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.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) (C) speaks with a reporter following a vote as he departs in the subway of the US Capitol on February 23, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) (C) speaks with a reporter following a vote as he departs in the subway of the US Capitol on February 23, 2021, in Washington, DC. The Senate held confirmation hearings today for multiple Biden administration nominees as well as a hearing regarding the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol. - Al Drago/Getty Images
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Adam Lucente
@Adam_Lucente

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.

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