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 AGSI, Silliman also serves on the international advisory group of the World Energy Council and the board of advisors of the Bilateral Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Diplomacy.
Analysis
U.S. Moves Toward New Trump Doctrine for the Gulf
President Trump’s May trip to the Gulf showed the need to supplant the outdated Carter Doctrine with a new Trump Doctrine that focuses on reciprocal economic partnerships, security burden sharing, and the transformation of Gulf societies while still ensuring energy flows.
A Path to a Stronger United States in the Gulf
AGSI offers pragmatic, targeted policy recommendations for the Trump administration to maximize U.S. political and economic influence with the crucial emerging regional powers in the Gulf.
20 min read
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
Mar 31, 2026
Book Talk: West Asia: A New American Grand Strategy in the Middle East
On March 31, AGSI will host a discussion on the Middle East's integration with Asia.
Speakers
Mar 18, 2026
In Its Conflict With the United States and Israel, Does Escalation Favor Iran?
On March 18, AGSI hosted a discussion on the escalation of the Iran war.
Speakers
Mar 5, 2026
Caught in the Crossfire: Iraq and the Expanding Regional War
On March 5, AGSI hosted a discussion on Iraq's internal and external challenges in navigating the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Speakers
Feb 3, 2026
A Conversation With the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Constantinos Kombos
On February 3, AGSI hosted a conversation with Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos.
Speakers
Jan 8, 2026
Outlook 2026: Prospects and Priorities for U.S.-Gulf Relations in the Year Ahead
On January 8, AGSI hosted a virtual roundtable with its leadership and scholars as they look ahead and assess trends likely to shape the Gulf region and U.S. foreign policy during the coming year.
Speakers
Oct 30, 2025
AGSI Student Open House and Reception
On October 30, AGSI hosted a student open house and reception featuring the exhibit “Making Space: Gulf Photographers on the Scene.”
Speakers
Engagement
Mar 25, 2026
Kuwait Television: In an interview, Amb. Douglas A. Silliman discussed an alleged Hezbollah plot to assassinate senior Kuwaiti officials that was announced by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior as well as the possibility that indirect U.S. negotiations with Iran could end in a cease-fire.
Kuwait Television
Feb 25, 2026
Government of the Republic of Latvia: Amb. Douglas A. Silliman briefed Latvian Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis and Chair of the Member Committee of the World Energy Council Olga Bogdanova on U.S. foreign policy, developments in the Gulf region, and projected changes in world energy markets.
Government of the Republic of Latvia
