Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
House committee votes to repeal Iraq war military authorization The resolution will next head to the full House for a vote. Bipartisan support for repealing the authorization pertaining to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq gained steam following the February US airstrikes in Syria, which the president approved without consulting Congress. Iraq
US cooling could help Russia boost ties with Saudi Arabia While Moscow realizes that it cannot replace the US role in the region, it’s hoping a cooling of ties between Washington and Riyadh will help bolster its own influence. Russia / Mideast
Senators endorse new, broader deal on Iranian policy A group of Democratic and Republican senators asked President Biden to reach an agreement with Iran that restricts Iran's regional and missile policies in addition to its nuclear program. Some US progressives oppose this, and it could be difficult to accomplish with Tehran. Washington Pulse
Blinken’s first meeting with Turkish counterpart yields little In a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels, the US secretary of state and Turkish foreign minister discussed a range of issues. Turkey
1 in 4 casualties in Yemen's war are children, aid agency finds A report from Save The Children says at least 2,341 children were killed during the last three years of Yemen's civil war. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Intel: US, Iraq to renew talks over troop presence in April The Biden White House accepted Baghdad's request to kickstart strategic dialogue Iraq
USAID nominee takes questions on Yemen, Libya, and Israel at Senate hearing Former UN Ambassador Samantha Power, who is nominated to head the US government’s international development agency, was asked about Yemen, Libya and Israel before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Washington Pulse
As Biden reviews drone use, report highlights civilian toll in Yemen A report by an independent Yemen-based organization details the civilian cost of US drone strikes in Yemen. Yemen
How are Gulf states allocating COVID-related spending? Gulf states’ borrowings have risen steadily since 2014, raising questions over the allocation of resources as the oil-rich region faces the challenge to build resilient non-oil economies. Legacy: Gulf
Biden calls Turkish exit from women’s treaty 'disheartening step backward' The Biden administration has rebuked Turkey's "unwarranted" withdrawal from the landmark Istanbul Convention. Washington Pulse
Saudi Arabia-led coalition ramps up airstrikes in Yemen after Houthi attacks The United Nations said a grain port was bombed in Salif and six workers were wounded. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Russian foreign minister’s visit aimed at challenging US influence in Gulf Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent visit to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar came amid uncertainty among these states about their future relations with the new US administration. Russia / Mideast
