Trump expected to name new ambassador to Afghanistan

President Trump is expected to name the new ambassador to Afghanistan as soon as this month.

Trump is expected to nominate William Ruger, a foreign-policy expert and proponent of the president’s agenda to withdraw a substantial portion of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

A person familiar with the decision said the State Department alerted the Afghan government earlier this week about the forthcoming decision.

Ruger has reportedly undergone vetting for the position for the past three months, another person familiar with the matter said.

Administrative officials see Ruger’s selection as the president’s signal of intent to reduce the U.S. military presence in the region drastically.

In January, Ambassador John Bass announced it was time for him to leave Afghanistan after serving in the role since December 2017.

Ambassador Ross Wilson, who served in Azerbaijan and Turkey under former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush, stepped in for Bass while a permanent holder of the position was deliberated throughout the year.

The Hill reached out to the White House about Ruger’s anticipated nomination but a spokesperson declined to comment.

DEVELOPING