Obama administration appoints new coordinator for Mideast policy

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Obama administration appoints new coordinator for Mideast policy

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has appointed a coordinator for U.S. policy in the Middle East.

The White House named Philip Gordon as the new U.S. coordinator for the Middle East, which would include the Gulf and North Africa. Officials said Gordon would join the National Security Council as special assistant to Obama on March 11.

"Phil has been a key member of President Obama's foreign policy team for the past four years, and his work with our European allies and partners has been indispensable in helping us to formulate policy and address issues around the globe, including Libya, Syria and Iran," National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon said.

In a statement on March 2, Donilon said Gordon, assistant secretary of state since 2009, would join a team that also includes Puneet Talwar and Prem Kumar. Talwar was assigned to coordinate U.S. policy in the Gulf, and Talwar has been focused on the Gulf Cooperation Council as well as Iran and Iraq.

"His [Gordon's] work on international security, international economics and European and Middle Eastern Affairs make him the perfect person to coordinate our policy in this time of great challenge and opportunity in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf," Donilon said.

Officials said the appointment reflected Obama's priority to resolve the nuclear crisis with Iran and launch a process of reconciliation with the Middle East power. They said the president was working toward a breakthrough with Iran over the next few months.