I. Legislative Branch
1) Legislation
Senate Bill Would Require Report on China’s Support to Iran. On December 9, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced S.3390, which would require a report on China’s purchases of Iranian oil and on the entities and individuals supporting Iran’s ballistic missile program.
House Passes FY26 NDAA. On December 10, the House passed S.1071, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), in a 312–112 vote. The bill authorizes a $900 billion defense budget and includes extensive support for Israel, including $500 million for US-Israel missile defense cooperation, covering programs such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow. The legislation also requires the “continual assessment of [the] impact of international state arms embargoes on Israel and actions to address defense capability gaps.”
Other Israel-related provisions include:
- Authorization of $80 million for the US-Israel Anti-Tunneling Cooperative Program.
- Authorization of $35 million for US-Israel cooperation on emerging technologies, including directed energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, and quantum technologies.
- An increase of authorization of US-Israel cooperation on countering drones to $70 million, a $15 million increase from FY 2025, and expansion of the program to unmanned systems across all warfighting domains.
Additionally, the NDAA repeals the 2019 Caesar Act sanctions on Syria and the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for the Use of Military Force against Iraq.
Senate Bill Seeks to Protect Humanitarian Workers. On December 10, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced S.3420, which aims to protect humanitarian aid workers operating in conflict zones. The bill would establish an official Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers to investigate deaths, injuries, or detentions of aid workers, create an independent inquiry group to investigate aid worker deaths during US-supported missions, and restrict US military aid and arms sales to countries found to repeatedly target aid workers or obstruct US investigations. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced companion legislation (H.R.4303) in the House on July 7.
Senate Bill Would Authorize Sanctions on Houthis. On December 11, Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced S.3451, which would require a determination on the imposition of sanctions against the Houthis for human rights violations or hostage-taking and mandate a report on “Houthi extremist indoctrination and its threats to long-term regional stability.”
2) Personnel and Correspondence
SFRC Commemorates One Year Since Assad Regime’s Collapse. On December 8, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released a statement commemorating the first anniversary of the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. They praised the Syrian government for its cooperation on counterterrorism and its direct engagement with Israeli counterparts. The senators said that the committee will continue to monitor the Syrian government and encourage it to break ties with Iran and Russia, destroy illicit drug and chemical stockpiles, and work to locate missing Americans in Syria.
3) Hearings and Briefings
HFAC Holds Hearings on the West Bank. On December 10, the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) held a hearing on the “historical, strategic, and political dynamics” of “Judea and Samaria” (the occupied West Bank) in US-Israel relations. During the hearing, Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) said that “mainstream Muslims” should be destroyed and stated that he was not afraid to be called Islamophobic. He also claimed that Israelis are banned from entering certain areas of the occupied West Bank due to “apartheid” imposed against Israeli settlers.
HFAC Holds Hearing on Sudan. On December 12, HFAC held a hearing on the US response to the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. During the hearing, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) emphasized the role of external actors in fueling the war, including the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Iran.
Democratic Lawmakers and Rights Organizations Hold Press Conference on Israel’s Targeting of Journalists. On December 11, Sens. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Becca Balint (D-VT), the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Amnesty International USA held a press conference to demand accountability for Israel’s systematic targeting of journalists since October 7, 2023.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
Trump Ramps Up Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric. On December 9, President Donald Trump delivered a 90-minute speech in Pennsylvania, during which he repeatedly attacked Rep. Ilhan Omar and said that he would stop the flow of migrants from Somalia and other “third world” countries. He stated that “we always take people from Somalia, places that are a disaster, right? Filthy, dirty, disgusting, ridden with crime. The only thing they’re good at is going after ships.”
Trump Says He Plans to Announce Gaza Board of Peace Early Next Year. On December 10, President Trump told reporters that he expects to announce early next year which world leaders will serve on the Gaza Board of Peace. He reiterated that the board will be headed by him.
Trump Pledges Retaliation After Americans Killed in Syria. On December 13, President Trump said on Truth Social that “there will be very serious retaliation” after two US service members and one US civilian were killed, and three service members were injured, in an attack in Syria that the United States attributed to the so-called Islamic State. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also condemned the attack, stating, “If you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”
2) Department of State
UN Ambassador Meets Netanyahu. On December 8, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz met in Israel with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security. They discussed the Gaza ceasefire, the return of the remaining hostages, and the implementation of Resolution 2803. Additionally, Waltz welcomed Israel’s decision to reopen the Allenby-King Hussein Bridge crossing. According to media reports, Waltz also told Netanyahu that the Trump administration will lead the International Stabilization Force (ISF) and will appoint a two-star general as its commander.
On December 10, Waltz said that Washington expects the ISF to fulfill its mandate by engaging in the disarmament process.
Rubio Speaks with Saudi and Egyptian Foreign Ministers. On December 9, Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss the US-Saudi partnership, developments in Yemen, and peace efforts in Sudan. On the same day, Rubio spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty about Trump’s Gaza peace plan, bilateral cooperation, and efforts to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire in Sudan.
Rubio Meets with Israeli Foreign Minister. On December 10, Rubio met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to discuss regional security, the implementation of Trump’s Gaza plan, and developments in Syria and Lebanon.
Barrack Urges Israel and Syria to Reach Agreement; Says Turkey Should Join Gaza Stabilization Force. On December 10, during a conference organized by the Jerusalem Post, US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack urged Israel to seize the opportunity to reach a security agreement with Syria. Barrack also said that Turkey should be included in the ISF, citing its military capacity and its channels of dialogue with Hamas.
United States Condemns Houthi Detention of Embassy Staff in Yemen. On December 10, the Department of State released a statement condemning “the Houthis’ ongoing unlawful detention of current and former local staff of the US Mission to Yemen” and called for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained staff.
Trump Administration Considers Terrorism-Related Sanctions Against UNRWA. On December 11, the Times of Israel reported that US officials discussed imposing terrorism-related sanctions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). According to the report, Department of State officials have considered several options, including designating UNRWA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; however, it remains unclear whether that option is still under serious consideration. It is also unclear whether the discussions focus on sanctioning the entire agency, specific UNRWA officials, or parts of its operations.
Department Condemns UNGA Resolution Calling on Israel to End Gaza Aid Restrictions. On December 12, the Department of State criticized a UN General Assembly resolution calling on Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza, to cease attacks on UN facilities, and to comply with international law in line with its obligations as an occupying power. In a statement, the Department said that the resolution reflected the UN’s “continued prevalence of anti-Israel bias over substantive diplomacy,” describing it as “unserious,” “divisive,” and based on “false allegations.” The statement also denounced efforts to empower UNRWA, which it labeled a “Hamas subsidiary,” said was “devoid of meaningful oversight,” and stated that it “will have absolutely no place in Gaza.”
Rubio Speaks with Syrian Foreign Minister. On December 14, Secretary Rubio spoke with Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Asaad al-Shaibani to discuss the December 13 attack on US personnel in Syria. Al-Shaibani offered condolences and said that the Syrian government remains committed to degrading and destroying the so-called Islamic State.
3) Department of War
CENTCOM Says CMCC Facilitated Aid Deliveries to Gaza. On December 11, CENTCOM announced that during the week of December 8, the US-led Civil-Military Coordination Center in Israel helped facilitate the movement of more than 30,000 trucks carrying humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza.
US Forces Conduct Counter-Drone Exercise in Kuwait. On December 12, US forces completed a high-end counter-drone exercise in Kuwait with international partners, including Bahrain and the United Kingdom.
AFRICOM Conducts More Strikes in Somalia. On December 14, US forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Sanctions Transnational Network Fueling Sudan’s War. On December 9, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four individuals and four entities for their roles in fueling the war in Sudan. The press release stated, “These individuals and entities belong to a transnational network—composed primarily of Colombian nationals and companies—that recruits former Colombian military personnel to fight for the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and trains fighters, including children.
