Obama Appoints Four New Ambassadors
Using his power to make appointments when the Senate is in recess, President Obama has appointed four new ambassadors — to Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic. The four nominees have been waiting an average of five months for Senate confirmation; Robert Stephen Ford, named ambassador to Syria, had been waiting since February. His nomination was blocked by Republicans who didn't want to "reward" Syria as it provides support to Hezbollah and Hamas.