I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
House and Senate Bills Seek to Codify Sanctions on Those Undermining Peace in West Bank. On December 11, Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced H.R.10343 and S.5467 respectively, which seek to codify into law President Joe Biden’s February 2024 Executive Order authorizing sanctions against individuals responsible for acts of violence, property destruction, or other destabilizing activities in the West Bank.
House Bill Requests Report on Space and Satellite Security to Partner Countries. On December 11, Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) introduced H.R.10353, which directs the Pentagon to conduct a report on space and satellite security relating to partner countries in the Middle East.
Senate Condemns Iran’s Persecution of Baha’i Minority. On December 11, the Senate passed S.Res.74, condemning the Iranian government’s persecution of the Baha’i minority and urging the President and Secretary of State to impose additional sanctions on Iranian officials responsible for serious human rights abuses.
House Bill Pushes to Recognize Somaliland as Independent Country. On December 12, Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced H.R.10402, which would recognize Somaliland of the Federal Republic of Somalia as a separate and independent country.
Senate Bill Encourages Cooperation Between FDA and Abraham Accords Nations. On December 12, Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced S.5517, which provides for the establishment within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an Abraham Accords Office to promote cooperation between the FDA and entities in Abraham Accords countries.
2) Personnel and Correspondence
Senate Democrats Call for Journalists to be Allowed into Gaza. In a December 5 letter, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 11 other Senate Democrats urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to pressure Israel and Egypt to protect press freedom and to allow journalists into Gaza. The lawmakers also raised concerns about dangerous conditions for reporters and the need for accurate and independent reporting on the situation in Gaza.
House Lawmakers Condemn Amnesty International Report. On December 6, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) led 22 House lawmakers in a bipartisan condemnation of Amnesty International’s recent report on Israel’s conduct in Gaza, which it assessed amounts to genocide.
House Republicans Encourage Colleagues to Extend Prohibition of UNRWA Funding. On December 9, Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) and eight other House Republicans encouraged their colleagues in the Senate and House to extend the prohibition of US funding for UNRWA in the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bill.
House Lawmakers Ask to Unwind Sanctions on Syria. On December 10, Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC), chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, and Brendan Boyle (D-PA), chair of the Free Syria Caucus, urged White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary Blinken, and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to “responsibly unwind sanctions on Syria to facilitate stabilization, reconstruction, international investment, humanitarian recovery, and international reintegration while safeguarding US security interests.”
Bipartisan Senate Letter Seeks Updates on Efforts to Locate Austin Tice. On December 11, Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) requested an update from President Biden on efforts to locate and free Austin Tice in light of the fall of the Assad regime.
House Letter Seeks Assessment of Israel’s Compliance with US Law. On December 12, Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) led a letter with 74 other House lawmakers to Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, requesting that they provide a full assessment of the status of Israel’s compliance with relevant US policies and laws. These include National Security Memorandum 20 and Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, both of which relate to a prohibition on arms transfers to countries violating human rights and humanitarian law. The letter also expressed concern regarding Israel’s failure to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
3) Hearings and Briefings
House Committee on Natural Resources Holds Hearing on Pro-Palestine Protests. On December 10, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a hearing on pro-Palestine protests on National Park Service land. The hearing focused on the permit approval process and damages to public property.=
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Biden Releases War Powers Report. On December 6, the White House released the War Powers Report, a mandated report to Congress on US Armed Forces deployments equipped for combat. The report details counterterrorism deployments of US forces in the past year to Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen and notes the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system, along with an associated crew of US military personnel, to Israel.
United States and Bahrain Announce Geospatial Initiative. On December 7, Bahrain and the United States launched the Geospatial Acceleration Initiative under the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA). The initiative seeks to enhance US-Bahrain cooperation in defense and intelligence while bolstering maritime security and navigation through sharing advanced geospatial data.
Biden Speaks with King of Jordan. On December 10, President Biden spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan. Biden emphasized his support for a Syrian-led transition process, discussed the situation in eastern Syria, the US commitment to the Defeat-ISIS mission, and US support for the stability of Jordan. The leaders also discussed the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to conclude a ceasefire/hostage release agreement.
Kirby Says US Not Considering Policy Change toward HTS. On December 10, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby stated that it is in the US “interest that we continue to put pressure on ISIS, and so the counter-ISIS mission by our troops in Syria continues.” Kirby also said that the administration is not discussing a change in policy toward Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), namely by removing the group from the US terrorism list.
White House Releases National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate. On December 12, the Biden administration released the first-ever US National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate. The strategy focuses on increasing awareness of hate, broadening recognition of Arab and Muslim heritages, improving safety and security, tackling discrimination, accommodating religious practices, and building cross-community solidarity.
Biden Joins G7 Statement on Syria. On December 12, President Biden released a statement on Syria along with other G7 leaders. The statement affirms support for an inclusive Syrian-led political transition in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and calls on all parties to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity. It also emphasizes the importance of respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, the protection of all Syrians, and transparency and accountability. The statement reiterated messaging on Syria from the White House throughout the week.
Sullivan Meets with Israeli Officials. On December 12, National Security Advisor Sullivan traveled to Israel for meetings with senior Israeli officials about the enforcement of the Lebanon ceasefire, Israel’s security concerns and buffer zone in Syria, pressure on Iran, and efforts to finalize a ceasefire/hostage deal in Gaza. At a press conference, Sullivan endorsed Israel’s intensive military attacks on Syria following the fall of Assad, stating that “With respect to Syria, what Israel is doing is trying to identify potential threats, both conventional and weapons of mass destruction, that could threaten Israel and, frankly, threaten others as well, and neutralize those threats…the efforts taken to date really have been focused on the types of capabilities that could represent a genuine threat to the State of Israel.”
2) Department of State
Assistant Secretary Leaf Travels to Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, and Turkey. From December 6 to 8, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf attended the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain and met with regional counterparts. On December 8, she traveled to Jordan to meet with senior Jordanian officials. On December 10, Leaf and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass traveled to Iraq to discuss the US-Iraq partnership, regional security, the promotion of Iraq’s energy independence, and the situation in Syria. On December 12, Leaf and Bass traveled to Turkey for meetings on Syria with Turkish officials.
Under Secretary Fernandez Travels to Qatar, Oman, and the UAE. On December 6, the State Department announced December 7-11 travel by Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose Fernandez, who led a delegation of Michigan officials and business representatives to Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates to enhance economic cooperation. On December 8, Fernandez attended the Doha Forum in Qatar. In Oman, he marked the 15th anniversary of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement and discussed regional economic collaboration. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fernandez participated in high-level talks on strengthening US-UAE economic ties and strategic investment initiatives.
United States and Kuwait Hold Sixth Round of Strategic Dialogue. From December 9 to 11, the United States and Kuwait held the sixth round of the US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue virtually.
Under Secretary Bass Travels to Jordan. From December 9 to 10, Under Secretary Bass traveled to Jordan to discuss with Jordanian officials the US-Jordan strategic partnership, Gaza, and Syria. Bass also discussed the recent $845.1 million cash transfer from the United States to support the people of Jordan.
Envoy for Hostage Affairs Travels to Middle East to Locate Austin Tice. On December 10, Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller announced that Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens traveled to Beirut “to talk with people in the region, to talk with parties in the region, to collect information, and to try to find out where Austin Tice is and get him home as soon as possible.” American citizen and journalist Tice disappeared in Syria in 2012.
Department Approves Possible Arms Sale to Kuwait. On December 10, the Department of State approved a Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait of Maintenance Repair Sustainment Capability and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million.
Blinken Speaks with Regional Officials. On December 10, Secretary Blinken spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi, Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty. In his meetings, Blinken discussed the latest developments in Syria. He also addressed implementation of the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon, underscoring the need for support to the Lebanese Armed Forces. On December 12, Blinken visited Jordan, where he met with Foreign Minister Safadi and King Abdullah. On December 13, Blinken met in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Fidan. Also on December 13, Blinken met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad.
Blinken Lays Out US Principles Toward Syria. On December 12, Secretary Blinken stated that any transitional government in Syria must be inclusive and non-sectarian, preserve the institutions of the state, ensure that Syria is not used as a base for terrorism, and secure and destroy any chemical weapons.
Blinken and International Partners Lay Out Principles Toward Syria. On December 14, the United States, the Arab Contact Group on Syria, Bahrain, France, Germany, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the UN Special Envoy for Syria released a statement on Syria, outlining a set of shared principles. The statement affirms that “the transition process should be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, and produce an inclusive and representative government; the rights of all Syrians – including minorities and women – should be respected; humanitarian aid should be able to reach people who need it; state institutions should deliver essential services to the Syrian people; Syria should not be used as base for terrorist groups or others who threaten Syria’s people, its neighbors, or the world; chemical weapons stockpiles should be secured and safely destroyed; Syria should have peaceful relations with its neighbors; relevant organizations should have access to facilities that can help determine the fate of missing Syrians and foreign nationals – and eventually hold abusers accountable.”
3) Department of Defense
CENTCOM Commander Visits Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan. On December 9, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla met with Jordanian defense officials in Amman to discuss US-Jordanian military cooperation and developments in Syria. On December 10, Kurilla visited US military commanders and servicemembers, as well as Defeat-ISIS partner the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), at several bases in Syria. Gen. Kurilla then visited Baghdad, where he met with Iraqi officials to discuss Syria as well as the Defeat-ISIS operations in Iraq. On December 11, Kurilla visited Lebanon for meetings with defense officials regarding the implementation and monitoring mechanism for last month’s cessation of hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.
Secretary Austin Affirms that Defeat-ISIS Mission Will Continue. On December 9, Secretary Austin stated that US forces will continue operations against the so-called Islamic State in Syria. On December 11, he stated that there has been no change in the US partnership with the SDF when it comes to the Defeat-ISIS mission.
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On December 11, Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz about the ceasefire in Lebanon as well as events in Syria and Gaza.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Houthi Prisoners Committee and Supporter of Assad. On December 9, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners’ Affairs and its leader for abuses against prisoners held in Houthi-run prisons in Yemen. OFAC also sanctioned an individual for providing financial and logistical support to Bashar al-Assad.
5) United States Agency for International Development
USAID Provides Additional Aid to Somalia. On December 12, USAID announced that is providing nearly $29 million in additional assistance to build resilience and improve food security in Somalia.
