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The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Assistant Secretary C. David Welch, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. diplomatic relations with Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, 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
Middle East and North African Students Train To Become Active Leaders (Aug. 11)
Today the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) graduated over 100 students from across the Middle East and North Africa who completed training in civil society, democratic participation, and leadership as part of the MEPI 2008 Student Leaders Program. The program commenced in Washington, D.C. on June 31, attracting some of the most highly motivated and academically outstanding students from throughout the MENA region. Full Text
U.S. Policy Toward Iran
Under Secretary Burns (July 9): "... The behavior of the Iranian regime poses as serious a set of challenges to the international community as any problem we face today. Iran's nuclear ambitions; its support for terrorism; and its efforts to undermine hopes for stability in Iraq and Afghanistan, including lethal backing for groups attacking American troops, are all deeply troubling. So are its destructive actions in Lebanon, its longstanding rejection of a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians, and the profoundly repugnant rhetoric of its leaders about Israel, the Holocaust, and so much else. Compounding these concerns is Iran's deteriorating record on human rights. Ten years ago, we saw signs of opening in Iran's political and social systems. Today, sadly, Iranian citizens are subjected to increasingly severe restrictions on basic rights, and increasingly blatant manipulation of the electoral process." Full Text | View Video
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. | | | Highlights | Remarks En Route to Tripoli, Libya With Traveling Press
Secretary Rice (Sept. 5): "There is much to talk about. The Maghreb is a place in which we have excellent relations across the region, but to have now relations with Libya that can also help in the war on terror; that can help in managing the significant conflicts in places like Sudan, Somalia; Libya’s crucial and pivotal role in both the African Union and as a member of the Arab League" full text
Secretary of State Condoleezza RiceTravels to Portugal, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, September 4-7, 2008 [more]
Satellite Press Briefing with Governor Ma’amoun Sami Rasheed, Anbar Province, Iraq
The Department of State will host a special Digital Satellite press conference with the Governor of Anbar Province, Iraq. Governor Ma'amoun Sami Rasheed will brief reporters at the Department of State via satellite on the province's return to Provincial Iraqi control. [more]
Secretary Rice's Trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories
Secretary Rice traveled to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on August 24. There, she will meet with senior Israeli and Palestinian Authority officials to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including ongoing efforts to create positive and lasting peace in the region and progress towards the shared goal of a peace agreement in 2008. [more]
Libya Claims Settlement
 On August 14, 2008, the United States and Libya signed a comprehensive claims settlement agreement in Tripoli. The agreement is designed to provide rapid recovery of fair compensation for American nationals with terrorism-related claims against Libya. It will also address Libyan claims arising from previous U.S. military actions. Remarks by Assistant Secretary Welch | Press Statement | U.S. Libya Joint Statement
In Focus: Peace in the Middle East
Non-Governmental Organizations
Information about applying for a license to work in Iran.
Iraq Reports
Weekly; quarterly: 1227, 2207; national strategy.
Reform in the Region
--Middle East Partnership Initiative.
--Forum for the Future
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