The United States is vowing to defend itself against a barrage of attacks on its military bases across the Middle East.
Over the last three weeks, Iran-backed militia groups have attacked US bases and facilities in Iraq and Syria 41 times.
And Congress has just four days to pass a stopgap spending bill to keep the federal government from shutting down, as yet another deadline for doing so appears likely to be missed.
Aid money for Israel and Ukraine and some Asian allies of the US is likely to be caught in the crossfire.
The US Capitol in Washington DC Photo: SAMUEL CORUM
Ron Elving is Senior Editor and Correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News.
