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
Intel: US plans to reduce troops in Iraq The Pentagon plans to reduce its current troop presence in Iraq by about one-third as President Donald Trump heads for November's vote on his reelection amid a campaign promise to end US military involvement in conflicts abroad. Iraq
Trump talks Israel-UAE deal, Biden’s Middle East record at last night of Republican convention The president slammed his Democratic rival for voting for the 2003 Iraq war, but there's no record Trump opposed the invasion at the time. United States
Harris says Biden presidency will not condition aid to Israel The Democrats' vice presidential pick, Sen. Kamala Harris, sought to distance the Biden campaign from emerging party criticism of Israel in recent years. Israel
Nikki Haley praises Trump on Iran, Israel at Republican convention Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley said that Democratic nominee Joe Biden would be good for Iran and the Islamic State. Originals
Pompeo to visit Sudan, Bahrain, other countries on regional trip Pompeo will discuss Israel and the transition to democracy in Sudan. Bahrain is also rumored to be next in line to normalize relations with Israel. Originals
Pompeo initiates snapback of Iran sanctions at UN Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was left with no alternatives following its failed bid at the UN Security Council to extend an arms embargo on Iran. Originals
US won't seek death penalty for Islamic State 'Beatles' if UK shares evidence, Barr says The United States will move forward with plans to prosecute El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey if the United Kingdom, their home country, shares key evidence. United States
Democratic National Convention discusses Iran, Israel on day two Former Secretary of State John Kerry touted the Iran deal and pro-Palestine activist Linda Sarsour discussed party unity as Joe Biden officially became the party's presidential nominee. Originals
What are Biden's Mideast positions? As the former vice president officially becomes the Democratic Party's nominee for president, a look back on his positions shows he differs from Trump on Iran and Saudi Arabia, and he has been asked to answer for his vote on the 2002 Iraq War resolution. Originals
Report: Pompeo expected to ask UN to reimpose Iran sanctions Reuters reported that the US Secretary of State is likely to head to UN headquarters in New York on Thursday to ask for the reimposition of sanctions on Tehran. Originals
Kushner: US won’t sign off on West Bank annexation 'for some time' Top US presidential adviser Jared Kushner has said the focus will be implementing the agreement reached last week between Israel and United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
US seizes multi-million-barrel Iranian fuel shipment bound for Venezuela The US government has seized more than a million barrels of Iranian fuel contained in four tanker ships bound for Venezuela. Originals
