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
Is it time for a surge in Syria? A group of current and former US officials concludes that current US policy toward the Islamic State is not working, and that more needs to be done in both the diplomatic and military spheres to end the Syrian civil war. Iraq
Russia rising From its new international stage in Syria, Russia is examining its options to determine which could bring it closest to securing a place as a political powerhouse. Syria
Despite airstrikes, is Russia still working toward political solution in Syria? Russia appears to be considering various political resolutions to the Syrian crisis, possibly including one without Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Congress shows renewed interest in Iranian opposition after nuclear deal Iran hawks tout MEK as way to keep pressure on Tehran. Iraq
Saudi religious scholars enraged over Moscow's recent Syria strikes Saudi ulama would rather see action against Assad than against the Islamic State, but could their stance be seen as a call to jihad? Legacy: Gulf
Senate Democrats hold up arms sales for Saudi war in Yemen The State Department request for a bombs resupply has hit a snag amid a rising death toll. Legacy: Gulf
Gulf-funded think tank to make Capitol Hill debut The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington promises a broader view of Gulf affairs. Saudi Arabia
Russia gets back in the game Moscow's stated plans for the Syrian crisis at the recent UN General Assembly have elicited controversial responses from the international community. Syria
Vlad and Yuri: How Putin is applying the lessons of Afghanistan to Syria Russian President Vladimir Putin is using his regional allies to create "Alawistan," an enclave isolated from the rest of Syria. Saudi Arabia
Saudis investigate Mina stampede Since the deadly Mina incident, Iranian officials have been criticizing Saudi Arabia for its mismanagement of hajj affairs and its approach that seems focused on containing Muslim anger and avoiding a direct confrontation with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Congress to probe war in Yemen A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Oct. 5. Saudi Arabia
Saudi war in Yemen impossible to win As Yemen's civilian casualties mount and Arab coalition forces sustain further losses, it looks increasingly likely that Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen will only lead to more destruction. Legacy: Gulf
