Mamdani transition picks draw scrutiny from Jewish leaders

U.S. clears F-35s for Riyadh

This briefing covers critical updates on Iran, U.S.-Saudi arms sales, controversial political rhetoric from campaign surrogates, and high-stakes U.N. General Assembly preparations ahead of the Yom Kippur holiday.

NYPD braced for ‘multiple protests every day’ around U.N. summit

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters on Thursday that her department expects a wave of protests around the U.N. General Assembly next week, set to feature President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian&nbsp; — even as she and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani maintained little would change regarding... <a href="https://jewishinsider.com/2026/01/daily-kickoff-the-group-bankrolling-pro-hamas-protests-in-nyc/">Read More</a>

House Democrats introduce resolution to block Saudi nuclear deal

A group of House Democrats introduced a resolution on Thursday to block the U.S. nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia, citing the lack of safeguards in the deal applied in previous agreements with other U.S. allies and arguing that the deal paves the path toward a Saudi nuclear weapon. Under procedural rules, the Democrats should be... <a href="">Read More</a>

Harvard’s Kennedy School launches new Israel Program

The Harvard-Kennedy School announced this week the launch of a new program focused on Israel that its organizers say will bring a broader, policy-oriented and pluralistic approach to the study of the country and its role in the Middle East, as universities continue to grapple with intense debate over Israel and the war in Gaza.... <a href="">Read More</a>

El-Sayed, behind closed shul doors

This Daily Kickoff features a secret meeting between Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed and rabbis, alongside political updates on the UN General Assembly and key D.C. events.