Christopher Hill

Why He Matters

Hill has been at the forefront of American diplomacy for more than three decades. At the start of the Obama administration, he helped tackle one of the biggest U.S. foreign policy problems as U.S. ambassador to Iraq.

His nomination to the post caused quite a stir in Congress, where some Republican senators threatened to block Hill's nomination, arguing that he didn't have enough experience handling Middle East issues. The senators also questioned Hill's negotiation efforts with North Korea, contending he didn't focus enough on stemming human-rights abuses there. But Hill's supporters argued that he had an exceptional career and that he was primed for the challenges in Iraq, and he was confirmed in April 2009.

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