Feb 08 Biden aides meet with Arab American leaders in Michigan, aiming to mend political ties By Joey Cappelletti, Corey Williams, Associated Press It's part of an effort to mend ties with a community that has an important role in deciding whether President Joe Biden can hold on to a crucial swing state in the 2024 election. Continue reading
Feb 08 Blinken ends latest Middle East trip after Israel’s rejection of proposed Gaza cease-fire plan By Matthew Lee, Associated Press U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the Middle East on Thursday after getting a virtual slap in the face from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the war would continue until Israel is completely victorious and appeared to reject… Continue reading
Feb 08 Israel kills 13 in Rafah, southern Gaza town where many Palestinians have fled By Najib Jobain, Wafaa Shurafa, Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press More than half of Gaza's population has fled to Rafah, on the mostly sealed border with Egypt. It is also the main entry point for humanitarian aid. Continue reading
Feb 07 Watch 10:44 Experts discuss Gaza cease-fire negotiations as Netanyahu rejects Hamas’ latest terms By Nick Schifrin Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected a counterproposal from Hamas that would have paused the war in exchange for releasing Israeli hostages over the next few months. The U.S. has hoped a pause could spark broader regional diplomatic progress. Nick… Continue watching
Feb 07 Half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders want more U.S. support of Palestinians, AP-NORC poll says By Terry Tang, Linley Sanders, Associated Press The poll from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that adults in those groups are more likely than U.S. adults overall to say the U.S. is "not supportive enough" of the Palestinians and "too… Continue reading
Feb 07 Netanyahu rejects Hamas terms for cease-fire, vows to fight until ‘absolute victory’ By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Blinken said an agreement between the sides was still possible. But Netanyahu's remarks also underscored how wide the chasm between Israel and Hamas remains as the war enters its fifth month. Continue reading
Feb 06 Senate Democrats push to require that Biden consult Congress on weapons sales to Israel By Farnoush Amiri, Associated Press Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine is introducing an amendment Tuesday to strike language in the $118 billion national security supplemental allowing the administration to send future arms to Israel without first notifying Congress. Continue reading
Feb 06 Who is part of Iran’s regional armed network and what are their aims? By Kali Robinson, Will Merrow, Council on Foreign Relations Fighters from Shiite Muslim-majority countries such as Iraq and Lebanon compose Iran’s main proxies, but groups in Sunni-majority Afghanistan, the Palestinian territories, Syria, and Yemen have also formed associations with Iran. Continue reading
Feb 06 2 more ships in Mideast waters attacked by suspected Houthi drones By Jon Gambrell, Associated Press Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea over Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. Continue reading
Feb 06 Blinken meets with Egyptian mediators to push for cease-fire in Gaza By Matthew Lee, Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Associated Press Egypt fears an expansion of combat to the Rafah area could push terrified Palestinian civilians across the border, a scenario Egypt has said it is determined to prevent. Continue reading