John Hennessey-Niland is an American diplomat who had served as the United States ambassador to Palau from 2020 to 2022.
John Hennessey-Niland | |
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United States Ambassador to Palau | |
In office March 6, 2020 – September 9, 2022 | |
President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
Preceded by | Amy J. Hyatt |
Succeeded by | Joel Ehrendreich |
Personal details | |
Nationality | American |
Education | Tufts University (BA) MALD (Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy) |
Early life and education
editHennessey-Niland received his Bachelor of Arts at Tufts University, a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Diplome at France's École nationale d'administration.[1]
Career
editPreviously he was the Foreign Policy Advisor to United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific at Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, and the Political-Economic Chief at the United States Embassy in Suva, Fiji. Other diplomatic assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission and later Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland; Director at the National Security Council for the G-20/G-7; and Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the Embassy of the United States, Islamabad, Pakistan.[1]
On September 30, 2019, President Donald Trump nominated Hennessey-Niland to be the next United States ambassador to Palau.[1] On February 11, 2020, his nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote.[2] He presented his credentials on March 6, 2020.[3]
In March 2021, Hennessey-Niland traveled to Taiwan, alongside Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr., who met with President Tsai Ing-wen.[4] This made Hennessey-Niland the first sitting U.S. ambassador to visit Taiwan since the U.S. broke off formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 1979.[5][6]
Personal life
editAwards
editHennessey-Niland has received the Department of State Foreign Policy Advisors of the Year Award and the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individuals to Key Administration Posts" White House, September 30, 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "PN1161 - Nomination of John Hennessey-Niland for Department of State, 116th Congress (2019-2020)". www.congress.gov. 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
- ^ "Newly Appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, John Hennessey-Niland with Palau Ambassador to the US, Hersey Kyota". U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Palau. 2020-03-13. Retrieved 2020-03-14.
- ^ "Palau president visits Taiwan despite Chinese pressure". The Associated Press. March 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021.
- ^ "Taiwan And Palau Launch Coronavirus Travel Bubble". NPR.org. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
- ^ "US ambassador visits Taiwan for 1st time in 42 years". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2 April 2021.