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
Congress aims to keep spotlight on Saudi Arabia one year after Khashoggi murder One year after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Congress still seeks to hold Saudi Arabia accountable despite resistance from President Donald Trump and his allies in the Senate. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon to expand brain trauma treatment for terror war veterans The Defense Department plans to expand a program that transitions veterans of the war on terror in the Middle East from Pentagon health care to the Department of Veterans Affairs to include traumatic brain injuries, a signature wound of the 17-year war. Iraq
Trump intensifies ‘Arab NATO’ talks after Iran strike The Donald Trump administration is working to push forward with a military alliance of Middle Eastern states as the international community looks to respond to a suspected Iranian attack on a Saudi oil facility. Saudi Arabia
US pushes Iraq to integrate Iran-backed PMU militias after strikes The Donald Trump administration is calling on Iraq to demobilize Iranian-backed Popular Mobilization Units after renewed rocket strikes hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad. Saudi Arabia
Lost opportunity? Rouhani departs NY without meeting Trump A US-Iran breakthrough seems elusive after attacks on Saudi Arabia. United States
Donor countries stand by UN Palestinian refugee agency despite corruption probe The Trump administration skipped today's pledging conference co-hosted by Jordan and Sweden. Palestine
US and world powers continue to talk past each other on Iran at UN While the remaining parties to the nuclear deal tried to restart diplomacy with Iran, the United States punished one of them for links to Tehran. United States
Iran hawks cement ties to former US-designated terrorist group United Against Nuclear Iran's CEO embraces the MEK as his group prepared to host Pompeo. United States
Syria panel calls for Trump to halt pullout A bipartisan panel of experts appointed by Congress is calling on President Donald Trump to stop the US pullout from Syria. Syria
Former diplomat: Iran attacks create opportunity for talks The Donald Trump administration should use the investigation into suspected Iranian attacks on Saudi oil facilities to de-escalate regional tensions, a former top US diplomat said at an Al-Monitor event Sept. 24. Saudi Arabia
US faces uneasy choice between Lebanese Christians and Syrian refugees Lebanese Christians are making a religious case for the Trump administration to back the repatriation of refugees to Syria Lebanon
