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
Egyptian-Americans launch human rights push ahead of Sisi re-election Trump helped free NGO worker Aya Hijazi from prison. Now she’s leading the charge against his Egypt policy. Egypt
Iran deal advocates prepare to battle Pompeo nomination President Trump’s pick to replace Rex Tillerson at the State Department has called the Iran agreement “disastrous” and threatened military action against Iran. Congress
Pentagon braces for emboldened Iran after Syria gains The Pentagon’s top commander in the Middle East told lawmakers today that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s gains in the yearslong civil war will bolster Iran’s ability to frustrate US aims in the region. Syria
Senate fissure opens up over ending Yemen war Traditional centrists are pushing back against bipartisan efforts to stop US support for the Saudi coalition. Saudi Arabia
Israel anti-boycott bill inches closer to passing Senate after revisions A revised anti-boycott bill is gaining traction in the Senate as pro-Israel advocates lobby lawmakers to pass the legislation. Israel
Pro-Israel lobby struggles to bring parties together ahead of annual conference The American Israel Public Affairs Committee hasn’t made much headway on key issues such as the Iran nuclear deal and anti-boycott legislation. Israel
Progressive champion Sanders joins fight against Yemen war Anti-war activists hope that a new bipartisan effort spearheaded by 2016 left-wing candidate Bernie Sanders will reinvigorate efforts to end US support for the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia
Saudis recruit legal muscle for leverage in US nuclear negotiations Saudi Arabia has hired an international law firm to help negotiate a more favorable civil nuclear agreement with Washington amid pushback in Congress. Saudi Arabia
Congress skeptical of Saudi nuclear energy demands Lawmakers are making it clear that any proposal to share civilian nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia must include robust nonproliferation safeguards. Saudi Arabia
Senate rebuffs White House request to water down Palestinian aid cuts The US Senate wants to beef up legislation cutting aid to the West Bank and Gaza Strip after the House passed a watered-down version last year at the insistence of President Donald Trump’s peace envoy. Palestine
International pressure on Israeli settlements renews push for US anti-boycott laws Pro-Israel advocates trying to fight boycotts of Israel's settlements face a new urgency as the UN turns its spotlight on the West Bank, but legal challenges to federal and state laws are creating significant hurdles. Palestine
Trump seeks to slash funding for UN missions in Mideast The State Department budget is seeking across-the-board cuts to international peacekeeping missions worldwide. Lebanon
