug 11 at 11:24

















          up vote
          3
          down vote













          I think the long delay is due to bureaucratic/political process.



          First, the president must nominate someone for the post; he will either ask the US Department of State for a list of candidates that will fit the job (career diplomats) , or just select someone (political appointment).



          The candidate must then be confirmed by the US senate; depending on the candidate, the confirmation process can be simple if there is a consensus between all senators on the merit of the candidate, or it can a long process if there are dissensions between the senators.



          Note that there are many vacant national ambassador posts today (40-ish), and 60-ish vacant organization ambassador posts.



          Reference






          share|improve this answer



























            up vote
            1
            down vote













            Step 1: Donate millions of dollars to the candidate of your choice.



            Step 2: Hope your candidate wins.



            Step 3: Get nominated as ambassador.



            Helpful hint: Read the Wikipedia entry for your country before your Senate confirmation hearings.



            Note: The more money you give, the nicer the country you can be ambassador to.






            share|improve this answer




















            • Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
              – agc
              Aug 10 at 18:14






            • 1




              True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
              – mmaceachran
              Aug 10 at 19:06






            • 2




              Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
              – Zach Lipton
              Aug 10 at 23:09










            • Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
              – Philipp♦
              Aug 11 at 8:13










            • @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
              – hszmv
              Aug 13 at 17:40










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            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes








            3 Answers
            3






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            15
            down vote



            accepted










            Basically, the President has to nominate a new ambassador and the Senate has to confirm the nomination. Article II Section 2 of the US Constitution states:




            [The president] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States...



            (emphasis mine)





            The following steps assume that the nominee has already become a Foreign Service Officer (for career diplomats) or is close to the President (for political appointees) and is nominated by the President.



            Firstly, the nominee has to fill up all the necessary paperwork which includes "financial disclosure forms, questionnaires from senators, background documents, security forms and more".




            "If the decision is made by the State Department, in coordination with the White House, to nominate you for an ambassadorship, the next thing that happens is you get about a half a truckload of paper," he noted.



            Source: State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork




            Secondly, government officials then vet the documents and the candidate. If nothing goes wrong, they inform the host country of the nominated ambassador (a process called agrément).



            Thirdly, if the host country does not object (it is rare that they object), the nomination is submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the nominee gets a hearing. Since it depends on the committee whether to hold hearings, nominations sometimes expire at the end of a Congress before they are even considered. Or in other times, hearings are held but delayed for a long period of time.



            Fourthly, when the committee approves the nominee through a committee vote, the nomination goes to the full Senate floor for a vote. Again, Senators can force up to 30 hours of floor debate per nominee which can delay the floor vote.



            For further information, check out State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork.




            Here's a simplified timeline of the steps to become an ambassador, taken from the US Embassy to the Holy See site.



            Image






            share|improve this answer




















            • ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
              – Max
              Aug 10 at 15:40










            • +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
              – Alexei
              Aug 11 at 11:24














            up vote
            15
            down vote



            accepted










            Basically, the President has to nominate a new ambassador and the Senate has to confirm the nomination. Article II Section 2 of the US Constitution states:




            [The president] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States...



            (emphasis mine)





            The following steps assume that the nominee has already become a Foreign Service Officer (for career diplomats) or is close to the President (for political appointees) and is nominated by the President.



            Firstly, the nominee has to fill up all the necessary paperwork which includes "financial disclosure forms, questionnaires from senators, background documents, security forms and more".




            "If the decision is made by the State Department, in coordination with the White House, to nominate you for an ambassadorship, the next thing that happens is you get about a half a truckload of paper," he noted.



            Source: State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork




            Secondly, government officials then vet the documents and the candidate. If nothing goes wrong, they inform the host country of the nominated ambassador (a process called agrément).



            Thirdly, if the host country does not object (it is rare that they object), the nomination is submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the nominee gets a hearing. Since it depends on the committee whether to hold hearings, nominations sometimes expire at the end of a Congress before they are even considered. Or in other times, hearings are held but delayed for a long period of time.



            Fourthly, when the committee approves the nominee through a committee vote, the nomination goes to the full Senate floor for a vote. Again, Senators can force up to 30 hours of floor debate per nominee which can delay the floor vote.



            For further information, check out State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork.




            Here's a simplified timeline of the steps to become an ambassador, taken from the US Embassy to the Holy See site.



            Image






            share|improve this answer




















            • ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
              – Max
              Aug 10 at 15:40










            • +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
              – Alexei
              Aug 11 at 11:24












            up vote
            15
            down vote



            accepted







            up vote
            15
            down vote



            accepted






            Basically, the President has to nominate a new ambassador and the Senate has to confirm the nomination. Article II Section 2 of the US Constitution states:




            [The president] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States...



            (emphasis mine)





            The following steps assume that the nominee has already become a Foreign Service Officer (for career diplomats) or is close to the President (for political appointees) and is nominated by the President.



            Firstly, the nominee has to fill up all the necessary paperwork which includes "financial disclosure forms, questionnaires from senators, background documents, security forms and more".




            "If the decision is made by the State Department, in coordination with the White House, to nominate you for an ambassadorship, the next thing that happens is you get about a half a truckload of paper," he noted.



            Source: State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork




            Secondly, government officials then vet the documents and the candidate. If nothing goes wrong, they inform the host country of the nominated ambassador (a process called agrément).



            Thirdly, if the host country does not object (it is rare that they object), the nomination is submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the nominee gets a hearing. Since it depends on the committee whether to hold hearings, nominations sometimes expire at the end of a Congress before they are even considered. Or in other times, hearings are held but delayed for a long period of time.



            Fourthly, when the committee approves the nominee through a committee vote, the nomination goes to the full Senate floor for a vote. Again, Senators can force up to 30 hours of floor debate per nominee which can delay the floor vote.



            For further information, check out State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork.




            Here's a simplified timeline of the steps to become an ambassador, taken from the US Embassy to the Holy See site.



            Image






            share|improve this answer












            Basically, the President has to nominate a new ambassador and the Senate has to confirm the nomination. Article II Section 2 of the US Constitution states:




            [The president] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States...



            (emphasis mine)





            The following steps assume that the nominee has already become a Foreign Service Officer (for career diplomats) or is close to the President (for political appointees) and is nominated by the President.



            Firstly, the nominee has to fill up all the necessary paperwork which includes "financial disclosure forms, questionnaires from senators, background documents, security forms and more".




            "If the decision is made by the State Department, in coordination with the White House, to nominate you for an ambassadorship, the next thing that happens is you get about a half a truckload of paper," he noted.



            Source: State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork




            Secondly, government officials then vet the documents and the candidate. If nothing goes wrong, they inform the host country of the nominated ambassador (a process called agrément).



            Thirdly, if the host country does not object (it is rare that they object), the nomination is submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the nominee gets a hearing. Since it depends on the committee whether to hold hearings, nominations sometimes expire at the end of a Congress before they are even considered. Or in other times, hearings are held but delayed for a long period of time.



            Fourthly, when the committee approves the nominee through a committee vote, the nomination goes to the full Senate floor for a vote. Again, Senators can force up to 30 hours of floor debate per nominee which can delay the floor vote.



            For further information, check out State of play: Becoming an ambassador takes time -- and paperwork.




            Here's a simplified timeline of the steps to become an ambassador, taken from the US Embassy to the Holy See site.



            Image







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Aug 10 at 15:04









            Panda

            26.9k786147




            26.9k786147











            • ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
              – Max
              Aug 10 at 15:40










            • +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
              – Alexei
              Aug 11 at 11:24
















            • ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
              – Max
              Aug 10 at 15:40










            • +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
              – Alexei
              Aug 11 at 11:24















            ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
            – Max
            Aug 10 at 15:40




            ah, yes, credentials, that was I am missing in my answer, forgot about that.
            – Max
            Aug 10 at 15:40












            +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
            – Alexei
            Aug 11 at 11:24




            +1. So, it might take more than half an year between the nomination and the Ambassador officially becoming Chief of Mission.
            – Alexei
            Aug 11 at 11:24










            up vote
            3
            down vote













            I think the long delay is due to bureaucratic/political process.



            First, the president must nominate someone for the post; he will either ask the US Department of State for a list of candidates that will fit the job (career diplomats) , or just select someone (political appointment).



            The candidate must then be confirmed by the US senate; depending on the candidate, the confirmation process can be simple if there is a consensus between all senators on the merit of the candidate, or it can a long process if there are dissensions between the senators.



            Note that there are many vacant national ambassador posts today (40-ish), and 60-ish vacant organization ambassador posts.



            Reference






            share|improve this answer
























              up vote
              3
              down vote













              I think the long delay is due to bureaucratic/political process.



              First, the president must nominate someone for the post; he will either ask the US Department of State for a list of candidates that will fit the job (career diplomats) , or just select someone (political appointment).



              The candidate must then be confirmed by the US senate; depending on the candidate, the confirmation process can be simple if there is a consensus between all senators on the merit of the candidate, or it can a long process if there are dissensions between the senators.



              Note that there are many vacant national ambassador posts today (40-ish), and 60-ish vacant organization ambassador posts.



              Reference






              share|improve this answer






















                up vote
                3
                down vote










                up vote
                3
                down vote









                I think the long delay is due to bureaucratic/political process.



                First, the president must nominate someone for the post; he will either ask the US Department of State for a list of candidates that will fit the job (career diplomats) , or just select someone (political appointment).



                The candidate must then be confirmed by the US senate; depending on the candidate, the confirmation process can be simple if there is a consensus between all senators on the merit of the candidate, or it can a long process if there are dissensions between the senators.



                Note that there are many vacant national ambassador posts today (40-ish), and 60-ish vacant organization ambassador posts.



                Reference






                share|improve this answer












                I think the long delay is due to bureaucratic/political process.



                First, the president must nominate someone for the post; he will either ask the US Department of State for a list of candidates that will fit the job (career diplomats) , or just select someone (political appointment).



                The candidate must then be confirmed by the US senate; depending on the candidate, the confirmation process can be simple if there is a consensus between all senators on the merit of the candidate, or it can a long process if there are dissensions between the senators.



                Note that there are many vacant national ambassador posts today (40-ish), and 60-ish vacant organization ambassador posts.



                Reference







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Aug 10 at 14:50









                Max

                1,134412




                1,134412




















                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote













                    Step 1: Donate millions of dollars to the candidate of your choice.



                    Step 2: Hope your candidate wins.



                    Step 3: Get nominated as ambassador.



                    Helpful hint: Read the Wikipedia entry for your country before your Senate confirmation hearings.



                    Note: The more money you give, the nicer the country you can be ambassador to.






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                      – agc
                      Aug 10 at 18:14






                    • 1




                      True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                      – mmaceachran
                      Aug 10 at 19:06






                    • 2




                      Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                      – Zach Lipton
                      Aug 10 at 23:09










                    • Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                      – Philipp♦
                      Aug 11 at 8:13










                    • @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                      – hszmv
                      Aug 13 at 17:40














                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote













                    Step 1: Donate millions of dollars to the candidate of your choice.



                    Step 2: Hope your candidate wins.



                    Step 3: Get nominated as ambassador.



                    Helpful hint: Read the Wikipedia entry for your country before your Senate confirmation hearings.



                    Note: The more money you give, the nicer the country you can be ambassador to.






                    share|improve this answer




















                    • Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                      – agc
                      Aug 10 at 18:14






                    • 1




                      True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                      – mmaceachran
                      Aug 10 at 19:06






                    • 2




                      Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                      – Zach Lipton
                      Aug 10 at 23:09










                    • Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                      – Philipp♦
                      Aug 11 at 8:13










                    • @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                      – hszmv
                      Aug 13 at 17:40












                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote









                    Step 1: Donate millions of dollars to the candidate of your choice.



                    Step 2: Hope your candidate wins.



                    Step 3: Get nominated as ambassador.



                    Helpful hint: Read the Wikipedia entry for your country before your Senate confirmation hearings.



                    Note: The more money you give, the nicer the country you can be ambassador to.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Step 1: Donate millions of dollars to the candidate of your choice.



                    Step 2: Hope your candidate wins.



                    Step 3: Get nominated as ambassador.



                    Helpful hint: Read the Wikipedia entry for your country before your Senate confirmation hearings.



                    Note: The more money you give, the nicer the country you can be ambassador to.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered Aug 10 at 17:56









                    mmaceachran

                    1192




                    1192











                    • Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                      – agc
                      Aug 10 at 18:14






                    • 1




                      True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                      – mmaceachran
                      Aug 10 at 19:06






                    • 2




                      Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                      – Zach Lipton
                      Aug 10 at 23:09










                    • Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                      – Philipp♦
                      Aug 11 at 8:13










                    • @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                      – hszmv
                      Aug 13 at 17:40
















                    • Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                      – agc
                      Aug 10 at 18:14






                    • 1




                      True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                      – mmaceachran
                      Aug 10 at 19:06






                    • 2




                      Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                      – Zach Lipton
                      Aug 10 at 23:09










                    • Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                      – Philipp♦
                      Aug 11 at 8:13










                    • @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                      – hszmv
                      Aug 13 at 17:40















                    Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                    – agc
                    Aug 10 at 18:14




                    Step 1 could also be replaced with some earlier smaller but relatively equivalent act of assistance, or even blackmail, where applicable.
                    – agc
                    Aug 10 at 18:14




                    1




                    1




                    True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                    – mmaceachran
                    Aug 10 at 19:06




                    True, you could sell him your golf course at a discounted rate, or a nice Manhattan condo building. Threaten to release his Russian sex tape. Any number of things.
                    – mmaceachran
                    Aug 10 at 19:06




                    2




                    2




                    Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                    – Zach Lipton
                    Aug 10 at 23:09




                    Not all ambassadors are donors. Some are career diplomats. Few donors want to become ambassadors to, say, Afghanistan, nor is it in the best interest of the nation for such a position to be chosen based on political patronage (is it in the interest of the nation to choose the Ambassador to the UK based on political patronage? That's another question), so the job is given to career State Department officials with knowledge and experience in the region.
                    – Zach Lipton
                    Aug 10 at 23:09












                    Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                    – Philipp♦
                    Aug 11 at 8:13




                    Do you have a source which says that all (or at least the majority) of ambassadorships are given in exchange for personal favors? Or is this answer based on a few anecdotal observations? Which observations? Can you provide any concrete examples?
                    – Philipp♦
                    Aug 11 at 8:13












                    @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                    – hszmv
                    Aug 13 at 17:40




                    @Philipp: There is no rhyme or reason as to which country are political appointees and which countries are career diplomats, though most of the later are assigned to nations that are in a general area of expertise (a Career Diplomat who is an expert in Sub-Saharan African affairs may one administration work South Africa and another in Zimbabwe). Japan is currently under a career diplomat, but during the Obama Administration was a political appointee. I do think UK typically gets a political appointee.
                    – hszmv
                    Aug 13 at 17:40

















                     

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