The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates announced on Sunday evening the appointment of diplomat Jihad Makdissi—formerly the ministry’s spokesperson during the era of President Bashar al-Assad—as Advisor for American Affairs. The decision marks a notable return to the diplomatic corps more than thirteen years after his departure from Syria.
The ministry released a roster of new appointments for department directors and senior advisors. Makdissi’s name appeared as “Advisor for American Affairs,” alongside a series of appointments covering Arab and European portfolios.
Shortly after the announcement, Makdissi wrote on X: “With profound pride and gratitude, I return today to the ranks of the new Syrian diplomacy.” He thanked Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani for his “gracious confidence in granting me the title of Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic and tasking me as His Excellency’s Advisor for American Affairs.”
He described the assignment as a “great responsibility,” pledging to devote his experience and effort to serving Syria’s interests and strengthening its presence and role in international forums.
Makdissi’s return comes at a moment when the new Syrian authorities are seeking to rebuild their foreign relations—particularly with the United States—after years of isolation and sanctions imposed during the Assad era.
A Christian diplomat from Damascus, Makdissi was among the most prominent faces of Syrian diplomacy during the early years of the conflict. He left Damascus in December 2012 and later explained, in a press statement, that he departed because the country no longer allowed space for “centrism and moderation.” “I left a war zone, not a normal country,” he said at the time, stressing that his exit was “independent” and intended “not to become a dagger in anyone’s hand against Syria’s interests.”
Before his recall to Damascus in 2011, Makdissi had been serving at the Syrian Embassy in London, where he was preparing a doctoral dissertation in media studies. The outbreak of protests against Assad’s rule brought him back to the capital, where he became the public face of the ministry during a turbulent period.
After leaving Syria, Makdissi joined the “Cairo Platform,” a component of the Syrian opposition that presented itself as an advocate for a negotiated political settlement. He represented the platform in several rounds of UN-sponsored Geneva talks, positioning himself as an independent, moderate voice calling for a political transition through dialogue and away from militarization and foreign military intervention. Over time, he gradually withdrew from the opposition’s political arena.
Makdissi later moved to the United Arab Emirates and subsequently to the United States with his family, where he worked as a university lecturer and later as a corporate lawyer. He announced his retirement from political activity on several occasions.
He re-entered public life after the fall of Assad’s regime, appearing in media interviews and making several visits to Syria, during which he met with officials in the new administration. These steps culminated in the announcement of his appointment as Advisor for American Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
