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
House panel approves peshmerga bill that Baghdad deems 'unwise and unnecessary' The House Foreign Affairs panel voted to directly arm Kurdish forces. Iraq
America's 'Made in Israel' policy that you've probably never heard of Much has been said about the EU's new guidelines for labeling Israeli settlement goods, but the US has had similar rules for decades. Palestine
Congress focuses on Islamic State threat from Europe A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Dec. 7. Iraq
Is US preparing to crack down on IRGC? A key House panel is inching closer to slapping additional sanctions on the IRGC. Congress
US threatens to bypass Baghdad, arm Sunnis against IS Congress and the Obama administration are demanding that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi do more to combat sectarianism. Iraq
Congress threatens to shut down government over Syrian refugees A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Nov. 30. Iraq
GOP blames Obama for anti-refugee backlash Republicans say a failed Middle East strategy has fueled "fear and panic" in the United States. Iraq
Democrats warn Syrian refugee ban would empower Islamic State Congressional Democrats say discriminating against Muslims would harm war effort. Syria
Hawkish Republican candidates don’t mince words on radical Islam While some Republican presidential candidates have been quick to declare a war on radical Islam, there has been little focus on the causes behind its rise. Syria
Congress tackles terrorism after Paris attacks Following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris, this week Congress will be addressing issues related to a rise in radicalism and President Obama’s plans to increase the number of refugees admitted from war-torn countries. Syria
Is it from Israel or Palestine? EU labeling guidelines spur more controversy Congress — and Israel — say new European labeling guidelines are an anti-Semitic ploy; the EU says they’re in line with 15 years of trade law. Palestine
Is Congress paving the way for a Christian safe zone in Iraq? A bipartisan effort to denounce an ongoing genocide is picking up steam. That's just the first step. Iraq
