Middle East

• State.gov: Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA)
• State.gov: Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Daily Press Briefs
• Deputy Secretary Burns on U.S. Middle East Policy

Middle East news

13 February 2013 Secretary Kerry Praises “Milestone” Election in Jordan Citing a record turnout in Jordan’s January 23 elections, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the vote represents “a huge first step” in Jordan’s political reform process.

11 February 2013 U.N. Workers in Syria Are Heroic, State Dept. Official Says 

11 February 2013 Access Critical to Meet Humanitarian Needs of Syrian People  

06 February 2013 Syrian Humanitarian Effort Strives to Meet Need, U.S. Says  U.S. officials involved in the humanitarian relief effort briefed reporters on the U.S. contribution of $365 million.

02 February 2013 Summary of Biden's Meetings with Syria Representatives  Readout of Vice President Biden's Meetings with United Nations and Arab League Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi and Syrian Opposition Coalition President Moaz al-Khatib.

01 February 2013 Biden and Syrian Opposition Leadership to Meet in Germany   The highest-level meetings to date between U.S. officials and the Syrian opposition will take place in Germany, U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford told Al-Hurra Television. The meetings, Ford said, are a sign of the growing relationship between the United States and the Syrian opposition.

31 January 2013 Kuwait, U.S., U.N. Show Global Solidarity in Humanitarian Effort  An international pledging conference in Kuwait January 30 allowed attending nations to show “global solidarity” in support of humanitarian needs for Syrians, according to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

30 January 2013 State's Richard at the International Pledging Conference for Syria, Kuwait "The United States recognizes the UN’s leadership, strongly supports the UN’s humanitarian response to the Syria crisis, and appreciates the UN’s critical coordinating role."

29 January 2013 U.S. Delivers $155 Million More to Relieve Syria's Suffering  The United States is releasing an additional $155 million to buy food, blankets, medical supplies and other types of humanitarian assistance to help Syrians suffering under the Assad regime.  The latest infusion of U.S. aid brings the U.S. total to $365 million, more than any other single donor of assistance to the Syrian people.

25 January 2013 Syrian Refugees Tell U.S. Officials "Heartbreaking" Stories    More than 650,000 Syrian refugees have fled the 2-year-old uprising in their country, traveling to neighboring Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey and Egypt.   Top U.S. aid officials were in the Islahiye Camp in Turkey, spending hours with camp staff and refugees.

25 January 2013 U.S. Announcement of More Humanitarian Aid for Syria Crisis  Today in Ankara, Turkey, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, & Humanitarian Assistance Nancy Lindborg announced that the United States is providing an additional $10 million in humanitarian assistance in response to urgent needs resulting from the brutal conflict in Syria.  With this new assistance, the United States is providing $220 million to date to help those suffering inside Syria and refugees in the neighboring countries.

23 January 2013 Benghazi: The Attacks and the Lessons Learned   Secretary Clinton's Opening Remarks Before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee.

23 January 2013 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi: The Secretary of State's View   Secretary Clinton's Opening Remarks Before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

16 January 2013 Public Diplomacy in A Changing Middle East    Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Tara Sonenshine remarks at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

10 January 2013 State Dept. Fact Sheet: U.S. Response to Syria Crisis in 2012   In 2012, U.S. contributions of humanitarian assistance for Syria totaled $210 million. Life-saving food, medical treatment, blankets, and essential winter supplies reached millions of vulnerable people in all 14 governorates inside Syria, as well as refugees outside the country. In Aleppo alone, U.S.-funded humanitarian assistance helped more than 250,000 people in need. Life-saving aid is intentionally not labeled, as not to endanger its recipients or the humanitarian workers bravely working to deliver it.

09 January 2013 State Dept. Fact Sheet on U.S. Assistance to Syrian People (January 2013) 

06 January 2013 State Dept. on Asad's Speech in Syria  "Bashar al-Asad’s speech today is yet another attempt by the regime to cling to power and does nothing to advance the Syrian people’s goal of a political transition. His initiative is detached from reality, undermines the efforts of Joint Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi, and would only allow the regime to further perpetuate its bloody oppression of the Syrian people."

 2012

25 December 2012 State Department on Egyptian Constitution  Only Egyptians can decide their country’s future. The United States remains committed to helping them realize the aspirations that drove their revolution and complete a successful democratic transition. Egypt needs a strong, inclusive government to meet its many challenges.

19 December 2012 Briefing on Benghazi Attack Review Board  Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns, Accountability Review Board Chairman Ambassador Tom Pickering, and Vice Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen on the Accountability Review Board Report

17 December 2012 State Dept. on Airstrike in Yarmouk, Syria  The United States is deeply concerned by reports that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed or wounded in Yarmouk, an area of Damascus home to 150,000 Palestinian refugees, as a result of aerial bombardment and fighting between Syrian government forces and armed opposition on December 16.

13 December 2012 United States Will Back Arab Democracy on Multiple Fronts  The United States will work with elected leaders in emerging Arab democracies regardless of their political origins provided they pursue inclusive, pluralistic policies, Deputy Secretary of State William Burns says.

12 December 2012 U.S. Recognizes Syrian Opposition, Pledges More Aid   The United States has recognized the Syrian Opposition Council as “the legitimate representative of the Syrian people” in opposition to the regime of Bashar al-Assad, and it is providing an additional $14 million in humanitarian assistance to help Syrians get emergency medical care and to prepare for the coming winter.

12 December 2012  Deputy Secretary Burns' Remarks to the Friends of the Syrian People (State.gov)

10 December 2012 State Dept. Fact Sheet on U.S. Government Aid for Syria    The Department of State released a December factsheet on U.S. government assistance for Syria.

08 December 2012 State's Burns on U.S. Middle East Policy 

03 December 2012 State Dept. on Israeli Settlement Announcements  The United States opposes all unilateral actions, including West Bank settlement activity and housing construction in East Jerusalem, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations, and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations. This includes building in the E-1 area as this area is particularly sensitive and construction there would be especially damaging to efforts to achieve a two-state solution.

01 December 2012 Clinton: U.S. Remains Engaged in Middle East Peace Efforts   Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a November 30 address in Washington, stressed the importance of peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians and steps forward in those negotiations as crucial elements for Middle East peace.

29 November 2012 Amb. Rice on U.N. Vote on Palestinian Observer State Status   Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Following UN General Assembly Vote on Palestinian Observer State Status Resolution

23 November 2012 State Dept. on Middle East Zone Free of WMD Conference  

23 November 2012 The United States' Reaction to Egypt's November 22 Decisions  "One of the aspirations of the revolution was to ensure that power would not be overly concentrated in the hands of any one person or institution."

21 November 2012 Ambassador Rice at U.N. on Middle East, Benghazi

21 November 2012 U.S. Welcomes Israeli-Palestinian Cease-fire   The Obama administration welcomed a cease-fire agreement to end several days of fighting between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.    President Obama telephoned Morsi to thank the Egyptian leader for his efforts to achieve the cease-fire and for “his personal leadership in negotiating a cease-fire proposal.”

20 November 2012 Clinton in Mideast for Talks on Israel-Gaza Conflict  Secretary of State Clinton has arrived in the Middle East for face-to-face meetings with Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders in an effort to help end the violent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians living in Gaza.
• Clinton, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Before Their Meeting

14 November 2012 U.S. Aid for Syria's Displaced Approaches $200 Million  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced a $30 million boost in assistance only days after a November 9 U.S. commitment for additional aid made during the Syrian Humanitarian Forum held in Geneva.  Flowing through the World Food Programme, U.S. funds are helping to provide food aid to 1.5 million people in Syria and refugees who have fled to neighboring countries to escape the violence that began in March 2011.
• State Dept. Fact Sheet: Help for Entrepreneurs in Middle East

11 November 2012 State Dept. on Formation of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces  "We look forward to supporting the National Coalition as it charts a course toward the end of Assad’s bloody rule and the start of the peaceful, just, democratic future that all the people of Syria deserve."

19 October 2012 U.S. Sanctions Business Associate of Muammar Qadhafi's Son   The U.S. Department of the Treasury placed Dalene Sanders under sanctions for providing support and services to Saadi Qadhafi, son of former Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi.  “Today’s designation of a key, ongoing supporter of Saadi Qadhafi reflects the United States government’s steadfast commitment to a free and democratic Libya,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen.

15 October 2012 U.S. “Will Not Wait” to Help Syrian Opposition, Rice Says   Syria’s opposition has grown stronger despite Bashar al-Assad’s “merciless assault” on the Syrian people and his attempts to cow them into submission, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice told members of the U.N. Security Council.

02 October 2012 Clinton Announces More Humanitarian Aid for Syrian Crisis  Secretary of State Clinton announced September 28 in New York that the United States is providing nearly $30 million more in humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the conflict in Syria.  The money will provide additional medical supplies and emergency medical care, including mental health care for children who are suffering severely.

01 October 2012 Ministers' Meeting on Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries 

28 September 2012 Clinton's Remarks at the Ad Hoc Friends of the Syrian People Ministerial  

28 September 2012 G8 Countries Work to Empower Arab Social and Economic Reformers  Addressing the September 28 meeting in New York of foreign ministers from the Group of Eight Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the partnership, first announced in May, is “taking practical steps to help more people in the region feel the benefits of democracy in their daily lives.”

27 September 2012  State Dept. Fact Sheet on U.S. Aid to Yemen
A State Department fact sheet outlines U.S. government assistance to Yemen.

26 September 2012 Clinton on Support for Emerging Democracies  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton address the U.N. Security Council Session on Peace and Security in the Middle East about the need for the world .

25 September 2012 Briefing on Clinton's Bilateral Meetings on Syria, Lebanon 

19 September 2012 U.S. Imposes Sanctions Related to Syria Violence  The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions against entities that support the Assad regime’s efforts to procure arms and communications equipment that contribute to the regime’s violence against the Syrian people.

17 September 2012 U.S. Says "Small Minority" Behind Mideast Protests  Pending the final results of an investigation, the Obama administration believes the attack that killed four American diplomats in Libya on September 11 grew out of a spontaneous protest in Benghazi that a handful of well-armed extremists were able to exploit and escalate.

14 September 2012  CentreForum's  'Liberal Hero of the Week' includes Ambassador Christopher Stevens as Honorable Mention

14 September 2012 Clinton's Remarks at the Transfer of Remains Ceremony to Honor Those Lost in Attacks in Benghazi, Libya 

13 September 2012 U.S. a "Nation that Respects All Faiths"   In condemning the attacks on the American mission in Benghazi, Libya, President Obama reaffirms the United States' commitment to religious tolerance.

13 September 2012 Secretary Clinton at Reception Marking Eid ul-Fitr 

13 September 2012 Violence Against Innocents Dishonors Religion, Clinton Says  Despite anger and grief over the deaths of U.S. diplomats in Libya, U.S. officials reaffirmed their commitment to religious tolerance and expressed gratitude for Muslims both inside the United States and around the world who have spoken out to say that violence has no place in religion.

12 September 2012 Obama Condemns Attack that Killed Four U.S. Diplomats in Benghazi   President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned a rocket attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, that took the lives of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador John Christopher Stevens.

12 September 2012 State Department Briefing by Senior Administration Officials to Update Recent Events in Libya

12 September 2012 Remarks by the President On the Deaths of U.S. Embassy Staff in Libya

12 September 2012 Remarks by Secretary Clinton on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya Yesterday, our U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya was attacked.  Heavily armed militants assaulted the compound and set fire to our buildings.  American and Libyan security personnel battled the attackers together.  Four Americans were killed.  They included Sean Smith, a Foreign Service information management officer, and our Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens.
 • Biography of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens

12 September 2012 Statement by Secretary Clinton on the Death of American Personnel in Benghazi, Libya 

11 September 2012 Clinton on the Attack in Benghazi  I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on our mission in Benghazi today. As we work to secure our personnel and facilities, we have confirmed that one of our State Department officers was killed. We are heartbroken by this terrible loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and those who have suffered in this attack.

06 September 2012 Economic Rebalance: The Role of Infrastructure in the Success of the Arab Spring   Speaker: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Deborah A. McCarthy.

05 September 2012 U.S. Now Providing $100 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Syrians  The United States is providing an additional $21 million to the United Nations World Food Programme to support the estimated 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in Syria as well as the more than 240,000 people who have fled to neighboring countries to escape Syria’s ongoing conflict.

21 August 2012 U.S. Equipment, Training Reaching Syrian Opposition Along with giving $82 million in humanitarian assistance to Syrians, the U.S. government is also providing equipment and training to some Syrian activists as part of its pledge to give nonlethal assistance to the Syrian opposition.

17 August 2012 Clinton on Appointment of Lakhdar Brahimi as Envoy for Syria

16 August 2012 Syria’s Suspension from Islamic Group Shows Assad’s Isolation The Obama administration welcomed the decision of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to suspend Syria’s membership in the OIC because of the ongoing violence against the Syrian people by Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

15 August 2012 Panetta: Iran Increases Support to Assad Regime  Iran is increasing its presence in Syria, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said August 14, through apparent efforts to bolster the Bashar Assad regime by training a militia and other tactics.

15 August 2012 Panetta, Dempsey Reassured By Talks with New Egyptian Leaders U.S. officials have good relations with the new Egyptian national defense leaders, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said August 14.

14 August 2012 Panetta, General Dempsey on Afghanistan, Middle East

14 August 2012 U.S. Hopes Egyptian Civilian, Military Leaders Work Together

14 August 2012 U.S.-China Talks on Middle East in Beijing

13 August 2012 U.S. Pledges More Aid, Continued Support for Syrian People Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has announced the United States will contribute an additional $5.5 million to support the more than 140,000 people who have fled Syria’s ongoing violence.

12 August 2012 Secretary Clinton, Turkish Foreign Minister on Syria Today we met to discuss what the United States and Turkey can do together, along with our international partners and our friends inside and outside of Syria, to respond to this growing humanitarian and political crisis.

11 August 2012 State Dept. on Additional Aid for Those Fleeing Violence in Syria

10 August 2012 U.S. Sanctions Syrian Oil Company for Selling Gas to Iran  The United States has imposed sanctions on Syria’s state-run oil company for selling gasoline to Iran, saying it will “employ all available measures” to halt sales of refined petroleum products to Iran.

10 August 2012 Background Briefing by U.S. Official on Syria After that Security Council resolution was vetoed, we made clear that we were shifting from New York to a focus on supporting the opposition in its efforts to hasten the day that Assad falls.

09 August 2012 Clinton: "New Chapter" for Libyans with Seating of Parliament  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton congratulated Libyans for the opening of their first democratically elected parliament in decades, and she pledged that the United States stands ready to work with the Libyan people as they build democratic institutions for their country.

09 August 2012 U.S. Backing Yemen's Political Transition, Development  The United States is providing support for Yemen’s political transition, economic development and stability as part of the Obama administration’s commitment to “a Yemen that is more secure, peaceful and just,” a senior White House official says.

08 August 2012 White House Adviser on Comprehensive U.S. Approach to Yemen   As Prepared for Delivery Remarks of John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, to the Council on Foreign Relations.

07 August 2012 U.S. Government Assistance to Yemen   Yemen has experienced a significant transformation over the past year and is charting a path to democracy. A successful democratic transition will require Yemen to overcome a number of serious, complex, and inter-related challenges. The United States is supporting the Yemeni people’s efforts to achieve this goal through a comprehensive strategy that promotes political, economic, and security sector reforms that will enable the government to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people. ... The United States provided Yemen with $147 million in assistance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and plans to provide $337 million in FY 2012.

07 August 2012 Clinton Urges Post-Assad Syrian Transition Plan  With Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad facing more high-level defections and a better coordinated opposition, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said it is time for Syrians and their supporters in the international community to plan for what will happen once the Assad regime falls.

02 August 2012 Broken Promises, U.N. Inaction Doomed Annan's Syria Mission  The Obama administration praised the efforts of Kofi Annan, the outgoing joint special envoy of the United Nations and the Arab League for the Syria crisis, but officials also said Annan’s efforts could not succeed because the Syrian government would not honor its promises, and the U.N. Security Council failed to support meaningful measures that would pressure Syrians to begin a peaceful political process.
 • Secretary Clinton on Resignation of Kofi Annan as Joint Special Envoy for Syria

19 July 2012  U.N. Envoy Rice's Response to Vetoing of Syria Resolution  "It’s pitiful and deeply regrettable that again today Russia and China, for the third time, have vetoed a resolution that garnered the overwhelming support of this Security Council".

19 July 2012 State Dept. Briefing on Aid to Those Affected by Syria Conflict 

17 July 2012 U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Syria and Neighboring Countries 

16 July 2012 Clinton in Jerusalem on Her Trip to Israel  Remarks at press availability; comments on Egypt, Iran, U.S.- Israeli relations, Syria and Russia.

15 July 2012 Clinton Visits Egypt, Pledges U.S. Support for Egyptian People  Secretary of State Clinton, in Cairo for talks with Egyptian leaders, reaffirmed The United States' strong support for the Egyptian people and their democratic transition.  The meetings with Morsi, Amr and other Egyptian leaders focused on three areas — economic development and stabilization, democratic transition, and regional security.

15 July 2012 Clinton Remarks to Egyptian Women Leaders  Remarks to To Egyptian Women Leaders at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence, Cairo, Egypt.

12 July 2012 Envoy Rice: There Must Be Costs to Syrian Noncompliance  The U.S. delegation to the United Nations is working with the United Kingdom and other countries in the Security Council to advance a draft resolution on the mandate for the U.N. observer mission in Syria that endorses U.N. Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan, as well as his call that there need to be “consequences for noncompliance.”

09 July 2012 Obama, Clinton Congratulate Libyans on Historic Election  Libyans participated in their first election since the October 2011 overthrow of Muammar Qadhafi’s 41-year regime in what President Obama says is a milestone for the country’s “extraordinary transition to democracy.”  Nearly 1.8 million of 2.8 million registered voters cast their ballots July 7, making a turnout of around 65 percent.
 • Statement by the President on Libya

08 July 2012 State's Burns After Meeting with Egyptian President Morsi  "Finally, tens of millions of Egyptians will be looking to President Morsi and the Cabinet he forms to take needed steps to advance national unity and build an inclusive government that embraces all of Egypt's faiths and respects the rights of women and secular members of society. So will the international community. "

06 July 2012 Secretary of State Clinton at the Friends of the Syrian People Ministerial Meeting

01 July 2012 Clinton's Interview in Geneva with Bloomberg 

01 July 2012 Clinton's Interview on Syria with National Public Radio 

01 June 2012 Secretary Clinton's Interview with CNN on Syria 

29 June 2012 Iran Facing Increased Financial Pressure over Nuclear Program  U.S. officials say they have designed sanctions against Iran’s oil industry to pressure the Iranian government into addressing concerns that is it developing nuclear weapons, while not disrupting world oil markets and raising energy prices. As the European Union prepares to impose an oil embargo the Obama administration says the costs to Iran are rising.

28 June 2012 Secretary Clinton Regarding Significant Reductions of Iranian Crude Oil Purchases from China and Singapore  "Today I have made the determination that two additional countries, China and Singapore, have significantly reduced their volume of crude oil purchases from Iran. As a result, I will report to the Congress that sanctions pursuant to Section 1245(d)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012 will not apply to their financial institutions for a potentially renewable period of 180 days." 

26 June 2012 Panetta Commends Egyptian Military for Supporting Elections  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta commended Egyptian Field Marshal Tantawi, the country’s top military officer, and his staff for supporting a secure, free and fair election in Egypt.

25 June 2012 U.S. Congratulates Egypt's President-Elect  White House press secretary Jay Carney congratulated Egypt’s new president-elect, Mohamed Morsi, after Egyptian election authorities declared that he had won 51.73 percent of the vote in the presidential run-off election June 16–17 and defeated former prime minister General Ahmed Shafiq.

24 June 2012 Secretary Clinton on Syrian Shoot-Down of Turkish Aircraft "The United States condemns this brazen and unacceptable act in the strongest possible terms. It is yet another reflection of the Syrian authorities' callous disregard for international norms, human life, and peace and security."

14 June 2012 Egyptians Deserve Free, Transparent Government, U.S. Says  The Obama administration is seeking further clarification from Egyptian authorities on the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court’s ruling that the country’s parliament should be dissolved, along with a separate ruling that former Prime Minister Ahmad Shafiq should stay in the presidential contest.

08 June 2012 U.S. Humanitarian Aid Reaching Syria and Neighboring Countries Department of State Fact Sheet.

07 June 2012 Reports of Killings near Hama "Outrageous," White House Says  The Obama administration says “multiple credible sources” have reported the targeted killings of Syrian civilians, including women and children, near the city of Hama and describes the murders as “outrageous,” urging the international community to unite around a plan that will offer Syrians a democratic, representative and inclusive government.

06 June 2012 Sanctions Important for Ending Syrian Violence, Geithner Says  Although economic sanctions by themselves cannot bring about a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Syria, they can play an important role in hastening an end to the violence and bringing about political change, says Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

30 May 2012 U.S. Sanctions Syrian Bank to Isolate Assad Regime  The United States has taken new action to isolate Syria’s Assad regime from the international financial system by sanctioning the Syria International Islamic Bank (SIIB).  SIIB has acted as a front for the Commercial Bank of Syria, which has allowed that bank — Syria’s largest commercial bank — to circumvent sanctions against it by the United States, the European Union and the Arab League.

30 May 2012 Ambassador Rice at U.N. on Haoula Massacre in Syria 

29 May 2012 Assad Regime Responsible for Haoula Massacre, U.S. Says  The United States joined several other nations in expelling a senior Syrian diplomat in response to the massacre of more than 100 men, women and children in the Syrian village of Haoula on May 25, and says it will continue its efforts to increase pressure on Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

26 May 2012 Secretary Clinton on the Massacre in Haoula 

25 May 2012 Jordan, U.S. to Collaborate for Safe Air Travel  Jordan and the United States will work together to ensure that air travel between the two countries is as safe as possible.  The agreement capped a two-day meeting of Jordanian leaders and Janet Napolitano, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, during her visit to the region.

23 May 2012 State Dept., OECD Partnership to Support Arab Transitions  The State Department announces $1.5 million in funding to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development  to support open governance and political participation in the Middle East and North Africa.

22 May 2012 U.S. Government Assistance to Yemen  Overcoming Yemen’s challenges requires a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes governance and economic development as much as security issues. The United States’ approach to Yemen is therefore multifaceted and balanced.

15 May 2012 U.S. Condemns "Ridiculous" Syrian Elections Held Amid Violence  Syria’s May 7 parliamentary elections were “an illegitimate process” illegitimately timed while violence in the country continued, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said, and the United States does not consider them to be free, fair, transparent or representative of the will of the Syrian people.

10 May 2012 U.S. Backs Reforms for Mideast Stability, Prosperity  The United States will promote political and economic reforms in the Middle East and North Africa in the coming year to help the rapidly changing region stabilize with more freedom and prosperity said Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman at the U.S. House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

10 May 2012 Additional Humanitarian Assistance to Syria To help meet the growing humanitarian need, the United States is providing an additional $6.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people of Syria, bringing the total amount of U.S. emergency aid being provided to date to nearly $40 million for this crisis.

23 April 2012 U.S. Envoy Rice at Security Council Debate on Middle East

20 April 2012 Fact Sheet: U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Syria, Neighboring Nations The United States is pursuing every avenue to get humanitarian relief to those affected by the violence in Syria and is engaged in focused diplomatic efforts to secure full and unfettered access for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need.

12 April 2012 Syria Cease-Fire a "Fragile First Step," Clinton Says   A cease-fire in Syria must lead to a credible and peaceful political transition in the country, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, noting that Bashar al-Assad’s security forces still haven’t fulfilled important obligations, including withdrawing from Syrian population centers.

11 April 2012 White House on Situation in Bahrain  The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in Bahrain, and we urge all parties to reject violence in all its forms.   We continue to underscore, both to the government and citizens of Bahrain, the importance of working together to address the underlying causes of mistrust and to promote reconciliation. 

10 April 2012 Rice: International Community Faces "Moment of Truth" on Syria  According to U.N.–Arab League Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s peace plan, which Syria’s Bashar al-Assad agreed to on March 27, Syrian forces were to have completed their withdrawal from populated areas of the country by April 10 in preparation for a two-day cease-fire with the Syrian opposition.

02 April 2012 Clinton Announces $12 Million More in Aid to Syrians Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States is increasing its humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people by more than $12 million, bringing its total aid in response to the Syrian government’s brutal crackdown against its people to $25 million.

01 April 2012 Secretary Clinton on Syria, Burma, Iran, Egypt  Press availability with Secretary Clinton, Istanbul, Turkey

01 April 2012 Secretary Clinton After Meeting with Syrian National Council  Secretary Clinton during Camera Spray Following Meeting with Syrian National Council, Istanbul, Turkey.

23 March 2012 State Department on U.S. Support for Egypt  Today, Secretary Clinton has certified to Congress that Egypt is meeting its obligations under its Peace Treaty with Israel.   The Secretary has also waived legislative conditions related to Egypt’s democratic transition, on the basis of America’s national security interests, allowing for the continued flow of Foreign Military Financing to Egypt.

17 March 2012 U.S. Envoy Rice on Anniversary of U.N. Libya Resolution  Tomorrow, the United States will join in solidarity with the Libyan people and our international partners to mark one year since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1973. I have never been more proud than to cast that historic vote on behalf of the United States and President Obama that saved countless thousands of innocent lives. 

15 March 2012 U.S. Giving $12 Million in Aid to Assad’s Victims  Along with joining the Arab League and others in the international community in pressing Bashar al-Assad to end the violence in Syria and agree to a peaceful political transition, the Obama administration is also providing more than $12 million in humanitarian relief for the Syrian people.
• State Department on Humanitarian Relief for Syrians

14 March 2012 Obama, Cameron Pledge More Pressure for Syrian Transition  President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron said the United States and the United Kingdom will continue working together toward a peaceful solution and political transition in Syria and to support U.N. and Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan’s diplomatic efforts to end the violence there.

12 March 2012 Secretary of State Clinton remarks at the UN Security Council on the Middle East and North Africa " We will continue to aid UNSMIL’s efforts to support the Libyan Government as it reintegrates those who took up arms in the name of change into a professional national army and a peaceful society".

08 March 2012 Libya's New Leaders Making Quick Progress, Clinton Says  Secretary of State Clinton praised the work of Libya’s interim government and its positive encouragement of better governance, the private sector and Libyan civil society in the four months it has been in power.  Libya’s economy has also improved, with some businesses reporting booming sales, and Libya has shocked U.S. analysts because its oil production levels are rapidly approaching their pre-revolution levels.

07 March 2012 Defense Secretary Says Assad Must Halt Violence Against Syrians  Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told a Senate committee that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must halt his campaign of killing and crimes against the Syrian people now.   Panetta and Army General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joints Chiefs of Staff, told the committee that proposed U.S. military intervention in Syria is not a simple or quick solution to the crisis.

28 February 2012 Syrians Facing “Murder and Starvation,” Says State’s Brimmer A senior U.S. official says all nations should “heed the call of conscience” in response to the Syrian government’s continued brutal suppression of its people, and should halt all support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime, including arms or material transfers and financial support.

26 February 2012 Remarks by Secretary of State Clinton
and Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani
After their Meeting "I want to say a few words about two issues in particular that are of great concern to the American and Moroccan people. First, Syria. I thank the foreign minister for the important role that Morocco has played, first within the Arab League and second within the Security Council. Morocco is in a unique position to help shape the international community’s efforts, and it is imperative that we continue working today".

25 February 2012 Remarks by Secretary Clinton At Town Hall with Tunisian Youth "Young people are at the heart of today’s great strategic opportunities and challenges, from rebuilding the global economy to combating violent extremism to building sustainable democracies."

25 February 2012 Statement by President Obama on Presidential Transition in Yemen

24 February 2012 Clinton Says the World Cannot Let the Syrian People Down Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told an international conference that the escalating violence of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime against its people is an affront to the international community, a threat to regional security and a grave violation of universal human rights.

23 February 2012 U.N. Report Says Syrian Forces Committed Gross Human Rights Abuses

23 February 2012 Press Availability on the London Conference on Somalia Secretary Clinton also discussed the situation in Syria.

23 February 2012 Senior State Department Official Previewing the Friends of Syrian People Conference in Tunisia

22 February 2012 Clinton to Participate in “Friends of Syria” Meeting in Tunis Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be joining her counterparts from more than 70 countries in Tunisia as the international community continues its efforts to stop the Syrian government’s slaughter of Syrian civilians and to promote a democratic transition in the country.

22 February 2012 Syria a Top Priority for U.N. Human Rights Council, Donahoe Says Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, the U.S. representative to the U.N. Human Rights Council, says that Syria will be a top priority at the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

16 February 2012 Ambassador Rice on U.N. General Assembly Resolution on Syria  Ambassador Rice: "Today, the UN General Assembly sent a clear message to the people of Syria: the world is with you. An overwhelming majority of UN member states have backed the plan put forward by the Arab League to end the suffering of Syrians. Bashar al-Assad has never been more isolated. A rapid transition to democracy in Syria has garnered the resounding support of the international community. Change must now come."

13 February 2012 Assad Regime Is Leading Syria Toward Civil War, Clinton Says  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the Bashar al-Assad regime is leading Syria toward a civil war by escalating its violent crackdown on the Syrian people, and said the United States will continue working with the Arab League, Turkey and other countries to promote a political solution to the crisis.

04 February 2012 U.S. “Disgusted” by Security Council Inaction on Syria Peace Plan  U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told the U.N. Security Council that “the United States is disgusted” by the failure of the council to pass a resolution that backed an Arab League peace plan to end escalating violence in Syria and that urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down.
• Ambassador Rice’s Remarks on Syria to U.N. Security Council
• Statement by President Obama on Violence in Syria

31 January 2012 Clinton to U.N.: Act on Syria or Be Complicit in Violence  The Obama administration has strongly urged the United Nations Security Council to back an Arab League plan for ending the violence in Syria that proposes a democratic transition in the country after nearly one year of violence and at least 5,400 civilians killed by their government’s security forces.

26 January 2012 Rice Urges Security Council to Back Arab League Plan for Syria   U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice has urged the U.N. Security Council to support the Arab League’s plan to mediate a political transition in Syria that would pave the way for the departure of President Bashar al-Assad from power. The U.S. envoy also voiced support for efforts by Jordan’s King Abdullah to restart a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians in coordination with the Quartet, a diplomatic group consisting of the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia that promotes peace between the two sides.

24 January 2012 Ambassador Rice at U.N. Security Council Debate on Middle East  Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East.

23 January 2012 U.S. Welcomes Arab League Call for Assad to Step Down  State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the Arab League’s proposal for a political transition in Syria was “quite remarkable,” and she praised the organization’s continued leadership in trying to bring an end to the Syrian government’s violent suppression of its political opponents.

20 January 2012 Arab Uprisings Significant and Unprecedented, Says Freedom House   The nongovernmental organization Freedom House says political uprisings across the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 offer “the most significant challenge to authoritarian rule since the collapse of Soviet communism” in 1989, and it particularly noted the dramatic rise of freedom for Tunisians as a result of their revolution.

13 January 2012 State Dept. Daily Press Briefing: U.S. Sanctions/Iran   Spokesperson Nuland: "The U.S. sanctions speak not to meetings with the leader; they speak to engagements with Iranian banks and purchases of Iranian crude oil."

10 January 2012 Ambassador Rice on Situation in Syria  "That is a clear indication that the government of Syria, rather than using the opportunity of its commitment to the Arab League to end the violence and fulfill all of its commitments under the protocol, is instead stepping up the violence despite the presence of monitors and carrying out further acts of brutality against its population even often in the presence of those monitors."

09 January 2012 U.S. Welcomes Expanded Arab League Mission in Syria   The Obama administration expressed support for the Arab League’s decision to increase its number of monitors in Syria and to extend its observer mission until January 19, but joined the organization in saying that the Syrian government has still failed to meet its commitments to stop the violence against peaceful demonstrators and release political prisoners.

08 January 2012 State Department on Recent Violence in Bahrain  The United States is deeply concerned by continuing incidents of violence in Bahrain between police and demonstrators.  The Government of Bahrain has taken significant steps to implement recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, and we urge it to complete this important undertaking without delay and continue the work of comprehensive reform.

03 January 2012 Syria’s Assad Fails to Halt Violence Against Civilians  The Syrian government has fallen far short of honoring its commitments to the Arab League, including ending violent attacks against peaceful demonstrators and releasing its political prisoners, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.

2011

29 December 2011 U.S. Calls for Stop to Harassment of NGOs in Egypt   The Obama administration called on Egypt’s ruling military council to immediately halt its harassment of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and their staffs, and to return property it confiscated during raids on at least 17 groups.

27 December 2011 State Department on Regime Violence in Syria

21 December 2011 Statement by the Press Secretary on Syria  The United States continues to believe that the only way to bring about the change that the Syrian people deserve is for Bashar al-Assad to leave power.  The words of the Assad regime have no credibility when they continue to be followed by outrageous and deplorable actions.

20 December 2011 U.S. Frees $30 Billion for Libya    The Obama administration says most U.S. sanctions against Libya have been lifted, and it has freed up more than $30 billion that was frozen in March to prevent former Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi’s regime from using the assets to perpetrate violence against the Libyan people.

19 December 2011 Ambassador Rice on Removal of Financial Sanctions on Libya  The United States welcomes today’s decision by the UN Security Council’s Libya Sanctions Committee to remove the remaining financial sanctions on the Central Bank of Libya and the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank. This will allow the United States and other countries to unfreeze billions of dollars to help Libyans build their new democracy.

19 December 2011 U.S. Official in Mideast for Sanctions, Terrorist-Financing Talks   A top U.S. Treasury Department official is visiting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for discussions of sanctions against Syria and Iran and efforts to disrupt funding for terrorist networks worldwide.  Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen is traveling to continue the Treasury Department’s close coordination with international partners and allies in the region, the Treasury Department said.

18 December 2011 Secretary Clinton on Reports of Violence in Egypt  

13 December 2011 Past Time for U.N. Action on Syria, U.S. Says   The Obama administration says the U.N. Security Council’s silence on the continuing violence in Syria is “frankly unconscionable,” and urged the body, including permanent members Russia and China, to listen to Arab League countries and others who are calling for independent monitors to assess the situation on the ground and help protect civilians from Syrian security forces.

06 December 2011 Clinton Praises “Courage and Commitment” of Syrian Opposition Clinton told opposition representatives she is interested in their plans for a democratic transition in Syria, and welcomed their “many very constructive ideas.”

02 December 2011 Secretary Clinton on Human Rights Council’s Special Session on Syria The United States strongly supports the Commission’s efforts to expose the abuses by the Asad Regime and help bring the human rights violators to account.

18 November 2011 Amb. Rice on Reinstatement of Libya to U.N. Human Rights Council  The reinstatement of Libya to the UN Human Rights Council marks the start of a new opportunity for the Libyan people. ... Today’s reinstatement is a significant achievement for the Human Rights Council, which demonstrated commendable leadership in requesting Libya’s suspension.

16 November 2011 U.S. Strategy For A Changing Middle East    Remarks by Deputy Secretary William Burns at the MEI Annual Banquet,
Washington, DC.

15 November 2011 State’s Wittes on Arab Spring and Uprisings in Middle East  Tamara Wittes, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, in a video interview.

03 November 2011 U.S. Support for Democratic Transitions in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia Special briefing by Ambassador William Taylor.

28 October 2011 After Election, “Real Politics” for Tunisian Coalition-Building  Since none of Tunisia’s political parties won a majority in the country’s historic elections, the stage is set for what State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland describes as “real politics,” as the parties negotiate with each other to form a governing coalition that will represent all Tunisians.

27 October 2011 Ambassador Rice on Passage of U.N. Resolution 2016 on Libya   "We are quite pleased that the Security Council has unanimously passed Resolution 2016, terminating the protection of civilians and no-fly zone authorizations that were contained in historic Resolution 1973. This has been quite an extraordinary period of activity for the Security Council, as well as for the United States, NATO, and Arab partners who participated in the enforcement of Resolution 1973."

24 October 2011 Readout of the President’s call with Egyptian Field Marshal Tantawi  President Obama called Egyptian Field Marshal Tantawi today to reaffirm the close partnership between the United States and Egypt and to underscore his full support for Egypt’s transition to democracy. The two leaders agreed that Egypt’s upcoming elections must be free and fair and be held in accordance with democratic standards.

24 October 2011 Obama Congratulates Libya on Its Liberation  President Obama offered his congratulations to the people of Libya on the nation’s declaration of liberation. ...  “Now that the fighting in Libya has reached an end, the Transitional National Council (TNC) must turn its attention to the political transition ahead,” the president added.

24 October 2011 Through Vote, Tunisians Took “Important Step Forward,” Obama Says  Nine months after their revolution toppled Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s regime, the Tunisian people exercised their right to freely choose an assembly that will oversee their country’s political transition and write their country’s new constitution.

24 October 2011 Remarks by Ambassador Rice at U.N. Debate on Middle East  Remarks at an Open Debate of the Security Council on the Middle East on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen and Tunisia.

23 October 2011 President Obama's Statement on Declaration of Liberation in Libya "On behalf of the American people, I congratulate the people of Libya on today’s historic declaration of liberation.  After four decades of brutal dictatorship and eight months of deadly conflict, the Libyan people can now celebrate their freedom and the beginning of a new era of promise."
 • Secretary Clinton on Liberation of Libya

23 October 2011 President Obama on Elections in Tunisia  "Today, less than a year after they inspired the world, the Tunisian people took an important step forward.  I congratulate the millions of Tunisians who voted in the first democratic elections to take place in the country that changed the course of history and began the Arab Spring."

20 October 2011 Obama: Qadhafi’s Death Was Inevitable End of Dictatorship   Former Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi’s death is “a momentous day in the history of Libya,” President Obama said, and marks the end of “a long and painful chapter” for its people as they continue to transition from his 42-year rule.
 • President Obama on Announcement of Death of Libya’s Qadhafi
 • Ambassador Rice on Death of Libya’s Muammar Qadhafi

18 October 2011 Clinton’s Remarks with Libyan Prime Minister Jibril in Tripoli  Secretary Clinton: "[O]n behalf of the American people I congratulate all Libyans. It is a great privilege to see a new future for Libya being born."

13 October 2011 U.S. Statement at OSCE on Violence in Egypt  "Now is a time for restraint on all sides so that Egyptians can move forward together to forge a strong and united Egypt. As the Egyptian people shape their future, the United States continues to believe that the rights of minorities — including Copts — must be respected. All people have the universal rights of peaceful protest and religious freedom." 

13 October 2011 Clinton’s Interview with Associated Press on Iran, Middle East 

10 October 2011 White House Statement on Violence in Egypt  The President is deeply concerned about the violence in Egypt that has led to a tragic loss of life among demonstrators and security forces.  ...  Now is a time for restraint on all sides so that Egyptians can move forward together to forge a strong and united Egypt.

05 October 2011 Syrian People “Slapped in the Face” by U.N., Rice Says  The Syrian people have been “slapped in the face” by the United Nations Security Council because of its failure to pass a resolution condemning the ongoing violence by the Syrian government against peaceful demonstrators, says U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Susan Rice.  Rice spoke in New York Russia and China vetoed a measure that would have been the first legally binding condemnation of Bashar al-Assad’s regime since it began its violent repression of pro-democracy protesters in March.

28 September 2011 Clinton and Egypt’s Amr Hold Crucial Bilateral Talks The United States fully supports the Egyptian people in their transition to a democratic nation as they conduct upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

25 September 2011 White House Official on Saudi Arabia’s Announced Reforms  "We welcome Saudi King Abdullah’s announcement today that women will serve as full members of the Shura Council in the next session, and will have the right to participate in future municipal elections. "

23 September 2011 State Departtment Background Briefing on Middle East Peace Issues    Senior Administration Official on Middle East Peace.

21 September 2011 Arab Awakening Offers Women Opportunities, Challenges  Women joined, and in some cases led, the pro-democracy movements in the Middle East and North Africa in the spring of 2011, but what place will they have in their emerging governments? 

20 September 2011 Obama: Libya Shows What World Can Do “When We Stand Together”  President Obama says the liberation of Libya from 42 years of Muammar Qadhafi’s rule has offered the Libyan people a new chance for freedom, dignity and opportunity, and the international community’s actions on their behalf have shown what the nations of the world can achieve “when we stand together as one.”

16 September 2011 Ambassador Rice on U.N. Resolution to Promote Libya’s Recovery   Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Meeting on the Situation in Libya
 • Fact Sheet on U.N. Resolution to Promote Libya’s Recovery

15 September 2011 U.S. Mideast Envoy Brings Plenty of Regional Expertise  As President Obama’s special envoy for Middle East peace, veteran U.S. diplomat David Hale is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, former Senator George Mitchell, to facilitate peace negotiations. Hale and White House special assistant Dennis Ross are currently meeting with leaders in the region.

14 September 2011 Briefing on Travel to Libya  Special Briefing by Assistant SecretaryFeltman , Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

02 September 2011 World Community Welcomes Libya’s Transitional Council The world community welcomes Libya’s transitional leaders, prepares to free frozen assets and offers help in nation building.

01 September 2011 Secretary Clinton's Remarks in Paris on Libya
Secretary Clinton says that "All of us are inspired by what is happening in Libya."

31 August 2011 Background Briefing on Secretary Clinton's Trip to Paris Secretary Clinton will attend a high-level meeting on Libya.

30 August 2011 Treasury Imposes Sanctions on More Syrian Officials  The U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced the designations of three senior officials of the Government of Syria pursuant to Executive Order 13573.

26 August 2011 Libya Receiving $1.5 Billion in Financial Assets Frozen in U.S.  The United States is releasing $1.5 billion in Libyan assets that had been frozen under U.N. sanctions directed against Muammar Qadhafi’s regime, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urged other countries that are holding Libyan assets to expedite their release.

26 August 2011 Fact Sheet: Securing Dangerous Materials’ Stockpiles in Libya  Libya has been a country of proliferation concern and attention by the United States for many years. Since the beginning of the crisis in Libya this year, the United States has focused on the potential that increased insecurity on the ground could increase proliferation risks, including with the country’s remaining stockpiles of uranium, chemical agents, and conventional weapons.

24 August 2011 U.S. Welcomes U.N. Human Rights Vote to Investigate Syria  U.S. officials welcomed the U.N. Human Rights Council’s August 23 adoption of a resolution that calls for an international inquiry into possible crimes against humanity by the Syrian government. The resolution condemns the regime led by Bashar al-Assad for repeated and systematic atrocities.

23 August 2011 Adoption of U.N. Human Rights Council’s Resolution on Syria  "The Commission of Inquiry established by the resolution will ensure that evidence of atrocities will be uncovered and those responsible will be identified and held accountable."

22 August 2011 Libyans Have Shown Human Dignity Is Stronger than Dictators President Obama said the 42-year reign of Muammar Qadhafi over Libya is coming to an end, and the country’s future is now in the hands of the Libyan people.  The president also praised the international coalition of Arab countries, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States.

22 August 2011 Statement by President Obama on Libya   

20 August 2011 Joint Statement by the Quartet on Attacks in Southern Israel  "The Quartet condemns the attacks in southern Israel on 18 August, 2011 and all acts of terrorism in the strongest terms. These are cowardly acts of premeditated terrorism. The Quartet hopes those involved in the planning and conduct of these gruesome attacks will quickly be brought to justice."

18 August 2011 U.N.: Syria’s Attacks May Be "Crimes Against Humanity"   The Syrian Government’s “widespread and systematic” attacks against its own people may amount to crimes against humanity and warrant an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC), the United Nations human rights office said in a report released today.

18 August 2011 Clinton on the Situation in Syria The Asad government has now been condemned by countries in all parts of the world and can look only to Iran for support for its brutal and unjust crackdown.

18 August 2011 President Obama on Syria's President Assad   Today, President Obama called for the President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, to step aside and took the strongest financial action action against the Syrian regime thus far.
 • Fact Sheet on Syria (Whitehouse.gov)

16 August 2011 Clinton: Enforcement of Universal Rights Should Be Shared  The United States wants to encourage other nations to enforce “a universal set of values and interests” such as freedom, human rights and democracy, says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

12 August 2011 U.S. Wants More International Pressure to End Syrian Violence  The Obama administration is urging countries with significant economic ties to Syria to join the United States in increasing pressure on the Syrian government to end the violence against the Syrian people and allow peaceful democratic change to occur in the country, said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

10 August 2011 U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions Against Syria’s Largest Bank   The United States has imposed financial sanctions on Syria’s largest commercial bank and its largest mobile telephone operator.  The sanctions are cited under two presidential executive orders — one that targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their supporters, and another that targets Syrian officials and others responsible for human rights abuses in Syria.

08 August 2011 U.S. Welcomes Stronger Arab Stand Against Syrian Violence   The Obama administration welcomed increased pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime from his neighbors in the Middle East as a sign that Syria’s rulers are increasingly isolating themselves from the international community as a result of their brutal crackdown on peaceful demonstrators calling for political reforms.

04 August 2011 U.S. Supports Protesters Facing Violent Attacks in Iran, Syria The United States is working to support opposition protesters in Iran and Syria who are demanding democracy and basic rights as their governments continue to respond with violent crackdowns that violate “every important international human rights standard,” a U.S. official says.

02 August 2011 Briefing on Libya by U.S. Official Chris Stevens

01 August 2011 Statement by Secretary Clinton on Violence in Syria Secretary Clinton says that President Assad has lost his legitimacy with the Syrian people and that Syria will be a better place when a democratic transition goes forward.

31 July 2011 President Obama’s Statement on Violence in Syria

27 July 2011 Axis of Abuse: U.S. Human Rights Policy toward Iran and Syria Statement by Assistant Secretaries of State Michael H. Posner and Jeffrey D. Feltman before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

26 July 2011 Ambassador DiCarlo at U.N. Security Council Debate on Middle East Remarks by Ambassador Rosemary DiCarlo, U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative, at an Open Security Council Debate on the Situation in the Middle East

25 July 2011 U.S. Missile Defense and Regional Security Frank Rose, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, talks about the U.S. approach to missile defense and cooperation with other countries, including Israel.

21 July 2011 Protesters Demanding Basic Rights for All Syrians, U.S. Says  Syrians calling for political and economic reforms are doing so on behalf of all Syrians, not as a movement seeking to divide the country along sectarian lines, and they are becoming increasingly organized and adept at spreading their positive and inclusive message to the Syrian people, says a senior State Department official.

19 July 2011 Countering Weapons Proliferation in Libya a Top U.S. Priority  Countering the proliferation in Libya of small arms and light weapons, including surface-to-air missiles, is a top U.S. national security priority, according to the State Department.

15 July 2011 U.S. Recognizes TNC as Libya's "Legitimate Governing Authority"  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the United States will recognize the Transitional National Council (TNC) as “the legitimate governing authority for Libya” and expects that the move will help the TNC obtain more funding as it struggles against Muammar Qadhafi’s regime and makes plans for the country’s political transition.

14 July 2011 Secretary Clinton’s Interview with Kim Ghattas of BBC 

12 July 2011 U.S. Condemns Violence by Syrian Government  In prepared testimony before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, Posner said the United States wants to see that the democratic transition that is the will of the Syrian people occurs.

11 July 2011 Clinton Says Syria’s Assad Has Lost Legitimacy  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime for failing to protect U.S. and French diplomatic facilities in Damascus and said the Syrian leader “has lost legitimacy” because of his violent response to legitimate Syrian aspirations for greater freedom.

06 July 2011 Technology Opens Doors for Women, Clinton Says  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is celebrating her department’s TechWomen exchange program, which uses technology to open doors that are otherwise closed to women in the Middle East and North Africa.  TechWomen, funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a public-private partnership that pairs women from top technology companies in California’s Silicon Valley with women emerging as leaders in technical fields across the Middle East and North Africa for a professional mentorship and exchange program.

05 July 2011 Statement on Ongoing Situation in Syria 

01 July 2011 Clinton Urges World Democracies to Support Mideast, North Africa   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is calling on democratic countries around the world to support countries in transition to democracy across the Middle East and North Africa.  She said that while the political outcome in those countries in the Middle East and North Africa “will be determined by the people themselves,” Community of Democracies members “have a stake in that outcome and a responsibility to help.”

21 June 2011 Senior Administration Official on an Update of the Middle East Peace Process

20 June 2011 Status of Assistance to the Transitional National Council  Taken question from the U.S. Department of State press briefings
 • Transitional National Council Oil Sales (Taken Question)

19 June 2011 Secretary Clinton: "There Is No Going Back in Syria"  In an opinion article originally published in the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemns the recent violent crackdowns in Syria carried out by President Bashar Assad’s government against its own citizens and calls for a transition to democracy.

16 June 2011 Human Rights Council Statement on Human Rights Abuses in Syria 

15 June 2011 Press Statement Following the Delivery of a Joint Statement by Human Rights Council Members on the Situation in Syria   Press Statement by U.S. Ambassador Eileen Donahoe, Geneva, Switzerland.

15 June 2011 Letter from President Obama on the War Powers Resolution

09 June 2011 IAEA Resolution on Syria  Today in Vienna, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by fourteen nations, finding Syria in noncompliance with its international nuclear obligations.

09 June 2011 TNC Is Legitimate Representative of Libyan People, Clinton Says   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. recognizes Libya’s Transitional National Council (TNC) as "the legitimate interlocutor for the Libyan people," and is offering its support to the group to help ensure “an inclusive process” when Libya transitions from Muammar Qadhafi’s regime.

04 June 2011 Secretary Clinton's Statement on Shutdown of Internet Access in Syria  "The Syrian government has a history of restricting the Internet in an attempt to prevent the Syrian people from accessing and sharing information. The Syrian government must understand that attempting to silence its population cannot prevent the transition currently taking place. "

25 May 2011 U.S., U.K. Support Historic Change in Middle East, North Africa  President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron discussed the historic changes unfolding across the Middle East and North Africa, and said they plan to coordinate with their Group of Eight (G8) partners to support nations making the reforms necessary, in Obama’s words, “to build a framework for democracy, freedom and prosperity.”

24 May 2011 During European Trip, Arab Spring is on the Agenda  The setting for President Obama’s trip this week is Europe, but a major topic on the agenda will be North Africa and the Middle East. The goal is a more democratic, more prosperous region. The president set the stage by delivering a major policy speech on the Middle East on May 19 in which he applauded movements for political and economic self-determination and pledged financial support for new governments in Tunisia and Egypt.

22 May 2011 Secretary Clinton on Ongoing Situation in Yemen

20 May 2011 U.S. to Syria’s Assad: Lead Reforms or Stand Aside
 • 19 May 2011 Fact Sheet: Situation in Syria

18 May 2011 White House Factsheet: Economic Support for the Middle East and North Africa

16 May 2011 Gates Stresses U.S. Support Role in Libya  The United States has no intention of putting boots on the ground in Libya and should not become militarily involved in unrest shaking Syria, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said in portions of an interview that aired on “The CBS Evening News” tonight.

13 May 2011 President Obama, Secretary Clinton on the Resignation of Middle East Envoy Mitchell

12 May 2011 Assessing the Situation in Libya  Testimony by James Steinberg, Deputy Secretary of State, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

12 May 2011 World Uniting Around Insistence that Libya’s Qadhafi Must Go  International cooperation has increased the pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi’s regime and made it harder for it to carry out attacks against the Libyan people, a senior State Department official says, adding that the Obama administration will continue its efforts to support the Libyan people through economic, military and political means.

09 May 2011 Blogging's Impact on Media and Change in Arab Countries  Award-winning Egyptian cyberjournalist Wael Abbas says Arab regimes are fighting a losing battle when it comes to stopping activists from expressing themselves online.

07 May 2011 Secretary Clinton on Violence in Syria "I am deeply troubled that the Syrian government chooses to continue to use force and intimidation against the Syrian people.  The United States condemns in the strongest terms the Syrian government’s actions over the past five weeks and calls on it to immediately cease the killing, arrest, and harassment of protestors, activists, and journalists. "

05 April 2011 Clinton Discusses U.S. Efforts to End Violence in Libya  At a press conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in Rome, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States is working with its allies to end violence in Libya, Syria and Afghanistan.

27 April 2011 Briefing On the Political Situation in Libya  Special Briefing with Gene Cretz, U.S. Ambassador to Libya

26 April 2011 U.S. Considers Targeted Sanctions Against Syrian Leaders  In response to the Syrian government’s continued violent crackdown against demonstrators, the Obama administration says it is considering implementing sanctions that would target members of Syria’s leadership.

26 April 2011 Briefing on Recent Developments in the Middle East and Other Issues  Special Briefing by Jake Sullivan, Director of Policy Planning at the U.S. Department of State.

25 April 2011 Current U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Efforts in Libya  Special Briefing by Reuben Brigety, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and USAID Director of Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance Mark Bartolini

18 April 2011 NATO Reaffirms Libya Group’s Call for Qadhafi to Step Down  Foreign ministers representing the 28 members of NATO met in Berlin April 14–15 and endorsed the Libya Contact Group’s call for Muammar Qadhafi to immediately step down from power and for his supporters to end their attacks on Libyan civilians.  U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Philip Gordon told reporters in Washington that the NATO meeting served to reaffirm and follow up on the contact group’s statement.

15 April 2011 Secretary Clinton’s Press Availability in Berlin Secretary Clinton says that "Our European and Arab allies and partners all agree: Attacks on and threats of attacks against the Libyan people must stop; Qadhafi’s forces must withdraw from the cities they have forcibly entered and occupied; humanitarian supplies must be allowed to reach civilians, especially those in cities under siege."

14 April 2011 Obama Security Advisor Holds Productive Middle East Talks  U.S. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon held “positive and productive” talks with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in a two-day visit to the Middle East, National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said April 13.

11 April 2011 Clinton Says Cease-Fire in Libya Is Essential  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says that a cease-fire in Libya between government military forces and opposition forces is essential.  “We want to see the Libyan regime forces pull back from the areas that they have forcibly entered,” Clinton said April 11 at a joint press conference. “We want to see a resumption of water, electricity and other services to cities that have been brutalized” by the forces of Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi.

06 April 2011 Fact Sheet: U.S. Government Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Libya Crisis  The U.S. Government has provided $47 million to international and non-governmental organizations to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of people fleeing the violence in Libya. We have deployed a team of disaster response experts to the region, and are working closely with host governments, the United Nations, NGOs and other international partners to assess and address urgent humanitarian needs in Libya and neighboring countries.

31 March 2011 State Department Official and Lawmakers Discuss Libya Crisis  U.S. Lawmakers discussed U.S. policy toward Libya — its implications for America and the Middle East and North Africa region — with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg at a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing.  Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican-Florida), chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, led the hearing and said that Americans question if involvement in the Libyan crisis may signal U.S. action in other countries experiencing turmoil, such as Côte d’Ivoire or Syria.

29 March 2011 Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Interview With Evan Davies of BBC Radio 4's Today Program

29 March 2011 International Community Urged to Step Up Pressure on Qadhafi  Beyond the current military efforts in Libya to save lives, the international coalition must work to provide humanitarian assistance, pressure and isolate the Qadhafi regime and help Libyans achieve political change, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

29 March 2011 Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the International Conference on Libya
 • Remarks After the International Conference on the Libyan Crisis

27 March 2011 Background Briefing on the North Atlantic Council's Meeting on Libya 

26 March 2011 The President's Weekly Address: The Military Mission in Libya
 • Read transcript 

26 March 2011 Statement Regarding Use of Force in Libya   Remarks by Harold Hongju Koh, Legal Advisor U.S. Department of State, at the American Society of International Law Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.

25 March 2011 U.S. Ambassador to Libya Gene Cretz on Current Events in Libya
• State Department Background Briefing on the North Atlantic Council's Meeting on Libya

24 March 2011 NATO Assuming Command of Libyan No-Fly Zone  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States is transferring command and control of the international community’s enforcement of the no-fly zone in Libya to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
• Update on Implementing UN Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 on Libya

23 March 2011 U.N.-Mandated No-Fly Zone over Libya Successfully Established  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says international coalition forces have successfully established the no-fly zone over Libya that was called for under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, and a U.S. military official reports that the majority of air sorties over Libya now are being carried out by non-U.S. aircraft.

22 March 2011 U.S. Plans Transition to Support Role for Libya Operations  Although the United States has played a prominent role in the first phase of the international coalition’s military activities in Libya, the Obama administration said the U.S. contribution will be diminishing as other members of the coalition take the lea

21 March 2011 Libyan Airstrikes Needed to Prevent Humanitarian Catastrophe President Obama’s national security adviser says actions taken by an international coalition against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi are necessary to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.

20 March 2011 Press Briefing on the Situation in Libya  By National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor For Strategic Communications Ben Rhodes and Press Secretary Jay Carney.

20 March 2011 Obama Meets with Top Aides on Libya  President Obama held a conference call with top national security advisers March 20 to discuss the international effort to enforce a no-fly zone over Libya to stop Libyan military forces from attacking civilians, the White House says.

19 March 2011 International Coalition Strikes at Libyan Military  President Obama said March 19 that U.S. Navy and coalition ships and submarines have launched missiles against Libyan military forces to support an international coalition to stop attacks on Libyan civilians.

18 March  2011  Remarks by the President on the Situation in Libya
  • Secretary Clinton on Libya and UN Resolution 1973
  • Paris Summit for the Support to the Libyan People: Communique

17 March 2011 Secretary Clinton's Remarks at U.S. Embassy Tunis 

16 March 2011 Close to 300,000 People Flee Violence in Libya  Almost 290,000 people have fled the violence between insurgent groups and the military forces of Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi in recent weeks, according to international organizations.

16 March 2011 Secretary Clinton's Interview With Kim Ghattas of BBC

16 March  2011 State Dept Special Press Briefing: Japan Situation Update  Under Secretary Pat Kennedy and Deputy Energy Secretary Dan Poneman on the Situation in Japan.

15 March  2011 Clinton Offers More U.S. Support for Egypt's Economic Growth  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced new U.S. support for Egypt’s economy that is designed to expand opportunities in the country and benefit all sectors of Egyptian society as the country plans its political and economic future.

14 March  2011  Humanitarian Situation in Libya   Special Briefing by Eric P. Schwartz, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and USAID Assistant Administrator Nancy Lindborg.

13 March 2011 Obama Welcomes Arab League Support for Libyan People   The Obama administration welcomes a decision by the 22-member Arab League to support a no-fly zone over Libya because the move strengthens international pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, said White House press secretary Jay Carney.

12 March 2011 In Libya, Our Aid Matters   Op-Ed by Eric P. Schwartz,Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Nancy Lindborg, Assistant Administrator, USAID Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance.

10 March 2011 Humanitarian Response to Violence in Libya
Department of State Fact Sheet.

10 March 2011 U.S. Wants Active Arab, African Participation in Libya Response The Obama administration wants to see active regional participation in any potential military response to the political violence in Libya, and also says it has been in direct contact with a variety of opposition groups that have de facto control over much of the eastern part of the country.

07 March 2011 Readout of the North Atlantic Council Meetings on Libya  Special Briefing with Ivo Daalder, Permanent Representative to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Washington, DC.

03 March 2011 U.S., Partners Airlift People Fleeing Libyan Violence  The United States is boosting its effort to help people displaced from Libya find their way home. President Obama announced March 3 that U.S. planes will fly Egyptian citizens home from Tunisia, where they fled to escape weeks of violence in neighboring Libya.

01 March 2011 UN General Assembly Suspends Libya's Human Rights Council Membership

28 February 2011 Clinton Condemns Libyan Violence, Calls for Accountability  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called for Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi to be held accountable for opening fire on peaceful protesters and other violent acts that “violate international legal obligations and common decency.”
 • White House Press Secretary, U.N. Ambassador Rice on Libya
 • Secretary Clinton’s Interview with the BBC
 • Humanitarian Assistance for Libya (State Department Fact Sheet)

27 February 2011 Obama Calls for Libya’s Qadhafi to Leave Power Now  President Obama calls on Libya’s leader, Muammar Qadhafi, to leave power now, saying that he and his government must be held accountable for violating the human rights and brutalization of the Libyan people.

26 February 2011 Holding the Qadhafi Government Accountable  Secretary Clinton: "The United States strongly condemns the ongoing violence and human rights violations committed by the government of Libya against its own people. As President Obama said, these actions violate international norms and every standard of common decency. They must stop.  We are moving quickly on a series of steps to hold the Libyan government accountable for its violation of human rights and to mobilize a strong response from the international community."

26 February 2011 Fact Sheet: U.N. Security Council Resolution on Libya Sanctions

25 February 2011 Special Session of the Human Rights Council on the Situation in Libya

24 February  2011 Readout of President Obama's Calls with President Sarkozy of France, Prime Minister Cameron of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy

24 February 2011  Clinton Says U.S. Inspired by Nonviolent Egyptian Protests  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Egyptians that they have inspired Americans through their "extraordinary example of nonviolent, peaceful protest," and urged them to remain vigilant, since building and sustaining a democracy is long and difficult work, but said the United States stands ready to help them.

23 February  2011 Secretary Clinton Participates in Social Media Dialogue with Dr Ahmed Ghanim of Egypt's Masrawycom

23 February 2011 Remarks by the President on Libya 

22 February 2011 U.S. Urges Middle East to Respond to Protests with Reforms  The United States urges Middle Eastern countries to take concrete action and work toward political reform in response to protests across the region, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

21 February 2011 Remarks at the Arab League, Cairo, Egypt  Remarks in Cairo by William Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

17 February 2011 Clinton Urges Restraint in Bahrain, Offers Help to Egypt   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton telephoned Bahrai's foreign minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed al-Khalifa, to express U.S. concerns over violence by Bahraini security forces against anti-government protesters and urged that the perpetrators be held responsible.

17 February 2011 Egyptian Americans Hopeful for Emerging Democracy in Homeland  Egyptian Americans, proud of the victory of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, are looking to the future of their homeland with a mix of optimism and hope, with a dash of realism.

15 February 2011 Obama Urges Mideast Leaders to Be Proactive in Reforms  Noting the political unrest that has spread from Tunisia to Egypt and elsewhere in the region, President Obama says young people are seeking better opportunities and ways to improve their lives. He urges governments in the region to “get out ahead of change” and respond to their peoples’ aspirations in a manner that doesn’t lead to violence.

12 February 2011 Summary of President Obama's Calls to Discuss Egypt

11 February 2011 President Obama's Remarks on Egypt  President Obama said the Egyptian people have inspired the world through their nonviolent struggle to change their country’s government.

10 February 2011 Statement of President Barack Obama on Egypt The President releases a statement saying "the Egyptian government must put forward a credible, concrete and unequivocal path toward genuine democracy, and they have not yet seized that opportunity."

09 February 2011 Conference Call To Discuss Egypt  A State Department Special Briefing with Jake Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff for Secretary of State Clinton and Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications.

07 February 2011 Obama Says Egypt Is "Not Going Back"  President Obama says that after nearly two weeks of political unrest in Egypt, the country "is not going to go back to what it was."  On February 5 the president discussed Egypt by telephone with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates, British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. A White House statement about the calls said Obama expressed concern about continued raids on Egyptian civil society and called for the release of all journalists, human rights advocates and activists detained without cause.

05 February 2011 Clinton: Democratic Change in Middle East a "Strategic Necessity"   The status quo in the Middle East is unsustainable and democratic change in the region is a "strategic necessity," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told officials from NATO, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.  The secretary spoke as political unrest continues in Egypt and three weeks after Tunisian protesters drove the country’s long-time president, Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, from power.

03 February 2011 U.S. Condemns Attacks on Press and Peaceful Protesters in Egypt  The Obama administration condemns the harassment of journalists covering the unrest in Egypt as well as violent attacks against civilians, and it urges Egyptian government officials and opposition groups to immediately come together in serious negotiations for a political transition that will be credible to the Egyptian people.

02 February 2011 U.S. Says Violence in Egypt Must Stop, Transition Must Begin  The White House strongly condemns "outrageous and deplorable violence" that has broken out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities and has renewed its call for political change to begin in the country.

01 February 2011 Obama Says Peaceful Transition in Egypt "Must Begin Now"  President Obama says a peaceful, meaningful and orderly political transition in Egypt "must begin now" and must include a broad spectrum of Egyptian voices, including the government's political opposition.  In remarks at the White House, Obama said he had spoken with President Hosni Mubarak shortly after the Egyptian leader announced that he would not seek a sixth term as president.

01 February 2011 U.S. Congressional Leaders Support Democratic Reforms in Egypt  U.S. congressional leaders are echoing President Obama's call for a peaceful transition to democratic, economic and social reforms in Egypt.

31 January 2011 Summary of Vice President Biden's Call with Bahraini King Hamad on Egypt

30 January 2011 Clinton Calls for Orderly Transition to Democracy in Egypt  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urges an orderly and peaceful transition to democratic and economic reforms in Egypt, but also acknowledges that it will take considerable time.  In a series of television news interviews January 30, Clinton said that violence, looting or criminal acts will not move the political process forward in a productive way that will be satisfying for the Egyptian people.

28 January  2011  Remarks by the President on the Situation in Egypt  "My administration has been closely monitoring the situation in Egypt, and I know that we will be learning more tomorrow when day breaks.  As the situation continues to unfold, our first concern is preventing injury or loss of life.  So I want to be very clear in calling upon the Egyptian authorities to refrain from any violence against peaceful protestors. 
  The people of Egypt have rights that are universal.  That includes the right to peaceful assembly and association, the right to free speech, and the ability to determine their own destiny.  These are human rights.  And the United States will stand up for them everywhere.  
   I also call upon the Egyptian government to reverse the actions that they’ve taken to interfere with access to the Internet, to cell phone service and to social networks that do so much to connect people in the 21st century.
  At the same time, those protesting in the streets have a responsibility to express themselves peacefully.  Violence and destruction will not lead to the reforms that they seek."

27 January 2011 U.S. Sees Regional Dynamic in Mideast Protests  The Obama administration says there is a regional dynamic under way in the Middle East and North Africa as younger populations seeking better opportunities are voicing their protests in the streets, and it urges governments in the region to “actively respond” to the concerns of the protesters.  The January 14 ouster of former Tunisian President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali has been watched across the region, State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said January 27, and it is “an important moment” for governments to “take advantage of this opportunity to expand their dialogue with their populations and respond to the aspirations of their people.”

26 January 2011 United States Urges Restraint in Egyptian Protests  The United States has urged Egyptian security forces and protesters to refrain from using violence, while offering support for basic freedoms, said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.  “As we monitor the situation in Egypt, we urge all parties to refrain from using violence, and expect the Egyptian authorities to respond to any protests peacefully,” Gibbs said in a prepared statement. “We support the universal rights of the Egyptian people, including the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly.”

25 January 2011 U.S. Statement on Situation in Lebanon

14 January 2011 Secretary Clinton on Events in Tunisia  The United States continues to closely monitor the rapidly evolving events in Tunisia, where earlier today President Ben Ali left his country following several weeks of demonstrations and popular unrest.  We condemn the violence and urge restraint on all sides.

13 January 2011  Middle East Looking for Leadership and Reform, Clinton Says  The people and leaders of the Middle East must work together to build a stronger foundation for their region, which is demanding economic and political reform, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told political, business and civil society leaders in Doha, Qatar. Speaking at the seventh Forum for the Future, Clinton said the people of the Middle East “are looking for real leadership in the 21st century, and I think it can be provided, and I know that this is the moment to do so.”

2010

11 December 2010 Clinton Says Mideast Peace Talks Must Grapple with Core Issues   At this point in the Middle East peace process, the United States believes it is time to grapple with the core issues of the conflict: borders and security, settlements, refugees and Jerusalem, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says. Both sides have said they want the United States to continue its peacemaking efforts, so the negotiators will push the Israelis and Palestinians to lay out their positions on the core issues without delay and with specificity, Clinton said.

11 November 2010 Secretary Clinton's Remarks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister  Netanyahu before their meeting in New York.

10 November 2010 Clinton, Prime Minister Fayyad on Aid to Palestinian Authority   Remarks by Secretary of State Hillary  Clinton and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on the announcement of the Transfer of Budget Assistance Funds to the Palestinian Authority.

09 November 2010 Obama Says New Israeli Construction Is Not Helpful   Commenting on Israel's plans to build 1,300 new apartments in East Jerusalem, President Obama said "this kind of activity is never helpful" during peaceful negotiations, such as the Israelis and Palestinians are engaging in to try to resolve their conflict.

21 October 2010 Clinton Lauds Palestinian Institutional Reforms   Institutional reforms being made by the Palestinian Authority are “building a new reality” and adding to outside confidence in Palestinian self-governing capabilities, Secretary of State Hillary  Clinton says.  Speaking to members of the nongovernmental organization American Task Force on Palestine at a Washington hotel, Clinton said that given recent institutional reforms by the Palestinian Authority (PA), “it is easier than ever to envision an independent Palestine able to govern itself, uphold its responsibilities to provide for its own people, and ensure security.”

27 September 2010 U.S. Seeking to Restart Israeli-Syrian Peace Talks   Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem in New York September 27 as part of the Obama administration's efforts to encourage renewed talks between Syria and Israel and bring about a comprehensive peace in the Middle East between Israel and all of its Arab neighbors.

24 September 2010 State’s Feltman on U.N. General Assembly Meetings on Middle East

23 September 2010 Remarks by President Obama to the United Nations General Assembly The President spoke of the challenges facing America, the world, and particularly Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

21 September 2010 Statement by the Middle East Quartet The Quartet reaffirmed its support, in consultation with the parties, for an international conference in Moscow at the appropriate time, concurrent with direct negotiations.

15 September 2010 Briefing on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks Special Envoy George Mitchell says that serious and substantive discussion is well underway.

14 September 2010 Direct Israeli-Palestinian Talks Resume in Egypt The Obama administration will continue to play a "key facilitator" role in the talks.

10 September 2010 Secretary Clinton's Remarks for Eid-ul-Fitr  Clinton "We want to build bridges, not only bridges toward peace in the Middle East, but bridges of understanding." 

09 September 2010  Statement by the President on the Occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr

07 September 2010 Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Annual State Department Iftar

02 September 2010 Remarks by Special Envoy Mitchell on Israeli-Palestinian Talks   Mitchell discusses first round of U.S.-Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

02 September 2010 Clinton Opens Direct Mideast Peace Talks   Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the first direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in nearly two years September 2, telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that "only you can make the decisions necessary to reach an agreement and secure a peaceful future for the Israeli and Palestinian people."

01 September 2010 Remarks by President Obama, Four Mideast Leaders  Leaders speak on eve of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.

01 September 2010 Remarks by Obama and Netanyahu After Their Meeting   Obama says U.S. is unwavering in its support of Israel's security

01 September 2010 Obama Welcomes Netanyahu, Abbas to the White House  President Obama welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House for brief consultations before the two leaders meet later to begin direct peace talks.

20 August 2010 Statement by Middle East Quartet on Israeli-Palestinian Talks The Quartet reaffirms support for direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians
   
20 August 2010 Briefing on Middle East Peace Process The Obama administration has invited Israeli and Palestinian leaders to Washington to hold their first direct talks in nearly two years.

16 July 2010 Remarks by Assistant Secretary Shapiro on Israel’s Security   The Administration’s approach: "Preserving Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge".

16 July 2010 Reducing Security Threats Enhances Middle East Peace Prospects  A nuclear-armed Iran would pose the greatest threat to regional security in the Middle East, says Assistant Secretary of State Andrew Shapiro. "While the most grave, the Iranian nuclear program is one of many serious security threats in the region," Shapiro added during a speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based policy research center. Conventional arms can be — and often are — as dangerous and threatening as a nuclear device, he said.

13 July 2010 Obama Expresses Support for Palestinian President’s Leadership  President Obama recently spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas about progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian indirect or "proximity" talks that are designed to lead to negotiations for a peace agreement and Palestinian statehood, the White House said.

06 July 2010 Obama Urges Confidence-Building Measures in the Middle East President Obama urged Israel, the Palestinians and neighboring Arab states to undertake confidence-building measures to improve the climate in the region for peace, and said he believes that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to take risks for a peace settlement.
 • President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu in Joint Press Availability

02 July 2010 Obama Wants Israelis, Palestinians to Talk  President Obama’s July 6 discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will focus on moving Israel and the Palestinians toward direct talks aimed at reaching a peace agreement that includes the creation of a Palestinian state.  For the past few weeks, both sides have been engaged in indirect or "proximity" talks facilitated by U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell

07 June 2010 Biden, Egypt’s Mubarak Discuss New Approaches to Gaza   Vice President Biden said the United States is consulting with Egypt and other countries on new ways to address the situation in Gaza, and he urged progress in the proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians as a step toward peaceful resolution of the Middle East conflict through a two-state solution.

01 June 2010 Obama Expresses Concern, Regret over Israeli Ship Raid   President Obama supports a U.N. Security Council statement that condemns an Israeli raid on a humanitarian aid flotilla headed for Gaza and calls for a full investigation, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says.

19 May 2010 U.S. Mideast Envoy Begins New Round of Indirect Peace Talks  U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell has begun a second round of indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians focused on possible outlines of a future Palestinian state.

19 May 2010 United States Assistance for Palestinian Refugees in Syria  U.S. contributes an additional $1.4 million to support refugees in Damascus.

07 May 2010 U.S. Envoy Meets Palestinian Leaders to Discuss Peace Talks  President Obama's point man in the Middle East is continuing with a shuttle mission aimed at reviving the peace process. U.S. envoy George Mitchell met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank to discuss plans for indirect peace talks with Israel.

06 May 2010 U.S. Reaffirms Its Support for WMD-Free Middle East  The United States joined the four other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council in expressing a commitment to fully implement a 1995 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty resolution that would establish the Middle East as a region free of weapons of mass destruction.

05 May 2010 Biden to Discuss Security, Economic Issues in Belgium, Spain  Vice President Biden will conduct consultations with officials from NATO, the European Union and Spain during a three-day trip that will focus on critical strategic, security and economic issues, the White House says. The vice president is expected to make a major address to the European Parliament on U.S.-EU cooperation, especially in the areas of security and counterterrorism.

23 April 2010 U.S. Envoy Tries to Restart Mideast Peace Process U.S. special envoy George Mitchell is back in the Middle East, trying to get the Israeli-Palestinian peace process moving again. Mitchell met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on April 23, a day after the Israeli leader said Israel would continue its controversial policy of building Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem. Part of the job ahead for the U.S. envoy is helping repair damaged relations between Washington and Israel.

22 April 2010 Reports of Syrian Arms Transfers to Hizballah Raise Concerns  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is concerned by reports that suggest Syria is transferring arms to the Iranian-backed Hizballah militia group in Lebanon. She also said the return of a U.S. ambassador to Damascus would improve communication between Syria and the United States.

16 April 2010 Clinton: Perpetuation of Mideast Conflict Strengthens Extremists  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the continued failure to reach a peace settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority results in the continued empowerment of violent rejectionist groups such as Hamas and impedes not only those seeking a peaceful two-state resolution, but also a more hopeful and prosperous Middle East.

23 March 2010 U.S. Envoy Urges Israel, Palestinians to Show Restraint   U.S. special envoy George Mitchell met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Jordanian capital, Amman, and urged both sides to create the conditions necessary for a new set of negotiations. “On behalf of the United States and the president, I urge all sides to exercise restraint,” said Mitchell. “What is needed now is a period of calm and quiet in which we can go forward in the effort in which we are engaged.”

22 March 2010 Mideast Peace Requires “Difficult but Necessary Choices”  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told supporters of Israel that the status quo in the Middle East is unsustainable and threatens Israel’s long-term future, urging the Jewish state to pursue a two-state solution with the Palestinians based on its 1967 borders with agreed land swaps.
 •  Secretary Clinton's Remarks at AIPAC Meeting

22 March 2010 For Muslim Entrepreneurs, a U.S. Summit  Entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries with sizable Muslim populations come to Washington in April on President Obama’s invitation to celebrate the risky, exhilarating life of entrepreneurship and share ideas about sparking new businesses in their communities.

19 March 2010 Joint Statement by the Quartet  Reaffirming the fundamental principles laid down in its statement in Trieste on June 26, 2009, the Quartet welcomes the readiness to launch proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

17 March 2010 Clinton to Attend Middle East Quartet Meeting in Moscow  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton travels to Moscow for talks on Middle East peace and on a proposed U.S.-Russian strategic arms treaty. Beginning March 18, the secretary and Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell will participate in a meeting of the Quartet for Middle East Peace in Moscow. The Quartet, which includes the European Union, United Nations, Russia and the United States, was formed in 2002 in Spain to assist in mediating an end to escalating violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Moscow meeting is scheduled to conclude March 19.

16 March 2010 Northern Ireland Offers Perspective for Mideast Peace Efforts  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the United States is seeking the “full commitment” of Israelis and Palestinians to peace efforts, and visiting Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said the developing peace process in Northern Ireland offers the two sides a “useful template” for conflict resolution.

15 March 2010 Secretary Clinton's Interview with CNN’s Jill Dougherty  Discusses women's rights, Middle East peace process, Afghanistan and Iran.

11 March 2010 Biden Tells Israelis Status Quo Is Unsustainable  Reaffirming the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, Vice President Biden told Israelis that peace with an independent Palestinian state is “profoundly” in their country’s interests.He urged both sides in the conflict to end the cycle of violence and distrust and move forward in good-faith negotiations to reach a final peace settlement.

10 March 2010 New Israeli Construction in Jerusalem Weakens Trust  The announcement of new Israeli housing projects in East Jerusalem undermines the trust needed between Israel and the Palestinians to have profitable peace negotiations, Vice President Biden says. He pledged a continued active role by the Obama administration to encourage talks between the two sides.

04 March 2010 In the Middle East, Modest Progress Made on Women’s Rights   A new report on women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa finds some progress but “a long road ahead.” Of all parts of the world, it is this region in which “the gap between the rights of men and those of women has been the most visible and severe,” says the report by Freedom House, an independent, nonprofit organization that studies and advocates for human rights worldwide.

15 February 2010 U.N. Sanctions Against Iran Would Target Revolutionary Guard  The United States wants the Middle East ultimately to be free of nuclear arms, and while the Obama administration remains open to engagement with Iran, it is working with others in the international community on economic sanctions to discourage the Iranian government from pursuing those weapons.

11 February 2010 Statement by Secretary Clinton on Developments in the Middle East  "This Administration has, from the beginning, worked to bring about comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On that issue our approach has been three-fold: (1) to help build the economy and capacity to govern of a Palestinian state; (2) to renew political negotiations to enable the earliest possible establishment of that state; and (3) to achieve these in a manner that ensures the security of Israel and of the Palestinians."

08 January 2010 Increased Efforts for Mideast Peace in 2010, Clinton Says  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for “good faith negotiations” to be relaunched between Israel and the Palestinians to end their decades-long conflict based on the 1967 borders and mutually agreed land swaps, and says 2010 will be a “year of renewed commitment and increased effort” to reach that goal.

25 November 2009 Israeli Settlement Moratorium Helps Move Talks Forward, U.S. Says   Although the Israeli government’s announcement of a 10-month moratorium on new settlement construction falls short of a full settlement freeze, the Obama administration says the decision helps move forward the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and urges both sides to engage in final status negotiations to reach an agreement on a two-state solution that will realize a secure and recognized Jewish state and an independent, viable and contiguous Palestinian state.

10 November 2009 Relaunching Talks Is First Step in Middle East Peace Process  The critical first step in the Middle East peace process is to relaunch negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis without preconditions, says U.S. Under Secretary of State William Burns.

03 November 2009 Press Briefing by Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley en Route to Cairo, Egypt

Secretary Clinton: Travel to Pakistan, the Middle East, and Morocco

Secretary Clinton will travel to Marrakesh, Morocco from November 2-3, 2009 to participate in the 6th Forum for the Future.

See also:
 • Secretary Clinton: Travel to Pakistan (State.gov website)
 • Follow the Secretary on DipNote, the State Department's official blog

November 2009 Initiatives Advanced by Secretary Clinton during the Forum for the Future 2009 (PDF)

4 November 2009 United States Still Opposed to Israeli Settlements, Clinton Says   Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton repeated that the Obama administration does not accept the legitimacy of Israeli West Bank settlements and wants to see the establishment of a Palestinian state with borders based on territory that Israel has occupied since 1967.

04 November 2009 Briefing by Secretary Clinton en Route to Washington  Clinton briefed reporters aboard the plane from Cairo, Egypt

03 November 2009 Clinton Reaffirms U.S. Commitment to Muslim Communities In a speech to the sixth Forum for the Future, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to broad engagement with Muslim communities around the world and the equally strong U.S. commitment to comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

03 November 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton at the Forum for the Future

03 November, 2009 Forum for the Future and Examples of U.S. Support for Civil Society  The Forum for the Future is a joint civil society initiative of the countries of the Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA) and the Group of Eight (G8). It brings together leaders from government, civil society and the private sector to exchange ideas and form partnerships to support progress, reform, and expanded opportunities for the people of the region.

03 November, 2009 Secretary Clinton Announces Global Partnerships to Advance Cairo’s “New Beginning”  Secretary Clinton delivered a major speech on November 3 in Marrakesh, Morocco at the Forum for the Future, an initiative of the countries of the Broader Middle East and North Africa region (BMENA), the G8 countries, and civil society and private sector groups. She reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to broad engagement with Muslim communities around the world and outlined concrete steps the United States is taking to follow up on the “New Beginning” that President Obama launched in Cairo.

03 November, 2009 Secretary Clinton Announces Civil Society 2.0 Initiative to Build Capacity of Grassroots Organizations  In her remarks today to the Forum for the Future, Secretary Clinton announced Civil Society 2.0, which will help grassroots organizations around the world use digital technology to tell their stories, build their memberships and support bases, and connect to their community of peers around the world.

02 November 2009 Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Moroccan Foreign Minister Taieb Fassi-Fihri in Marrakesh, Morocco

02 November 2009 Statement by Secretary Clinton on the Middle East Clinton says Israelis express willingness to restrain settlement activity.

31 October 2009 Secretary Clinton's Remarks With Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem

29 October 2009 United States Pursuing Comprehensive Peace in Middle East Region  The issues, opportunities and challenges that the United States faces in the Middle East are among the most consequential for its security and interests, says U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman.

29 October 2009Secretary Clinton's Travel to the Middle East

28 October 2009 Secretary Clinton Remarks With Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

27 October 2009 On-The-Record Briefing by Secretary Clinton En Route Islamabad, Pakistan

25 OCtober 2009 Secretary's Remarks: Bombings in Baghdad  "I want to personally express my heartfelt condolences to the victims of today’s savage attacks in Baghdad and for the tragic loss of so many Iraqi lives. I strongly condemn the bombings at the Iraqi Ministry of Justice and the headquarters of the Baghdad Provincial Administration."

22 October 2009 Mideast Peace Requires Taking Risks, Rice Tells Israelis  The days when countries could pursue their own interests in isolation from the needs of the global community are over, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice told an Israeli audience, and she also called for a relaunch of peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians “without preconditions” to resolve permanent-status issues between the two sides.

19 October 2009 U.S. Ambassador to U.N. to Embark on Mideast Talks  The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations is traveling to Israel Monday in a bid to advance peace efforts in the Middle East. During her three-day trip, Susan Rice is to hold bilateral talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.She will also deliver remarks Wednesday at a conference hosted by Israeli President Shimon Peres.

16 October 2009 U.S. Disappointed by U.N. Council’s Vote on Goldstone Report   The United States is disappointed by the decision of the U.N. Human Rights Council to endorse a report on the January conflict between Israel and Hamas, saying the resolution approved in Geneva was unbalanced and goes beyond the serious allegations that came out of the U.N. inquiry, led by former South African judge Richard Goldstone. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said that the U.S. decision to vote against the resolution “in no way diminishes the deep concern that we have about the tragic events of last January” and the suffering they caused to Palestinians in Gaza and Israelis in southern Israel.

15 October 2009 Ambassador Wolff Remarks to U.N. Security Council on Middle East  Update on Special Envoy Mitchell’s trip, two-state solution and peace.

24 September 2009 Joint Statement by the Quartet  The Quartet welcomes the recent meetings between U.S. President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as significant steps toward the re-launching of direct, bilateral negotiations as part of a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict

22 September 2009 Give Mideast Talks a Chance for Success, Obama Tells Leaders  President Obama says all sides in the Middle East conflict need to act “with a sense of urgency” to find a way forward to an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement, and tells Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas that permanent status negotiations “must begin and begin soon.”
 • Briefing by Special Envoy for Middle East Peace George Mitchell

15 September 2009 Secretary Clinton hosts State Department's Annual Iftar Dinner  "This is an exciting evening for me. I think that American embassies have been holding Iftars for decades. Our diplomatic posts have held hundreds of events to celebrate Ramadan this year alone. And I am proud that we have so many Muslims serving in our Foreign Service and our Civil Service who are playing an important role in advancing our nation’s foreign policy interests and strengthening the bonds of cooperation and understanding with Muslims at home and abroad."

04 September 2009 White House Statement on Israeli Settlements    United States does not accept legitimacy of continued settlement expansion.

26 August 2009 Meaningful Mideast Peace Talks Needed   Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to resume “meaningful” negotiations to revive stalled peace talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell said after a lengthy meeting in London.

26 August 2009 Joint Statement by U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and Israeli Prime Minister

18 August 2009 U.S., Egypt Working to Restart Palestinian-Israeli Peace Process   President Obama says that he and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak are working to jump-start resumption of the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

04 August 2009 Obama Administration Reaches Out to Muslims Worldwide  President Obama has said he seeks a new beginning with Muslims worldwide "based upon mutual interest and mutual respect" and also "based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition." Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton echoed Obama's commitment.

03 August 2009 Israel's Evictions in East Jerusalem "Provocative," Clinton Says  The eviction of Palestinian families and demolition of their homes by Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem is "deeply regrettable," says Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who adds that such unilateral action cannot be used to prejudge the outcome of peace negotiations.

28 July 2009 Special Envoy Mitchell Cites Progress in U.S.-Israel Talks  The United States and Israel reported progress in talks on the Middle East peace process July 28 after a meeting between U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We have made good progress," Mitchell told reporters in Jerusalem following a two-hour meeting with Netanyahu.

24 July 2009 United States Transfers $200 Million to Palestinian Authority  The United States is transferring $200 million to the Palestinian Authority to help support its budget needs, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says. "I wanted personally to announce the delivery of budget support to the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of President [Mahmoud] Abbas and Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad, because of what is at stake for the Palestinian people, for the future of a Palestinian state, for the future security of Israel and for the region is so critical," Clinton said.

02 July 2009 Polls Show Vast Support for Two-State Mideast Peace Solution  Opinion polls of Israelis, Palestinians and Americans have found substantial support for a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Overall, the survey established that while favorable attitudes toward Israel remain strong, pluralities of Americans believe that President Obama should pursue a policy less supportive of Israel than his predecessor.

26 June 2009 Quartet Statement from the Meeting in Trieste  The Quartet affirmed its determination to actively and vigorously seek a comprehensive resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, on the basis of UN Security Council Resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, 1850, the Madrid principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, and the agreements previously reached between the parties.

26 June 2009 Secretary Clinton Appoints Farah Pandith to Head New Office of The United States Representative to Muslim Communities  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has asked Farah Pandith to head the new Office of the United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities. Special Representative Farah Pandith and her staff (S/SRMC) will be responsible for executing the Administration’s efforts to engage with Muslims around the world on a people-to-people and organizational level.

24 June 2009 Military Leaders from U.S., Gulf States Discuss Security Threats  U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told military leaders from the Gulf region that today's security environment in the Gulf poses dilemmas and opportunities that span all borders.

24 June 2009 New U.S. Special Representative Announced for Muslim Outreach  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has appointed Farah Pandith to serve as special representative to Muslim communities, in charge of a new office that is responsible for outreach with Muslims around the world.

17 June 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton, Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman  Diplomats discuss a range of issues, including Mideast peace talks and Iran.

16 June 2009 United States Seeks Early Conclusion of Mideast Peace Talks  President Obama’s special envoy for Middle East peace, George Mitchell, says he believes there is a realistic chance of accommodating Israel’s desire for security with the Palestinian desire for an independent state, and says the United States is currently focused on the resumption and “early conclusion” of meaningful negotiations.
 •  Briefing by Special Envoy George Mitchell

Speaking to reporters at the State Department June 16, Mitchell said Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton clearly have stated that “the only viable resolution to this conflict is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states.”

15 June 2009 U.S. Welcomes Israeli Leader's Endorsement of Palestinian State  The U.S. welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s endorsement of the goal of establishing a Palestinian state, describing it as an "important step forward," and says President Obama will continue working with Israel, the Palestinians and others to achieve a two-state solution, as well as a comprehensive regional peace between Israel and its neighbors.

10 June 2009 U.S. Seeks Rapid Resumption of Middle East Peace Talks  The United States seeks a quick resumption and an early conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell says. Mitchell’s visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah, the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority, is part of President Obama’s efforts to reinvigorate negotiations that ultimately would lead to the creation of a Palestinian state living at peace alongside Israel — often referred to as the "two-state solution."

08 June 2009 Commitment to Democracy Seen in High Lebanese Election Turnout  Pledging to continue U.S. support for Lebanese sovereignty, President Obama congratulated Lebanon’s people for holding a peaceful parliamentary election that he says demonstrated their courage and their strong commitment to democracy.

27 May 2009 Remarks by Secretary Clinton, Egyptian Foreign Minister Gheit  Diplomats discuss relations, Middle East peace process and North Korea.

22 May 2009 Biden: The Future of Lebanon Is for the People to Decide  Vice President Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for the Lebanese government, and also encouraged the Lebanese people to hold fair, free and open parliamentary elections June 7 that reflect their will. At a brief press conference May 22 at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, east of the Lebanese capital Beirut, Biden said that he was not there to offer support for any particular political party or candidate.

18 May 2009 Obama, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Discuss Peace Process  President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons program and strengthening the U.S.-Israeli relationship in their first meeting as heads of state.

Both Obama and Netanyahu acknowledged that for peace to be achieved, peace talks must resume.

15 May 2009 Obama to Stress Two-State Solution with Netanyahu May 18  President Obama will welcome newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House May 18, beginning the first of three separate high-stakes consultations to refocus the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

12 May 2009 Statement on White House Visit of Middle East Leaders  President Obama to discuss achieving peace in the Middle East.

07 May 2009 Remarks on Lebanon by Ambassador Rice at U.N. Security Council  Calls for full implementation of Resolution 1559 until requirements are met.

05 May 2009 Biden Urges Israel to End Settlements, Back Two-State Solution  The status quo that has existed in the Middle East over the past 10 years has not served the interests of the United States or Israel, Vice President Biden told U.S. supporters of Israel. There are obligations to be met by all parties to bring peace efforts to a successful conclusion, Biden said, and those include the Palestinian Authority’s fight against terror and incitement against Israel, and Israel’s work toward a two-state solution with the Palestinians and an end to its building of settlements.

27 April 2009 United States Supports Free, Independent, Sovereign Lebanon  The U.S. supports a free, independent and sovereign Lebanon and parliamentary elections there in June that are without intimidation and outside influence, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

21 April 2009 United States Will Be Engaged in Arab-Israeli Peace Process  The prospect of an Arab-Israeli peace still exists, but will require some difficult choices, says President Obama. At a brief White House news conference, Obama said that achieving a lasting peace and the creation of a Palestinian state requires resolution on the part of all involved parties.

25 March 2009 United States Committed to Free, Democratic Lebanon  Renewed engagement with Syria will not supplant America's unwavering support for a free, democratic Lebanon, says a top U.S. diplomat. Such support is a key component to lasting peace and security in the Middle East, adds acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman.

09 March 2009 U.S. Envoys Meet with Syrian Officials   Representatives of the United States and Syria held comprehensive and constructive talks in Damascus, Syria, and found considerable common ground on an array of issues, a senior U.S. diplomat says.

04 March 2009 Time Is of the Essence for Palestinian State, Says Clinton  America strongly supports the creation of a future Palestinian state, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says, pledging to work for peace by engaging a new Israeli government on halting settlement expansion and easing border restrictions.

02 March 2009 United States Pledges $900 Million for Palestinians  Saying time is of the essence, the United States pledged $900 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians at an international conference in Egypt.
 • Fact Sheet: United States Assistance to the Palestinians

February 2009

27 February 2009 Clinton Leaves for Middle East, Europe for Extended Talks  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is beginning a series of official visits to the Middle East and to Europe aimed at restarting Mideast peace talks and boosting trans-Atlantic relations. Clinton begins the trip March 2 at the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh at a donors conference for Gaza.

17 February 2009 A North Korean Missile Launch Would Be Unhelpful, Clinton Says  A long-range ballistic missile launch by North Korea would prove unhelpful in enhancing sensitive U.S. and North Korean relations, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

13 February 2009 U.S. Wants Rigorous, Persistent Engagement in Asia, Clinton Says  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that the U.S. wants a more rigorous and persistent commitment and engagement with East Asia across an array of issues from the current economic crisis to nuclear proliferation, climate change, clean energy, health and income.

09 February 2009 Biden Says Finding Lasting Mideast Peace Requires Collaboration  Vice President Biden says it will take close collaboration among Arab and European partners and the United States to find a resolution to the vexing challenges of creating a lasting Middle East peace.

05 February 2009 Clinton To Make First Foreign Mission to East Asia  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will address a broad range of issues, from economics to climate change, during an eight-day, four-nation trip through East Asia, a State Department official says.

03 February 2009 Special Envoy Mitchell to Return to Middle East This Month   Middle East special envoy George Mitchell is beginning what will become high-level engagement by the United States in trying to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, says Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

02 February 2009 Gaza Truce Remains Fragile, Say U.S. Officials  As President Obama's Middle East envoy completes his first round of regional consultations, continued violence in the Gaza Strip threatens international peacemaking efforts, says State Department acting spokesman Robert Wood.

January 2009

30 January 2009 United States Humanitarian Support to Palestinians

29 January 2009 U.S. Envoy Expresses Concern for Loss of Palestinian Lives  The United States is concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives and the pressing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip in the aftermath of a 22-day conflict between Israeli and Hamas forces, U.S. Middle East special envoy George Mitchell says.
 • 29 January 2009 Statement by Middle East Peace Envoy George Mitchell in Ramallah  Envoy urges sustainable, durable cease-fire to achieve two-state solution.

28 January 2009 Middle East Envoy Calls for Strengthened Gaza Cease-Fire  A lasting Gaza cease-fire must be based on an end to arms smuggling to Hamas and a reopening of blockaded borders, says George Mitchell, U.S. special envoy for Middle East peace.

27 January 2009 Obama Pledges New American Partnership in Middle East   President Obama says that the United States “offers a hand of friendship” to the Middle East and broader Muslim world and wants a new relationship firmly rooted in mutual respect and mutual interests. “What you’ll see is someone who is listening,” he said.

26 January 2009 Interview of the President by Hisham Melhem, Al Arabiya

26 January 2009 President Sends Special Envoy Mitchell to Middle East  One of the key missions of Middle East special envoy George Mitchell's trip to the region will be to consolidate the cease-fire after the three-week-old Gaza conflict, a State Department spokesman says, and to ensure progress toward Middle East peace.

22 January 2009 Obama Pledges "Active Engagement" on Middle East Peace  President Obama has reached out to Middle East leaders to emphasize that progress toward peace in the region will be among his administration’s top foreign policy priorities. "He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

22 January 2009 Obama Names Special Envoys for Middle East, Afghanistan-Pakistan  President Obama joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton January 22 to announce former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy to the Middle East peace process and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan — moves that underscore the new administration's commitment to renewing America's leadership through reinvigorated diplomacy.