Trump admin taps Joel Rayburn for senior State Department position
The Trump administration has nominated Joel Rayburn as assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, a key role in shaping US policy in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration formally notified the US Senate on Tuesday of its intent to nominate Joel Rayburn to be the State Department's assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs, a top position in shaping Middle East policy.
Rayburn, a retired Army colonel who co-authored the Army’s official history of the Iraq War, served as special envoy to Syria during the prior Trump administration. He has since served as Middle East policy adviser to Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.).
Rayburn’s selection to lead the State Department’s Near East office has been widely anticipated, although he has kept a low profile in recent weeks amid the speculation.
Congratulations to my friend and former staff member Joel Rayburn on his nomination to be Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs!
— Senator Bill Hagerty (@SenatorHagerty) February 12, 2025
Joel will be a critical asset to @SecRubio and @POTUS in bringing back peace to the Middle East and implementing America First policies.…
The pick offers a thread of continuity from the first Trump administration’s belated approach to Middle East policy, which sought to focus US initiatives in the region around containing Iran as a central threat.
