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
Did Trump’s Jerusalem decision revive support for Palestine? US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital has put the Palestinian cause back in the forefront after years of neglect in light of other regional crises. Palestine
US trains Syrian civilians to destroy explosives The United States is getting scores of Syrian locals ready to deal with explosives left behind by the Islamic State. Syria
Iran's hard-liners aren't only ones empowered by Trump's Jerusalem move Trump’s Jerusalem announcement is only the latest in a series of missteps that have empowered various camps in Iran, including that of Rouhani. Saudi Arabia
Egyptians tell stories of abuse, harassment on stage The Egyptian version of The Vagina Monologues, BuSSy, has gathered over 1,000 stories since 2006 and brings women and men to theaters around the country to share their experiences on sexual harassment and abuse. Egypt
Gazan authors start new chapter Although writers and publishers have suffered in the economic difficulties that have gripped the Gaza Strip since 2006, signs of a literary awakening are giving booklovers hope. Palestine
Tunisia's Ennahda struggles to shake political Islam identity The announcement of a Saudi-led bloc’s new terrorist list that includes the International Union of Muslim Scholars has tongues wagging about the failure of Tunisia’s Ennahda movement to break free from political Islam. Tunisia
Europeans help sway Congress to punt on legislation that could kill Iran deal Concerted European diplomatic efforts have helped persuade Congress to not pass legislation that would violate the Iran nuclear deal, for now. United States
Can Europe-Netanyahu gap be bridged? Visiting Paris and Brussels, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was confronted with objections to President Donald Trump's Jerusalem proclamation, but he also heard that Europe won't initiate a peace plan of its own. Palestine
Will Erdogan’s Jerusalem campaign succeed? Erdogan’s supporters are among those who fear his vociferous campaign against the United States and Israel will leave him disappointed and regionally isolated. Israel
Jerusalem still trending topic on social media in Mideast Activists around the Arab world have used social media to protest US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Legacy: Gulf
Putin's visit to Egypt inspires hope for growth in Cairo Egypt could be seeing the revival of an otherwise lackluster alliance with Russia, a potential relationship that has much to offer both sides. Egypt
Sudan-born model exposes blight of racism in Egypt Sudan-born model Fatima Ali began speaking out four years ago against the daily racism she faces in Egypt and is compiling her writing on the subject into a book. Egypt
