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
Mixed reactions from Congress to Jerusalem conflict Several Democrats in the House and Senate want the Biden administration to pressure Israel over the possible eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Jerusalem, but other Democratic and Republican lawmakers expressed support for Israel after Hamas' rocket attacks. Washington Pulse
Intel: Biden dispatches US senators to forge further ties with Sudan Two US senators met with Sudan’s interim leaders in Khartoum on Tuesday as the Biden administration seeks to forge lasting ties with the new government. Washington Pulse
Intel: US, Israel to cooperate against Iran’s missiles and drones Biden White House avoids row with Israel over nuclear negotiations with Iran, offers to help counter Tehran's ballistic and cruise missiles. Washington Pulse
Congress presses Biden administration for answers on Yemen war Pressure is building on Capitol Hill as lawmakers await clarity about US support for Saudi Arabia in an upcoming briefing. Washington Pulse
US Yemen envoy: Houthi attack on Americans in Saudi Arabia is 'greatest fear' The US special envoy for Yemen gave an update to Congress on the Biden administration’s efforts to engage with Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces in the war-torn country. Washington Pulse
Senate Democrats push for additional checks on UAE F-35 sale The bill comes amid a fresh wave of scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers over the Biden administration's plan to move forward with the Trump-era arms sale. Congress
House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization The resolution will next head to the full House for a vote. Bipartisan support for repealing the authorization pertaining to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq gained steam following the February US airstrikes in Syria, which the president approved without consulting Congress. Iraq
Senators endorse new, broader deal on Iranian policy A group of Democratic and Republican senators asked President Biden to reach an agreement with Iran that restricts Iran's regional and missile policies in addition to its nuclear program. Some US progressives oppose this, and it could be difficult to accomplish with Tehran. Washington Pulse
Blinken’s first meeting with Turkish counterpart yields little In a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, the US secretary of state and Turkish foreign minister discussed a range of issues. Turkey
Intel: US, Iraq to renew talks over troop presence in April The Biden White House accepted Baghdad's request to kickstart strategic dialogue Iraq
USAID nominee takes questions on Yemen, Libya, and Israel at Senate hearing Former UN Ambassador Samantha Power, who is nominated to head the US government’s international development agency, was asked about Yemen, Libya and Israel before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Washington Pulse
Biden calls Turkish exit from women’s treaty 'disheartening step backward' The Biden administration has rebuked Turkey's "unwarranted" withdrawal from the landmark Istanbul Convention. Washington Pulse
