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
Congress cautiously takes on Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps A bipartisan Senate bill to slap terrorism sanctions on the Iranian military raises questions about its practical impact. Congress
What Rouhani wanted from Putin in Moscow visit Moscow seems satisfied with Iranian President Rouhani’s visit, as Russia seeks a balanced relationship with the three most powerful Middle East states. Russia
What’s Chechnya doing in Syria? Russia is finding the Republic of Chechnya’s influence to be very helpful in Syria. Syria
Saudis jump on Trump bandwagon After a deep disillusionment with the United States during Obama’s terms in office, the Saudis are now looking toward a better relationship with the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Congress takes aim at Iran's ballistic missiles The House and Senate have wrapped up sanctions legislation just in time for AIPAC confab. Congress
Can Iran's conservatives agree on candidate for upcoming vote? In Iran, the Principlist camp remains torn by internal strife and continues to fail to agree on a consensus candidate to run against President Hassan Rouhani. Yet, it is too soon to tell whether Rouhani will secure a second term. Iran
Ahead of presidential vote, Khamenei attacks Rouhani’s economy During Iranian New Year speeches, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani painted starkly different pictures of the Iranian economy, which is turning out to be a weak spot for the president’s re-election campaign. Iran
Congress reintroduces Syria sanctions The House Foreign Affairs panel is expected to take up the bill promptly, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate. Syria
Khamenei warns against questioning of election results In his annual Nowruz speech, Iran’s supreme leader urged the government to ramp up domestic production, while calling on ordinary Iranians to purchase locally made goods. Iran
Are Ankara’s prospects in Syria dimming? Turkey is hemmed in by the United States and Russia in Syria, unable to achieve its aim of blocking Kurdish gains. Syria
Congress races to craft Iran sanctions bills ahead of AIPAC conference Lawmakers hope to have bipartisan legislation ready when thousands of pro-Israel advocates descend on Capitol Hill next week. United States
What’s behind Hezbollah’s safe zone project in Syria's Qalamoun? A Hezbollah deal that is reportedly being discussed with the Syrian opposition for the repatriation of Syrian refugees into safe zones in Syria would face steep hurdles in negotiating with the Lebanese government. Syria
