Philip S. Kosnett

Philip Scott Kosnett[1] is an American diplomat. He was sworn in as the fifth U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo on November 27, 2018. Kosovo President Hashim Thaci attended the ceremony at the Department of State. Kosnett's previous assignment was as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey.[2] Kosnett was nominated in July 2018 by the U.S. president to be the next ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo.[3] The Senate confirmed him in this position in September 2018.

Philip S. Kosnett
5th United States Ambassador to Kosovo
Assumed office
December 3, 2018
PresidentDonald Trump
Preceded byGreg Delawie
Personal details
NationalityAmerican
Spouse(s)Alison Kosnett
Children2
EducationHarvard University A.B.
OccupationAmerican diplomat, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim at the United States Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo

Early life and education

Kosnett graduated with an A.B. from Harvard University in 1982.[2][3][4]

Career

While in high school and college Kosnett worked as a game designer, primarily in New York. After graduation he worked as a teacher in Japan. He then launched a career in Foreign Service, with his first assignment in Ankara, Turkey, serving as a political and consular officer. Following his initial assignment, he then served at eight different United States Missions in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East and in senior leadership positions at the Department of State.[3] The positions included Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy in Iceland.[5] He also served in other political, political-military, and economic-commercial positions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Netherlands, and Japan.[2][6]

In Washington Kosnett served in the State Department's bureaus of European, Counter-terrorism, Political-Military, and Intelligence & Research affairs and also worked in the 24-hour Operations Center.[2]

Before beginning his assignment in Turkey, Kosnett served as Director of the State Department Office of Southern European Affairs and was responsible for U.S. relations with Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus.[2]

Diplomatic service in Turkey

In July 2016, Kosnett began working at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. He initially served as Deputy Chief of Mission[7][8] and assumed the duties of Chargé d’Affaires on October 15, 2017, after former ambassador John R. Bass finished his assignment.[2][9] A new ambassador to Turkey has not yet been appointed, but in July 2018 Kosnett stated that President Donald Trump is considering to appoint "a highly qualified individual" as the ambassador to Turkey.[10]

United States Ambassador to Kosovo

In July 2018, Kosnett was nominated by U.S. president Trump to be the next ambassador to Kosovo. Kosnett succeeds Greg Delawie, who was U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo 2015-2018. Kosnett's nomination was confirmed in September 2018 by the Senate.[2][11][12]

Award

Kosnett is the recipient of over 10 Department of State awards, including the State Department Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor Awards. He was also awarded the Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the Department of the Army Medal for Outstanding Civilian Service.[2][3][11]

Personal life

Kosnett is married to Alison Kosnett, an international business and development consultant. They have two adult children. Kosnett speaks Turkish, Russian, Dutch, and Japanese.[2][3]

References
  1. "PN702 — Foreign Service". U.S. Congress. December 22, 1987. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  2. "Philip Kosnett – Former Chargé d'Affaires". U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  3. "Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Personnel to Key Administration Posts". The White House. July 5, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  4. "Dorm History Search". Harvard Computer Society. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  5. "USAID Provides Technology to Improve TB Diagnosis". U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  6. "Testimony of Philip Kosnett" (PDF). United States Senate Committee on Foreign. August 16, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  7. Dewan, Angela (October 9, 2017). "Turkey summons US diplomat in escalating visa spat". CNN politics. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  8. Cam, Tugrul (October 9, 2017). "Turkey: US diplomat summoned over visa row". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  9. "Turkey summons US envoy Philip Kosnett over current situation in Syria". Financial Express. January 11, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  10. Paksoy, Yunus (July 2, 2018). "Trump considering 'highly qualified individual' as envoy to Turkey, US diplomat says". Daily Sagah. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  11. "Philip S. Kosnett is the new US Ambassador to Kosovo". GazetaExpress. July 6, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  12. Pajazizi, Muhamer (August 20, 2018). "Talks between Kosovo and Serbia heading towards an end". Independent Balkan News Agency. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
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