Natalie Baker Nominated as New US Ambassador to Pakistan
Natalie Baker Nominated as US Ambassador to Pakistan, Name Sent to Senate for Approval
Currently serving as US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad, Baker has extensive diplomatic experience across the Middle East and North Africa.
Islamabad, November 10, 2026: The United States has nominated Natalie Baker as its next ambassador to Pakistan, with her nomination formally submitted to the US Senate for confirmation.
Baker is currently serving as the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Islamabad. If confirmed by the Senate, she will assume the role of US Ambassador to Pakistan.
According to the White House, US President Donald Trump has nominated Baker for the diplomatic position, and her name has been forwarded to the Senate as part of the presidential nominations and appointments process.
Baker took over responsibilities as Chargé d’Affaires following the departure of former US Ambassador Donald Blome, who assumed his diplomatic assignment in Islamabad in May 2022 and remained in the position until January 2025.
Before her current assignment in Pakistan, Baker served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Doha, Qatar. She also worked as Director of the Office of North African Affairs at the US Department of State.
Her previous diplomatic assignments include serving as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires in Libya, Deputy Director of the Iran Regional Presence Office in Dubai, and Economic Counselor in Kuwait. Between 2009 and 2011, she also served as Political and Economic Counselor in Libya.
Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University. In 2017, she graduated with distinction from the National War College at the US National Defense University.
The White House also announced several other ambassadorial nominations, including Jeffrey Collier for the United Arab Emirates, Benita Gunn for Burundi, Cynthia Kierscht for Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, Ian McCary for Mali, and Kristie McCormick for North Macedonia.
The Senate confirmation process will determine whether Baker officially takes up the position as the United States’ ambassador to Pakistan.
