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
Could US state sanctions on Iran unravel nuke deal? Critics of the nuclear agreement say states have it in their power to kill it, but do they really? Congress
US veterans fight over Iran deal Congress is getting mixed messages from Americans who’ve battled Tehran. Congress
Iran deal looking safer in Congress Opponents of the nuclear agreement have so far failed to gain much traction during the summer recess. Congress
Bibi, king of the Jews In opposing the Iranian nuclear deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees himself as the savior of the Jews, a perception that leads him to view the American Jewish community as within his jurisdiction, rather than as US citizens with an understandable loyalty to their country and president. Israel
US wins support from GCC, Asian allies for Iran nuclear deal Israel is outlier on nuclear deal; Rafsanjani tells Al-Monitor that Iran “does not inherently have any issues with Saudi Arabia”; Zarif proposes civil nuclear cooperation with Arab states; Syrian, Iranian and Russian officials meet in Tehran; Al-Monitor’s second annual Middle East lobbying investigation and cultural heritage series. Israel
Kerry, GOP face off over Iran deal The secretary of state said lawmakers in search of a better deal are pursuing a "fantasy." Congress
Obama's foreign policy doctrine rejected by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's unequivocal rejection of the Iranian deal reflects his rejection of President Barack Obama's liberal doctrine, which embraces a strategy of diplomatic solutions to conflicts in cooperation with US partners. Israel
Revolutionary Guard leader slams US, criticizes deal The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in an interview that there were problems with the draft resolution passed today by the United Nations Security Council. Congress
Kerry begins Iran deal sales push on Capitol Hill A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 20. Israel
What are Iran's conservatives saying about the nuclear deal? Iran's conservatives are warning that a nuclear deal with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will not necessarily lead to better relations with the United States. Congress
House, Senate clash over aid to Egypt The Senate’s spending bill keeps human rights restrictions in place despite resistance from the House. Egypt
House starts its review of Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 6. Congress