President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced his decision to nominate Jeffrey Feltman, a career Foreign Service diplomat, to serve as assistant secretary for Near East Affairs – the highest Middle East-related position at the U.S. State Department. Feltman's nomination was announced Wednesday afternoon along with nominees to several other posts in the U.S. government. “I am confident that the skill and dedication these individuals bring to their roles will serve the American people well as we work to keep our nation safe at home and abroad. I am grateful that they have chosen to serve and look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead,” Obama said in a statement announcing the nominations. Feltman currently serves as principal deputy assistant secretary in the Near Eastern Affairs department, and has been acting in the position to which he was formally nominated Wednesday since early December.
