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
The year Saudi Arabia wants to forget For Saudi Arabia, 2016 has been fraught with many difficulties, including an ongoing war in Yemen, falling oil revenues, souring relations with allies Egypt and Pakistan, and the resurgence of Iran. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani: Do you think we’ll let Trump rip up nuclear deal? Iranian politicians used the occasion of Student Day to slam US President-elect Donald Trump and to vow to uproot corruption at home. Iran
Democratic lawmakers slam Trump over Bahrain reception Manama critics on Capitol Hill assail decision to host independence celebration at president-elect's Washington hotel. Bahrain
What Iran's presidential election means for Russia As Russia’s and Iran’s foreign policies become congruent, Russia looks to Iran’s 2017 elections for clues into their future relationship. Russia
What's at stake in Syria Al-Bab is the current focal point of complicated, interwoven developments unfolding in northern Syria. Syria
Will Trump bring Egypt, Israel closer? Observers wait to see what role, if any, the Trump administration might play in a rapprochement between Israel and Egypt. Egypt
Who in the GCC wants a union? Gulf Cooperation Council states consider transforming into a union to arm themselves against Iran’s increasing dominance and the growing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Congress authorizes Trump to arm Syrian rebels with anti-aircraft missiles The House passed a defense bill that conditionally allows the provision of MANPADs to anti-Syrian regime forces. Syria
Is Turkey all talk, or will it split from the West, NATO? Ankara is sending out plenty of signals that it might leave the West and head east toward Russia and China. Turkey
Kerry urges Senate Democrats to back off Iran sanctions renewal The US secretary of state is on a mission to protect President Barack Obama's foreign policy legacy — and his own. Congress
What is Chechnya's Kadyrov up to in Middle East? Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has recently been engaging leaders in the Middle East, but not just with Chechnya's interests in mind. Saudi Arabia
How Trump can deal with Iran-GCC conflict Looking ahead, the election of Donald Trump can pave the way for the establishment of initiatives to jump-start a dialogue between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Legacy: Gulf
