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
Award-winning Palestinian cartoonist takes dig at Trump Mohammad Sabaneeh, Palestine's controversial caricaturist, has published a book with his cartoons that has been collecting awards at home and abroad. Palestine
Powdered orchid and water-buffalo cream: Turks delight in Ottoman dishes Authentic Turkish dishes, some going back to Ottoman times, remain popular with locals, but are hard to reproduce abroad. Turkey
Arab leaders plan major response to Trump's Jerusalem move As public anger has yet to subside over Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, leaders of Egypt, Jordan and Palestine are meeting to discuss actions to be taken in this regard. Palestine
Israel warns Hamas against a new intifada The Israel Defense Forces destroyed a Gaza tunnel this week as a signal and warning to Hamas not to open a new intifada against Israel. Palestine
Artists boost Gaza’s morale with music, comedy A recent festival organized by the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music brought Gazans a sense of normalcy through traditional and modern music and comedy. Palestine
Moscow’s leverage in Syria is strong, but limited Many believe Russia aims to be the ringmaster of the Syrian show, but currently Moscow is walking a tightrope tethered between opposing forces. Syria
Clashes escalate across Palestine in response to Trump's Jerusalem move Following US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Palestinians took took to the streets in protest for a second day as clashes with Israeli forces increased. Palestine
Turkey’s girls, women struggle with body image A Turkish woman who died following gastric sleeve surgery has revived the debate about women’s body image in Turkey. Turkey
US elite troop training in Iraq lags after Mosul The United States and its allies aren’t training elite counterterrorism forces fast enough to replace the losses incurred in the brutal fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Trump's Jerusalem move may prove blessing for Erdogan While Trump’s Jerusalem statement provided Erdogan an opportunity to present himself as the leader and spokesman of the Muslim world, the move could further polarize the region and destabilize Turkey. Israel
Feijoa fruit makes its debut in Gaza A determined farmer who worked for nearly a decade to grow a fruit new to the Gaza Strip has succeeded. Palestine
Can Israel contain violence after Trump's proclamation? After President Donald Trump's announcement that he recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had no choice but to ensure that Fatah's reconciliation with Hamas succeeds. Palestine
