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 vice presidential candidates debate Iran policy Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris took on Iran issues like the nuclear deal and the killing of Qasem Soleimani. United States
Islamic State 'Beatles' charged with hostage-taking of Americans The charges against El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey include hostage-taking resulting in death and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. United States
US ambassador to Israel warns Biden win could undermine consensus on Iran Ambassador David Friedman is the latest sitting US official to promote the president's policies ahead of the 2020 election. Israel
Intel: Morocco signs 10-year military cooperation agreement with Pentagon The United States is building up its alliances in North Africa amid tensions with Russia and China. Morocco
Intel: Pentagon eyes partnership with Algeria amid competition with Russia, China The United States is looking to bolster military ties with North Africa. Algeria
US charges New York father, teenage son who joined Islamic State Emraan Ali allegedly told prosecutors he snuck his family into Syria after in-laws told him they had a good life under IS. Originals
Trump administration again slashes refugee admissions to new low The announcement followed Trump's attack on refugees during a campaign rally in Minnesota. United States
Trump's Supreme Court pick represented controversial Iranian group Amy Coney Barrett was part of a legal team that represented the National Council of Resistance of Iran, which had previously been designated by the United States as a terrorist organization. Originals
Intel: First Israeli Iron Dome battery arrives in US A second Iron Dome battery is expected to arrive by the end of the year. Israel
Biden criticizes Turkish role in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict The Democratic presidential nominee also said Trump should work to de-escalate the war in the Caucus. Turkey has come up in the US presidential race before. Turkey
Trump mum on refugee admissions despite pleas from Congress The administration has drastically reduced the number of refugees resettled annually in the United States. United States
Intel: Menendez opposes resolution to immunize Sudan from terror lawsuits The Trump administration is looking to unilaterally take Sudan off the US terror sponsors' list amid a logjam over the issue in Congress, jeopardizing victims' compensation, in an apparent effort to get Sudan to recognize Israel ahead of the Nov. 3 US election. Israel
