Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
US Navy plans for smaller fleet amid spending caps despite Middle East crisis Facing budget caps and new procurement delays, the Navy is poised to reduce the overall size of its fleet even as attacks by Iran and its proxies in Yemen have led to unprecedented disruptions of commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Washington Pulse
Exclusive US government employees plan walkout over Biden’s Gaza policies By Joyce Karam , Elizabeth Hagedorn
White House's Kushner to visit Israel, Morocco following normalization agreement Senior Trump administration adviser Jared Kushner will lead a US and Israeli delegation to Morocco next week. Israel
Israel open to teaming up with Gulf states on missile defense, official says Shift in tone comes as Israel hails "successful" missile defense exercise in cooperation with Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency Israel
US sanctions Turkey over S-400 purchase The Foreign Ministry in Ankara said it will "retaliate" for the sanctions on four top officials of Turkey's defense procurement agency. Turkey
US rescinds Sudan’s terror sponsor designation, but hurdles remain The announcement was celebrated in Sudan, but Khartoum is still laden under huge debt and is not yet immune to terror lawsuits in US courts. United States
US sanctions Iranian officials over Robert Levinson’s abduction The US government believes Mohammad Baseri and Ahmad Khazai were involved in the abduction, detention and probable death of the retired FBI agent. Iran
Congress passes annual defense spending bill mandating sanctions on Turkey Trump has vowed to veto the bill, which includes a mandate for the administration to sanction Turkey over the S-400. Turkey
US deploys long-range bombers, aircraft carrier to Middle East to deter Iran The B-52 deployment comes amid the return of the USS Nimitz to the Persian Gulf. United States
US Senator to continue fighting UAE weapons sale Sen. Chris Murphy said he wants to work with the incoming Biden administration to review aspects of the Trump administration's weapons sale to the UAE after resolutions to stop the sale failed in the Senate. Originals
Senate fails to pass resolution blocking Trump administration’s F-35 sale to the UAE Major obstacle falls to Trump administration's Gulf security goals. United Arab Emirates
State Department says more Syria sanctions possible before presidential transition US Syria envoy Joel Rayburn also told Congress that non-Syrians could soon be sanctioned under the Caesar Act. Originals
Outgoing Syria envoy reflects on Turkey, the Kurds and what everyone got wrong In a long-ranging interview with Al-Monitor, James Jeffrey looks back on his efforts to incorporate fragments of Obama-era initiatives into a cohesive Middle East policy. Syria
Biden's CENTCOM pick to head Pentagon raises concern over civilian leadership Gen. Lloyd Austin has emerged as the president-elect's likely pick over former Pentagon policy chief Michele Flournoy. United States
