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Pompeo looks to career diplomat for State's No. 3 post

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was expected to recommend the nomination of career diplomat David Hale, currently the US ambassador to Pakistan, to be undersecretary of state for political affairs.
David Hale, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, speaks at the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, Pakistan, July 26, 2016. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro - D1BETRTPNFAA

WASHINGTON — In a sign of respect to career State Department officials after the rocky tenure of his predecessor Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo may recommend nominating career diplomat David Hale, currently the US ambassador to Pakistan, to be the next undersecretary of state for political affairs, three former senior American officials told Al-Monitor.

Hale, who has been the US envoy to Pakistan since 2015, previously served as US ambassador to Lebanon (2013-2015), special envoy for Middle East peace (2011-2013) and ambassador to Jordan (2005-2008), among other assignments.

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