Ambassador Robert S. Ford was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Syria in January 2011. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the rank of Minister Counselor. He most recently served with the State Department's Office of the Inspector General (OIG). He has previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Algeria (2006-2008), Political Counselor (2004-2006) and Deputy Chief of Mission (2008-2009) at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Bahrain (2001-2004). His early overseas postings include Izmir, Cairo and Yaound�. In Washington, he has served as the Egypt and North Africa Economic Affairs Officer. Full Bio 

Join the 1918 Society

• Invitation to attend a special 1918 Society brunch and the World Affairs Council of Northern California's annual spring conference - WorldAffairs 2014 - in March in San Francisco. 1918 Society members will enjoy a terrific line-up of speakers including Thomas Friedman, Marc Grossman, Mari�me Jamme, Ray Suarez, and many others. All at specially reduced rate! More Information 

• Special recognition as an individual sponsor of the World Affairs Councils of America on our website and in all materials, which are distributed to our vast national network throughout the year.  

• Access to exclusive, off the record 1918 Society Conference Calls where members are given first-hand access to distinguished policymakers, journalists, and experts on today's pressing news items. 

• An invitation for two to join the 1918 Society Breakfast at the World Affairs Councils of America's National Conference. The breakfast at the 2013 National Conference featured Peter Baker, White House Correspondent, The New York Times, and author of Days of Fire: Bush and Cheney in the White House. 

• National Conference benefits include access to the hospitality green room suite and the opportunity to meet guest speakers and other leaders attending the conference, and priority seating at lunches and the opening banquet dinner.  

• Eligibility to apply for Leadership Missions, which overseas visits by delegation made up of civic and business leaders from around the national network to learn about a host country.