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 probes Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of April 20. Iran
Turks link Armenia to US foes in bid to derail genocide nod Ankara's allies raise concerns with Yerevan's ties to Iran and Russia. Turkey
White House OKs Senate's Iran bill President Barack Obama is expected to sign the congressional review of the Iranian deal into law. Iran
Is Hillary Clinton taking 'blood phosphate' money from Morocco? Critics of a $1 million Clinton Foundation gift see a ploy to build support for illegal exploitation of the "last colony in Africa." Morocco
Congress gets its say on Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of April 13 Iran
Saudi Arabia embraces high-tech lobbying Saudi Arabia is tapping politically connected digital image-makers amid escalating tensions with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Germans deny signing GOP letter on Iran Two German lawmakers tell Al-Monitor they never even saw the joint letter circulated by hawkish House members. Iran
Congress concerned over Turkey's drift from democracy Lawmakers have asked the State Department to beef up its support for civil society in Turkey to encourage democratic governance. Turkey
Saudi Arabia gets bipartisan backing for Yemen airstrikes Lawmakers are lining up behind the US ally despite fears of another sectarian proxy war. Saudi Arabia
Bahrain asks Congress for help in restoring arms sales Manama's embassy in Washington is circulating a letter calling for a united front against IS, Iran; Bahrain is courting Congress in its effort to get the Obama administration to unblock weapons sales that were suspended after its 2011 crackdown on Shiite-led protesters. Legacy: Gulf
Will Congress arm Iraqi Kurds? The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs panel is lining up support for his bid to bypass Baghdad. Iraq
Iran's past nuclear activities come under scrutiny A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of March 23. Congress
