New Middle East Transitions Office Opens at Department of State

The U.S. Department of State opened a new Middle East Transitions (MET) office, which started operation this week. William Taylor, former senior vice president for conflict management at United States Institute of Peace, will spearhead Middle East Transitions, with the support of current deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern Affairs Tamara Cofman Wittes, who will serve as deputy at the new office.  Karen Volker of the Middle East Partnership Initiative will hold the position of Taylor’s chief-of-staff.  Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman and Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns will be Taylor’s immediate superiors.

The office will be permanent, and will begin by directing State Department action on the democratic transitions in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, though could be expanded to work on potential transitions in Syria, Yemen, and other countries in the region.  MET will develop and disseminate strategies to support democratic transitions from within the State Department, on an inter-agency basis, through international financial institutions, and through NGO’s and “stakeholders on the ground.”