Barbara Leaf
Director for Near Eastern Affairs
📰 Recent Mentions
View Timeline →Former US Diplomat Calls US-Iran Escalation 'Pointless'
Former US Ambassador to UAE Barbara Leaf has stated that the ongoing escalation between the US and Iran is 'fairly pointless'. This warning comes amid…
Washington Post: Biden Will Not Remove New Syrian Leader from Terrorist List
The Biden administration has decided to maintain the terrorist designation of new Islamist leaders in Syria until the end of Biden's term, deferring critical decisions…
The U.S. Cancels $10 Million Reward for Information on Jolani
The U.S. has canceled a $10 million reward for information on Ahmad al-Shar' (Jolani), leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, as he has committed to preventing…
The U.S. to Cancel the Reward for the Arrest of Al-Julani; 'Iran Will Have No Role in Syria'
The U.S. has announced the cancellation of the reward for the capture of Syrian rebel leader Abu Muhammad al-Julani and stated that Iran will have…
Senior U.S. Diplomat Discusses Iran's 'Destabilizing Behaviors' with Israeli Officials
Barbara Leaf, a senior U.S. diplomat, is visiting Israel to discuss Iran's destabilizing actions and U.S. support for Palestinians. This visit comes amid unconfirmed reports…
U.S. Presidential Candidate: The JCPOA is Obsolete and Unsuitable for the Present Era
Robert Kennedy, a Democratic presidential candidate, criticized the JCPOA as outdated and emphasized the need for stronger U.S.-Israel-Iran relations to ensure peace. His statements reflect…
White House: Our Policy on Iran Has Not Changed; Having Open Channels of Dialogue is Important
The White House maintains that its policy towards Iran remains unchanged, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue despite the Biden administration's reduced focus on reviving…
Barbara Leaf: The JCPOA is No Longer 'On the Table' as Before
Barbara Leaf, a senior U.S. diplomat, stated that the JCPOA is no longer a central focus for the U.S. and emphasized the continued importance of…
Arab Foreign Ministers Agree to Syria's Return to the Arab League
Arab foreign ministers have agreed to reinstate Syria in the Arab League after over a decade of suspension. This decision reflects increasing regional pressure to…
Arab Ministers' Meeting on Normalizing Relations with Syria Held
A meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Jordan focused on normalizing relations with Syria, marking the first dialogue since the civil war began. Key participants…
Senior U.S. State Department Official Visits the Middle East to Discuss Economic and Security Cooperation
Barbara Leaf from the U.S. State Department is visiting Iraq and Jordan to discuss economic and security cooperation amidst rising tensions with Iran. This visit…