Daniel Kurtzer, GSAS'73, '74, '76, has been nominated United States ambassador to Israel by President George W. Bush. Kurtzer, who earned two master's degrees and a doctorate in political science from Columbia, is currently the U.S. ambassador to Egypt, a position he has held since 1997.

Previously, Kurtzer served as principal deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (1994 to1997) and as deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (1989 to 1994).