Cable news network CNN has hired former U.S. ambassador to Japan and Obama chief of staff Rham Emanuel as a global affairs and political commentator. 

"Emanuel will bring his extensive knowledge of American politics and international affairs to CNN’s on-air programming," the network announced Thursday.

Emanuel, a Democrat Party stalwart, was the mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019 and was chairman of the House Democratic Caucus while being a representative in Congress from 2002 to 2008,  representing Illinois' Fifth Congressional District.