“Mr. Ambassador… Sayyid al-Safeer”

Michael Sarafa

New ambassadors named

By Michael Sarafa

One of the great privileges of my work with the Iraqi Embassy over the years has been meeting and collaborating with remarkable Iraqi diplomats who have become brothers to me—as we call one another. Recently, Iraq’s Parliament approved a long-delayed slate of new ambassadors, and I was thrilled to see at least five of these colleagues elevated to the rank of ambassador.

Each of them is a patriot who loves Iraq, moves with ease in Washington, appreciates the United States—especially the expatriate community—is fluent in Arabic and English, and is smart, well-educated, and part of a younger generation of leadership. They are also decent, kind men, devoted fathers and, most importantly to me, friends.

As they await their next assignments, I offer my congratulations and introduce you to their backgrounds.

His Excellency Mohammed Al Fityan

Mohammed Al Fityan assumed his post as Chief of Protocol for the Foreign Ministry in September. He manages all official etiquette and ceremonial activities, ensuring high-level visits and events are executed with dignity, precision and cultural sensitivity.

From 2020 to 2025, he served as Deputy Ambassador of Iraq to the United States, working closely with the Ambassador on all aspects of the bilateral relationship. During that time, he built strong relationships in Congress, at the State Department, with think tanks and with other strategic institutions in Washington. His earlier diplomatic assignments included postings in Kenya and at Iraq’s mission to the United Nations in New York.

His Excellency Nezar Hassan Alhakim

Nezar Hassan Alhakim, an Ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently serves as Head of the American Department. He is widely regarded as a rising star in Iraq’s diplomatic corps. Previously, he served as Deputy Head of the Department for U.S. and American Affairs and, before that, as Congressional Affairs Officer at the Iraqi Embassy in Washington from 2020 to 2024, where he became known on Capitol Hill as a thoughtful advocate for Iraq’s interests.

In 2012, Alhakim was appointed Head of the Egypt-Sudan Section in the Arab Department and was posted to the Iraqi Embassy in Cairo from 2013 to 2017. There, he ultimately became Acting Chief of Mission while also leading the political and media sections and engaging with Egyptian media and the Arab League. Earlier in his career, he served for two years as Consul at the Embassy of Iraq in Kuwait.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Shummary

Dr. Mohammed Shummary is newly appointed to the ambassadorial rank, bringing more than two decades of experience in strategy and international relations. He previously served as a Professor of Foreign Affairs at Al-Nahrain University’s College of Political Science and as Chairman of the Sumeria Foundation. He has been a Senior Advisor to Sayyid Ammar al-Hakim and led foreign-relations efforts for the Hikma National Movement.

A seasoned voice in regional and international dialogue, Dr. Shummary participated in the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program in 2016, took part in a U.S. Presidential Election Study Mission, and is a graduate of the Georgetown Leadership Seminar at the Walsh School of Foreign Service. He holds a Ph.D., master’s and bachelor’s degrees in political strategic science.

His Excellency Nawfal Baha’a Musa

Nawfal Baha’a Musa is one of a small number of Christians appointed to the rank of Ambassador. His government service includes work with the World Trade Organization through Iraq’s Ministry of Trade, serving as an Advisor to the Prime Minister on Minority Affairs, and most recently serving as Minister of Migration and Displacement.

He speaks Arabic, English, Turkish and Syriac, hails from the Nineveh Plain and has family in Michigan. His extensive work on behalf of Iraq’s minorities and displaced populations includes serving as Chairman of the Supreme Committee for the Relief and Shelter of Displaced Families; Head of the High Advisory Team for Coordination of Assistance for Displaced Persons in Nineveh; Head of the Central Committee for Review and Referral at the Ministry of Migration and Displacement; and a member of the Supreme Preparatory Committee for the First Iraqi Diaspora Conference, among other roles.

His Excellency Krikor Der-Hagopian

Currently assigned to the Office of the President of Iraq, Krikor Der-Hagopian has served as Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister. An Armenian Christian, he is married to a Chaldean whose family lives in Michigan, and his son is a student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

Der-Hagopian’s government service includes roles as Director General of the Secretariat General of the Iraqi Presidency, the Public Policies Department and the International Relations Division. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies, where his thesis focused on a political strategy for Iraq’s path forward.

In his current role, he travels to Washington several times a year to strengthen ties between Iraq and the United States. He frequently participates in conferences and discussions on Iraq’s geopolitical and foreign-policy role.

Conclusion

These five ambassadors represent the best of Iraq’s emerging diplomatic leadership—capable, principled and deeply committed to strengthening Iraq’s place in the world. Their professionalism and character give me great hope for the future of Iraq’s foreign relations and its partnership with the United States.