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Updated September 13, 2023 The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the world's most water-stressed and vulnerable to climate change impacts. Policymakers' concerns about a changing MENA [...]

The document provides an overview of the Israel and Hamas conflict, detailing the ongoing conflict, humanitarian situation, international actions, and U.S. policy and aid to Israel. It discusses the challenges faced by U.S. policymakers, the impact on civilians, and the efforts to reach a cease-fire agreement. The document also covers the U.S. foreign aid and arms sales to Israel, as well as the humanitarian assistance provided to Gaza. Additionally, it addresses the temporary U.S. dock and pier built for aid shipments and the temporary pause in U.S. funding to UNRWA due to allegations. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the historical significance of Egypt in relation to U.S. national security and foreign relations. Topics include Egypt's strategic control of the Suez Canal, the complexities of U.S.-Egypt relations amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, and the implications of U.S. foreign aid, which is contingent on various political and human rights considerations.

The article focuses on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a crucial U.S. security partner, detailing its military relationships, economic ties, and regional dynamics, particularly concerning Iran and Israel. It highlights the complexities of U.S.-UAE relations, including arms sales and human rights concerns. It also addresses the UAE's humanitarian efforts in Gaza and its strategic initiatives amid growing ties with China.

Updated January 12, 2022 The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the world's most water-stressed and vulnerable to climate change impacts. Policymakers' concerns about a changing MENA [...]

The article focuses on Oman's geopolitical significance, particularly its role as a defense partner for the U.S. in the Middle East, its mediation efforts in regional conflicts like Yemen, and its strategic importance due to its location near crucial oil routes. It discusses Oman's economic challenges and its efforts, like the "Vision 2040" plan, to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon dependence. Finally, it highlights the strong defense ties between Oman and the U.S.

July 15, 2021 The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is among the world's most water-stressed and vulnerable to climate change. Policymakers' concerns about a changing MENA climate include [...]

The article offers information related to Israel and Hamas October 2023 Conflict. It mentions Israel's cabinet formally declared war on Hamas and has initiated efforts to recover hostages, begun an aerial bombardment campaign against militants in Gaza. It also mentions Israel Defense Forces has called all civilians to evacuate southward and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israel have agreed to develop a plan that will enable international humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

The article focuses on issues related to U.S. policy concerning the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Topics include U.S.-UAE security partnership, concerns regarding the UAE's ability to secure advanced military equipment, the UAE's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its impact on relations. It mentions UAE's approach to Iran and its ties to Israel, its role in the Yemen conflict, human rights concerns, and climate change cooperation with the U.S.

The article focuses on Jordan's significance as a key U.S. partner in the Middle East, particularly in regional stability and counterterrorism efforts. It also highlights the substantial U.S. aid provided to Jordan over the years, reinforcing their diplomatic cooperation and support for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

The article discusses implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing war on the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a region of continuing strategic and foreign policy salience to Congress. Topics include humanitarian effects of war in the MENA region, because of increased volatility in energy and food commodity markets, decisions related to diplomacy, and the provision of military support, and enforcement of sanctions.

The article focuses on Egypt's background and its relations with the United States, highlighting three key topics: Egypt's strategic importance due to its geography, demography, and diplomacy; the country's economic crisis and reliance on international financial assistance; and the balancing act of U.S.-Egyptian relations. The U.S. has historically provided significant foreign aid to Egypt, primarily for regional stability and to support the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.

The article focuses on security, politics in Oman and its policy towards the U.S. It mentions Oman faces challenges in maintaining its decades-long social contract, in which oil has brought prosperity to its citizens in exchange for their acceptance of the Sultan's absolute rule. It also mentions government spending, attract foreign investment, and diversify the economy and U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement was signed on January 19, 2006.

The article provides an analysis of the implications of Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing war in 2022 on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Topics include the risk of instability in the region and complexities to some regional relationships posed by the Russia-Ukraine war, an overview and possible issues for the U.S. Congress such as U.S. sanctions relating to Russia and how the sanctions may be implemented in the MENA region, and the effects of the war on energy prices.

The article provides an overview of the evolving U.S. national security strategy in the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa). It highlights various challenges faced by the U.S., including multilateral impasses with Iran over its nuclear program, leadership transitions in Israel and Palestine, and geopolitical issues such as freedom of navigation in waterways. It outlines potential policies that the 118th Congress may consider, including proposals to fund and authorize U.S. programs.

This report provides background information and potential issues for U.S. Congress on Egypt. Topics discussed include Egyptian cooperation with Israel, possible Egyptian purchase of Russian advanced fighter aircraft, and state of democracy, human rights, and religious freedom in Egypt. Also mentioned are domestic politics, economic conditions, and U.S.-Egyptian relations.

The article provides an overview of the U.S. foreign assistance to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The aim of the assistance is to support the U.S. foreign policy goals for MENA including containing Iranian influence and addressing terrorism. It examines the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the MENA region and the U.S. responses. There is an increase in the budget requested by the administration of U.S. President Joseph Biden for the region for fiscal year 2022.

Summary This report provides an overview and analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amidst evolving political change in Yemeni leadership, ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) […]

Select Policy Debates Competing Views of the Al Qaeda Threat Policymakers, while agreeing that jihadist violence represents a significant threat to the United States, continue to debate the level of [...]

As Congress debates whether to authorize and fund the continued use of U.S. force in Iraq against the Islamic State (IS, previously referred to as ISIS or ISIL), lawmakers may [...]

June 5, 2014 Summary This report provides an overview of the key issues for Congress related to Egypt and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt. The United States has [...]

Summary This report provides an overview of Jordanian politics and current issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations. It provides a brief discussion of Jordan's government and economy and of its cooperation with [...]

April 11, 2014 Summary This report provides an overview of U.S. foreign assistance to Israel. It includes a review of past aid programs, data on annual assistance, and an analysis [...]

The article focuses on Congress shaped U.S. national security policy toward several critical crises and during the decade from 2011 through 2020 towards Middle East. It mentions U.S. Constitution, legislative and executive branches of government use a range of tools in exercising their respective foreign policy powers. It also mentions Congress also provided for extensive U.S. sanctions targeting Iran for its nuclear program, weapons proliferation, restrictions on human rights and democracy.

The article focuses on the decision of the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump to designate the Yemeni group Ansar Allah or the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO) and a specially designated global terrorist (SDGT) on January 19, 2021. Topics discussed include the association of the Houthis with Iran, effect of the military advancement of the group in Yemen, and significance of the decision of President Joseph Biden to allow transactions with the Houthis.

The article focuses on the relations of the U.S. with Egypt. It mentions Israeli and Egyptian governments have increased their cooperation against Islamist militants and instability in the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip. It also mentions U.S. funds for Egypt come from the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) account and provide grant aid with which Egypt purchases and maintains U.S.-origin military equipment and stability of the Egyptian government led by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi.

The article provides an overview on historical background, recent trends, and the Financial Year 2021 request for U.S. foreign assistance to the Middle East. Topics include the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on funding; funding for complex humanitarian crises; and stabilization in areas liberated from the Islamic State.

The article focuses on civil war in Yemen in 2014 and Ansar Allah/Houthi movement took over the capital. It mentions Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who had fled to Saudi Arabia, appealed for international intervention, Saudi Arabia and a hastily assembled international coalition. It also mentions public health experts warn that the COVID-19 pandemic may have significant negative effects on Yemen's vulnerable population.

Contents Latest Developments Egyptian Military Operations in the Sinai Peninsula Domestic Politics: Crackdown and Constitution Egypt: A Foreign Policy Dilemma The Military's Crackdown on Islamists Overview U.S. Response U.S. Prohibitions [...]

Contents Assessment Conflict Update Alleged Chemical Weapons Attack and Related Developments Other Key Developments U.S. Lethal Aid to Elements of the Armed Opposition Prospects for a Political Settlement Status of [...]

Update as of September 3, 2013 Assessment Conflict Update Issues for Congress Chemical Weapons Issues War Powers Cost and Budgetary Resources for Intervention Military Planning U.S. Aid to the Opposition [...]

Caption: Figure 1. Map of Syria: Conflict and Basic Data Caption: Figure 2. Syrian Opposition Groups: Relationships and Factions Appendix A. Syria Legislation in the 113th Congress Bills * S. [...]

Contents Introduction Background Deteriorating Economic Conditions in Post-Revolution Egypt Egypt-IMF Negotiations Tentative Deal #1: June 2011 Tentative Deal #2: November 2012 Current Status Egyptian Politics and IMF Assistance Egypt, the [...]

U.S.-Syrian relations have been contentious for decades, but traditional U.S. concerns are now being amplified and overshadowed by the pressing need to address new threats. Since the uprising began, the [...]

The escalating conflict in Syria poses increasingly complex and difficult policy questions for Congress and the Obama Administration. The popular-uprising-turned-armed-rebellion against the Asad regime has entered its third year, and [...]

April 22, 2013 Summary The popular-uprising-turned-armed-rebellion in Syria has entered its third year, and seems poised to continue, with the government and a bewildering array of militias locked in a [...]

Contents Overview Sequestration and U.S. Aid to Israel for FY2013 Qualitative Military Edge (QME) U.S. Bilateral Military Aid to Israel The 10-Year Military Aid Agreement Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and [...]

Contents Overview 1 Country Background Domestic Politics and the Economy The Hashemite Royal Family Constitution, Parliament, Political Parties, and Judiciary Foreign Relations Jordan and the Syrian Civil War Jordan's Relationship [...]

Summary This report provides a brief overview of the key issues for Congress related to Egypt and information on U.S. foreign aid to Egypt. The United States has provided significant [...]

November 1, 2012 Summary This report provides an overview and analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amidst evolving political change in Yemeni leadership, ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda in the [...]

October 3, 2012 Summary This report provides an overview of Jordanian politics and current issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations. It provides a brief discussion of Jordan's government and economy and of [...]

Summary Syria is now mired in an armed conflict between forces loyal to President Bashar al Asad and rebel fighters opposed to his rule. Since major unrest began in March [...]

Contents Overview: Egypt's Military Retains Control Latest Developments Issues for Congress Egyptian-Israeli Relations The 1979 Peace Treaty The Economy and Possible IMF Loan U.S.-Egyptian Relations The NGO Case U.S. Foreign [...]

Contents Overview Assessment The International Dimension of the Syria Conflict What Role for Turkey in Syria? The U.N.-Brokered Cease-Fire and Monitoring Mission (UNSMIS) U.S. Policy Toward Syria Issues Before Congress [...]

Contents Overview A Changing Fiscal Landscape: Aid and U.S. Deficit Reduction Qualitative Military Edge (QME) The Costs and Benefits of Israeli Dependence on U.S. Weaponry U.S. Bilateral Military Aid to [...]

Contents Enduring U.S. Goals Amid Regional Change Select Issues Egypt: A Future of Partnership and Peace? The Gulf States: Cooperation Under Pressure Syria: Change or Chaos? Islamists: New Opportunities and [...]

Contents Egypt in Transition: The Military and Muslim Brotherhood Forge a Tentative Trail to Civilian Rule Domestic Politics: Islamists in Parliament Domestic Politics: Egypt's 2012 Presidential Election The Economy: Urgent [...]

Contents Yemen in Transition? Background The November 23 GCC Transition Initiative Recent U.S. Policy Toward Yemen Congressional Action Fighting Against AQAP Militia in Abyan U.S. Counterterrorism Policy Awlaki Killed Country [...]

Summary This report provides an overview of Jordanian politics and current issues in U.S.-Jordanian relations. It provides a brief discussion of Jordan's government and economy and of its cooperation in [...]

Summary On February 11, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak resigned from the presidency after 29 years in power. For 18 days, a popular peaceful uprising spread across Egypt and ultimately forced [...]