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
Strikes raise threat to US troops in Syria The Pentagon announced plans to increase the protection level for the 2,000 American troops in Syria after US-led strikes this weekend, highlighting risks to US troops on the ground. Syria
Joint Syria strikes build US-EU trust ahead of critical Iran deadline With the UK and France joining the United States in strikes over Syria’s chemical weapons use, trust is growing between the Trump and European national security teams ahead of a key May deadline on the Iran nuclear deal. Syria
Saudi king uses Arab Summit to adjust Riyadh's stance toward Trump In response to a growing rift between Riyadh's regional policies and some actions by President Donald Trump, King Salman has reaffirmed long-held alliances while distancing the kingdom from Washington. Saudi Arabia
After missile strikes, Trump resumes exit strategy for Syria "No amount of American blood or treasure can produce lasting peace and security in the Middle East," Trump says. Syria
Turkey's response to US-led Syria strikes: Not enough but welcomed Immediate Turkish official reactions to the US-led airstrikes in Syria differ significantly from the public’s perceptions: While most Turks are skeptical of Western bombing of a Muslim nation, Erdogan fans afflicted by "Assad-phobia" cheered. Syria
Pentagon acknowledges US contractor presence in Syria for first time The US military revealed in a new report that some 5,500 contractors are helping fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Syria
5 potential scenarios for Iran deal With only weeks to go until US President Donald Trump faces a deadline to sign sanctions waivers, the nuclear deal with Iran could go very different places. United States
Pompeo faces Senate buzz saw over stance on Iran, Muslims President Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state is in trouble amid a backlash over his administration’s hawkish bent. Congress
Qatar hires Trump-linked lobbyist ahead of emir’s visit Doha is turning to well-connected Republican operatives amid an intra-Gulf spat. Saudi Arabia
US ramps up counter-WMD spending amid Mideast proliferation threats The Pentagon is putting $6 million into countering weapons of mass destruction in five Middle Eastern countries, as US special operations forces take control of the fight. Syria
Netanyahu clashes with left-wing US Jews over migrants, Gaza The latest actions by Israel’s right-wing government are further straining historically bipartisan support in Congress. Palestine
White House says anti-IS fight in Syria ‘coming to rapid end’ The White House signaled that its mission in Syria will be focused on the narrow task of finishing off the Islamic State and will leave it to others to fund and conduct post-IS stabilization. Syria
