<P> This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to individual nations of the world, to international organizations, and to past nations, as well as ambassadors - at - large . </P> <P> Ambassadors are nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate . An ambassador can be appointed during a recess, but he or she can only serve as ambassador until the end of the next session of Congress unless subsequently confirmed . Ambassadors serve "at the pleasure of the President", meaning they can be dismissed at any time . </P> <P> An ambassador may be a career Foreign Service Officer (career diplomat - CD) or a political appointee (PA). In most cases, career foreign service officers serve a tour of approximately three years per ambassadorship whereas political appointees customarily tender their resignations upon the inauguration of a new president . As embassies fall under the State Department's jurisdiction, ambassadors answer directly to the Secretary of State . </P>

Who has the power to nominate ambassadors to other countries