United States Department of State. Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs

The Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs succeeded the Bureau of Near Eastern, South Asian and African Affairs on August 20, 1958. It was succeeded by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs on August 24, 1992.

The Bureau, under the direction of an assistant secretary, executed responsibility for the general conduct of foreign relations with the countries within its geographical area of responsibility by applying over-all political, security, economic, public affairs, social, consular, administrative, and other policies and practices. The Bureau maintained and supervised relationships with foreign missions in the United States representing countries within its regional jurisdiction, except on substantive consular matters, and guided the operation of Foreign Service establishments within its area overseas. Its geographical area of responsibility included Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.