Dennis B Ross, who brokered an agreement between Israel and Palestinian Authority in 1995, has been appointed by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as her Special Adviser for the Gulf and Southwest Asia.
Ross, who served under two US Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, is known for shaping the Middle East policies under the two administrations.
As Special Adviser, Ross will provide to Clinton and State Department officials strategic advice and perspective on the region; offer assessments and also act to ensure effective policy integration throughout the region.
Ross would coordinate with senior officials in the development and formulation of new policy approaches; and participate in inter-agency activities related to the region, the State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood said.
In a statement, Wood said this is a region in which the US is fighting two wars and facing challenges of ongoing conflict, terror, proliferation, access to energy, economic development and strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
"In this area, we must strive to build support for US goals and policies. To be successful, we will need to be able to integrate our policy development and implementation across a broad range of offices and officials in the State Department and in his role as Special Adviser to the Secretary, Ross will be asked to play that role," he said.