CENTCOM commander acknowledges he did not try to stop Taliban from entering Kabul “If someone actually made a decision, that would’ve been me,” Gen. Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie told House lawmakers during a hearing today. Congress
US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies. Congress
House Democrats back away from delaying Israel arms sale amid Gaza conflict The Biden administration will brief lawmakers on the proposed $735 million sale of JDAM guidance conversion kits and other weapons equipment. Congress
Egypt targets artists in ongoing crackdown on dissent Two Egyptian actors who decry human rights violations in Egypt before US Congress members are vilified at home, as is an Egyptian singer. Egypt
Key senator looks to block Apache sale to Egypt over injured American Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling for the State Department to hold a billion-dollar US helicopter sale to Egypt until Cairo pays for the medical bills of an American wounded in a 2015 attack. Egypt
Intel: How Trump administration is using loophole to transfer nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
House Democrats skeptical of Trump’s Golan Heights shake up Republicans want to codify President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights into law, but even the staunchest pro-Israel Democrats have reservations. Israel
AIPAC waters down anti-BDS push on Capitol Hill amid Democratic row With Democrats controlling the House, AIPAC is diluting its congressional push for anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
Republicans push to lock in Trump’s shift on Golan Heights After President Donald Trump announced his intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Republicans are pushing a bill that would make it permanent US policy. Israel
Four years on, Yemen war remains Saudi Arabia’s albatross The Saudi-led war on Yemen has alienated the kingdom from the US Congress and media outlets, with potentially dangerous consequences for the long-term future of US-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia
2020 Democrats vow to re-enter Iran nuclear deal Advocacy groups are pushing to rejoin US allies in the JCPOA amid criticism of Trump’s foreign policy record. Congress
Senate seeks to tie Trump’s hands on war powers with vote to end military role in Yemen The vote to end US support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen deals another blow to Riyadh, but it’s also an effort by liberals to curtail the president’s war-making authority. Saudi Arabia
GOP blocks Trump administration’s bid to save Palestinian aid The Donald Trump administration has pushed Congress to preserve Palestinian security aid only to find resistance from the president’s Republican allies. Palestine
Pentagon seeks $2 billion cut for Islamic State fight The new US defense budget would cut funding to defeat IS by 20% as President Trump targets a withdrawal from Syria by the end of April. Iraq
