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
What Saudi leaders expect from Trump’s visit Saudi officials see an opportunity to gain influence in the Middle East when US President Donald Trump visits their country later this week. Saudi Arabia
Egypt registers its Jewish artifacts Egyptian authorities have begun a process to register and protect Jewish cemeteries and synagogues after decades of neglecting them. Culture & Society
Will Trump launch Mideast shuttle diplomacy? Palestinian leadership hopes that US President Donald Trump’s upcoming regional visit will advance the launching of a peace process based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Palestine
Congress OK with Saudi missile defense sale amid warming Israel-Gulf ties Israel seems fine with Saudi Arabia getting an anti-ballistic missile system, as does Capitol Hill. Saudi Arabia
Can Russia, West cooperate on Libya? Moscow sees an opportunity to engage with Europe to help solve Libya’s crisis, and the US president seems ready and willing to stay out of it. Saudi Arabia
Former athletes under fire in Tehran City Council elections This year’s local council elections appear likely to rid the influential Tehran City Council of former athletes amid public criticism of their qualifications. Iran
Khamenei warns against election unrest, George Soros Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned presidential candidates against stirring up unrest and warned George Soros against interfering in the election. Iran
Is Russia’s planned missile sale to Turkey the real deal? Though some critics claim Turkey has no serious intention of buying defense systems from Russia, some military experts say the proposal is definitely feasible. Turkey
How to read Trump’s blow to Turkey on Syrian Kurds What motivated the United States' decision to directly arm Syrian Kurdish forces? Syria
Zarif defends Rouhani’s achievements Iran’s foreign minister responded to the challenges put forth by the conservative presidential candidates about the JCPOA and the government's diplomacy. Iran
Iran's dark horse candidate for president Conservative cleric Ebrahim Raisi is attempting to project a nonpartisan image while adopting stronger positions against incumbent Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Congress unsure what's next after Trump decides to arm Syrian Kurds Lawmakers laid the groundwork for arming the YPG back in 2014. Syria
