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
Report: China, Russia worried about militants' return from Syria Beijing and Moscow are concerned that citizens who left to fight with jihadi groups in Syria could stoke radicalization at home following their return. Syria
Pentagon rethinks how to protect diplomats, aid workers in Mideast war zones The Pentagon's push for more authority to provide security to diplomats and aid workers in conflict zones could allow US aid to penetrate deeper into war zones. Yemen
Palestinians lobby for tweaks to anti-terror bill The Palestinian Authority and plaintiffs backed by an Israeli NGO are competing for lawmakers’ ears as Congress seeks to amend an anti-terror law. Palestine
Pompeo urges Iranians to expose regime abuses Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Iranians to continue sending messages exposing the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown on recent widespread protests. Iraq
Jordan plans to grab excess American weapons Jordan is planning to obtain excess US fighter jets and large transport planes, part of an ongoing counterterror effort in the Arab kingdom. Jordan
Pompeo wavers on sanctions red line after Turkey tests Russian missile system Turkey started testing the S-400 missile system this week, but the Donald Trump administration is still hesitant to implement legally mandated sanctions on Ankara. Russia
US sanctions on Turkey 'inevitable' after apparent S-400 radar test US officials are expected to impose sanctions on Turkey following reports that Turkey is testing its Russian S-400 radars in Ankara. Turkey
Report: Iran likely to buy Russian and Chinese arms Tehran will likely look to Russia and China to purchase advanced weapons when a UN arms embargo against the country expires next year, a senior defense intelligence official said Nov. 19. United States
Democrats plan legislative response to Trump’s new Israeli settlement policy House Democratic leaders vow to vote on a resolution backing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict after the Donald Trump administration’s new settlement policy. Palestine
Trump blows off Congress inquiry on Lebanon aid freeze The White House has missed a deadline to justify freezing $105 million in military aid to Lebanon, two congressional aides told Al-Monitor. Lebanon
Rep. Elissa Slotkin praises Iraq protests, warns against Iran missiles at Al-Monitor breakfast Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., discussed Iraq and Syria at Al-Monitor’s Middle East Mornings breakfast. Iraq
US says Israeli settlements not necessarily illegal A US shift on settlements comes after European court decision on labeling settlement products. Palestine
