On the transition of Tom West – United States Department of State

Tom West has transitioned from his role as Special Representative for Afghanistan to Acting Head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. Department of State.

Since his appointment in October 2021, Tom has worked tirelessly to ensure both our national interests and the welfare of the Afghan people guided our policy in Afghanistan.  Working with allies and partners, the United States has helped lead a robust humanitarian effort that prevented a wider famine and met the urgent needs of millions of Afghans.  We remained vigilant in monitoring terrorist threats and engaged in dialogue to ensure Afghanistan never again becomes a launching pad for terrorism against our homeland or our allies.  Tom prioritized advocacy for the release of detained American citizens, as well as the continued relocation of Afghans to whom we owe a special debt. Tom also partnered with Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri to ensure the rights of Afghanistan’s women and girls are at the forefront of our diplomatic efforts and that the viewpoints of diverse Afghans meaningfully inform our decision-making.

The U.S. commitment to Afghanistan remains an enduring priority and will be led within the State Department by Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan Karen Decker, Special Envoy Amiri, and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim. Chief of Mission Decker will lead diplomacy on Afghanistan from Doha.  Special Envoy Amiri will continue to lead diplomatic and policy efforts toward ensuring that human rights, and particularly women’s rights, are prioritized. In Washington, Ambassador Pommersheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Central Asia, will lead policy development and inter-agency coordination on Afghanistan.

Tom has skillfully led diplomacy on Afghanistan during a complex period. Today’s global challenges are equally as complex and I look forward to working with him on coordinating economic sanctions strategies across the U.S. government, with our partners, and stakeholders to achieve U.S. foreign policy priorities.  I am confident Karen, Rina, and John Mark will continue to safeguard our interests and promote our values in Afghanistan.