The U.S. Senate has confirmed James Cunningham as the next U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan.

Cunningham, who currently serves as deputy ambassador at the embassy in Kabul, had previously served as ambassador to Israel. He also held high-level diplomatic posts in Hong Kong and the United Nations.

Cunningham is replacing Ryan Crocker as ambassador to Afghanistan. Crocker is retiring after a long and distinguished career heading U.S. embassies in Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon.

The commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, U.S. General John Allen, congratulated the new envoy Friday.

Allen issued a statement saying, “I am honored to continue working with the ambassador in his new position as he builds the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Afghanistan that will ultimately strengthen Afghan sovereignty, security and prosperity.”