Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs

The Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, or more formally the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, was established in 2015 by an executive order pertaining to the recovery of U.S. hostages taken abroad. The special envoy leads and coordinates activities across the Executive Branch to bring home Americans held hostage in other countries.

United States Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Roger D. Carstens
since March 2, 2020
NominatorThe President of the United States
AppointerSecretary of State
Websitehttps://www.state.gov/leadership-special-presidential-envoy-for-hostage-affairs/

Current office holders

Roger D. Carstens was selected by the Secretary of State and appointed by the President to serve as the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA).

Ambassador Carstens is the former Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, where he oversaw the Bureau’s work in Near Eastern Affairs, Western Hemisphere Affairs, and the Office of Security and Human Rights.

Previously, he served in Amman, Jordan, as the Country Director for a U.S.- based INGO that provided humanitarian assistance and stability support to Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.

Prior positions include Senior Civilian Advisor on the Commander’s Advisory and Assistance Team (CAAT) in Afghanistan; Project Director for an INGO based in Somalia; Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security; and Special Assistant for Legislative Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Ambassador Carstens is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who served in Special Forces and the 1st Ranger Battalion. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds master’s degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and St. John’s College.[1]

In February 2020, President Trump announced his intention to appoint Roger Carstens as the next Special Envoy.[2]

Former Special Envoys
  • Hugh Dugan served as Acting Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs from October 4, 2019 to March 1, 2020.
  • Robert O'Brien served from May 25, 2018 to October 3, 2019.[3]
  • Jim O'Brien served from August 28, 2015 to January 20, 2017.[4]
  • Roger D. Carstens was appointed on March 2, 2020.[5]

References
  1. "Biography of Roger D. Carstens". U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. 2 March 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  2. "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individual to a Key Administration Post". The White House. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  3. "Biography of Robert O'Brien". U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  4. "Concerning the Appointment of Jim O'Brien as the First Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs". Archive Page for U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State.
  5. "Ambassador Roger D. Carstens". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
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