USA

Intel: new CENTCOM chief tours Middle East on first trip

Gen. Kenneth McKenzie is scheduled to stop in Israel later this week as the Joe Biden administration seeks strategic dialogue to build on the Abraham Accords.

Jared Szuba | | Jan 25, 2021

US Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., commander of the US Central Command, poses for a picture during his visit to a military base in al-Kharj in central Saudi Arabia on July 18, 2019. Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images.

Congress approves waiver for Lloyd Austin to become defense secretary

The Senate is expected to confirm the former CENTCOM commander as Pentagon chief Friday.

Jared Szuba | Defense/Security cooperation | Jan 21, 2021

Intel: House Democrats call on Biden to reform Middle East war powers

California Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee and House committee leaders wasted no time calling on the new president to rein in two-decade-old legislation on the authorization of military force.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran-US tensions | Jan 21, 2021

Biden to talk Iran deal in early calls with foreign leaders, White House says

Incoming Biden administration officials have suggested a return to the nuclear deal is a long way off.

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran Deal | Jan 21, 2021

What Democrats' Senate majority means for the Mideast

Incoming Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez opposed the Iran nuclear deal and has been a proponent of the US recognizing the Armenian genocide.

Adam Lucente | Iran Deal | Jan 20, 2021