In a significant shift in US-Pakistan diplomatic relations, Natalie A. Baker has officially taken over as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Islamabad. With a rich background in international diplomacy, Baker brings a wealth of experience from previous roles, including her tenure as Deputy Chief of Mission in Doha, Qatar. Her distinguished career also includes key assignments in Libya, Turkmenistan, and Kuwait, highlighting her deep expertise in Middle Eastern and North African affairs.
Baker’s educational credentials are equally impressive. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s in public policy from Harvard University. Additionally, she is a 2017 Distinguished Graduate of the National War College, National Defence University of the United States.
Her earlier assignments have seen her navigate complex diplomatic terrains. She served as the Director of the Office of North African Affairs in the US Department of State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Moreover, her work as the Political and Economic Counsellor in Libya came at a pivotal time when US-Libya relations were normalizing after a 30-year pause. Notably, Baker was in Libya until the Libyan Revolution in 2011, which led to the evacuation of the US Embassy.
Beyond her duties in Libya, Baker has held several other significant roles, including Deputy Chief 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. In these capacities, she played crucial roles in supporting the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq and managing complex diplomatic challenges in the Middle East.
Baker’s extensive experience in the region, coupled with her strong academic background, positions her as a key figure in shaping the future of US-Pakistan relations. Her appointment is a testament to her ability to navigate complex international issues and strengthen diplomatic ties.
