MESOP : RELEVANT SUMMARY OF US MIDDLE EAST DECISIONS / Statements – Legislation – Committees in Washington

During a meeting with members of Syria’s civil society and opposition in Turkey, the State Department reported that Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski reiterated “U.S. support for Syrian human rights defenders and media activists and reiterated deep concern for the thousands of political prisoners who must be released.”

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and three co-sponsors introduced H.R. 907 that seeks “to improve defense cooperation between the United States and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Sens. Bob Corker (R-TN) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced S.525 that seeks “to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.) to reform the Food for Peace Program.” The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. 

The House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade held a hearing entitled “State Sponsor of Terror: The Global Threat of Iran.” Witnesses included Frederick W. Kagan, Ilan I. Berman, Tony Badran, Daniel L. Byman.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs held a hearing entitled “The Growing Strategic Threat of ISIS.” Witnesses included James F. Jeffrey, Dafna H. Rand, and Rick Brennan, Jr.

The House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations and the House Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa held a joint-hearing entitled “The Syrian Humanitarian Crisis: Four Years Later and No End in Sight.” Witnesses included Thomas Staal and Kelly Tallman Clements.