Barbara Leaf
The U.S. assistant secretary of state’s trip will focus on a ceasefire agreement, release of the hostages and humanitarian aid in Gaza.
Barbara Leaf defended the U.S. decision to veto Palestinian membership at the United Nations.
Brett McGurk and Barbara Leaf’s itinerary includes Belgium, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan and Israel.
Barbara Leaf, an assistant secretary of state, is in the region to “advance efforts to prevent the conflict in the Middle East from spreading.” Derek Chollet, a department counselor, is also in Israel.
US energy envoy Amos Hochstein is headed to Lebanon to try to de-escalate tensions at the Israeli border.
Barbara Leaf discussed ways to de-escalate the situation in Judea and Samaria.
Bettering economic conditions in the PA-controlled territories can help to improve security conditions, Barbara Leaf said.
Barbara A. Leaf was also in Jordan to discuss the new seven-year, $10.5 billion memorandum on Strategic Partnerships.
A US delegation led by Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf is in the region on a three-day visit.
The president’s pick to serve as part of the White House National Security Council’s Middle East and North Africa portfolio, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Barbara Leaf, was also approved in a 14-8 vote.
It was scheduled at the same time as the third day of confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson.
If confirmed, Barbara Leaf will join the NSC’s Middle East and North Africa portfolio.