The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Assistant Secretary Anne Patterson, 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 Kerry (May 17): "All of the parties...have agreed on a basic framework, which is a united Syria, nonsectarian, that is able to choose its future through a transitional governing body which is, in effect, the implementation of the Geneva process." Full Text» Statement» Briefing» Trip Page»
Secretary Kerry (May 2): "We are engaged in an effort with all of the members of the International Syria Support Group and with Russia particularly ... to restore that cessation of hostilities." Full Text» Trip Page»
Secretary Kerry (Apr. 20): "The United States understands the importance of Egypt to this region and we are deeply committed ... to the stability of Egypt and to helping Egypt through the difficult challenges that it faces ..." Full Text» Trip Page»
Secretary Kerry (Apr. 19): "We’re both working at making sure that the JCPOA, the Iran agreement...is implemented in exactly the way that it was meant to be and that all the parties to that agreement get the benefits that they are supposed to get out of the agreement." Full Text» Trip Page»
Secretary Kerry (Apr. 7): "Let me just reiterate how indispensable the cooperation between the United States and the GCC countries is for the people of this entire region." Full Text» Trip Page»
