Home arrow News arrow Mideast Policy Highlights Special Briefing from State Department Officials
Mideast Policy Highlights Special Briefing from State Department Officials
Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Inside the State DepartmentOn Friday, June 19, U.S. foreign policy leaders briefed student attending the Junior Statesmen Summer School at Georgetown University on the state of world affairs and the complex considerations State Department officials account for when addressing foreign policy issues.  The afternoon program began with a lively, interactive briefing by Philip Crowley, the Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Public Affairs, who provided a comprehensive overview of the administration’s international priorities, and the new communication technologies utilized by the State Department.  Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Richard Schmierer, and Acting Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Vikram Singh, shared their expertise on the complexities and heterogeneity of the Middle East and their thoughts on President Obama’s pledge to begin a new era of mutual respect and cooperation with the Muslim world.  Rounding out the program was the former Ambassador to Burma, Shari Villarosa, who now is with the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism.