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
Pro-Israel lobby struggles to bring parties together ahead of annual conference The American Israel Public Affairs Committee hasn’t made much headway on key issues such as the Iran nuclear deal and anti-boycott legislation. Israel
Amazigh awakening: Libya’s largest minority wants recognition Amazigh leaders are threatening to boycott parliamentary elections and a constitutional referendum if their rights and culture are not officially recognized. Libya
Progressive champion Sanders joins fight against Yemen war Anti-war activists hope that a new bipartisan effort spearheaded by 2016 left-wing candidate Bernie Sanders will reinvigorate efforts to end US support for the Saudi-led campaign against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia
Sunsets 'tricky bit' in transatlantic talks on Trump Iran demands Diplomats say sunset clauses that eventually will ease limits on Iran’s enrichment capacity are proving the most difficult issue in US-European negotiations to meet Donald Trump’s Iran ultimatums. United States
State Department OKs nuclear monitoring system for Iran The State Department has approved US exports that will help a UN agency set up nuclear monitoring stations inside Iran to strengthen the nuclear deal. United States
Calls for truce fall on deaf ears in Syria's Ghouta As Syria seeks to "liquidate" terrorists in eastern Ghouta, escalated fighting leaves little hope for the much-touted "de-escalation" zones. Syria
Skiers, snowboarders ride for peace in Lebanon One of the world's most extreme winter sporting events has held its first qualifying competition in Lebanon — a first for the country and region at large, putting the mountain on the global map. Lebanon
Book in praise of older women gets Israel's top prize Esther Peled, a female author who defies convention, is awarded Israel’s most prestigious literary prize with the book that describes a woman’s journey on her way to a “room of her own.” Israel
US commander says Iraq sovereignty provides ‘legal basis’ for Syria presence The Pentagon’s top commander in the Middle East told lawmakers today that protecting Iraq’s sovereignty provides the “legal basis” for US involvement in Syria. Iraq
US ambassador to Israel lobbies in favor of settlers US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman acts more like an ambassador of the settlers vis-a-vis the Trump administration. Palestine
Thousands find informal gigs at Cairo International Book Fair The Cairo International Book Fair is not only an exciting event for publishers and readers, but also a bustling temporary workplace for those who labor behind the scenes, doing all the odd jobs that power the fair and earn them a tidy sum. Egypt
Russia, US could be headed for collision in Syria Neither Russia nor the United States seems interested in escalating tension with each other in Syria, but the situation might push them in that direction. Syria
