Comings and goings: Obama campaign enlists Ira Forman for Jewish outreach

The Envoy

• Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warns that if budget cuts target U.S. initiatives to support emerging democratic movements, the United States risks losing the opportunities presented by the Arab spring uprisings. (Reuters)

• New Defense Secretary Leon Panetta likewise warns of loss of mission focus should the Defense budget face further cuts. (National Journal)

• The Middle East Quartet issues a joint statement expressing great concern over new Israeli housing construction plans in the West Bank settlement of Ariel. (State Department)

• The Obama reelection campaign enlists Ira Forman, the former executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, to coordinate its Jewish outreach. (Washington Jewish Week)

• The former Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Embassy Afghanistan Todd Chapman will head up the U.S. embassy in Brazil while U.S. ambassador Tom Shannon comes to Washington next week to serve as acting under secretary of State for political affairs until Obama's nominee for "P," Wendy Sherman, is confirmed. "I hope I will be back in Brazil before my tan fades," Amb. Shannon tells The Envoy. (The Cable)