Professional Affiliation

Former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; Former Ambassador to Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan

Expert Bio

Ambassador David Hale is currently a Distinguished Fellow with the Wilson Center after serving as a foreign service officer with the rank of Career Ambassador. 

Previously, he was a Global Fellow with the Wilson Center. He was Under Secretary of State from 2018-2021. Previously, he was the Ambassador to Pakistan (2015-18), Ambassador to Lebanon (2013-15), Special Envoy for Middle East Peace (2011-2013), Deputy Special Envoy (2009-11), and Ambassador to Jordan (2005-8). Earlier, he had multiple tours in Jordan and Lebanon and served in Tunisia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and at the U.S. Mission to the UN.

In Washington, Hale was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israel, Egypt and the Levant (2008-9) and Director for Israel-Palestinian Affairs (2001-3). He held several staff posts, including Executive Assistant to Secretary of State Albright. 

Hale joined the Foreign Service in 1984. He is a recipient of one Presidential Rank Award of Distinguished Service and two of Meritorious Service, and several Department Superior and Meritorious Honor awards.

He speaks Arabic, is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and a native of New Jersey.