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 Tehran matters so much in Iranian politics While the final nationwide results of Iran’s Feb. 26 elections have yet to be announced, it is clear that the elections have produced a stunning victory for the Reformist-moderate List of Hope alliance in Tehran. But why do electoral gains in the relatively small Tehran constituency mean so much? Iran
Women win big in Iran's parliamentary elections The number of women in Iran's next parliament is set to double compared to the incumbent parliament. Iran
Congress goes after Assad for war crimes A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 29. Syria
Voters come out in force as Iran holds key elections Iranians line up outside polling stations to cast their ballots in the country’s key parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. Algeria
Iran's Reformists keep their eyes on the prize Despite pressures from the Guardian Council and fierce competition with Principlists, Iranian Reformists appear ever focused on their goals in the country’s parliamentary elections. Iran
Meet the 25-year old cleric who may help choose Iran's next supreme leader In an interview with Al-Monitor, the youngest candidate for the Assembly of Experts talks about his motivations for running — and what matters most to him. Iran
Hard-liners move to keep Iranian voters at home Ahead of Iran’s hotly disputed parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections, hard-liners are seemingly making efforts to lower voter turnout. Iran
Poll predicts big turnout for Iran elections A new poll suggests that voter turnout will be high in today's elections in Iran despite the disqualification of most Reformist candidates. Iran
Iranian officials push for large election turnout With one day left to the elections, Iranian officials asked voters to show up to the ballot box. Iran
How some Iranians are mobilizing to get voters off the couch Amid hot contests with Principlist rivals and mass disqualifications of candidates, Iranian Reformists face a boycott campaign and voter apathy ahead of key polls. Iran
Who's behind vote to label Muslim Brotherhood a terror group? After the House Judiciary panel voted along party lines to force a State Department ruling, opinions remain split over the true motivation behind the step. Saudi Arabia
Wary voters await elections in Iran Conservatives are suspicious of foreign influences as Iran prepares to hold key elections. Iran
