Abdul El-Sayed calls Israel a ‘rogue state’

Vance’s midterm advice? ‘Just talk about El-Sayed’

This briefing covers escalating tensions in the Middle East, military developments, political fallout from regional conflicts, and key updates on U.S. domestic policy, elections, and cultural controversies.

Cuellar becomes first Texas Democrat to criticize upcoming Piker speech at UT

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) criticized plans for antisemitic streamer Hasan Piker to speak on the flagship campus of the University of Texas, becoming the first Democrat in Texas’ congressional delegation to do so. Piker was invited by the school’s University Democrats student group for a speech set for Sept. 30. “Hasan Piker’s scheduled appearance at... <a href="">Read More</a>

Local Democratic official endorses Lawler, citing record on antisemitism, Israel

Ally Chemtob, a Democratic member of the New Castle, N.Y., Town Council, on Monday endorsed Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) for reelection, citing his relationship with the Jewish community and record on antisemitism and Middle East policy. Lawler’s heavily Jewish district, one of the few represented by a House Republican that Vice President Kamala Harris won... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/08/lawmakers-worried-over-nsgps-concerning-new-compliance-requirements/">Read More</a>

Not Sheeran the stage no more

This Daily Kickoff explores rising regional tensions in the Middle East, political reactions to Houthi attacks, and the fallout of recent anti-Israel activism in entertainment and politics.

Senate Republicans urge Saudi response to Houthi attacks

Senators returning to Washington on Monday offered mixed responses to the recent Houthi offensive inside Yemen and Saudi Arabia, with some Republicans telling Jewish Insider that the Iran-backed terror group’s moves warranted a response, while some Democrats framed the Houthi attacks as further fallout from the U.S. war against Iran. The Iran-backed Yemeni terrorist group... <a href="">Read More</a>