The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Acting Assistant Secretary Beth Jones, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. diplomatic relations with Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Regional policy issues that NEA handles include Iraq, Middle East peace, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and political and economic reform. Clickable Map»
U.S. Policy Toward Iran
Under Secretary Sherman (May 15): "I want to use this opportunity to speak clearly about these challenges; to lay out the multi-vectored strategy we are pursuing to counter them; and to be clear about the consequential choices ahead for America and our allies." Full Text»
Humanitarian Aid for the Syrian Crisis
Secretary Kerry (Apr. 21): "We also committed to raise our assistance levels to the Syrian opposition in order to make it clear that we ...are deeply committed to a transition that affords the people of Syria the right to choose their future." Full Text» Fact Sheet» Trip Page»
Acting Assistant Secretary Jones and Syrian Ambassador Robert Ford testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Syria.
U.S. Policy Toward Syria
Acting Assistant Secretary Jones (Apr. 11): "In addition to addressing humanitarian need, we're preparing for a Syria without Assad by helping the opposition lay the foundation for a democratic transition that protects the rights of all Syrians and that fosters, rather than threatens, stability in the Middle East." Full Text»
