FACTBOX: Man-of-the-moment, U.S. envoy Ryan Crocker

(Reuters) - The U.S. Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday will receive a much-anticipated report on the state of war in Iraq from Washington's ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker.

Following are some facts about Crocker.

* Iran was to blame for a delay in conducting more talks with the United States about Iraq's security and it was unclear when the discussions would be held, Crocker said in January. Crocker had praised Iran in December 2007 for helping to curb Shi'ite militia violence in Iraq, using some of the warmest language Washington has employed toward its arch foe over Iraq.

* The U.S. military had succeeded in delivering a crippling blow to al Qaeda in Iraq, but this has only served to highlight "the other big problem" -- the power of Shi'ite militias, Crocker said in October 2007.

* Crocker was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the U.S. ambassador to Iraq on March 6, 2007.

* U.S. President George W. Bush nominated Crocker to succeed Zalmay Khalilzad in a shuffle of advisers announced in January 2007.

* Crocker, a career diplomat, had been Washington's ambassador to Pakistan since November 2004.

* Previously, Crocker served as the first director of governance for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad from May to August 2003.

* Crocker warned Americans in August 2007 that pulling U.S. troops out of the country could open the door to a "major Iranian advance" that would threaten U.S. interests in the region.

* Crocker also accused Tehran of seeking to weaken the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government so that it could "by one means or another control it." Iran has denied U.S. charges that it is arming and training Shi'ite militias in Iraq.

(Writing by Paul Grant, Washington Editorial Reference Unit)