Via the WashTimes’ Embassy Row column:

Adel al-Jubeir, the urbane public face of the Saudi monarchy who is also well-connected in Washington, was yesterday named the new ambassador to the United States from the oil-rich desert kingdom.

King Abdullah issued a decree appointing Mr. al-Jubeir and accepting the surprise resignation of Prince Turki al-Faisal, who stepped down last month after about a year as ambassador here.

Mr. al-Jubeir, 44, is not a member of the Saudi royal family, but he has powerful relations with the monarchy, having served as King Abdullah’s foreign policy adviser since 2000 when the king was crown prince and as a spokesman for Prince Bandar bin Sultan, who served 22 years as ambassador to the United States. Mr. al-Jubeir’s brother, Nail, now holds the post of the embassy’s chief spokesman.

David Tell scrutinized al-Jubeir, dubbed “the Sultan of Spin” by the gushing Washington press, here.