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
US won’t change Syria policy to free missing Americans, Pompeo says Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was asked if the Trump administration would consider meeting the Syrian regime's terms, which reportedly include withdrawing all American forces from the country. Syria
US rejects Russian proposal at UN on new Gulf security mechanism The US ambassador to the UN said the endeavor would not work until Iran meets its international obligations. Originals
US to remove Sudan from state sponsors of terror list President Donald Trump announced the plan to de-list Sudan on Monday. Israel
Iran arms embargo ends with warnings from Washington US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to sanction countries that engage in weapons trade with Iran. United States
Intel: Congress urges Egypt’s president to release political prisoners More than 50 US members of the US Congress called for Egyptian journalists, lawyers and rights activists to be released in a letter addressed directly to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Biden slams Trump's Iran policy at town hall The Democratic presidential candidate also praised Trump's work on the UAE-Israel deal. Israel
Yemen's Houthi rebels release two US citizens in prisoner swap Officials from Saudi Arabia and Oman helped negotiate the release Saudi Arabia
Pompeo calls on Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also raised human rights concerns during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan. Saudi Arabia
Intel: US senators renew call for Turkey sanctions over reports of S-400 test Reports that Turkey continues to test the Russian-built air defense system have prompted renewed objections from lawmakers. Turkey
‘A slap in the face’: 9/11 families say US-Sudan deal would torpedo two-decade lawsuit The Trump administration has quietly reached an understanding with Sudan that some 9/11 families say puts Washington’s foreign policy objectives ahead of their quest for justice. United States
US government announces seizure of 92 Iran-linked websites The US seizure of the news sites allegedly connected to the Iranian government came before new US sanctions on Iranian banks. United States
