U.S.

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.

Al-Monitor Staff | Congress | Apr 17, 2021

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez speaks at a confirmation hearing on March 23, 2021, while Sen. Dianne Feinstein asks questions at a Senate Homeland Security hearing on March 3, 2021, in Washington,

Congresswoman introduces bill to condition US aid to Israel

The legislation from a progressive representative reflects a trend in the Democratic party toward pro-Palestinian positions and criticism of Israel.

Adam Lucente | Congress | Apr 16, 2021

House panel considers US policy options in Syria

Members of the subcommittee also pressed witnesses on whether regime change in Syria is an option.

Adam Lucente | U.S. | Apr 15, 2021

Jennifer-Cafarella-Linda-Khatib-Omar-Alshogre

Iran not backing down in Middle East, US intel report says

The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign did not stop Tehran's ambitions in the region, ODNI report suggests.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 14, 2021

A man walks past a mural painted on the outer walls of the former US Embassy in the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Sept. 29, 2020.

Intel: US endorses watchdog report blaming Syria for chemical attack

The report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the Syrian air force dropped chlorine on a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria in 2018.

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Syria | Apr 14, 2021

Senate confirms Wendy Sherman for No. 2 post at State Department

Sherman was the lead negotiator for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The debate over her nomination mostly focused on the agreement, which the Biden administration is currently seeking to reenter.

Adam Lucente | Congress | Apr 14, 2021

Biden restores US aid to Palestinian refugee agency

Along with providing $150 million to UNRWA, the US administration announced funding for economic and development assistance in the West Bank and Gaza.

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Palestine | Apr 7, 2021

A Palestinian rides a bicycle past the closed gate of a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on April 6, 2021, amidst a lockdown due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)

House Democrats urge Biden to pressure Saudis on 'unconscionable' Yemen blockade

The lawmakers called on Biden to use the full weight of US influence to end the sea and air blockade, which aid agencies say is exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

Al-Monitor Staff | Saudi Arabia | Apr 7, 2021

US Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) is seen in a hallway of the US Capitol prior to an event at the Rayburn Room Dec. 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Man admits asking Gaetz's father for $25M to find FBI agent in Iran, denies extortion

Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent believed to have died in Iranian custody, is now wrapped up in Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz's legal drama.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | Apr 7, 2021

US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens

The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program.

Jared Szuba | Iran | Apr 6, 2021

In this handout provided by the U.S. Navy, an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)on June 28, 2016 in the Mediterranean Sea.

State Department says Israel 'occupied' West Bank and Gaza

A State Department spokesman said it is a "historical fact" that Israel occupied the Palestinian Territories in 1967 following a report from the department that retained some Trump administration language on the issue that is closer to Israel's position.

Al-Monitor Staff | U.S. | Apr 1, 2021

Abandoned former Jordanian police station in West Bank

Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria

The Biden administration is also calling on the UN Security Council to allow the free flow of aid to opposition-held parts of Syria.

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Syria | Mar 30, 2021

In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid

Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reauthorize a cross-border aid operation into Syria despite Russian and Chinese opposition.

Elizabeth Hagedorn | Syria | Mar 29, 2021

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.

Adam Lucente | Iraq | Mar 26, 2021

Representative Gregory Meeks, (D-NY), and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill, Washington, March 10, 2021.

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.

Adam Lucente | Washington Pulse | Mar 25, 2021

U.S.

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.

Congresswoman introduces bill to condition US aid to Israel

House panel considers US policy options in Syria

Iran not backing down in Middle East, US intel report says

Intel: US endorses watchdog report blaming Syria for chemical attack

Senate confirms Wendy Sherman for No. 2 post at State Department

Biden restores US aid to Palestinian refugee agency

House Democrats urge Biden to pressure Saudis on 'unconscionable' Yemen blockade

Man admits asking Gaetz's father for $25M to find FBI agent in Iran, denies extortion

US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens

State Department says Israel 'occupied' West Bank and Gaza

Intel: US pledges nearly $600M in humanitarian aid to Syria

In rebuke to Russia, Blinken presses UN to quit politicizing Syria aid

House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization

Senators endorse new, broader deal on Iranian policy

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