The NEA manages U.S. foreign policy toward countries in the Middle East and North Africa; and directs, coordinates, and supervises diplomatic activities within those countries, including consular and administrative management issues. NEA covers the countries and geographic entities of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Regional policy issues handled by NEA include Iraq, the Middle East peace process, and political and economic reform in the Near East region.

  • Office of Arabian Peninsula Affairs (NEA/ARP): responsible for shaping, coordinating and implementing foreign policy in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
  • Office of Egypt and Levant Affairs (NEA/ELA): responsible for the management of U.S. relations for Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
  • Office of Maghreb Affairs (NEA/MAG): responsible for the policy between the United States and Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia.
  • Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs (NEA/IPA): responsible for diplomatic issues associated with the Israel and Palestinian conflict.
  • Office of Iraqi Affairs (NEA/I): responsible for the offices of Economic and Assistance Affairs; Political Affairs; Political-Military Affairs; Provincial Reconstruction Transition and Stabilization Affairs; and the Iraq Policy and Operations Group.
  • Office of Iranian Affairs (NEA/IR): develops, coordinates, recommends, and executes U.S. policy on Iran.
  • Office of Regional Affairs (NEA/RA): responsible for issues affecting the region as a whole or cutting across the lines of responsibility of the various office directors, and provides specialized functional support to other elements of the bureau in the following fields: regional political and economic issues, political-military affairs, multilateral organizations, labor and social affairs, foreign assistance and budget planning, commercial coordination, science,
    educational and cultural affairs, research, legislative matters, counternarcotics, environment, refugees, counterterrorism and human rights.
  • Office of Press and Public Diplomacy (NEA/PPD): responsible for the coordination of public diplomacy activities in the NEA region.
  • Office of Middle East Partnership Initiative (NEA/PI): responsible for programming in support of reform throughout the region, with special emphasis on empowering women and youth, education, strengthening economies, and broadening political participation. They provide assistance to reformers to create foundations for sustainable economic and human growth.