Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray
AP Diplomatic Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken is returning to the Middle East this week on his 12th visit since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year. It’ll be his first trip since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad, which has sparked new fears of instability in a region now wracked by three conflicts despite a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Blinken will travel to Jordan and Turkey on Thursday and Friday for talks expected to focus largely on Syria but also touch on long-elusive hopes for a deal to end the fighting in Gaza. Other stops in the region are possible.