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
Pentagon sends aircraft carrier Nimitz home from Middle East The USS Nimitz spent more than 270 days at sea conducting exercises with the Indian navy and seeking to deter Iran from retaliating for last year's killing of Qasem Soleimani. Legacy: Gulf
Qatar announces new aid grant to Palestinians in Gaza New assistance will help with electricity and alleviating poverty and will be delivered with Israeli coordination. Originals
UAE ambassador confident US F-35 deal will be fulfilled "You can't … take tools away from your partners who are expected to do more," Ambassador Yousef al-Otaiba said Monday. United Arab Emirates
Dubai orders capacity reductions, closes bars as virus cases soar The UAE's largest city remained mostly open as normal until a recent outbreak. Originals
Iran suggests European Union ‘choreograph’ return to nuclear deal Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif doubled down on his stance that the United States must relieve sanctions first but suggested the EU could coordinate mutual steps. United States
Report: Israel turned down US request to inspect Haifa port after deal with China Officials warned the US Navy may not visit the Haifa area if a Chinese state-run company takes up management of the city's port. Israel
Kushner, Berkowitz nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Israel-Arab deals The two received the nomination for their work on Israel’s normalization deals with Arab states. An activist from Western Sahara was also nominated. Originals
US terror designation of Houthis: a fresh ordeal in Yemen Despite warnings by human rights groups, the previous US administration designated Yemen’s Houthis a terrorist organization, which locals fear will only add to their misery. Originals
Biden picks Robert Malley as special envoy for Iran Malley, who currently runs the International Crisis Group in DC, will oversee Biden's efforts to rejoin the Iranian nuclear agreement. United States
Pentagon reassures Middle East partners on deterring Iran The US military is signaling its show of force against Tehran may continue as the State Department explores paths toward a renewed nuclear agreement. United States
Nigerians stuck in Saudi Arabia are flown home Foreigners working in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have gotten stranded throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Progressives defend Robert Malley as Biden's possible Iran envoy Critics accuse the former Obama official of overlooking Iran's human rights record. Congress
