I. Legislative Branch
Personnel and Correspondence
Sen. Menendez Found Guilty on Corruption Case. On July 16, a jury found Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) guilty in his federal corruption trial on all 16 counts, including bribery, extortion, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and acting as a foreign agent on behalf of the Egyptian government. Prosecutors argued that Menendez used his position as chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to advance Egyptian diplomatic and military interests in exchange for bribes.
Speaker Johnson Threatens to Have Members Who Protest Netanyahu Address Arrested. Ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s July 24 address to Congress, media reported that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) threatened to have lawmakers arrested if they “get out of hand” during the prime minister’s speech. Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are expected to boycott or protest the speech in some capacity. Also last week, a staffer letter with more than 200 signatures called for Congress to protest or boycott Netanyahu’s address.
II. Executive Branch
1) White House
US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group Meets in Washington. On July 15, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken hosted Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, and a senior Israeli interagency delegation for a meeting of the US-Israel Strategic Consultative Group. According to the White House readout, the US officials affirmed the Biden administration’s “ironclad” commitment to Israel as tensions rise with Hezbollah. The group also discussed developments in Gaza toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal, with Israeli officials, according to the White House, affirming their “full support for the deal as outlined by President Biden and endorsed by the UN Security Council, G7, and countries around the world.” The group also talked about Iranian threats to the region.
NSC Kirby Updates on Gaza War, Regional Tensions. On July 18, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby reiterated during a press gaggle that the Biden administration is committed to a diplomatic resolution to tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Kirby also spoke about the closure of the temporary US military-built humanitarian pier off Gaza, stating that “the pier accomplished a lot…nearly 20 million pounds of aid delivered. That’s the highest volume of humanitarian assistance that we have ever been able to deliver in the Middle East.” He condemned Israeli settler violence in the West Bank. And Kirby called for an end to the Sudan conflict, which has “left more than 25 million facing unacceptable levels of food insecurity and nearly the entire country now facing unconscionable violence.”
2) Department of State
Department Announces Additional Sanctions on Iran Nuclear Program. On July 12, the Department of State announced sanctions on an Iranian company for its involvement in activities that contribute to Iran’s development of weapons of mass destruction. The announcement reiterated the US position that Iran has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention due to its development of pharmaceutical-based agents as part of a chemical weapons program.
Department Reflects on UN Human Rights Council Session. On July 12, the Department of State released a statement reflecting on outcomes from the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The statement highlighted US efforts to address global human rights, making specific reference to Libya, Sudan, and Syria.
United States and Saudi Arabia Sign Civilian Space Exploration Agreement. On July 16, the Department of State announced that on July 15, the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a framework agreement on civilian space exploration and research.
Department Announces Sanctions on Israeli Settler and Ex-IDF Official. On July 16, The Department of State issued an update on its July 11 sanctions on Israeli settlers, adding that the US government had added a leader or official of Tzav 9, an extremist group which has been previously designated for threatening peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list. On July 17, State announced further action through the designation of Elor Azaria, a former Israel Defense Forces sergeant, “for his involvement in a gross violation of human rights, namely an extrajudicial killing in the West Bank” in 2016. Addressing the newly announced sanctions, Spokesperson Matthew Miller commented on July 17, “When you look at across the West Bank the amount of violence that has been carried against Palestinian civilians, there hasn’t been appropriate accountability across the board.”
Sanctions Waiver Renewed to Allow for Iraqi Purchase of Iranian Energy. On July 17, Al Monitor reported that the United States had granted Iraq an additional four-month sanctions waiver to purchase Iranian electricity. Spokesperson Miller remarked at a press conference that day that the waiver “has been exercised going back years, going back to previous administrations, something that’s been exercised under administrations of both parties because it helps maintain stability in Iraq.”
Blinken Speaks with Omani Foreign Minister. On July 18, Secretary Blinken spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi to discuss the July 15 attack, claimed by the so-called Islamic State, targeting worshippers at a Shiite mosque in Muscat, the situation in Gaza, and bilateral issues.
Department Official Calls Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza ‘Unacceptable.’ On July 18, Deputy Principal Spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that “the needs in Gaza are staggering and the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are unacceptable.” Speaking about the recent vote in the Israeli Knesset to oppose Palestinian statehood, Vedant stated that the United States holds that a two-state solution “continues to be the only way to advance enduring peace.”
Blinken Says Israel, Hamas Close to Ceasefire Agreement. On July 19, speaking from the Aspen Security Forum, Secretary Blinken stated that Israel and Hamas are “inside the 10 yard line and driving toward the goal line” on a Gaza ceasefire deal.
3) Department of Defense
Secretary Austin Speaks with Israeli Defense Minister. On July 16, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel, US-Israeli military cooperation, and the importance of increasing the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Austin spoke again with Gallant over the weekend to discuss Israel’s response to the Houthi attack that occurred on July 19 in Tel Aviv.
US and Bahrain Hold Defense Cooperation Forum. On July 16, the United States and Bahrain held the Military Consultative Committee, a bilateral forum for US-Bahrain defense cooperation. US and Bahraini leaders discussed developing their defense partnership by expanding defense trade, joint training, and intelligence cooperation, among other initiatives.
CENTCOM Offers Mid-Year Update on Counter ISIS Activities. On July 16, CENCTOM released a review of the Defeat ISIS Mission in Iraq and Syria from January to June 2024. Per the release, the so-called ‘Islamic State’ claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria during this period, a rate two times greater than in 2023. Over the six-month period, CENTCOM and Defeat ISIS partners conducted 196 missions, resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained. The release reiterated the US call to repatriate more than 9,000 detainees in detention facilities and 43,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj camps in northeast Syria. Concurrently, the Department of State officially applauded the Kyrgyz Republic’s repatriation of 22 women and children from the camps.
CENTCOM Commander Visits Israel and Egypt. From July 14-17, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla visited Israel and met with Minister of Defense Gallant, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and other members of Israeli defense and security agencies. According to CENTCOM’s readout, the meetings covered shared intelligence assessments and security challenges faced in Israel’s southern and northern arenas, broader regional security concerns, and opportunities for enhanced bilateral defense and technological cooperation. On July 17-18, Gen. Kurilla traveled to Egypt for meetings with senior officials to discuss regional security concerns.
4) Department of the Treasury
Treasury Targets Houthi Shipping and Financing Network. On July 18, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced sanctions on persons and vessels identified to have played a role in supporting or financing Houthi activities.
5) United States Agency for International Development
USAID Addresses End of Humanitarian Pier in Gaza. On July 17, USAID released a statement on the conclusion of the operations of the humanitarian pier in Gaza. The statement noted that the pier brought into Gaza a total of 20 million pounds of aid, enough assistance to feed 450,000 people for one month, and said that USAID will continue to work to surge assistance through land crossings and maritime routes to Ashdod. The statement affirmed that humanitarian needs in Gaza remain high “with nearly the entire population in need of food assistance and with the vast majority lacking access to clean water for months.”
USAID Announces $203 Million in Additional Assistance for Sudan. On July 18, USAID announced an additional $203 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Sudan. On July 17, Administrator Samantha Power met with leadership of humanitarian partners operating in Sudan to discuss humanitarian conditions and the need for cross-border and cross-line access for humanitarian assistance. Power emphasized US diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and to increase humanitarian access.
USAID Releases New Policy for Advancement of Global Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. On July 18, USAID announced the launch of its new Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Policy. The policy focuses on four strategic changes: adopting a whole-of-agency approach to democratic renewal; expanding support for democratic processes and political culture; advancing digital democracy; and elevating anti-corruption efforts. The policy is based on four principles aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of programming: advancing social inclusion and gender equality; increasing locally led development; addressing democratic crises; and mainstreaming prevention and protective measures for frontline actors.