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
Senate bill splits Iran deal advocates Nuclear deal skeptics seek to put the screws on Tehran without blowing up the agreement. Iran
Lebanon reaps weapons windfall from Congress The tiny state has gone from pariah to partner thanks to the Islamic State. Saudi Arabia
Congress hesitant to share IS intelligence with Putin, Assad Lawmakers are ambivalent about greater cooperation in countering foreign fighters. Syria
Congress pursues 'death by 1,000 cuts' strategy against Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 28. Syria
Russian role in Syria still anyone's guess It's difficult to tell how involved Russia plans to become in fighting terrorism in the Middle East, let alone how it might approach such an undertaking. Syria
Khamenei condemns Saudi Arabia for hajj stampede Iranian officials have blamed Saudi management of the hajj for the stampede that left at least 125 Iranians dead. Legacy: Gulf
Senate lays off Iranian banks in latest draft of post-deal bill The latest iteration of Sen. Ben Cardin's pending legislation addresses many — but not all — of its critics' concerns Congress
US offer of anti-Iran bomb lands as a dud in Israel Some in Congress are keen to share the latest bunker-busting technology, but Israel is skeptical. Israel
The battle for Sanaa looms If a cease-fire is not arranged, the battle for Sanaa will turn into a humanitarian disaster. Saudi Arabia
Congress presses Tunisia on security sector reform House panel says the Arab Spring poster child isn't a democracy yet. Tunisia
Congress rethinks anti-Assad stance Senate Democrats are beginning to question regime-change goals amid Islamic State gains. United Arab Emirates
Is Saudi Arabia up to the task of protecting the 'House of God'? With construction issues at the Grand Mosque and the threat of Islamist militants, the hajj presents a unique challenge to Saudi organizers every year. Saudi Arabia
