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
Why Iran won’t work as a bargaining chip between Russia, US Russia and Iran have enough overlapping interests to keep their relationship strong, even if the United States tries to interfere. Russia
Defense spending bill bans funding for MANPADS in Syria Congress released legislation on Thursday that would hamstring the Trump administration's ability to deliver shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles to vetted rebels. Syria
Benghazi blowback hamstrings US role in post-IS Iraq Congress is weighing America's role after Mosul amid looming budget cuts and paralyzing partisanship. Iraq
5 Rouhani allies in the crosshairs of Iran's hard-liners In the months leading up to Iran’s May 19 presidential election, conservative opponents will likely focus on incumbent President Hassan Rouhani's inner circle. Iran
Will Iran’s Guardian Council disqualify Rouhani from running? With Iran's presidential election three months away, tongues are openly wagging about the Guardian Council's potentially disqualifying President Hassan Rouhani from running for re-election, and the Priniciplists suspect a ploy to portray him as a victim. Iran
What is Russia’s role in Syria and the 'post-West' world order? Russia is not wasting time while the new US administration gets its bearings on Syria and the rest of the world. Syria
US should test Russia on Islamic State With the complicated regional dynamics of the Syrian war, the US could benefit from Russian assistance. Syria
Iran's Rouhani warns military not to intervene in elections Just three months before Iran’s presidential election and with conservative figures announcing their candidacy, President Hassan Rouhani warned military institutions against interfering in the vote. Iran
Has Hamas completely forgotten Saudi Arabia? The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as Hamas’ head in the Gaza Strip undermines the rapprochement between the movement and Saudi Arabia, while drawing Iran closer to the Palestinian resistance. Saudi Arabia
GOP divided over calling out Assad war crimes Two-thirds of the Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee declined to join their chairman’s call for accountability for Syrian war crimes. Syria
Will this woman become Iran’s first female president? In a remarkable twist, Iranian Reformists appear to eagerly welcome the potential candidacy of female Principlist Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi in the upcoming presidential elections. Iran
How serious is Russia's commitment to Libya settlement? Now that recent talks to unite Libya's rival governments have failed, observers are evaluating the extent of Moscow's investment in peaceful reconciliation. Egypt
