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 the Gulf isn't to blame for Syrian refugee crisis Oil-rich Gulf states are defending their record in assisting Syrian refugees as world opinion grows more hostile to their perceived indifference. Legacy: Gulf
'Guests of God' pay high price Has the commercialization of the pilgrimage to Mecca overshadowed the Saudi leadership’s goal of serving Muslims? Saudi Arabia
Republicans prepare for next round on Iran A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 14. Palestine
Catholic Democrats leverage pope's visit to push for admitting more Syrian refugees Lawmakers hope pontiff's moral authority will overcome growing anti-Muslim sentiment. Syria
Rafsanjani emphasizes importance of political parties Ahead of the parliamentary elections, Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani seeks the strengthening of political parties. Iran
What exactly is Russia doing in Syria? Moscow's stance on the Syrian conflict reveals an ever-complicated web of alliances, armament and regional plays, widening the diplomacy gap between the United States and Russia on Middle East policy. Syria
Russia's expanding military presence in Syria Russia is apparently establishing its first air base in the Middle East, at Jableh, Syria, a move that would change the rules of the game in the region. Syria
Tehran's ever-ambitious mayor Tehran's mayor, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is making plans for his supporters to gain seats in the February parliamentary elections. Iran
Congressional debate shifts to implementation of Iran agreement Fans and foes of the deal are already battling over the day after. Congress
The untold story of how Congress is helping save a Lebanese cultural jewel A US senator created the American Committee for Tyre 35 years ago, and now former Hill staffers are bringing it back to life. Lebanon
What will US-Saudi summit mean for Iranian policy in the Middle East? In a meeting Sept. 4 with US President Barack Obama, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud was assured that the nuclear deal prevents Iran — whose influence in the region the kingdom is eager to counter — from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia
Will King Salman’s visit to Washington reset US-Saudi relations? The joint statement released following King Salman's meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama Sept. 4 indicates that they discussed the region's most pressing issues including the Iran nuclear deal, the Syrian civil war, the fight against the Islamic State and the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
