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
Two years after jet crisis, do Russians really trust Turkey? Russians appear to have forgiven Turkey for its jaw-dropping decision two years ago to shoot down a Russian jet, but forgetting is another matter. Turkey
Can Saudis tempt Moscow into pushing Iran from Syria? Saudi Arabia has given up on ousting President Bashar al-Assad and is now hoping to convince Russia to deny Iran a presence in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Turkey pays homage to 'ceramicist for the people' The "Fureya Koral Retrospective" in Istanbul shows how a pioneering artist reinterpreted ceramics, a traditional Turkish craft, to create murals in the new republic. Turkey
Russia investigation casts shadow over Kushner's Mideast peace push In a rare public appearance, the president's senior adviser Jared Kushner discussed the Trump administration's "ultimate deal" for Palestinian and Israeli peace. Saudi Arabia
US weapons pour into Lebanon amid turmoil The Pentagon is sending armed helicopters to help Lebanon fend off terrorists despite budgetary and political uncertainty. Lebanon
Will Trump recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital? The Palestinians rushed to send Intelligence Chief Majid Faraj to Washington for fear that President Trump would declare Jerusalem to be Israel’s capital city. Palestine
Cairo Opera House embraces change with world artists, new music Cairo's venerable opera house is working to restore its past glory and lost audiences by expanding its program. Egypt
Designers bring local talent back to Beirut’s souks Development company Solidere has invited Lebanese artisans to take over empty spaces in Beirut's Gold Souk, which now hosts a fashion school, workspaces and boutiques selling local handmade products. Lebanon
Culture Alert: Fashion, books and photography in December The Middle Eastern cultural calendar for the end of the year includes a book fair in Beirut, a modest-dress fashion event in Dubai and a cartoon biennial in Tehran. Egypt
Tunisians reach Italian shores in ever larger numbers Though overall arrivals in Italy from North Africa are down, undocumented immigrants from Tunisia have spiked in recent months as Tunisians flee a lack of opportunities in their home country. Tunisia
Is Trump's Mideast initiative one-sided? Palestinians worry that US President Donald Trump is pressuring the pragmatic Sunni leadership to accept an American plan that would be closer to the Israeli position than to the Palestinian one. Saudi Arabia
Lively parties bring West Africa to Beirut club scene In Lebanon, where West African culture is mostly associated with disenfranchised groups, a group of students has decided to shake things up. Lebanon
