Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Updated on Dec 27, 2023

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Employees 321 (as of 2011)		Annual budget $206 million

Formed August 24, 1992; 24 years ago (August 24, 1992) Preceding bureau Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Jurisdiction Executive branch of the United States Headquarters Harry S. Truman Building, Washington, D.C., United States

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), also known as the Bureau of Near East Asian Affairs, is an agency of the Department of State within the United States government that deals with U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations with the nations of the Near East. It is headed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who reports to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Anne W. Patterson currently holds this position.

Organization

The offices of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs direct, coordinate, and supervise U.S. government activities within the region, including political, economic, consular, public diplomacy, and administrative management issues.

Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs – Responsible for shaping, coordinating and implementing foreign policy in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen

Office of Egypt and Levant Affairs – Responsible for U.S. relations with Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria

Office of Maghreb Affairs – Responsible for U.S. relations with Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia

Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs – Responsible for diplomatic issues associated with the Israel–Palestine conflict

Office of Iraqi Affairs – Oversees Iraq–United States relations

Office of Iranian Affairs – Develops, coordinates, recommends, and executes U.S. policy on Iran

Office of Regional Affairs – Responsible for regional political and economic issues, including political-military affairs, multilateral organizations, labor and social affairs, counternarcotics, environment, refugees, counterterrorism and human rights

Office of Press and Public Diplomacy – Responsible for the coordination of public diplomacy activities in the NEA region, and preparing press guidance for the Department Spokesperson in the Bureau of Public Affairs

Office of Middle East Partnership Initiative – Responsible for programming in support of reform throughout the region, with special emphasis on empowering women and youth, education, strengthening economies, and broadening political participation

References

Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Wikipedia

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