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
Will bigger cash handouts land conservatives Iranian presidency? Iranian conservative presidential candidates continue their strategy of making promises focused on increasing monthly cash subsidy payments and creating millions of jobs. Iran
4 reasons Rouhani is winning Iran's foreign policy debate As in the 2013 presidential polls, foreign policy has increasingly become a key component of Iran's presidential elections. Iran
How artful can Trump be when dealing with Palestine-Israel conflict? Despite President Mahmoud Abbas’ much-anticipated visit to Washington, Palestinians don’t have high hopes that US President Donald Trump can achieve a breakthrough and reach a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestine
White House sees wild-card nature as asset in Trump’s first foreign trip Trump’s first foreign trip as president will be to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the holy places for Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as he tries to rally the world to unite against extremism and intolerance, aides say. Saudi Arabia
How the US stood with Syria's Kurds Turkish airstrikes against the YPG in Syria animated the region, but the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition is standing its ground when it comes to defending the Syrian Kurds. Syria
Trump, Abbas vow to prove skeptics wrong on reaching peace deal In upbeat White House visit May 3, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Donald Trump expressed themselves optimistic they can reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that nobody thinks they will reach. Palestine
Syria sanctions bill sparks renewed debate over Assad and Christians The House Foreign Affairs panel voted for new sanctions on anyone helping Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria
US, Russia approach each other cautiously on Syria Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious pace for diplomatic discussions with other world leaders regarding Syria, but they apparently agree that small steps are best when dealing with each other on the topic. Syria
Spiritual leader of Iranian Reformists backs Rouhani In his bid for a second term, moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has won the endorsement of an influential Reformist: former President Mohammad Khatami. Iran
Why Iran's conservatives are suddenly rooting for Rouhani's VP First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri’s strong performance in the first Iranian presidential debate has led conservatives to speculate about the prospect of him challenging President Hassan Rouhani. What is the real aim of this unlikely depiction? Iran
Specter of death penalty haunts Egypt’s Brotherhood An Egyptian court issued the first death sentence against a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Sheikh Fadl al-Mawla, in what some fear will be a precedent for the regime. Egypt
US to send senior envoy to Syria talks after Trump-Putin call Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Stuart Jones is set to attend Syria cease-fire talks in Astana on May 3-4 after Trump-Putin confer on Syria. Syria
