U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated John Bass as ambassador to Afghanistan, the White House announced on Thursday.
Bass, who has been a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is currently serving as the ambassador to Turkey since 2014.
"Bass has spent much of the past decade supporting federal government efforts to mobilize allies and marshal resources to combat terrorism and instability in Iraq, Syria, and Southwest Asia," the White House said.
He previously served as the ambassador to Georgia from 2009 to 2012.
In May, Bass was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Turkey said, for what it called "aggressive and unprofessional actions" following a clash between U.S. security personnel and Turkish bodyguards in Washington during a visit from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Bass was given a "written and verbal protest" for the treatment of two security officers for being "contrary to diplomatic rules and practices."
The move appeared to be in retaliation for calls in the United States for action against the Turkish security officers.
Bass’ nomination needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.