on february 14, 2005, she returned to the u.s. state department and was appointed the principal deputy assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs and coordinator for broader middle east and north africa initiatives. in this position, cheney supported the assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, c. david welch, and coordinated u.s. multilateral efforts to promote and support democracy, expanded education and economic opportunities in the middle east and northern africa. cheney oversaw the launch of two semi-independent foundations, the fund of the future (worth $100 million), to provide capital for small businesses and the foundation of the future (worth $55 million), to promote freedom of the press and democracy. in that capacity, cheney endorsed a draft of a new iraqi constitution.