I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Bill to Block Iranian Land Purchases Near US Military Bases. On January 22, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced S.197, which would require the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, an interagency body, to review real estate purchases and leases near US military bases by persons “connected to or subsidized by” the governments of Iran, Russia, China, or North Korea.
Sen. Cotton Leads Bill to Target Terror Compensation. On January 22, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced S.198, would impose sanctions on persons or entities accused of providing compensation for acts of terrorism on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority.
Sen. Paul Introduces Bill to Remove US Military from Syria. On January 23, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced S.J.Res.6, which directs the removal from Syria of US armed forces whose presences has not been authorized by Congress.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Van Hollen and Jacobs to Continue to Pressure UAE Over Support for RSF. On January 24, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) told Reuters that they will continue efforts to block arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), having determined that it is providing weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan.
3) Hearings and Briefings
SFRC Holds Hearing for Stefanik as UN Ambassador. On January 21, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) held a hearing for the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) to be ambassador to the United Nations. In her testimony, Stefanik lamented the UN for failing to “maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations based on a shared respect for the principle of equal rights, solve international problems, and harmonize the actions of nations in the attainment of common ends.” She added that US funds “should not be complicit in propping up entities that are counter to American interests, antisemitic, or engaging in fraud, corruption, or terrorism.” During the question portion of the hearing, Stefanik would not say if she believed that Palestinians have a right to self-determination, and stated that she believes that Israel has a “biblical right” to the West Bank.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Revokes Sanctions on Extremist Israeli Settlers. On January 20, President Donald Trump rescinded Executive Order 14115, issued in February 2024 by former President Joe Biden, which authorized sanctions against individuals “undermining peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.” On January 24, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) officially removed all persons designated under E.O.14115 from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List and unblocked all property and interests in property blocked under the order.
Trump Issues Executive Orders on Immigration and National Security. On January 20, President Trump issued an executive order to ensure that immigrants to the United States “do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests.” The order affirms that the United States must ensure that immigrants “do not bear hostile attitudes toward [US] citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security.” The order also calls for additional vetting and screening of immigrants, which may include suspending admission of nationals from certain countries into the United States. Also on January 20, Trump issued an order to suspend the US Refugees Admissions Program.
Trump Pauses Foreign Aid. On January 20, President Trump paused US foreign aid spending for 90 days by executive order. The order pauses new distributions of foreign assistance funds to governments, implementing non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and contractors pending reviews of their programs for alignment with Trump’s foreign policy priorities. On January 24, media reported on a cable from Secretary of State Marco Rubio providing US government employees detailed guidance on implementing the aid freeze and announcing that it does not apply to US military aid to Egypt and Israel.
White House Offers Mixed Messaging on Gaza Ceasefire. On January 20, President Trump said that he is “not confident” that the ceasefire in Gaza will last through phase three. Also on January 20, Middle East Envoy Steven Witkoff said that the release of Israeli hostages proves that “there’s more value in getting those hostages home alive and being able to continue to talk to solve things than there is in continuing the war.” On January 22, speaking with Fox News, Witkoff said that the Trump administration would be receptive to dialogue with Hamas and expressed optimism that the ceasefire could reach phase two if implementation “goes well.” On the same day, Trump echoed some of Witkoff’s sentiments, adding that the ceasefire “deal should hold, but if it doesn’t there will be a lot of problems.”
Trump Designates Houthis as FTO. On January 22, the Trump administration re-designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The announcement followed continued efforts from Republicans in Congress to re-designate the group after President Joe Biden had rescinded the first Trump administration’s designation. Congress also is pressing for certain sanctions against the Houthis, including through S.159, introduced by Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) on January 21.
Trump Speaks with Saudi Crown Prince. On January 22, President Trump spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional security, economic issues, and other bilateral matters. In remarks the following day, Trump floated the idea making Saudi Arabia his first foreign visit and said that he pressed the kingdom to make a one trillion-dollar investment in the United States. Additionally, in January 23 remarks to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump stated that he would push Saudi Arabia and OPEC to bring down the price of oil. “You got to bring it down, which, frankly, I’m surprised they didn’t do before the election,” the president said. “That didn’t show a lot of love by them not doing it.”
Trump Suggests He Prefers No Israeli Strikes on Iran Nuclear Targets. On January 23, President Trump said, referring to potential Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear targets, “it would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step.” He continued, “Iran will hopefully make a deal, and if they don’t make a deal, that’s okay too.”
Trump Suggests Jordan and Egypt Should Take in Palestinians from Gaza. On January 25, President Trump spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan about regional issues. Trump told reporters on January 26 that he had alerted King Abdullah that he would like Jordan to “take people” from Gaza. He said that he would also be speaking to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi with the same suggestion, commenting that “you’re talking about a million and a half people [in Gaza], and we just clean out that whole thing.” He added, “almost everything’s demolished, and people are dying there, so I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where I think they could maybe live in peace for a change.”
Trump Ends Biden Pause on 2,000-pound Bombs for to Israel. On January 25, President Trump told reporters that his administration has released 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, reversing a pause that the Biden administration had placed last year.
Trump Speaks with King of Bahrain. On January 26, Trump spoke with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain to discuss regional security and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords.
White House Says Ceasefire in Lebanon Will Continue Until Mid-February. On January 26, the White House stated that the ceasefire in Lebanon will remain in effect until February 18 and that the governments of Lebanon, Israel, and the United States will begin negotiations for the return of Lebanese prisoners captured after October 7, 2023.
2) Department of State
Secretary Rubio “Hopeful” That Gaza Ceasefire Will Hold. On January 21, Secretary Rubio said that he is hopeful that the ceasefire in Gaza will last, but stated, “I don’t think you can go in it very confident that things will hold in the long term.” Rubio also said that the Trump administration believes that “there is the broader hope of peace in that region with all kinds of agreements that are possible today that were even unfathomable just 90 days ago before the events in Lebanon and Syria and the work Israel has done to create stability as well with its acts against Iran.”
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Israeli Officials. On January 22, Secretary Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm US “steadfast support” for Israel, calling it a “top priority” under the Trump administration. Rubio congratulated Netanyahu on “Israel’s successes” against Hamas and Hezbollah and pledged to work toward securing the release of hostages in Gaza. The officials also discussed threats posed by Iran. On January 23, Secretary Rubio spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, covering the same topics.
Secretary Rubio Calls Saudi Crown Prince. On January 22, Secretary of State Rubio spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, discussing US-Saudi relations, shared interests in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, threats posed by Iran, and opportunities to expand economic cooperation in fields like artificial intelligence.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Turkish Foreign Minister. On January 22, Secretary Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to reaffirm the importance of US-Turkey relations and discuss regional issues. On Syria, the officials reviewed the need for an inclusive transition, for preventing terrorism, and for preventing foreign actors from exploiting the current situation.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with UAE Foreign Minister. On January 22, Secretary Rubio spoke with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to reaffirm US-UAE relations and discuss the situation in Gaza. Rubio stressed the need to continue implementing the ceasefire in Gaza and advance post-conflict planning.
Secretary Rubio Speaks with Egyptian Foreign Minister. On January 23, Secretary Rubio spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about the US-Egypt strategic partnership. Additionally, they discussed Egypt’s water security and advancing a diplomatic solution regarding the Nile River dispute with Ethiopia. On Gaza, Rubio thanked Egypt for its mediation efforts and emphasized the importance of sustaining humanitarian assistance, holding Hamas accountable, and post-conflict planning. On Sudan, Rubio and Abdelatty discussed efforts to end the conflict and expand humanitarian access. On Syria, they discussed recent developments and the security situation.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Hegseth Speaks with Israeli Prime Minister. On January 26, newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in an introductory call to discuss US support for Israel.
