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
Former US, Israeli officials voice support for Biden's Pentagon policy pick Former US ambassadors and retired Israeli generals are among those backing Colin Kahl for the Pentagon's top policy role. Washington Pulse
Iran’s supreme leader authorized infowar campaign during US election Hezbollah and Russia also spread disinformation to try to influence the 2020 presidential election, a newly released US intelligence report says. Russia
Biden leaves Syria on back burner as war marks 10 years In his first months in office, President Joe Biden's team has signaled that Syria’s civil war won’t be among his top foreign policy priorities. Syria
Biden's deputy secretary of state nominee OK'd by Senate committee The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved moving Wendy Sherman's nomination to the full Senate, with some Democrats and Republicans who had disagreed with her on the Iran deal voting to confirm her anyway. United States
US hits Iranian officials with travel restriction over ‘gross human rights violations’ For the first time, the Biden administration targets alleged IRGC interrogators over inhumane detention of protesters. United States
Biden administration reviewing old authorizations for military force There is bipartisan pressure from Congress to repeal the September 11 and Iraq War era authorizations following a US airstrike in Syria that was approved without congressional approval. Originals
Intel: US sends B-52 bombers back to Middle East amid attacks by Iran-linked proxies Following drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia this weekend, it is not clear that the Pentagon's deterrence tactic is paying off. Saudi Arabia
Gantz informs Biden administration of updated Israeli plans to strike Iran Israel's defense minster joins other officials in subtle warning to Washington over Iran nuclear talks. Israel
Republicans challenge Biden's Pentagon policy nominee on Iran Colin Kahl said he supports the Abraham Accords and continued pressure on Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Biden faces calls to lift Trump's controversial ICC sanctions The International Criminal Court’s investigation into potential war crimes committed by Israel and Hamas is looming over the Biden administration’s review of sanctions on the Hague-based tribunal. Palestine
American dies of ‘cardiac episode’ after rocket attack on Iraq air base Rocket strikes resume after Biden authorized retaliation on pro-Iran militia in Syria last week Iraq
US sanctions two Houthi military leaders after attacks on Saudi Arabia The administration's revocation of the Houthis' terrorist designation has been met with further missile strikes. Yemen
