WASHINGTON, DC — Citizens for a Secure and Safe America (C4SSA) congratulates Colonel Joel Rayburn on being appointed to serve as America’s top diplomat to Syria. Rayburn is replacing Ambassador James Jeffrey who announced he is retiring earlier this week.
Prior to his new role, Rayburn served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy for Syria. Before assuming that position, Rayburn – who is a retired US Army officer and an author — worked on President Donald Trump’s National Security Council staff as Senior Director for Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
“We are confident that Mr. Rayburn will strengthen America’s national security interests in the region and fight for justice and freedom for the Syrian people,” said C4SSA President Assad Jebara. “He has a breadth of knowledge and experience and we look forward to working with him.”
The announcement arrives on the heels of a fresh set of sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), on November 9. Pursuant to Executive Orders 13852, 13573, and 13572, OFAC sanctioned 10 entities and seven individuals — including Syrian military officials, members of the Syrian Parliament, Syrian government entities, and various Syrian and Lebanese persons — for allegedly supporting the Bashar al-Assad regime’s petroleum industry.
This action is the Treasury Department’s fifth round of Syria-related actions since the provisions of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 (Caesar Act) came into full effect.
