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
Obama, Kerry freeze out Bibi over impromptu Hill visit The upcoming meeting to reach an Iran nuclear deal raises tensions between the Obama administration and Israel. Congress
Congress blindsides Obama, inviting Netanyahu to speak Inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran sanctions without the White House’s knowledge was seen as an unprecedented slap at President Barack Obama. Israel
Congress unmoved by Obama's call to back off Iran legislation The Senate kicked off legislative debate while the House invited Israel's Netanyahu to weigh in. Congress
Slow progress on Iran talks In the Jan. 18 Iran nuclear talks, top officials expressed concern about making sufficient progress to meet the March 24 agreement deadline. Congress
Congress to vote on toned-down Iran sanctions bill Senate bill doesn’t mandate what a nuclear deal should look like, undercutting sanctions opponents. Congress
Former House Intel chair: Turkey can't have it both ways in NATO Mike Rogers, former chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also sees economic pressure on Russia as presenting a “unique opportunity” for Moscow’s help in Syria. Iraq
Paris attack rekindles debate over freedom of expression US officials' united show of support for slain journalists hides bipartisan ambivalence over Western governments' role in standing up for unpopular speech. Congress
What's holding up Iran nuclear deal? The US Congress must give diplomacy a real chance and not hinder nuclear negotiations with Iran. Israel
Democrats' defeat may make US more hawkish in Middle East The Democrats' loss in Tuesday's legislative elections portends a more hawkish US role in the Middle East. Congress
US shuns tribal leaders who claim to have infiltrated IS A group of tribal sheikhs want to visit Washington to convince US officials to drop Baghdad and give them direct support. Iraq
New Iran-Contra book shows how US-Iran ties were scuttled Malcolm Byrne, deputy director of the National Security Archive, presents new details about how US officials convinced themselves they were aiding “moderates” who planned to overthrow the Iranian government but who could also engineer the release of US hostages in Lebanon. Congress
A three-part plan for US-Egypt ties A member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee offers a blueprint for rebuilding the US-Egyptian relationship after the election of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt