A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, August 2, 2013

Out of the Frying Pan ... Anne Patterson Going to NEA

Dropping out of vacation mode for a moment: yesterday President Obama nominated US Ambassador to Egypt as the new Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Ambassador Patterson has had a stormy tenure in Cairo to say the least, and many liberal Egyptians blamed her (unfairly I believe) for being overly supportive of the Morsi regime. She was unpopular with the Egyptian elite; but the Assistant Secretary post will assure her of a continued role in managing US-Egyptian relations. US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford is rumored to be a candidate for the Cairo job.

No comments: