logo ACW
MENU
  • About
    • About Arab Center Washington DC
    • Staff
    • Fellows
    • Board of Directors
    • Academic Advisory Board
    • Careers
    • Contact us
  • Publications
    • Policy Analysis
    • Viewpoints
    • Washington Policy Weekly
    • Books
    • Research Papers
    • Arab Public Opinion
  • Press Room
    • ACW in the News
    • Photo Gallery
    • Press Releases
  • Events
  • Videos

Updates

December 04, 2019


Washington Policy Weekly

Marcus Montgomery

Members of Congress met with controversial business leaders—a Palestinian and an Israeli--from the West Bank while two senators sought to sanction Turkey. Meanwhile, the White House quietly released aid to Lebanon.

Learn more »

November 27, 2019


The Conflict in Libya Resurfaces on Washington’s Agenda

Marcus Montgomery

Marcus Montgomery discusses the renewed interest in both Congress and the Trump Administration to address the ongoing conflict in Libya and asks whether the United States will spend the political capital necessary to make progress...

Learn more »

November 20, 2019


America First or America Alone?

Marcus Montgomery

Marcus Montgomery is skeptical about the Trump Administration’s commitment to multilateral efforts to defeat the Islamic State and secure the Arabian Gulf while expediently emphasizing the “American First” principle.

Learn more »

November 13, 2019


President Erdoğan Comes to Washington

Marcus Montgomery

Marcus Montgomery posits that despite congressional opposition to his visit to the White House, Turkish President Erdoğan was sure to find a warm welcome from President Trump.

Learn more »

November 06, 2019


Washington Policy Weekly: October 24 – November 5

Marcus Montgomery

Congress targets Turkey with sanctions and holds a hearing exploring the negative effects of Ankara’s regional policies; the White House sends an envoy to the “Davos in the Desert” just one year after Khashoggi’s murder;...

Learn more »

October 23, 2019


Trump’s Decision on Northeastern Syria Still Reverberates

Imad K. Harb, Jonathan Adler, Halla Keir

President Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria is still a subject of serious discussions in Washington because of its impact on American credibility in the region and around the world.

Learn more »

October 17, 2019


Congress Eyes Sanctions after Turkey’s Incursion into Syria

Marcus Montgomery

Marcus Montgomery discusses how the US Congress aims to levy even harsher sanctions to force Turkey to cease its operation and withdraw from northeastern Syria despite President Trump’s greenlighting the Turkish incursion there.

Learn more »

October 09, 2019


On Palestine, Congress Is Not Quite Different from Trump

Marcus Montgomery

Marcus Montgomery reports that Congress wants to deliver more aid to the Palestinians than the Trump Administration had planned. However, the coercive conditions tied to that aid prove that lawmakers are just as punitive toward...

Learn more »

Reports

May 31, 2017


H.R. 2712: Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2017

Marcus Montgomery

  • Print
  • Download

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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

  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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

  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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

  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

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

(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 »

November 02, 2015


Representative Paul Ryan: Speaker of the US House of Representatives

Roxanne Perugino

  • Print
  • Download

Roxanne Perugino

Learn more »

How Congress Works


A Looming Collision: Donald Trump and Presidential War Powers

Marcus Montgomery

  • Print
  • Download

The first few weeks of President Donald Trump’s first term have been newsworthy, to say the least. But the same inauguration that ushered him into the White House was also symbolic for another reason. He...

Learn more »

How the Electoral College Works

Prepared by John Gregory, Congressional Intern

  • Print
  • Download

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

  • Print
  • Download

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

  • Print
  • Download

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

  • Print
  • Download

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

  • Print
  • Download

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...

Learn more »
  • Home
  • About
  • Publications
  • Press Room
  • Events
  • Videos
  • ©2019 Arab Center Washington DC. All rights reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Subscribe to our Mailing List