History Archives - U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye

About Türkiye

U.S. EMBASSY TÜRKİYE — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 11:24:00 +0000

About Türkiye

General

How can I find some information about the Turkish Flag and the National Anthem?
Where can I obtain quick facts about Türkiye?
What time is it now in Türkiye?
What is the area code for any telephone number in Türkiye?
Where can I find out the zip code of an address in Türkiye?
Where can I find conversion tables for temperature/weight/speed?
What is the current population in Türkiye?
How can I locate a business in Türkiye?
Where can I find more information on health topics in Türkiye?

Visit Türkiye

Where can I find visa information?
How do I get official information about Turkish Customs?
How is the weather in the city I plan to visit in Türkiye?
How can I plan my travel to Türkiye?
How can I convert the foreign currency I have into Turkish Lira?

Turkish Government

Where can I find biographical information about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan? Who were the former presidents of the Republic of Türkiye?
Where can I find the Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye?
Where can I obtain background information on the legislative of the Turkish Republic?
How do I get information about the election system in Türkiye?
How can I find a synopsis of the Turkish foreign policy?
Where I can find the list of Turkish diplomatic representations abroad?
How can I find a brief overview of Turkish-U.S. relations?

Turkish Economy

How can I find information on the Turkish budget system?
What are the main economic indicators of Türkiye?
Where can find statistics on Türkiye?
How can I get information on the recent development programs in the Turkish economy?
How does the Central Bank of Türkiye function?
How can I obtain information on the foreign trade of Türkiye?

Education in Türkiye

Where can I get a brief overview of the educational system in Türkiye?
How can I learn more about the higher education system in Türkiye?
How can obtain a list of Turkish universities – both public and private?

Turkish Society and Values

How can I get an outline of Turkish history until 1923 and the history of the Republic of Turkey ?
How can I find some information on non-governmental organizations in Türkiye?
How do I know more about arts and culture in Türkiye?

Information Technology & Communications

How do I know more about Turkish Press Law? (PDF – 45 KB)
How can I find information on the National Library of Türkiye?

The post About Türkiye appeared first on U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Türkiye.

Former Ambassadors

U.S. EMBASSY TÜRKİYE — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 11:52:00 +0000

Former Ambassadors

Former Chiefs of Mission between 1778 to 2024

Name: Jeffry L. Flake
Title: Ambassador
Appointment: January, 2022
Termination of Mission: Left post on September 1, 2024

Name: David M. Satterfield
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: June 27, 2019
Termination of Mission: Left post on January 7, 2022

Name: John Bass
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: October 10, 2014
Termination of Mission: Left post on October 15, 2017

Name: Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: January 1, 2011
Termination of Mission: July 7, 2014

Name: James J. Jeffrey
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: November 25, 2008
Termination of Mission: July 30, 2010

Name: Ross Wilson
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: November 22, 2005
Presentation of Credentials: December 8, 2005
Termination of Mission: November 16, 2008

Name: Eric Edelman
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Apr 16, 2003
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 29, 2003
Termination of Mission: 2005

Name: W. Robert Pearson
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jun 14, 2000
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 21, 2000
Termination of Mission: July 2003

Name: Mark Robert Parris
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Nov 4, 1997
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 12, 1997
Termination of Mission: Left post Sep 8, 2000

Name: Marc Grossman
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Sep 29, 1994
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 3, 1995
Termination of Mission: Left post June 1, 1997

Name: Richard Clark Barkley
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Oct 9, 1991
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 8, 1991
Termination of Mission: Left post Dec 15, 1994

Name: Morton I. Abramowitz
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jun 23, 1989
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 1, 1989
Termination of Mission: Left post Jul 25, 1991

Name: Robert Strausz-Hupe
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 27, 1981
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 7, 1981
Termination of Mission: Left post May 18, 1989

Name: James W. Spain
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Feb 19, 1980
Presentation of Credentials: Feb 26, 1980
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 16, 1981

Name: Ronald I. Spiers
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 26, 1977
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 12, 1977
Termination of Mission: Left post Jan 11, 1980

Name: William B. Macomber, Jr.
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Mar 27, 1973
Presentation of Credentials: May 16, 1973
Termination of Mission: Left post Jun 15, 1977

Name: William J. Handley
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 1, 1969
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 1, 1969
Termination of Mission: Left post Apr 19, 1973

Name: Robert W. Komer
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Oct 28, 1968
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 3, 1968
Termination of Mission: Left post May 7, 1969
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate. A later nomination of Jan 9, 1969, was withdrawn before the Senate acted upon it.

Name: Parker T. Hart
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 22, 1965
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 11, 1965
Termination of Mission: Left post Oct 3, 1968

Name: Raymond A. Hare
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Feb 24, 1961
Presentation of Credentials: Apr 5, 1961
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 27, 1965

Name: Fletcher Warren
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Mar 7, 1956
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 13, 1956
Termination of Mission: Left Türkiye, Nov 15, 1960

Name: Avra M. Warren
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 28, 1953
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 17, 1953
Termination of Mission: Left post Feb 17, 1956

Name: George C. McGhee
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Dec 8, 1951
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 15, 1952
Termination of Mission: Left post Jun 19, 1953
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 18, 1952.

Name: George Wadsworth
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Aug 11, 1948
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 1, 1948
Termination of Mission: Left post Jan 2, 1952
Note: An earlier nomination of Jul 29, 1948, had not been confirmed by the Senate. Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Mar 2, 1949.

Name: Edwin C. Wilson
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jan 27, 1945
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 11, 1945
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 20, 1948

Name: Laurence A. Steinhardt
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jan 12, 1942
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 10, 1942
Termination of Mission: Left post Apr 2, 1945

Name: John Van A. MacMurray
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jan 24, 1936
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 16, 1936
Termination of Mission: Left post Nov 28, 1941

Name: Robert P. Skinner
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jun 13, 1933
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 16, 1933
Termination of Mission: Left post Jan 16, 1936

Name: Charles H. Sherrill
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Mar 17, 1932
Presentation of Credentials: May 20, 1932
Termination of Mission: Appointment terminated, Mar 23, 1933

Name: Joseph C. Grew
Foreign Service Officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 19, 1927
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 12, 1927
Termination of Mission: Left Turkey, Mar 13, 1932
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Apr 13, 1928.

Name: Abram I. Elkus
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 21, 1916
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 2, 1916
Termination of Mission: Turkey severed diplomatic relations with the U.S., Apr 20, 1917; Elkus left post May 29, 1917

Name: Henry Morgenthau
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Sep 4, 1913
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 11, 1913
Termination of Mission: Left post Feb 1, 1916

Name: William Woodville Rockhill
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Apr 24, 1911
Presentation of Credentials: Aug 28, 1911
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Nov 20, 1913

Name: Oscar S. Straus
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 17, 1909
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 4, 1909
Termination of Mission: Left post Sep 3, 1910

Name: John G. A. Leishman
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jun 18, 1906
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 5, 1906
Termination of Mission: Presented new credentials on May 17, 1909, after change of ruler; presented recall, Jun 10, 1909

Name: John G. A. Leishman
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Dec 20, 1900
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 29, 1901
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary

Name: Oscar S. Straus
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jun 3, 1898
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 15, 1898
Termination of Mission: Left post Dec 20, 1899

Name: James B. Angell
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Apr 15, 1897
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 3, 1897
Termination of Mission: Left post Aug 13, 1898

Name: Alexander W. Terrell
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Apr 15, 1893
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 7, 1893
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 15, 1897

Name: David P. Thompson
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Nov 15, 1892
Presentation of Credentials: Jan 11, 1893
Termination of Mission: Left post May 1, 1893
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 8, 1892.

Name: Solomon Hirsch
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 16, 1889
Presentation of Credentials: [Dec 28, 1889]
Termination of Mission: Left post Jun 16, 1892
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 16, 1889. Assumed charge of Legation on Dec 28, 1889, although he had presented credentials on Jul 3, 1889.

Name: Oscar S. Straus
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Mar 24, 1887
Presentation of Credentials: Jul 1, 1887
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Jun 16, 1889
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 21, 1887.

Name: Samuel S. Cox
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Mar 25, 1885
Presentation of Credentials: On or shortly before Aug 25, 1885
Termination of Mission: Left post Sep 14, 1886

Name: Lewis Wallace
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 13, 1882
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 4, 1882
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, May 15, 1885

Name: Lewis Wallace
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: May 19, 1881
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 6, 1881
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary

Name: James Longstreet
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Jun 14, 1880
Presentation of Credentials: Dec 14, 1880
Termination of Mission: Left post Apr 29, 1881

Name: Horace Maynard
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Mar 9, 1875
Presentation of Credentials: Jun 12, 1875
Termination of Mission: Presented new credentials on Nov 15, 1876, after change of ruler; presented recall, Jul 15, 1880

Name: George H. Boker
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Nov 3, 1871
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 25, 1872
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, May 1, 1875
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Dec 14, 1871.

Name: Wayne MacVeagh
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Jun 4, 1870
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 25, 1870
Termination of Mission: Relinquished charge, Jun 10, 1871

Name: Joseph J. Stewart
Title: Minister Resident
Note: Not commissioned; nomination not confirmed by the Senate.

Name: Edward Joy Morris
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Jun 8, 1861
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 22, 1861
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Oct 25, 1870
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jul 15, 1861.

Name: James Watson Webb
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Mar 20, 1861
Note: Declined appointment.

Name: James Williams
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Jan 14, 1858
Presentation of Credentials: May 27, 1858
Termination of Mission: Left post on or soon after May 25, 1861

Name: Carroll Spence
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Aug 23, 1853
Presentation of Credentials: Feb 9, 1854
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Dec 12, 1857
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Feb 9, 1854. Nominated Feb 25, 1856 to be Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary; nomination withdrawn before the Senate acted upon it.

Name: George P. Marsh
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: May 29, 1849
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 11, 1850
Termination of Mission: Presented recall, Dec 19, 1853
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jun 24, 1850.

Name: Dabney S. Carr
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Oct 6, 1843
Presentation of Credentials: Feb 29, 1844
Termination of Mission: Presented recall on or shortly before Oct 20, 1849
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 11, 1844.

Name: David Porter
Title: Minister Resident
Appointment: Mar 3, 1839
Presentation of Credentials: May 23, 1840
Termination of Mission: Died at post Mar 3, 1843

Name: David Porter
Title: Chargé d’Affaires
Appointment: Apr 15, 1831
Presentation of Credentials: Sep 13, 1831
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Minister Resident
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 2, 1832.

Name: George W. Erving
Title: Chargé d’Affaires
Note: Not commissioned, although his nomination was confirmed by the Senate.

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Former Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chiefs of Mission

U.S. EMBASSY TÜRKİYE — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 11:28:00 +0000

Former Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Chiefs of Mission

Scott Oudkirk

Scott M. Oudkirk began his assignment as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Türkiye in July 2021. He came to Ankara after serving as the Director of the Department of State’s Office of Iranian Affairs from 2018 to 2020. From 2013 to 2016, his work focused on Iraq and the counter-ISIS campaign, first as the Deputy Political Counselor at Embassy Baghdad and successively as Deputy Director and Acting Director of the State Department’s Office of Iraq Affairs.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Oudkirk previously served in both Ankara and Istanbul for seven years across two assignments and extended temporary duty. He has also served at the National Security Council, as well as in China and Jamaica.

Prior to receiving his Foreign Service commission in 1998, he worked for the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration and for the General Electric Company. A graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, Mr. Oudkirk also holds Master’s degrees from Columbia University and the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. Mr. Oudkirk is married to Sandra Oudkirk, the Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, and is the father of three children, all of whom were born in Türkiye.

Philip Kosnett

Philip Kosnett began his assignment as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey in July 2016. He assumed the duties of Chargé d’Affaires in October 2017 upon the conclusion of Ambassador John Bass’ assignment in Turkey. Kosnett came to Ankara after serving as Director of the State Department’s Office of Southern European Affairs, responsible for U.S. relations with Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.

Much of Kosnett’s career has been focused on international security cooperation and political reconciliation. He has served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Uzbekistan and in Iceland; and in political, political-military, and economic-commercial positions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, The Netherlands, and Japan. He previously served in Ankara at the start of his diplomatic career, as a political and consular officer. Washington assignments include tours in the State Department’s European, Counterterrorism, Political-Military, and Intelligence & Research bureaus and the 24-hour Operations Center.

Kosnett is a multiple recipient of the State Department Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor Awards, and a recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service and the Department of the Army Medal for Outstanding Civilian Service. He has studied Turkish, Japanese, Dutch, and Russian. A 1982 graduate of Harvard, Kosnett worked as a game designer in New York and as a teacher in Japan prior to entering the Foreign Service. His wife Alison Kosnett is an international business and development consultant; son Alex an environmental planner; daughter Nicole a social media producer.

Lawrence (Larry) Mandel

Lawrence (Larry) Mandel served as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey between July 2014 and July 2016 .

Larry’s previous assignment was as Director, Office of Performance Evaluation, from October 2011 to September 2013. Previously he served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. His other overseas assignments include as Counselor for Management Affairs at the U.S. Embassies in Jakarta, Tel Aviv and Budapest, Procurement Director in Tokyo, Consular Officer and Ambassador’s Aide in London and General Services Officer in St. Petersburg, Russia. He served on school boards in Budapest, Tel Aviv and Jakarta, helping to make new school campuses realities.

In Washington Larry served from 2003-05 as Director of the ICASS Service Center, responsible for an annual budget in excess of $1 billion and coordinating overseas operations with over 40 federal agencies. He has also served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Management, and as a Post Management Officer for posts in the Near East and South Asian regions. Other Washington assignments include the 24-hour Operations Center and the Office of the Legal Advisor.

Before joining the State Department in1984 Larry was an attorney in Massachusetts, and worked as a retail executive for a chain of stores in Chicago. He and his wife Judy have four children. Larry is the recipient of numerous State Department awards, and holds the rank of Minister Counselor.

Jess L. Baily

Jess L. Baily assumed the position of Chargé d’Affaires ad Interim at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2014 and handed over his duties to Ross Wilson on September 8th, 2014. He had previously served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara from July 2011 to July 2014. Most recently, he served in the State Department as Director of the Office of Southern European Affairs where he managed bilateral relations with Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. This is his second assignment to Ankara, where he served as Cultural Affairs Officer and later as Embassy Spokesman from 1998 to 2002.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service with the rank of Minister-Counselor, Mr. Baily joined the Foreign Service in 1985 and has served in public affairs positions in Bangladesh, Senegal, Thailand, and the Netherlands. From 2007 to 2008, he was in Erbil, Iraq as the senior U.S. government civilian representative in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In Washington, he directed the State Department’s Foreign Press Center from 2005-2007 and coordinated U.S. policy on political issues before the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly as Director of the Office of UN Political Affairs from 2008 to 2010.

A native of Cincinnati, Mr. Baily has BA from Yale University and MA in European History from Columbia University. He speaks French, Turkish and Thai. He is married and has one son.

Douglas A. Silliman

Doug Silliman has served as Deputy Chief of Mission July 2008 and July 2011. He joined the Department of State in 1984 and is a career member of Senior Foreign Service.

Mr. Silliman has served as Director and Deputy Director of the State Department’s Office of Southern European Affairs, as Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, and as the Regional Officer for the Middle East in the Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. Mr. Silliman earlier served as a political officer in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the Office of Soviet Union Affairs, as Lebanon Desk officer, and as Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs. He began his career as a visa officer in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and a political officer in Tunis, Tunisia.

Mr. Silliman received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science summa cum laude from Baylor University in Waco, 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 in Washington, D.C.

He has received several awards from the Department of State, including the Secretary’s Award for Public Outreach in 2007. The American Foreign Service Association gave Mr. Silliman its Sinclaire Language Award in 1993 and the W. Averill Harriman Award for outstanding junior officer in 1988. Mr. Silliman speaks Turkish, Arabic and French. He is married and has two sons.

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