Lisa A. Johnson
Lisa Anne Johnson | |
|---|---|
Johnson in 2024 | |
| United States Ambassador to Lebanon | |
| Assumed office January 11, 2024[1] | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Dorothy Shea |
| United States Ambassador to Namibia | |
| In office February 21, 2018 – July 2, 2021 | |
| President | Donald Trump Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Thomas F. Daughton |
| Succeeded by | Randy W. Berry |
| United States Ambassador to the Bahamas Charge d'affaires | |
| In office July 9, 2014 – November 9, 2017 | |
| President | Barack Obama Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | John W. Dinkelman (Charge d'affaires) |
| Succeeded by | James Herren (Charge d'affaries) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lisa Anne Johnson 1967 (age 57–58) |
| Education | Stanford University Columbia University National War College |
Lisa Anne Johnson (born 1967) is an American diplomat who is serving as the United States ambassador to Lebanon. She previously served as the United States ambassador to Namibia from 2018 to 2021.
Early life and education
Johnson earned master's degrees from the National War College and Columbia University, as well as a bachelor's degree from Stanford University.[2]
Career
Johnson is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having served as the deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Johnson previously served the United States Ambassador to Namibia from 2018 to 2021[3] and chargé d’affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas, from 2014 to 2017. Her overseas posts have included time at U.S. embassies in Beirut, Lebanon; Islamabad, Pakistan; Luanda, Angola; and Pretoria, South Africa. Johnson was also posted to the Office of the Secretary General of NATO in Brussels, Belgium. She has also served as a senior official at the U.S. State Department, National Security Council and Vice President's Office.[4][5]
US Ambassador to Namibia
On October 5, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Johnson to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Namibia.[2] She served in this role from 2018 to 2021.[6]
US ambassador to Lebanon
On February 13, 2023, President Joe Biden nominated Johnson to be the next ambassador to Lebanon.[7] Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on May 16, 2023. Her nomination was favorably reported to the Senate floor on June 1, 2023. She was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote on December 14, 2023.[8] She arrived in Lebanon on January 11, 2024.[9] She presented her credentials on February 6, 2025.[10]
On October 11, 2024, Johnson declared support for the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and Israel’s efforts to “eliminate Hezbollah completely, beyond just degrading its military capabilities.” According to pro-Hezbollah sources, she was reportedly working to “prepare Lebanon for an era after Hezbollah” while calling on Lebanese people to “rise up and free themselves from Hezbollah.”[11][12]
Personal life
Johnson speaks French and Portuguese.[2]
References
- ^ https://twitter.com/usembassybeirut/status/1745468449671778629?t=xZp8upqjR1bFyxtmQTrFhA&s=19
- ^ a b c "President Donald J. Trump Announces Key Additions to his Administration – The White House". trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "Lisa A. Johnson". United States Department of State. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ Bewig, Matt (December 1, 2017). "U.S. Ambassador to Namibia: Who Is Lisa A. Johnson?". AllGov. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- ^ Spero, Domani (October 16, 2017). "Trump Nominates Career Diplomat Lisa A. Johnson to be U.S. Ambassador to Namibia". Diplopundit. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
- ^ "Lisa A. Johnson". United States Department of State. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "President Biden Announces Key Nominees". The White House. February 13, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "PN307 — Lisa A. Johnson — Department of State 118th Congress (2023-2024)". US Congress. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
- ^ "ARRIVAL OF AMBASSADOR LISA A. JOHNSON IN LEBANON" (Press release). U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ "Ambassador Lisa Johnson presented her credentials to President Joseph Aoun" (Press release). U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. February 6, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "US ambassador reportedly takes unusual step to crush Hezbollah – www.israelhayom.com". October 29, 2024. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ "US plans for a post-Hezbollah Lebanon are trying to revive a failed strategy". Middle East Eye. Retrieved April 14, 2025.