Obama appoints new Mideast advisor

US President Barack Obama has appointed veteran foreign policy expert as his new coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf Region.
Philip Gordon will join the National Security Staff as Special Assistant to the President and White House Coordinator for the region, National Security Advisor Tom Donilon announced yesterday.
"Phil has been a key member of President Obama's foreign policy team for the past four years and his work with our European Allies and partners has been indispensable in helping us to formulate policy and address issues around the globe, including Libya, Syria and Iran," Donilon said.

Since May 2009, Gordon has served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. As Assistant Secretary he was responsible for US policy with regard to 50 countries in Europe and Eurasia as well as NATO, the EU and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
Prior to joining the Obama administration, Gordon was a senior foreign policy advisor to the 2008 presidential campaign.
He will take up his duties beginning on March 11, a White House statement said.