Netanyahu avoided high-profile meeting with Trump, diplomats say

Washington — The U.S. State Department announced that senior career diplomats Jeffrey Feltman and Michael Ratney have been appointed to lead a newly formed Middle‑East diplomatic task force aimed at coordinating American policy on regional stability and humanitarian assistance. Feltman, a former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and former ambassador to Lebanon, will serve as the task force’s senior adviser, while Ratney, the current U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will act as its chief operational coordinator. The appointment, made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, reflects an effort to consolidate experienced diplomatic leadership as Washington seeks to address escalating tensions and the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The task force will convene with counterparts from allied nations, regional organizations, and non‑governmental partners to develop a coordinated response to ongoing conflicts, facilitate cease‑fire negotiations, and oversee the delivery of aid to affected populations. Both diplomats bring extensive experience in Arab‑U.S. relations and have previously engaged in high‑level negotiations on issues ranging from nuclear non‑proliferation to refugee resettlement. The initiative is slated to begin its first series of meetings in the coming weeks, with a formal report on progress expected by the end of the year.