I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Graham and Van Hollen Introduce Legislation to Sanction Turkey. On December 20, Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced S.5643, the Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024, which would impose sanctions on Turkey to prevent further attacks by its forces or Turkish-backed groups on US partner the Syrian Democratic Forces. The senators stressed that the United States should continue to work with Turkey diplomatically to facilitate a sustained ceasefire and demilitarized zone along the Turkish-Syrian border.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Tlaib Leads Letter Urging Against Penalizing Allies that Sanction Israel. On December 20, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MN), Summer Lee (D-PA), and Cori Bush (D-MO) expressed concern to Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Daniel Maffei over the FMC’s decision to investigate Spain regarding its decision to deny port entry to ships carrying weapons to Israel. The lawmakers asserted that “no agency of the United States should be in the business of punishing or sanctioning our allies for enforcing the international law that our government has refused to uphold.”
Bicameral Democrats Push for Investigation of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi Killing. On December 20, Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) urged the Biden administration to launch an investigation into Israel’s fatal shooting of US citizen Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a Seattle resident, in the occupied West Bank.
House Democrats Ask Biden to Act on Sudan. On December 30, Reps. Summer Lee, Gregory Meeks (D-NY), and Barbara Lee (D-CA) wrote to President Joe Biden, requesting that his administration take immediate steps to protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid to Sudan. The letter also asks the administration to update the December 2023 atrocity determination and to renew Temporary Protected Status for Sudan.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Biden Administration Plans to Supply Israel with $8 Billion Arms Package. On January 3, the Biden administration notified Congress of its plan to supply Israel with an arms package worth $8 billion despite the latter’s continued war on Gaza. The package includes air-to-air missiles, artillery shells, bombs, and guidance systems.
Biden Administration Issues Statement on United States-Israel Agricultural Agreement. On December 20, the White House released a statement detailing modifications and technical rectifications to the United States-Israel Agreement on Trade in Agricultural Products.
Kirby Affirms US Support for Israeli Strikes in Yemen. On December 27, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated that the Biden administration supports Israel’s “right to defend themselves” against the Houthis in Yemen, saying that the Houthis “continue to pose a real, a present, and a viable threat to the safety of the Israeli people.” Addressing US strikes on Houthi targets, Kirby said that the strikes “have been effective, but clearly there are continued threats posed by the Houthis, continued capabilities that they are able to deploy and use.” Kirby added that US strikes “will continue for as long as that threat remains.” He also addressed the status of ceasefire talks in Gaza, stating that the Biden administration is continuing to try to get a deal done before it leaves office.
2) Department of State
Department Approves Possible Weapons Sales to Morocco. On December 20, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, GBU-39B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-I), and related equipment for an estimated cost of $174 million.
Department Approves Possible Weapons Sales to Egypt. On December 20, the Department of State approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, Abrams Tank Refurbishment, Support, and Equipment, Hellfire AGM-114R Missiles, and related elements of logistics and support for a total estimated cost of $5.35 billion.
Secretary Blinken Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister. On December 28, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan about developments in Syria, including efforts to support the political process and to prevent terrorism.
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Strikes Targets in Syria. On December 23, CENTCOM forces conducted strikes in eastern Syria targeting the so-called Islamic State, killing two people and wounding another.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Turkish Counterpart. On December 24, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler to discuss the situation in Syria.
Pentagon Assesses that Ceasefire Still Holding in Northern Syria. On December 30, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters that the administration assesses that the ceasefire in the northern part of Syria is “still holding,” adding that the Pentagon is monitoring developments related to the Defeat-ISIS mission.
CENTCOM Targets Houthis. On December 30 and 31, CENTCOM forces conducted strikes in Yemen on Houthi command, control, production, and storage facilities.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Iran for Election Interference. On December 31, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned a subordinate organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, among others, for stoking tensions in the United States and attempting to influence the 2024 election.
5) United States Agency for International Development
Administrator Power Meets with UN Official on Gaza. On December 20, USAID Administrator Samantha Power met with UN Under-Secretary General for Safety and Security Gilles Michaud about security concerns for humanitarian workers in Gaza. Power also expressed condolences for the loss of three World Food Programme staff in Sudan killed in an attack on December 19.
USAID Comments on Famine Declaration in North Darfur. On January 2, USAID released a statement following the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification’s Famine Review Committee’s famine declaration in five areas of North Darfur, and West and South Kordofan, Sudan. USAID said that the agency is continuing to work with humanitarian partners on the ground and called for the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to enable humanitarian access throughout the country.
