I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Seeks to Expedite Arms Sales. On May 23, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced H.R.3613 to raise dollar thresholds for congressional notifications for arms exports and to update reporting requirements.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Congressional Delegations Visit Region. On May 25, a congressional delegation to Saudi Arabia met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir. On May 27, a congressional delegation to Israel met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Lawmakers Praise Gaza Aid Resumption. On May 28, 41 House Democrats celebrated Israel’s resumption of allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza “so that the primary focus of the international community can return to releasing the hostages that remain in captivity.” On May 29, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and colleagues urged President Donald Trump to secure the release of remaining hostages.
House Republicans Ask for Sanctions on Iraq. On May 28, Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Greg Steube (R-FL) urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to sanction entities and people in Iraq, including its finance minister, for allegedly aiding Iranian control of Iraq’s political system. They also suggest making all US aid conditional upon Iraq’s rejection of Iranian influence.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Announces Syria Envoy. On May 28, President Trump announced the appointment of Thomas Barrack, already serving as US ambassador to Turkey, as envoy for Syria. Shortly after his appointment, Barrack stated that the Trump administration will withdraw Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and called for dialogue between Syria and Israel. On May 29, the United States reopened its ambassador’s residence in Damascus.
Trump Warned Israel Against Striking Iran. On May 29, President Trump told reporters that he had warned Prime Minister Netanyahu against launching a direct strike on Iran while US-Iran negotiations on a nuclear deal are ongoing. Trump called such a strike “very inappropriate to do right now.” On May 31, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the Trump administration had “sent a detailed and acceptable proposal to the Iranian regime.”
White House Says Israel Has Accepted Latest Ceasefire Proposal. On May 29, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the United States submitted a ceasefire proposal to Hamas that Israel supports. The proposal includes a 60-day ceasefire, the release of hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, and assurances that humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza. During the 60-day period, negotiators would work to secure a permanent ceasefire. On May 31, Special Envoy Steven Witkoff called Hamas’s proposed changes to the ceasefire proposal “totally unacceptable and only takes us backward.”
2) Department of State
Department Spokesperson Downplays Aid Struggles in Gaza. On May 27, Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce praised the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s first week of operation, arguing that criticism of its work has been “about style” rather than efficacy.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President. On May 28, Secretary Rubio spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, commending cooperation on Iraq and Syria and the Kurdistan Regional Government for its partnership with US companies and efforts to boost Iraq’s energy independence.
Department Releases Reorganization Plan. On May 29, Secretary Rubio notified Congress of plans for the reorganization of the Department of State, which includes eliminating thousands of jobs, eliminating or downgrading several bureaus and offices dealing with global conflict resolution and human rights, and absorbing the remnants of USAID into the Department. On the same day, Reuters reported that Rubio plans to reorient the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor toward promoting “Western values” and to refocus the refugee bureau on a new mission of returning migrants to their countries of origin.
3) Department of Defense
AFRICOM Conducts Strikes in Somalia. On May 24, US forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia. On May 31 and June 1, US forces conducted airstrikes in Somalia against the so-called Islamic State.
4) Department of Homeland Security
DHS Secretary Meets with Netanyahu. On May 29, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem met in Israel with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the recent killing of two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington and various regional issues. During her trip to the region, Secretary Noem also visited Bahrain to meet with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and to visit with US Coast Guard personnel stationed there.
