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
US missile defense sale to Saudis seen as effort to thwart Russia The Donald Trump administration OK’d a $15 billion sale of anti-missile technology to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh moved to buy a rival Russian system. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's women step up protests against AKP, its supporters Turkey has been a scene of female protests, from women protesting against the new law on marriage to actresses making statements on festivals. Turkey
Pentagon stops paying peshmerga salaries amid Kurdish independence backlash The Donald Trump administration has allowed a yearlong deal to pay stipends to the Kurdish militia to expire. Iraq
'The Insult' tops box office in Lebanon Ziad Doueiri’s latest film has been out three weeks and it’s at the top of the box office ever since, taking almost 50% of total film admissions. Lebanon
Explosions, heartbreak rock ancient Turkish site as dam moves forward More than 60 years in the making, Turkey's Ilisu Dam project is set to finally flood 12,000-year-old Hasankeyf and all its relics. Turkey
Congress takes aim at Lebanese politicians with Hezbollah bill The US House of Representatives is expected to vote this month on legislation requiring the president to publicly report on Hezbollah allies’ net worth. Lebanon
King Salman goes to Russia King Salman's visit to Russia is the first by a Saudi monarch, but the trip may be long on style and short on substance. Saudi Arabia
Beirut's international film festival turns 20 The celebrated Beirut International Film Festival provides a platform for filmmakers in the region to speak out on subjects that are taboo in their own countries. Lebanon
University's new dress code makes waves in Egypt Alexandria University has instituted a campus dress code forbidding ripped and close-fitting clothing as well as religious wear, to mixed reactions. Egypt
Why Palestine needs national library more than presidential palace Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement of a national library was welcomed by the country’s cultural elite who consider it a start in securing Palestinian heritage and memory. Palestine
Contemporary artists explore family ties, homeland in Jerusalem The third Jerusalem Biennale, themed "Watershed," brings together disparate streams of Jewish artists to offer their unique perspectives on evolving identities and the concept of a homeland. Israel
TEDx Palestine gathers success stories in Gaza "Creativity is not limited by circumstances," said one of the speakers at TEDx University of Palestine, where talented Gazans recently found a platform to voice their ideas. Palestine
