US President Barack Obama announced late Wednesday his intent to nominate a top defense official as US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The White House announced that Obama intends to nominate Dr. Joseph William Westphal as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Westphal is Under Secretary of the Army at the US Department of Defense (DOD), a position he has held since 2009. Previously, he served as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works at the Department of Defense from 1998-2001, and from 1997-1998 Dr. Westphal was Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Water at the US Environmental Protection Agency, the White House indicated.