Summary:
- Natalie A. Baker has been named the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Islamabad.
- Baker previously served in Doha and has a distinguished diplomatic career with roles in various Middle Eastern countries.
- Her background includes work in Libya, Kuwait, and Qatar, with notable experience in North African and Iranian affairs.
Natalie A. Baker has officially assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Islamabad, marking a significant shift in the US diplomatic leadership in Pakistan. Before her new role in Islamabad, Baker held a similar position at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar. Her career reflects a deep commitment to international diplomacy, characterized by diverse and high-profile roles in various countries.
Baker’s extensive experience spans several crucial positions, including her time as Special Assistant in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and Consular Officer in Islamabad. Her background also includes serving as Cultural Officer in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and Director of the Office of North African Affairs at the US Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Baker’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University. She was also a distinguished graduate of the National War College at the National Defense University in 2017.
Her previous diplomatic assignments include significant roles in Libya from 2009 to 2011, where she served as Political and Economic Counsellor during a pivotal time as US-Libya relations were normalizing after decades of tension. She remained in Libya until the outbreak of the Libyan Revolution, which led to the evacuation of the US Embassy.
Additionally, Baker has served as Deputy Chief and Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Libya, Deputy Director of the Iran Regional Presence Office at the US Consulate in Dubai, and Economic Counsellor at the US Embassy in Kuwait, where she worked closely with the Department of Defense to support the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
Baker’s appointment in Islamabad brings a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East and North Africa to the forefront of US-Pakistan relations, promising a continued focus on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges.
