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
Arms sales to Libya draw congressional skepticism The United Nations is ready to lift the arms embargo on Libya. Congress, not so much. Libya
US elections 2016: Everything you need to know this week Here’s what happened on the campaign during the week of May 9. Congress
Despite Arab, US attacks, AQAP still holding out in Yemen Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula recently withdrew from its prosperous base in Mukalla, but with 20 years of investment in the country, the group is unlikely to be defeated while other battles continue to mire the country in chaos and violence. Yemen
What happened to billions in US military aid to Egypt? The Obama administration has provided Cairo with $6.5 billion in military aid since 2011 but can't account for all of it, according to a new government report. Egypt
Beware of the failure of Yemen’s central bank The Central Bank of Yemen continues to set new policies to tackle the rising inflation and devaluation of the Yemeni rial, knowing its policies will not be effective as long as there is no political will to stabilize the situation. Saudi Arabia
Why is Congress keeping its powder dry on Iran sanctions? Republican leaders are determined to craft the most comprehensive legislative package they can get through Congress. Iran
Iranian officials blame Aleppo cease-fire violations for military casualties Iranian officials blame Syrian opposition groups for violating the cease-fire to attack Iranian forces in Syria. Syria
Why Syria's Kurds can’t count on long-term commitment from Russia Russia appears to be looking ahead to strengthen its post-conflict political position in Syria by exploiting Kurds’ anxiety over America’s role there. Iraq
Russia, US and the Kurds: The friend of my enemy is — wait, what? While the world squabbles over who is helping or should help Syrian Kurds, the Kurds aren't turning down aid from any quarter. Syria
Saudi IS members killing their own relatives The control demonstrated by the Islamic State over some young Saudi minds apparently exceeds even that of prominent Muslim leaders. Saudi Arabia
Five years after bin Laden’s death, mystery surrounding Saudi Arabia and 9/11 remains A congressionally mandated FBI report into possible foreign support for the Sept. 11 attacks deserves more attention. Saudi Arabia
