Analysis As pro-Palestinian candidates gain ground, will AIPAC's influence wane? The American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence has weakened in the Democratic Party and may also be at risk among Republicans. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis As US rethinks regional presence, Israel shifts focus to destabilizing Iran Uncertain how to interpret the American regional redeployment, Israel is focusing on efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime and stop its nuclear program. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan sign defense pact Houthi attacks kill 58 Yemeni government troops; Syria says bomb near Damascus wounds 14; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel strikes south Lebanon after 2 soldiers killed Tehran says Iran, Oman agree on Hormuz shipping route; US lifts sanctions on Iraqi airline linked to Iran's IRGC; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Congress discusses 'strategic opportunity' for US vaccines in MidEast The House Foreign Affairs Committee's hearing Wednesday focused in part on the reputation of American COVID-19 vaccines in the Middle East versus Russian and Chinese ones. News Brief
US lawmakers unveil American hostage task force Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) announced the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, a bipartisan working group aimed at helping the families of detained US citizens. United States
Biden urged to secure release of Americans left behind in Iran Amid intensifying speculation over a prisoner exchange between the United States and Iran, the family of Siamak and Baquer Namazi is appealing to President Joe Biden to secure their release. Iran
Biden discusses imperiled Syrian aid at high-stakes Putin summit The two leaders met ahead of a looming UN Security Council deadline to renew a massive cross-border aid operation that Russia is intent on shutting down. Syria
House Republicans cite 2015 law mandating congressional review of any Iran nuclear deal Republicans say the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act requires the president submit any deal on Iran's nuclear program to Congress for review. This could complicate the Biden administration's efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal. United States
Republican senators ask Biden's UN rep to highlight Houthi rights abuses Some Houthi officials in Yemen have already been sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations this year. United States
Erdogan’s meeting with Biden more spin than substance The two leaders' first meeting as heads of state led to detailed discussions, but there were no breakthroughs. Turkey
Intel: House to vote to repeal 2002 Iraq war authorization Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) has bipartisan support and a nod of approval from the White House. United States
Intel: US engages Turkey over Kabul airport security Ankara could leave some troops in Afghanistan if Washington provides support. United States
Rep. Omar clarifies comments on 'atrocities' by the US, Israel, Hamas and the Taliban The Democratic representative said that domestic courts are insufficient to prosecute crimes against humanity, but her reference prompted criticism from some of her Democratic House colleagues. United States
Middle East countries set to benefit from Biden’s global vaccine initiative A US State Department spokesperson told Al-Monitor that hard-hit Iran will not be receiving doses at this time. United States