I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House Bill Calls for Strategy to Counter Foreign Adversaries. On November 4, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) introduced H.R.5912, which would require the executive branch to develop a “whole-of-government” strategy to disrupt cooperation among US foreign adversaries, including Iran.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Risch, Shaheen Urge UN to Lift Syria Sanctions. On November 6, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) called on the UN Security Council to lift sanctions on interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. The senators said that they are “actively working with the administration and our colleagues in Congress to repeal Caesar sanctions,” adding that “it’s time to prioritize reconstruction, stability, and a path forward rather than isolation that only deepens hardship for Syrians.” Later that day, the Security Council voted to lift the sanctions.
Democratic Lawmakers Urge Netanyahu to Halt Demolition Plan for Palestinian Village in the West Bank. On November 6, Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Jim Himes (D-CT), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Dan Goldman (D-NY) led 104 other Democratic lawmakers in a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urging him to halt plans to demolish buildings in the West Bank village of Umm al-Kheir. The letter expressed concern that “any further actions by settlers, vigilantes or the government to destroy the village…will traumatize this peaceful community and jeopardize the prospect of long-term peace, mutual security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians.”
House Democrats Urge Rubio to Ensure Gaza Ceasefire and Aid Delivery. On November 7, Rep. Gabe Amo (D-RI) led 125 other House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the administration to ensure implementation of the Gaza ceasefire and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Senators Condemn RSF Attacks in North Darfur.On November 7, SFRC Ranking Member Sen. Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued a statement condemning the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) attack on al-Fasher Maternity Hospital in North Darfur, Sudan, where at least 460 patients and family members reportedly were killed, as well as the RSF’s broader campaign of violence against women and girls.
3) Hearings
Warren Presses Defense Nominee on Gaza Aid.At a November 4 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) pressed Austin Dahmer, nominee for assistant secretary of defense for strategy, plans, and capabilities, on the Gaza ceasefire in Gaza and humanitarian aid delivery. Warren urged stronger US action to deliver aid and criticized the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). She questioned Dahmer on whether the Department of Defense would partner with experienced organizations to improve aid delivery, to which Dahmer responded that proven success matters but avoided direct criticism of the GHF.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump to Meet with Syrian President. On November 4, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with interim Syrian President al-Sharaa on November 10. On November 6, President Trump told reporters that al-Sharaa is “doing a very good job,” adding, “It’s a tough neighborhood, and he’s a tough guy, but I got along with him very well. And a lot of progress has been made with Syria.”
Administration “Actively Engaged” in Sudan Peace Talks. On November 4, Press Secretary Leavitt said that the United States is actively engaged in efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution in Sudan, adding that Washington is working with Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and unnamed others to lead a negotiated peace process that “addresses both the immediate humanitarian crisis and the longer term political challenges.”
Trump Says Kazakhstan to Join Abraham Accords. On November 6, President Trump said on Truth Social that Kazakhstan will join the Abraham Accords, following a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
2) Department of State
United States Seeks UN Mandate for Gaza Stabilization Force. On November 4, the United States circulated to several UN Security Council members a draft resolution that would provide a mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza for at least two years. The establishment of such a force would implement the next phase of President Trump’s Gaza peace plan. The New York Times reported that according to the draft resolution, the force would work with Israel and Egypt to oversee Gaza’s demilitarization, including the “permanent decommissioning” of weapons from armed groups. It would also train and support Palestinian police, protect civilians, and help secure the delivery of humanitarian aid. On November 4, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz met with Palestinian diplomats in New York to discuss the resolution.
3) Department of War
US-Led Task Force Confirms Iraq’s Ability to Independently Manage Combat Strikes. On November 4, CENTCOM announced that the US-led Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve on October 27 validated the Iraqi Security Forces’ capacity to independently manage their combat strike process, with the statement adding that the step marks “a major milestone in Iraq’s transition to assuming a leading role” in countering the so-called Islamic State.
United States to Establish Military Presence in Damascus to Oversee Potential Israel-Syria Security Pact. On November 6, Reuters reported that the United States is preparing to establish a military presence at an airbase in Damascus for the purpose of advancing a security agreement between Syria and Israel.
United States to Oversee Gaza Aid as Israel Takes Secondary Role. On November 7, The Washington Post reported that the United States will replace Israel in overseeing and coordinating humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip, with the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat set to take over responsibilities previously held by the Israeli Army’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. According to a US official cited in the report, Israel remains “part of the conversation,” but the United States will make the final decisions.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Hezbollah Financial Operatives. On November 6, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned individuals accused of facilitating the transfer of funds from Iran to Hezbollah by “exploiting” Lebanon’s cash-based financial sector through money exchange companies. According to the statement, the sanctions aim to “support the disarmament” of Hezbollah.
Treasury Removes Syrian President and Interior Minister from Terrorist List.On November 7, OFAC removed the Specially Designated Global Terrorist designations on interim President al-Sharaa and Minister of Interior Khattab.
5) Department of Education
Cornell to Pay $60 Million to Settle Trump Administration Probes.On November 7, Cornell University reached a settlement with the Trump administration in which the university will pay $30 million to the federal government and invest another $30 million in agricultural and farming research programs. Cornell also will conduct annual surveys to ensure that “anti-Semitism is being addressed” and share admissions data with the government. The deal follows the administration’s allegation that the university had failed to address antisemitism on campus.
