Robert Patrick John Finn (born December 19, 1945) is an American scholar of Turkish Studies and International Relations, and was the first United States ambassador to Afghanistan in more than 20 years, from March 22, 2002, until August 1, 2004.

Finn grew up in the Parkchester planned community in the Bronx, in New York City[2] and earned a B.A.

in American Literature and European History with honors from St. John's University, an M.A.

He speaks fifteen languages, including most Central Asian tongues.

In 1992, he opened (as chargé d'affaires) the United States embassy to Azerbaijan and served as charge and deputy chief of mission there for three years.