Obama : "Jeffrey Feltman as Assistant Secretary of State's NEA.."

... to replace the fabled David Welch! I still am hoping for the bigger strategic picture, but my hopes are dimming by the hour! ...In the Cable, here

"As expected, President Barack Obama today announced his intent to nominate Jeffrey Feltman, the acting assistant secretary of State's Near Eastern Affairs bureau and a former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, to be the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. ......

Also anticipated, sources told The Cable that Frederick Hof is expected to get into place at the State Department as the deputy to U.S. Middle East peace envoy George Mitchell next week. Hof is not expected to travel with Mitchell on his trip to the region later next week. Washington Middle East hands said the NSC's Shapiro would be accompanying Mitchell on the trip. Their itinerery is expected to include meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, and visits to the Maghreb. Washington Middle East hands said Mitchell was not expected to go to Damascus at this time."