President Obama has appointed Robert Ford to become the first U.S. ambassador to Syria since 2005, using a recess appointment to bypass opposition from Senate Republicans. The Bush administration withdrew its ambassador from Syria in February 2005 following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. On Wednesday, President Obama also appointed ambassadors to Turkey, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan. In addition, James Cole was appointed as deputy attorney general, the nation’s second-ranking law enforcement post.