US Embassy's new Chief of Mission arrives in Bahrain

NOB | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

American diplomat Steven Craig Bondy has arrived in Bahrain to take charge as the new US chief of mission to the kingdom.

“Ambassador Bondy has safely arrived in Bahrain and is looking forward to assuming his position as Chief of Mission,” said the US Embassy spokesperson.

Raised in Livingston, New Jersey, Bondy was a 1980 graduate of Livingston High School. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Delaware.

Bondy is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor. From 2017 to 2020 he was Chargé d'affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan and as the foreign policy advisor to the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command. He speaks Arabic, French, Persian, Turkish and Spanish. He is the recipient of numerous US government awards, including a Presidential Rank Award.

On April 15, 2021, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Bondy to be the next United States Ambassador to Bahrain. On April 19, 2021, his nomination was sent to the Senate. His nomination was then pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The News of Bahrain had reported on July 6 that, after confirmation, he would be the second Jewish ambassador to Bahrain after J Adam Ereli.

Maggie Nardi is currently the Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy.