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Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Date: 01/20/2009 Description: Blue envelope icon, used for email subscriptions. State Dept Photo Sign up for Near Eastern Affairs email updates.

Date: 2009-03-17 00:00:00.0 Location: Washington, DC Description: Jeffrey D. Feltman, Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs State Dept Photo

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman, 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 

Secretary Clinton Meets With Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit
Date: 11/04/2009 Location: Cairo, Egypt Description: Secretary of State Clinton smiles at Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit, right, during a presser following her meeting with President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential palace. © AP Photo/Amr NabilSecretary Clinton (Nov. 4): "The United States sees Egypt as an essential partner, not only in the Middle East, but on global and regional issues, as well. And we are committed to working with Egypt to strengthen and deepen our cooperation and our partnership on these vital matters." -Full Text

Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Forum for the Future
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 3): "Five months ago in Cairo, President Obama called for a new beginning between the United States and Muslim communities around the world – a relationship that is comprehensive rather than focused on a few political and security issues, a relationship based on partnership between people as well as government, and a relationship that lasts for the long term." -Full Text

Secretary Clinton Meets With Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
Date: 10/31/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a press conference in Jerusalem. © Photo Credit: Matty Stern U.S. Embassy Tel AvivSecretary Clinton (Oct. 31): "I want to see both sides begin as soon as possible in negotiations. We have worked – and of course, Senator Mitchell has worked tirelessly – in setting forth what are the approaches that each side wishes to pursue in order to get into those negotiations, so I’m not going to express my opinion as to whether or not there should be conditions. The important thing, as the prime minister just said, is to get into the negotiations. I gave the same message today when I met with President Abbas." -Full Text -Trip Information Page

Date: 10/25/2009 Description: Iraqis gather at the site of a massive bomb attack at the Ministry of Justice in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. © AP Image Bombings in Iraq
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 25): "I want to personally express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of today’s savage attacks in Baghdad and for the tragic loss of so many Iraqi lives. I strongly condemn the bombings at the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the headquarters of the Baghdad Provincial Administration. These despicable terrorist attacks seek to undermine the impressive progress that Iraq has made towards stability and self-reliance. They will not succeed. They will not deter Iraqis from administering justice based on the rule of law and carrying out their legitimate responsibilities in governing Baghdad." -Full Text -Statement by the President

Remarks at the Israeli Presidential Conference 2009
UN Date: 10/21/2009 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Description: UN Ambassador Rice delivering remarks at the Israeli Presidential Conference 2009 © AP Image/Sebastian ScheinerAmbassador Rice (Oct. 21): "I’m especially honored to be here at the invitation of President Shimon Peres - an inspiration and a hero to us all. On behalf of President Obama, I want to extend America’s deepest thanks for everything you do to move Israel - and the world - toward lasting security and peace." -Full Text

Secretary Clinton at the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference
Date: 10/20/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Secretary Clinton delivering remarks at the U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference at the Hyatt Regency. © State Dept ImageSecretary Clinton (Oct. 20): "Iraq sits at a global crossroads, and it is a country that, because of its religious and ethnic diversity, has a great potential for connecting up far beyond its own borders in terms of investments and other kinds of opportunities. We believe strongly that Iraq is a land where generations of scientists, doctors, astronomers, engineers built a tradition of scholarship and inquiry that lives on in the Iraqi people today. And now is the time for both Iraq and its friends, like the United States, to demonstrate how there can be a new, more prosperous, peaceful future for Iraq." -Full Text -View Video

George Mitchell is Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. -Visit

Middle East Digest
The "Middle East Digest" is a collection of excerpts from the U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefings that are related to U.S. foreign policy interests in the Middle East.

Secretary Clinton's Travel
Date: 11/02/2009 Description: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is greeted by her Moroccan counterpart Taieb Fassi Fihri prior to their working lunch at the Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech, Monday, Nov. 2, 2009 © AP ImageSecretary Clinton is in Marrakesh, Morocco from November 2-3, 2009 to participate in the 6th Forum for the Future. -Trip Information Page

A Regional Overview of the Middle East
Assistant Secretary Feltman (Oct. 28): "Events in the Middle East and U.S. involvement there often have significant policy and security implications that reach far beyond the region. International peace and stability, nuclear proliferation, energy security, economic growth, and human rights all are affected greatly by developments in the region. President Obama and Secretary Clinton are implementing a foreign policy that best enables us to respond to the clear imperatives, seize new opportunities, and address the serious challenges that we face in the Middle East and around the world." -Full Text

U.S. Concerned About Northern Yemen Humanitarian Situation
Department Spokesman Kelly (Oct. 28): "The United States is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian situation in northern Yemen resulting from the ongoing conflict between the Government of Yemen and Al-Houthi opposition groups in Sa’ada governorate. The United States calls on all parties to return to the ceasefire that was established in 2008; to respect principles of international humanitarian law; and to avoid any action that would endanger the civilian population – including relief workers – in the affected areas." -Full Text

The Re-Designation of Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
On October 16, 2009, Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg maintained the designation of Al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended. The review of AQIM’s designation was conducted in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 USC 1189), which requires that an FTO review occur if after a five-year period there has been no review of the designation. -More

Release of the 2009 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
Secretary Clinton (Oct. 26): "Every year, the staff of our office of International Religious Freedom works with our embassies overseas and experts here in Washington to produce the world’s most comprehensive survey of religious freedom. This report examines how governments in 198 countries and territories are protecting or failing to protect religious freedom. It shines a spotlight on abuses by states and societies, and it draws attention to positive steps by many countries and organizations to promote freedom and interreligious harmony." -Full Text -Assistant Secretary Posner remarks -All reports -NEA specific reports

A Constructive Beginning
Date: 10/01/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: President Barack Obama makes a statement on the Iranian nuclear program, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson © White House ImagePresident Obama (Oct. 1):"The P5-plus-1 is united, and we have an international community that has reaffirmed its commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament. That’s why the Iranian Government heard a clear and unified message from the international community in Geneva: Iran must demonstrate through concrete steps that it will live up to its responsibilities with regard to its nuclear program. In pursuit of that goal, today’s meeting was a constructive beginning, but it must be followed by constructive action by the Iranian government." Full Text -Background Briefing by a Senior U.S. Official -Iran Participation at P5+1 Meeting   

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