Updates
August 02, 2021
Is Washington Rethinking Its Partnerships in the Middle East?
Marcus Montgomery writes that the Biden Administration appears to think of Jordan and Iraq as priority countries in the Middle East following recent visits by King Abdullah II and Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to Washington....
Learn more »July 26, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on efforts by Senators Murphy, Lee, and Sanders to rein in the American president’s power to engage in unapproved military action in the Middle East and on Jordan’s King Abdullah’s visit to...
Learn more »July 19, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on House and Senate hearings on the US Agency for International Development’s role in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon; Senate Republicans’ demand for Global Magnitsky sanctions on Iran; and Representative Meeks’s recent...
Learn more »July 12, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on congressional trips to the Middle East and activities related to the region, as Congress was on recess for the July 4th holiday. He relates information on the Biden Administration’s hosting of...
Learn more »July 07, 2021
House Democrats Outline Foreign Policy Priorities in FY22 Budget
Marcus Montgomery details the Middle East-related items of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s 2022 budget proposal, which includes funds for Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, and others. He also reports on congressional...
Learn more »June 28, 2021
On Capitol Hill, COVID-19 Recovery Aid Seen as Potential Weapon
Marcus Montgomery writes that some members of Congress are openly discussing the idea of using American COVID-19 assistance as a tool to punish adversaries, despite the Biden Administration’s pledge to help vaccination efforts in countries...
Learn more »June 21, 2021
Washington Policy Weekly
Marcus Montgomery reports on last week’s official developments in Washington related to the Middle East. He cites proposed legislation in Congress regarding censuring Democratic lawmakers for their criticism of Israel; a pending Senate vote about...
Learn more »June 14, 2021
The Latest Congressional Drama over Israel
Marcus Montgomery discusses the latest controversy between centrist Democratic members of the House and Representative Ilhan Omar and other progressives after comments she made about American and Israeli responsibility for violence against civilians. He reports...
Learn more »Reports
March 18, 2021
Meet the Biden Administration’s Middle East Policy Makers
Marcus Montgomery reports on the Biden Administration’s team in charge of foreign and national security policy. This includes short descriptions of the experience of top officials as well as the names of lower-ranking personnel at...
Learn more »May 31, 2017
H.R. 2712: Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017
On May 25, Rep. Brian Mast (R-Florida) introduced H.R. 2712, “a bill to impose sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism, and for other purposes.” As of May 30, the bill had garnered...
Learn more »January 06, 2017
House and Senate Introduce Resolutions Disapproving the UNSC Resolution on Israeli Settlements
On January 5, 2017, the US House of Representatives, by a vote of 342-80, passed HRes11, a non-binding resolution objecting to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2334 as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace....
Learn more »November 17, 2016
House Votes in Favor of Syria Sanctions
On Tuesday, November 15, the House agreed, by a unanimous voice vote, to pass HR5732, the Caesar Civilian Protection Act of 2016, a bill that would impose new sanctions on the Syrian government and its...
Learn more »September 29, 2016
Congress Overrides Presidential Veto of JASTA Legislation
Despite an intensive lobbying effort by Saudi Arabia’s many lobbyists against the Justice against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), the House and Senate on September 28 voted to override the President’s veto. This...
Learn more »May 23, 2016
US-Saudi Relations – Update: Senate Passes Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act
On May 17, the Senate passed by voice vote S2040 The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, referred to as the “JASTA,” after agreeing to a substitute amendment. The amendment, S.Amdt. 3945, was offered...
Learn more »May 04, 2016
Saudi Arabia: Under Congressional Scrutiny
There has been a debate in Washington about the nature of the US-Saudi relationship which recently has been fraught with tension due largely to the Iran nuclear deal, but also the diminution of American...
Learn more »April 20, 2016
Who is Behind the Effort to Declare the Muslim Brotherhood a Terrorist Organization
(amended) The issue of designating the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) has gained momentum in recent months. During an April 13 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East...
Learn more »How Congress Works
How the Electoral College Works
The Electoral College has served as a vehicle for American democracy since the country’s birth over two centuries ago. Yet, not many people (including Americans) understand how the Electoral College works. Below is a quick...
Learn more »Glossary of Legislative Terms
Act – A bill passed in identical Form by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President or enacted over his veto. Also called a Public Law. Amendment – A proposal by...
Learn more »Understanding The US Legislative Process
Forms of Congressional Action Under the US Constitution, Congress initiates legislation. Legislation passed by Congress must be signed by the President to become law. Congressional action is usually undertaken in one of four major forms:...
Learn more »Foreign Assistance Legislation: The Authorization and Appropriation Process
Authorization versus Appropriations Legislation Theory: In theory, Congress should follow a two-step legislative process (authorization and appropriation) that produces two separate laws governing foreign assistance. Foreign assistance authorization legislation – usually referred to as the...
Learn more »The Foreign Policy Powers of Congress
The US Constitution contains ambiguities regarding the roles of Congress and the President in making foreign policy. In practice, strong Presidents and legislators have often asserted their prerogatives in this area at the expense of...
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