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
Democrats draw red line on Trump’s new Syria policy Congressional Democrats are fuming over the Donald Trump administration’s plan to use US military forces in Syria as a curb on President Bashar al-Assad and Iran. Syria
Israel’s first mobile museum brings pop-up culture to forgotten town ZUMU, a roving project of art installations and community outreach, will spend one month in the hard-knock Israeli town of Yeruham, where most children have never visited a museum. Israel
Women's campaigns flourish beyond Iran protests The spread of several social campaigns for women's empowerment in Iran are challenging the perception that their role in the Iranian protests was only about standing up against compulsory hijab. Iran
Syrian opposition iced out of White House The Donald Trump administration held off on the opportunity to talk to Syrian opposition officials in town this week even as it outlined a tougher stance against Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Tillerson says US troops to stay in Syria; US huddles with allies over Sochi Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the US military will stay in Syria to prevent the return of the Islamic State, deter Iran and bolster post-war diplomatic efforts. Syria
Women start filling up tanks at Gaza gas station Marking a first in the Gaza Strip, a gas station manager is employing women despite the criticism. Palestine
Hosting Syria talks in Sochi presents challenges for Russia There's plenty of suspicion and finger-pointing to go around leading up to the Syria peace talks in Sochi this month. Syria
Tribute band carries legacy of Egyptian-Italian icon Egyptian band Monde Dalida rises to the task of passing on the legacy of the Egyptian-born singer to the next generation. Egypt
Iraq backs off plans to double number of US-trained counterterrorism forces With all of Iraq now liberated from the Islamic State, the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service is shifting its focus away from large-scale battles. Iraq
Why protests won’t change Iran’s foreign policy The recent wave of unrest in Iran is unlikely to change the calculations that underpin the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. Russia
Syrian perfume-makers scent success in Egypt Syrian perfume-makers have continued their longstanding tradition of crafting fragrances in Egypt. Egypt
Netanyahu’s shortsighted Mideast policy Israel prefers to ignore the changes surrounding it, such as threats by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel the Oslo Accord and Iran’s change of stance on the Arab Peace Initiative. Palestine
