CENTCOM commander acknowledges he did not try to stop Taliban from entering Kabul “If someone actually made a decision, that would’ve been me,” Gen. Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie told House lawmakers during a hearing today. Congress
US House passes measure to end maintenance for Saudi aircraft targeting Yemen Progressives' bid to get Riyadh to stop bombing Yemen may test Biden's commitment to Gulf allies. Congress
House Democrats back away from delaying Israel arms sale amid Gaza conflict The Biden administration will brief lawmakers on the proposed $735 million sale of JDAM guidance conversion kits and other weapons equipment. Congress
Israel anti-boycott bill becomes partisan casualty in first vote of new Senate Senate Republicans’ first bill in the new Congress draws AIPAC into a partisan political squabble while forcing a Democratic reckoning over the Israel boycott movement. Palestine
House spending bill repudiates Morocco on Western Sahara The political wrangling over President Donald Trump’s border wall has dealt Morocco an unwelcome setback. North Africa
House Democrats slash aid to Egypt Congress is poised the drastically slash Egyptian military aid for the first time as Democrats assume control of the House. Egypt
Intel: How Republicans are starting new Congress with rebuke of Trump’s Syria withdrawal The Republican-held Senate reconvened yesterday. Its first order of business? Rebuking President Donald Trump over his Syria policy. Syria
Netanyahu’s policy drives away young American Jews The strategy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bank on President Donald Trump keeps alienating many American Jews. Israel
Congress slams Trump on Syria pullout President Donald Trump wants to immediately begin withdrawing US troops from Syria, but Iran hawks in Congress aren’t having it. Syria
Congress sees unprecedented opportunity to confront OPEC For the first time since OPEC’s formation, both the White House and Congress appear to be on the same page when it comes to suing the oil cartel for violating the US antitrust law. Saudi Arabia
Senate votes to end US involvement in Yemen war The Senate voted to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Congress seeks to formally condemn Saudi prince for journalist’s death Republican leaders in Congress are securing support to formally condemn Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia
Senate puzzles out how to punish Saudi Arabia ahead of unprecedented vote An overwhelming majority of senators want to punish Riyadh for murdering Jamal Khashoggi and because of the Yemen war. The question is how. Saudi Arabia
Congress weighs rushing Israel anti-boycott bill by year’s end Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., wants to attach controversial anti-boycott legislation before the end of the year by attaching it to a must-pass spending bill. Palestine
Congress grills incoming Middle East commander on Yemen On the heels of a vote to end support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, senators grilled President Trump’s choice to lead US troops in the Middle East about America’s role in the conflict. Saudi Arabia