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
Is Trump holding a Russian card in the Middle East? Trump visit launches new US-Saudi partnership, but the endgame in the Middle East still depends on Moscow and Tehran. Saudi Arabia
On election day, Iranians divided over future of country Polls close after Iranians turn out in large numbers to cast their votes in the 2017 presidential election. Iran
Who expects more of Trump visit, Israelis or Palestinians? During Donald Trump’s visit, Israel wants him to realize wide right-wing objection to the two-state solution, while Palestinians expect that Trump would agree to launch shuttle diplomacy toward negotiations. Palestine
Meet Iran’s potential next first ladies Though some progress has been made since Iranian presidential candidate's wives first stepped into the campaign spotlight in 2009, they still do not fully participate in their husbands’ campaigns. Iran
Russia keeping a close eye on Algeria Algeria’s new legislature, facing tough economic times domestically, needs to make gains in foreign policy to regain citizens’ trust — something Russia might be able to facilitate. Algeria
Iran’s Kurds voice frustrations, hopes heading into election Security and the economy remain high on the list of priorities for Iranian Kurds who depend on the smuggling of goods into their country. Iran
After his withdrawal from presidential race, who will get Tehran mayor's votes? Although Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has withdrawn from the presidential race and urged his supporters to back fellow conservative Ebrahim Raisi, there are doubts about voters heeding his call. Iran
In final day before vote, Rouhani lashes out at Iran’s hard-liners In his final campaign speech, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani issued criticisms of his main conservative rival, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Basij and state TV. Iran
Open-air soccer game screenings come to Gaza City A giant screen at al-Qutaibah Square in Gaza City has been showing the UEFA Europa League matches, easing the suffering of Gazans amid the power outage and unemployment crises. Palestine
Trump waives nuclear sanctions but slaps Iran on missiles, human rights The Trump administration sanctioned seven new entities for their alleged role in Iran’s ballistic missile program even as it complied with the letter of the nuclear deal. United States
Do Iran's conservatives have a foreign policy agenda? While Iran's 2013 presidential election focused primarily on foreign policy issues, this year's election is all about the economy. Iran
Erdogan-Trump: The most unsuccessful Washington visit ever History will record Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Washington as the most unsuccessful presidential visit ever to Washington. Turkey
