I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Targets Electoral Interference in Lebanon. On February 2, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) introduced H.R.7311, which would authorize the president to impose sanctions on any foreign person or entity that hinders, obstructs, or delays Lebanon’s electoral process, including by attempting to restrict Lebanese citizens abroad from voting in parliamentary elections.
House Resolution Calls for Condemnation of Iran. On February 2, Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) introduced H.Res.1031, which calls on the United States to condemn Iran for repressing protesters, committing human rights abuses, and sponsoring militant groups in the Middle East.
Trump Signs FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act. On February 3, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R.7148, the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Consolidated Appropriations Act. The legislation includes the FY26 Defense Appropriations bill, which provides funding for Israel, the Lebanese Armed Forces, and Jordan, as well as the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund for Iraq and Syria.
House Bill Seeks to Promote Internet Freedom in Iran. On February 4, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) introduced H.R.7380, which would promote internet freedom and access to information in Iran.
House Bill Seeks to Block Immigration from Somalia. On February 4, Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) introduced H.R.7359, which would impose a 25-year moratorium on immigration from Somalia to the United States, applying to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Senate Resolution Condemns AI Chip Exports to UAE. On February 5, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced S.Res.598, which condemns and calls for the reversal of President Trump’s decision to allow the export of advanced artificial intelligence chips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), noting that the decision came just months after the UAE reportedly signed a secret $500 million deal to buy close to a majority stake in the Trump family’s cryptocurrency company.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Graham Abruptly Ends Meeting with Lebanese Army Chief Over Hezbollah Stance. On February 5, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said that he ended a meeting with Lebanese Chief of Staff Gen. Rodolphe Haykal after the latter reportedly declined to refer to Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Graham added, “As long as this attitude exists from the Lebanese Armed Forces, I don’t think we have a reliable partner in them.”
3) Hearings and Briefings
SFRC and HFAC Hold Hearings on North Africa and Lebanon. On February 3, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism held a hearing on countering terrorism in North Africa. On the same day, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee held a hearing on US policy toward Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah disarmament, at which all witnesses were from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
HFAC Holds Hearing on Religious Freedom. On February 4, HFAC held a hearing on religious freedom around the world. During the hearing, former United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback said that the situation of religious freedom in Syria is “very troubling” and warned that “if we don’t get it right, we will have a genocide.” He urged the Syrian government to allow religious minorities to have their own security forces and said that “Kurds are our best allies. We’ve got to keep standing with the Kurds.”
During the hearing, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) said that he “believe[s] the greatest threat to religious freedom in the world is the rise of mainstream Islam.”
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Witkoff Meets with Netanyahu. On February 3, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel to discuss Iran, Hamas disarmament, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and “the completion of the war objectives before Gaza’s reconstruction.” Netanyahu’s office said he stressed that “the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in governing the Strip in any way” and that “Iran has repeatedly proven it cannot be trusted to keep its promises.”
United States Holds “Very Good” Talks with Iran as Trump Threatens Tariffs. On February 6, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper met with Iranian officials in Oman. Trump said that the United States had “very good” talks with Iran and that additional discussions are planned for early next week, but warned that if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program, “the consequences are very steep.” Asked how long he was willing to wait, Trump said that “we have plenty of time…if you remember Venezuela, we waited around for a while.”
On the same day, President Trump signed an executive order stating that he may impose an import tax of up to 25 percent on goods from countries that do business with Iran. The order says that the potential tariffs could be removed if Iran or foreign buyers of its oil align with US interests on national security, foreign policy, and economic issues.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with President Trump on February 11 at the White House to discuss Iran.
Board of Peace to Hold First Meeting on February 19. On February 7, US government officials said that the Board of Peace will hold its first meeting on February 19 at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. The meeting is expected to include world leaders who accepted Trump’s invitation to join the board, as well as members of an executive committee for Gaza, and is reportedly intended to raise funds for Gaza’s reconstruction.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Military Sale to Saudi Arabia. On February 3, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Saudi Arabia of F-15 sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $3 billion.
United States Announces $200 Million Contribution to Sudan Humanitarian Fund. On February 3, the United States hosted a Sudan Humanitarian Fund call to action event with allies and partners, bringing together more than 20 donors and securing $1.5 billion in new humanitarian pledges. During the event, the United States announced a $200 million contribution to the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, drawing from a $2 billion pool set aside in December 2025 to fund humanitarian projects around the world.
On February 6, HFAC Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) criticized the administration’s response, saying that the United States is doing “shamefully little” to address Sudan’s humanitarian crisis. He said that the $200 million pledge is “barely half what Trump is spending on his ballroom and a fraction of what the US would typically contribute to a crisis of this magnitude.”
United States, Hungary Partner on Religious Freedom in the Middle East and Africa. On February 4, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Michael Rigas and Hungarian State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program Tristan Azbej signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation “in supporting Christians and people of faith facing persecution, particularly in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.”
Rubio Says United States ready to talk with Iran, “Not Sure” a Deal Can Be Reached. On February 4, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States would prefer to make a deal with Iran rather than engage in a military conflict, but he is “not sure” a deal can be reached with “these guys.” He said that discussions with Iran need to cover its missile and nuclear programs, its “sponsorship of terrorist organizations across the region,” and its treatment of its population.
Department Approves Military Sale to Iraq. On February 5, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq of Contracted Logistical Services for VACIS XPL Passenger Vehicle Scanning Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $90 million.
Department Sanctions Entities and Vessels for Iranian Oil Trade. On February 6, the Department of State sanctioned 15 entities, two individuals, and 14 shadow fleet vessels “connected to the illicit trade in Iranian petroleum, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.”
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Conducts Strikes in Syria. From January 27 to February 2, US forces conducted five strikes against so-called Islamic State targets across Syria, destroying a communications site, logistics node, and weapons storage facilities using 50 precision munitions.
United States Shoots Down Iranian Drone Near Aircraft Carrier. On February 3, CENTCOM spokesperson Capt. Tim Hawkins said that a US fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively” approached the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea.
4) Department of Homeland Security
ICE Secretly Deports Palestinians to Occupied West Bank. On February 5, The Guardian reported that Immigration and Customs Enforcement secretly deported Palestinians from the United States to the occupied West Bank using a private jet owned by Florida real estate tycoon Gil Dezer, a top donor and friend of President Trump.
