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 seeks to soothe Turkish fears over Syria border security request The Defense Department insists that its $300 million request to train and equip Syrian forces won’t be used to create a Kurdish-dominated “border guard” on Turkey’s doorstep. Syria
What are real reasons behind Russian troop drawdown in Syria? Russia's strategy behind withdrawing its forces from Syria could include wanting to protect them from escalating danger while winning points with voters. Syria
Interview Can Cairo talks succeed in uniting Libya's divided armed forces? In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Libyan armed forces led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter speaks about the UN-sponsored elections and Egyptian efforts to unite the army, as Libya further sinks into chaos and division. Khalifa Hifter Commander of the Libyan National Army
Turkey’s graffiti artists: businessmen by day, rebels at night Turkey’s graffiti artists have started taking their work not only to the museums and art galleries, but also to the corporate world. Turkey
Iraq's gazelles under threat from illegal traffickers Iraq tries to increase the number of its endangered Goitered Gazelles by placing them in reserves, but lack of funding remains a challenge. Iraq
Trump seeks to slash funding for UN missions in Mideast The State Department budget is seeking across-the-board cuts to international peacekeeping missions worldwide. Lebanon
Pentagon budget retains same troop levels in Iraq, Syria The Donald Trump administration’s new budget for the Pentagon leaves in place nearly 6,000 US troops in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
US, Turkey could be on collision course in Syria Neither side is backing down as Ankara and Washington exchange tough talk over potential confrontations in Syria. Syria
Israeli duo takes street art to museums Street artists Nitzan Mintz and Dede, partners in life and art, have taken their artworks from the street to museums and galleries. Israel
Iranian graffitists feel walled in The life of a graffiti artist's work can be as short as an hour in Iran, where municipalities wage a determined war on underground street artworks, unless the cities commission the wall paintings. Iran
Pentagon plays down Russian influence in Syria after clash with US-backed forces Secretary of Defense James Mattis insisted that Moscow had little control over Syrian troops that attacked US allies; Mattis also dismissed fears that the United States is getting dragged into another Middle East war. Syria
US support for Kurds in Iraq, Syria unaffected by tensions with Turkey The Pentagon is standing by Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria despite growing political pressure to back off, according to a government audit. Iraq
