Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

In the United States Department of State, the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs has responsibility for the Middle East, the North African countries of the Maghreb, and Iran. It deals with 19 countries and one international organization.

Personnel
Jeffrey Feltman, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs heads the Bureau, reporting to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. There is also a Special Envoy for Middle East Peace, George Mitchell, who reports to the Secretary of State.

Organizations

 * African Union
 * New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
 * Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Issues

 * Helping Iraqis build a unified, stable, and prosperous country;
 * Renewing progress toward the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict;
 * Working against terrorists and their state sponsors, as well as against the spread of weapons of mass destruction; and
 * Supporting efforts at economic and political reform in the region.