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
Al-Qaeda appoints new North Africa chief after France kills leader Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi succeeds Abdelmakel Droukdel, a founder of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb who was killed in June. Algeria
Egypt criticized for arrests of human rights advocates The Trump administration, the Biden Campaign and the United Nations also expressed concern about the arrests. Egypt
Islamic State claims sabotage attack on Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel Egypt's military said it was a "limited explosion." Egypt
Saudi Arabia’s dire rights record looms over G-20 summit Riyadh’s hosting of the annual summit has drawn criticism from a broad coalition of human rights groups. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Senators move to block US F-35, drone sale to UAE A bipartisan group of US senators say they received no reply from the Pentagon or State Department after inquiring last month about implications of the sale of advanced weaponry to the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Is Russia’s naval base in Sudan a signal to Turkey ... and Biden? Moscow is set to create a strategic foothold in Africa along vital shipping routes. Russia
The Takeaway: Iran’s mixed messages include diplomatic opening for Biden Iran escalates tensions in Trump’s final days, while Zarif opens window to diplomacy; Israel, Palestinians, Gulf ready themselves for Biden; Woman coaches Egyptian men’s soccer team; More mummies in Egypt! Iran
Egypt's secret police arrest second prominent human rights activist this week Karim Ennarah is the third member of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights to be detained this year. Egypt
Greece, UAE sign political, defense agreements The Greek prime minister's visit to the United Arab Emirates comes amid tensions both states have with Turkey. Originals
Aid groups in Yemen say Houthi terror designation would deepen crisis The Trump administration is weighing whether to designate the Iran-aligned rebel group as a foreign terrorist organization. Yemen
Trump asked advisers about options to strike Iran nuclear site The outgoing president's inquiry has raised concerns of a last-minute strike that could ignite a messy conflict. Iran
Qatar calls UAE and Bahrain's normalization with Israel 'sovereign decision' Qatar's foreign minister also stressed a "united front" of Arab states on the Israel-Palestine issue and discussed Qatar's relations with Israel. Originals
