Iran, Ukraine top agenda as Blinken tours Middle East

Blinken's trip will include extensive discussions with Abu Dhabi's crown prince and stops in North Africa.

United States

Russia not sending Syrians to Ukraine just yet, top US general says

US CENTCOM has seen no sign of widespread recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine.

Syria

Analysis

Lawmakers call for probe as arms purchasers target US-based dissidents

Democratic lawmakers are seeking a congressional watchdog study on how the State Department is tracking extraterritorial harassment by countries that benefit from US security assistance or arms, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Biden administration plans to sell F-15 fighter jets to Egypt

The proposed sale has been in the works for years and is bound to raise opposition on Capitol Hill.

United States

Analysis

The Takeaway: Russia, Iran major cyberthreats targeting US, says intel community

Turkey as alternative European gas route; Russian Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine; Palestinians claim double-standard in Western response to Ukraine; Egypt balances US, Russia in dealing with Ukraine war.

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Biden bans Russian oil imports as Iran talks hit snag

The embargo on Russian energy supplies comes as negotiators in Vienna appear close to striking a deal that would ease sanctions on Iran’s oil sector.

Iran

Biden administration to announce sanctions waivers for Syrian Kurds, Sunni opposition-held areas

Sanctions exemptions are aimed at expediting humanitarian aid and diminishing the economic damage in certain areas.

Syria

Lawmakers urge US action on Syria's crisis-hit Rukban camp

The Biden administration faces congressional pressure to help desperate civilians stranded in the Syrian camp near Jordan.

Syria

Biden nominees for ambassadors to Iraq, Yemen appear before Senate

Steven Fagin, nominee for ambassador to Yemen, faced questions about whether to designate the Houthi movement as a terrorist organization, while Alina Romanowski, nominee for ambassador to Iraq, said she will work with the nation's elected officials.

United States

Rights group adds lobbying help to spotlight Egypt, Saudi abuses

Political prisoner advocacy group Freedom Initiative is deploying Washington lobbyists to amplify its message on the Hill.

United States

US sanctions smuggling network backing Yemen's Houthis

The latest Houthi-related sanctions come as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia push the Biden administration to designate the Iran-supported group as a terrorist organization.

Yemen

US talks directly with Syria on missing American but White House a ‘holdup,’ family says

The family of Majd Kamalmaz is pleading with the White House to build on previous engagement with Damascus, saying the Syrians have demanded to speak with a high-level US official.

Syria