Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman is president of the Arab Gulf States Institute. He previously served as U.S. ambassador to Iraq from 2016-19 and U.S. ambassador to Kuwait from 2014-16. From 2013-14, he served as a senior advisor in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, working on Iraq issues and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Silliman was deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq from 2012-13, minister counselor for political affairs in Baghdad from 2011-12, and deputy chief of mission in Ankara, Turkey from 2008-11. He joined the Department of State in 1984.
Silliman served as director and deputy director of the Department of State’s Office of Southern European Affairs, as political counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, and as the regional officer for the Middle East in the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. He worked as a political officer in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs, as the desk officer for Lebanon, and as a staff assistant to the assistant secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. Silliman began his career as a visa officer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and a political officer in Tunis, Tunisia.
In 2018, Silliman received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award from President Donald J. Trump. He has received numerous awards from the Department of State, including the Secretary’s Award for Public Outreach in 2007 and senior performance awards. Silliman received the Sinclaire Language Award in 1993 and the W. Averell Harriman Award for outstanding junior officer in 1988 from the American Foreign Service Association. He retired from the Foreign Service in April 2019 after 35 years.
Silliman received a Bachelor of Arts in political science, summa cum laude, from Baylor University in Texas, where he was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a Master of Arts in international relations from the George Washington University. Silliman speaks Arabic and French. He is married and has two adult children.
In addition to his position as president of AGSIW, Silliman also serves on the board of advisors of the Bilateral US-Arab Chamber of Commerce, which helps American businesses expand their international business and trade ties, especially in the Middle East and Gulf region. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Diplomacy.
Analysis
Iraq Looks for Expanded Economic Ties and to Put Baghdad Back on Washington’s Political Map
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein’s public outreach and official meetings seem to have put Iraq back on the policy agenda in Washington. But both sides will need to take further steps to sustain the positive momentum.
Iraq and Kuwait Close the File on Reparations, Look to Open a New Chapter
Iraq’s final reparations payment to Kuwait may open the door to increased cooperation, but competing visions and shared security concerns will shape the future.
Events
Jan 23, 2025
Outlook 2025: What Will the New Year Bring for the Gulf Region and U.S.-Gulf Relations?
On January 23, AGSIW hosted a discussion on what regional trends they’ll be following most closely as the year unfolds.
Speakers
Dec 5, 2024
Roundtable With Mohamed al-Halbousi
On December 5, AGSIW hosted a discussion on U.S.-Iraqi relations.
Speakers
Nov 27, 2024
Toward a Strategic Partnership? Takeaways From the First EU-GCC Summit
On November 27, AGSIW hosted a discussion with Luigi Di Maio, EU special representative for the Gulf region.
Speakers
Oct 9, 2024
Will the 2024 U.S. Election Prove an Inflection Point for Middle East Policy?
On October 9, AGSIW hosted a discussion on the U.S. presidential election and what it means for U.S.-Middle East policy.
Speakers
A Conversation With H.E. Mohammed A. Al-Hadhrami and Timothy A. Lenderking
On September 18, AGSIW hosted a discussion on Yemen.
Speakers
May 22, 2024
Virtual Roundtable on Kuwait
On May 22, AGSIW hosted a roundtable on developments in Kuwait.
Speakers
