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
Delivering $1 billion aid to Yemen faces difficulties More than $1 billion in humanitarian aid has been pledged by international partners for Yemen, but whether it can be delivered is a separate issue. Yemen
Trump visits Saudi Arabia, Kremlin shrugs Russia may be keeping quiet publicly about Donald Trump’s relations with Saudi Arabia, but Trump’s recent trip to the kingdom raises some interesting questions for Moscow. Saudi Arabia
'The Ottoman Lieutenant' loses box office war “The Ottoman Lieutenant,” the first Hollywood production to reflect Turkey’s perspective on the Armenian genocide, has been criticized both for its outlook and its artistic merit. Turkey
Iran questions US pivot back to region as Europe embraces Rouhani While the United States is increasingly engaged in a war of words with Iran, the bigger story may be the impact Washington’s more hawkish line may have on Europe’s approach toward Tehran and the consequences of a suggested US pivot back to the Middle East not materializing. Saudi Arabia
Saudis hope to halt extremism with ‘terrorist rehab’ Saudis seek to modify the thoughts and behaviors of former members of terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda and the Islamic State via rehabilitation programs, but some worry it isn't working. Saudi Arabia
Russia remains unconcerned by Trump's anti-Iran rhetoric US President Donald Trump tells the Saudis what they want to hear, but Russian experts don't expect him to renege on the Iran deal. Saudi Arabia
Senate tones down Iran sanctions bill after input from Obama team The Senate Foreign Relations Committee insists the bill it cleared May 25 doesn’t violate the nuclear deal. Congress
Iran's election results a win-win for Khamenei Even though the conservative candidate in Iran's presidential candidate did not win, Ayatollah Khamenei is looking for ways to spin the election as a victory for the conservatives. Iran
'Fake news' sparks real crisis in the Gulf Controversial statements reported by Qatar's state news agency and later attributed to a hack have revealed deep tension among members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon’s female graphic designers draw battle lines Women dominate the graphic design scene in Lebanon, but their work is more valued abroad than at home. Lebanon
Iranian media ties Manchester bombing to Trump’s Saudi visit Iranian media ties the deadly bombing in Manchester to the West’s relationship with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Russia picks 'bull terrier' as new ambassador to US Can the extensive experience of Russian ambassador-in-waiting Anatoly Antonov, who has played an instrumental role in Moscow's policies across the Middle East, overcome controversy in Washington to pave the way for cooperation? Russia
