Joel Rayburn
Joel Rayburn | |
|---|---|
Rayburn in 2014 | |
| United States Special Envoy for Syria | |
| In office July 23, 2018 – January 19, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Michael Ratney |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1969 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy (BA) Texas A&M University (MA) National War College (MA) |
| Occupation | Diplomat, author, soldier |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Joel Rayburn is a retired United States Army officer, former diplomat, and historian who served as the United States Special Envoy for Syria from 2018 to 2021. He has published books and articles about the American invasion of Iraq in 2003 and its results. From January to July 2021 he served as a special advisor for Middle East affairs to U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN). He is currently a Fellow in the National Security Program at the New America Foundation. In 2025, he was nominated by Donald Trump to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.