Chaldean Detroiter Appointed as Trump’s Special Envoy to Iraq
By Mike Sarafa
When President Donald Trump appointed Mark Savvaya as Special Envoy to the Republic of Iraq, it sent ripples through the Chaldean Community. Savaya is a familiar face in the Detroit area, in part because of his businesses’ billboards that included his own likeness. As an entrepreneur, Savaya’s Chaldean roots and outspoken nature have made him a visible part of Michigan’s business—and more recently, political—landscape.
Born in Iraq and raised in Detroit, Savaya built his career through various business ventures. When his entrepreneurial success crossed over with his civic involvement, that propelled him into political circles that ultimately led him to the Oval Office and the inner circles of the Trump Administration.
As a strong supporter of President Trump’s most recent election, Savaya has championed both business opportunities and other conservative principles, including religious freedom at home and abroad. His appointment as Special Envoy places him at the center of U.S. - Iraqi relations—a role with important meaning for the Iraqi expatriate community, the largest of which resides right here in southeast Michigan.
The announcement brings pride and hope: pride that one of our own now represents the U.S. government in dealings with Iraq, and hope that he will use this position to further highlight the plight of Christianity in Iraq and throughout the Middle East.
Savaya will have to confront concerns over the status of Christians in the Middle East who have been displaced by war and sectarian violence and are largely marginalized in Iraq’s political environment.
To be sure, there will be challenges for Savaya in his new role. The United States is in the midst of a force reduction program in Iraq. The region remains highly volatile. Iraq’s upcoming national elections will usher in a period of uncertainty.
Still, the appointment represents a moment of recognition, not only for Mark, but for the Chaldean community that he hails from.