A Chronology of U.S.-Middle East Relations

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Aug. 1: The Defense Department agreed to fund covert operations by the dissident Iraqi National Congress.

After a White House meeting with President George W Bush, Jordan's King Abdullah warned that foreign leaders were increasingly concerned about U.S. plans to invade Iraq.

In Washington, DC, American, Israeli and Egyptian officials discussed US. plans to cut peacekeeping forces in the Sinai.

Based on second-hand reports, the UN. dismissed claims that Israel massacred Palestinians in April, concluding that 497 Palestinians were killed in Israel's two-month occupation of the West Bank.

As Hamas claimed responsibility for a July bombing at Hebrew …