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
Purge of Turkish mayors could hit opposition strongholds Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says legal action could be taken against more mayors if their political parties do not "solve problems themselves." Turkey
Iranian negotiator says US bad intentions not limited to Trump The Iranian deputy foreign minister spoke to Iran’s parliament about both the benefits and challenges of the nuclear deal. United States
Israel, Hezbollah playing Russian roulette in Syria Russia has managed to prevent confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah in Syria, but will its luck run out in the long term? Israel
Why Turkey’s 'naked art' needs protection Stuck between censorious local authorities and vandals ready to smash what they do not like, statues of nudes are quietly being removed from public spaces. Turkey
Alexandria’s France Street still living in its golden age Alexandria's cherished gold district is nestled into an ancient corner where the city's rich heritage and multicultural past is still vibrant. Egypt
Post-coup purge snares beloved 'Soros of Turkey' The arrest of major Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala marks an escalation in the government's crackdown on its opposition and has sent a chill through the Istanbul elite. Turkey
Lebanon battles to get its treasures back A marble bull’s head and a statue of a calf bearer, stolen in 1981, are due to return to Lebanon after a legal battle with private collectors in the United States. Lebanon
Turkish prison cannot stifle Kurdish journalist's art Imprisoned over her painting of the destruction of Nusaybin, Kurdish Turkish journalist and artist Zehra Dogan continues to produce provocative art that is smuggled to the world outside. Turkey
Is Israel really implementing economic aid to Palestinians? Palestinians argue that Israel has not implemented the economic aid measures it has promised, apart from finalizing the already authorized Hebron industrial park. Palestine
US project aims to improve water access for Palestinian farmers The US consulate in Jerusalem launched a $10 million water project to increase Palestinian farmers' access to treated irrigation water. Palestine
Former Salafi cleric stuns Morocco with calls for gender equality Since his release from prison in Morocco, former hardcore Salafist Mohamed Abdelwahab al-Rafiqi has become a controversial figure with his calls for equality in inheritance rights. Morocco
