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
Capitol Hill raises alarm on coming Mosul onslaught Congress’ human rights panel urged the Obama administration to make Iraqi civilians a priority. Iraq
Iran emerges as a top issue in tight congressional races The pro-Iran deal J Street is spending $500,000 to unseat nuclear deal opponents. Israel
Congress sends Riyadh 'signal' with vote to allow terror lawsuits Congress defeated President Barack Obama's effort to shield the US ally from terrorism-related lawsuits. Saudi Arabia
Senate tacitly endorses US role in Yemen war The upper chamber overwhelmingly defeated a bill to block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
US aid to Israel takes a partisan turn Senate Republicans push for $1.5 billion boost days after signing off on a record $38 billion package. Israel
Iran looms large over Senate fight to block arms sales for Saudi war in Yemen Resolution sponsors insist: It’s a civil war, not a proxy war. Saudi Arabia
Rise of Iran-backed militias jeopardizes US aid to Iraq US law prohibits military assistance unless Baghdad reins in PMU. Iraq
Will 9/11 lawsuit vote sabotage US arms sales to Riyadh? The Obama administration has offered to sell Saudi Arabia a record $115 billion in weapons. Does the Sept. 9 vote to allow the families of terrorist victims to sue the kingdom mean an end to business as usual? Saudi Arabia
Can Congress stop Obama from making payments to Iran? Congress wants to rein in the White House's legal settlements slush fund. It's a little late for that. United States
US election 2016: Is Trump trying to lose? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 1. United States
US election 2016: Clinton takes the stage while Trump takes the lead Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of July 25. United States
Iraqi envoy quit over failure to prevent IS 'tragedies' Ambassador Lukman Faily bemoans missed opportunities to head off the Islamic State early on and elaborates on his post-diplomatic plans in an exit interview with Al-Monitor. Iraq
