Trump Taps Former Kansas Governor Jeffrey Colyer as US Ambassador to UAE Amid Diplomatic Shortages

President Donald Trump has put forward former Kansas governor Jeffrey Colyer for the role of US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has been without a US ambassador since Martina Strong departed in August 2025. This nomination comes as the Trump administration has faced criticism for its slow pace in appointing envoys to crucial positions, particularly in the Middle East. Several other key nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq, are also currently without confirmed US ambassadors.

The White House formally submitted Mr. Colyer's nomination, a Republican, to the Senate late on Monday. The position necessitates Senate confirmation. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas expressed confidence in Mr. Colyer, stating on X, "He has a proven record of public service, principled leadership and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Kansans and the American people. I am confident he will represent our country well on the world stage."

The scarcity of confirmed diplomats in the Middle East within the Trump administration occurs while the region is contending with the repercussions of the Iran war. President Trump has notably favored utilizing special envoys and Vice President JD Vance to spearhead diplomatic initiatives concerning the conflict. Mr. Colyer, aged 66, is a surgeon with a background encompassing politics and international humanitarian endeavors. His predecessor, Ms. Strong, is a career diplomat who was appointed during President Joe Biden's tenure.

President Trump has frequently relied on Steve Witkoff, a long-standing friend appointed as his special envoy for peace missions, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has assumed a significant role in negotiations involving Iran, Israel, and Gaza, alongside other regional matters. This nomination follows a significant electoral setback for President Trump's party in the US midterm elections, where they lost their majority in Congress.