Former U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman
AmbassadorMarc J. Sievers
Middle East policy analyst and business consultant. Founding director of AJC Abu Dhabi and a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service for more than thirty years.
- 30+ years
- U.S. Senior Foreign Service
- 2016 to 2019
- U.S. Ambassador to Oman
- 2021 to 2026
- Founding director, AJC Abu Dhabi
Engagements
Across the region, in person
About
Three decades in the region
National security, Gulf Arab relations, Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Israel.
Ambassador Sievers advises companies, institutions and audiences on U.S. relations with the Middle East, drawing on postings in Muscat, Cairo, Baghdad and Tel Aviv.
He was the inaugural director of AJC Abu Dhabi, the Sidney Lerner Center for Arab-Jewish Understanding, where he worked to deepen and expand the Abraham Accords from inside the Gulf.
As U.S. Ambassador to Oman from 2016 to 2019, he oversaw Gulf security, bilateral trade and counterterrorism cooperation. Earlier he served as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'Affaires in Cairo during Egypt's post-revolution transition, Political Minister-Counselor in Baghdad, and Counselor for Political Affairs in Tel Aviv.
Today he works as a business consultant and policy commentator, and appears regularly on CNN, Bloomberg, CNBC and i24 News.
Record
Postings
| 2021 to 2026 | Founding Director, AJC Abu DhabiSidney Lerner Center for Arab-Jewish Understanding. Advocate for the Abraham Accords. | Abu Dhabi24.45° N, 54.38° E |
| 2016 to 2019 | U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of OmanPresidential appointee. Gulf security, bilateral trade and counterterrorism cooperation. | Muscat23.59° N, 58.41° E |
| 2011 to 2014 | Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d'AffairesSenior diplomat during Egypt's post-revolution transition. | Cairo30.04° N, 31.24° E |
| 2010 to 2011 | Political Minister-CounselorSenior political officer at a critical point for the U.S. mission in Iraq. | Baghdad33.32° N, 44.37° E |
| 2006 to 2010 | Counselor for Political AffairsIsraeli-Palestinian affairs and regional diplomacy. | Tel Aviv32.09° N, 34.78° E |
| Education | Columbia University and University of UtahM.A. International Affairs, Columbia. B.A. History, Utah. | New YorkSalt Lake City |
Media
On air
Speaking with Paula Hancocks on the attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight and the gaps it exposed in aviation security.
- CNBCApril 2026U.S. could resume strikes on Iran's power plants without a dealThe state of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and the prospect of renewed strikes on Iranian infrastructure.Watch ↗
- Bloomberg2026An acceptable outcome from the Iran talks would be Iranian capitulationWith Joumanna Bercetche. "That outcome may require further military force."Watch ↗
- i24 News2026The Strait of Hormuz must be reestablished as an international waterwayOn securing the strait without a threat from Iran.Watch ↗
- CNN2026U.S. policy in the Middle East and regional securityAnalysis of current developments across the Gulf.Watch ↗
Writing
Commentary and analysis
- Jewish ChronicleOp-ed · Sep 10, 2026I had just returned from Saudi Arabia as a U.S. diplomat when al-Qaeda struck. We must remember who did itOn his years in Riyadh, September 11, 2001, and why the record of who carried out the attacks has to be defended.Read ↗
- Jerusalem PostQuoted · Apr 2026Mixed signals from Washington cloud intentions for future of Iran warRead ↗
- Jewish ChronicleOp-ed · Mar 2, 2026How Iran's missile strikes reunited Gulf states against TehranRead ↗
- Times of IsraelOp-ed · Aug 1, 2024Facing the Houthi threat: time to stop playing defenseRead ↗
- Washington InstituteAnalysis · Mar 8, 2015Turkey and Egypt's great game in the Middle EastRead ↗
Contact
Speaking and media inquiries
Available for speaking engagements, television and podcast appearances, written commentary and policy consultations. Responses usually within two to three business days.