WASHINGTON — ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson, a four-decade employee of the energy giant, is President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of state. While Democrats and some Republican lawmakers expressed concern about his extensive business dealings in Russia, as well as his lack of formal diplomatic experience, several former diplomats said Tillerson brings significant global experience negotiating in complex environments, and suggested that a “gap” between the Washington foreign policy and business communities could explain misunderstanding of Tillerson’s experience.

James Jeffrey, a former US ambassador to Iraq and Turkey who has served as an adviser to Exxon, said Tillerson knows the Middle East as well as any diplomat.

"Business leaders of Tillerson's caliber and international experience have had great success in diplomacy,” Jeffrey, now a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told Al-Monitor. “He knows the Middle East and its leaders as well as anyone.”

“Basic policy there will be decided by Trump with all of his advisers, including Tillerson,” Jeffrey added. “But Tillerson can be counted upon to execute it well."