Senate committee advances Biden nominee for Middle East policy
Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had a fiery debate over the confirmation process, which touched on US policy toward Egypt, Israel and Lebanon.
The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations confirmed a Biden administration nominee for a top Middle East policy post on Wednesday.
The nomination of Barbara Leaf to be assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs passed the committee at today’s business meeting. Leaf is a career diplomat who previously served as US ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, and is presently Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Middle East and North Africa Affairs on the National Security Council. Leaf will next face a vote before the whole Senate at a yet-to-be-determined date. Several other Biden nominations, including many ambassadorships, were also advanced by the committee.
