In 1948, the Division of Middle Eastern Affairs was renamed South Asian Affairs. This change marked the end of the use of the term "Middle East" to designate regional offices of the State Department. Also in this year, some of the countries from Near Eastern Affairs were shifted to a new Division of Greek, Turkish, and Iranian Affairs, thus changing how the State Department defined "Near East." Sudan was shifted from African Affairs to Near Eastern Affairs.

Source: U.S. Government Manual, Summer 1948, 90.