I. Election News
DNC Offers More of the Same for Middle East Policy. Taking the stage to accept the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on August 22, Vice President Kamala Harris declared that “now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done.” Harris told the crowd that she “will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” Harris also described the situation in Gaza as “devastating” and “heartbreaking,” adding that she would work to end the suffering there and ensure that “the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.” Notably, the Democratic Party rejected requests to allow a Palestinian to speak at the convention.
II. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Seeks to Withhold Funding to UN. On August 16, Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) introduced H.R. 9374, legislation to withhold US funding to United Nations agencies that “expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.”
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Lawmakers Address Sudan Crisis. On August 13, House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Africa, released a statement on the Sudan peace talks in Geneva, underscoring the importance of good faith participation by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On the same day, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) urged the SAF to send a delegation to Geneva. On August 21, Cardin sent a letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, calling for an immediate response to the humanitarian situation.
HFAC Chair Criticizes Biden Administration Over Iran Sanctions. On August 14, HFAC Chair Michael McCaul (R-TX) issued a statement criticizing the Biden administration for its “failure to implement sanctions passed by Congress against an increasingly aggressive Iran.”
Republicans Criticize Biden for “Depriving Israel of Military Tools.” On August 14, Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID) criticized the Biden administration for its hold on 2,000 pound bombs for Israel, saying that President Joe Biden has “deprived the Israelis of the military tools they need to get the job done.” Risch’s statement followed an August 12 Senate Republican letter to Biden “protesting the Administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel.” On August 20, Risch released an additional statement criticizing the Biden administration “for continuing to turn their back on Israel.”
Cardin Releases Statement on Anniversary of Murder of Journalist by ISIS. On August 19, Sen. Cardin released a statement commemorating the tenth anniversary of the death of journalist James Foley, who was killed in Syria by the so-called Islamic State.
III. Executive Branch
1) White House
Biden Renews Call for Release of Austin Tice from Syria. On August 14, President Biden renewed his call for the release of American Austin Tice from Syria on the twelfth anniversary of his abduction by Syrian authorities.
Biden Urges Progress on Ceasefire Talks. On August 16 President Biden issued a statement on the Gaza ceasefire/hostage release talks taking place in Doha. Biden noted that he directed his negotiating team “to put forward the comprehensive bridging proposal presented today, which offers the basis for coming to a final agreement on a ceasefire and hostage release deal.” Biden underscored that “with the comprehensive ceasefire and hostage release deal now in sight, no one in the region should take actions to undermine this process.”
Speaking from the DNC on August 19, Biden stated that his administration is working to “finally deliver a ceasefire and end this war.” On August 21, Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about US support for Israel and the status of ceasefire negotiations ahead of additional talks in Cairo. On August 23, Biden spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi and Qatari Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani prior to weekend talks in Cairo, which failed to produce an agreement. White House officials remained optimistic, with National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby telling reporters on August 23 that reports that talks are near collapse are “not accurate” and that “there has been progress made.”
2) Department of State
Department Approves Almost $19 billion in Weapon Sales to Israel. On August 13, the Department of State approved $18.82 billion in new weapons sales to Israel. The sales include new multi-role fighter aircrafts, medium range air-to-air missiles, tank cartridges, high explosive mortar cartridges, and tactical vehicles.
Department Officials Condemn Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir’s Visit to al-Haram al-Sharif. On August 13, Secretary Antony J. Blinken condemned Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to al-Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount earlier that day.
Department Continues Work on Sudan Peace Process. On August 14, Secretary Blinken spoke with head of the SAF and President of the Sovereign Council of Sudan Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to underscore the importance of the SAF’s participation in peace talks to end the war. At an August 20 press briefing, Blinken said that the RSF and the SAF had reached an agreement regarding allowing humanitarian assistance to reach critical access points. The Secretary said that the mediating parties would continue to work toward a broader agreement on a cessation of hostilities.
Department Condemns Houthi Seizure of UN Office in Yemen. On August 14, the Department of State condemned the Houthi’s August 3 seizure of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights headquarters in Sanaa.
Secretary Blinken Leaves Region Without Ceasefire Agreement. On his August 18-21 trip to the region, Secretary Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and spoke by phone with Qatari Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Blinken stated that the administration is working to prevent any actions that may undermine negotiations, calling the current moment “probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire, and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.” Negotiators continue to work on the bridging proposal, which is based on a plan that President Biden announced on May 31. Blinken commented that the proposal has been accepted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that “we hope and expect that Hamas will do the same.”
Department Approves $110 Million Dollar Military Sale to Tunisia. On August 20, the Department of State approved a foreign military sale to Tunisia. The proposed sale includes 65 SAFE Archangel Boats and related elements of logistics and program support.
Department Expresses Concern Over Houthi Tanker Attack. On August 24, the Department of State expressed “grave concern” about Houthi attacks against the oil tanker MT DELTA SOUNION. According to the Department, the attacks could lead to a million barrels of oil spilling into the Red Sea.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Speaks with President of Djibouti. On August 19, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with President of Djibouti Ismail Omar Guelleh. The officials reaffirmed the US-Djibouti strategic partnership and cooperation on regional security issues.
Pentagon Officials Meet with Emirati Counterparts. On August 22, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Amanda Dory met with UAE Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Eisa Al Mazrouei to discuss the bilateral defense partnership, de-escalation of regional hostilities, Houthi threats to the flow of Red Sea commerce, and threats from Iran.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On August 22, Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant. The officials discussed attack planning from Iran and its proxies, ceasefire negotiations, and the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the potential spread of polio.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Imposes Further Sanctions on Houthi and Hezbollah Networks. On August 15, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions on several entities involved in shipment of Iranian oil and gas with the Houthis and Hezbollah.
