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 Hillary Clinton taking 'blood phosphate' money from Morocco? Critics of a $1 million Clinton Foundation gift see a ploy to build support for illegal exploitation of the "last colony in Africa." Morocco
Congress gets its say on Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of April 13 Iran
Hamas treads carefully with support for Yemen war Hamas’ stance on the war in Yemen may redraw the map of its political alliances in the region, repositioning itself toward the so-called Sunni axis. Saudi Arabia
What is behind UAE deportation of Lebanese nationals? Although UAE authorities maintain that the recent decision to deport dozens of Lebanese nationals was made over security concerns, others believe that political alignments may have played a role. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia embraces high-tech lobbying Saudi Arabia is tapping politically connected digital image-makers amid escalating tensions with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Russia eyes Iranian arms deal after Lausanne Russian officials are promoting the prospect of major arms sales to Iran after the Lausanne agreement, but any such deals appear to be an impossibility in the near term. Russia
Al-Qaeda gains ground in Yemen war The Yemen war has profound implications for the stability of the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia and the broader region as al-Qaeda recruits and trains in the chaos. Yemen
Germans deny signing GOP letter on Iran Two German lawmakers tell Al-Monitor they never even saw the joint letter circulated by hawkish House members. Iran
Saudi airstrikes against Yemen a first The new Saudi king has united the Arabs against the Houthis, with Qatar and Egypt now on the same side. Legacy: Gulf
Russia shows interest in Western Sahara Russia's desire to play an active role in the Middle East extends beyond Cairo and Damascus to longstanding issues further south. Algeria
Saudi-caused chaos continues in Yemen The complexities of the Yemeni state will stand in the way of a political settlement that might result from the military intervention launched by Saudi Arabia against the Houthis in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Will Russia disrupt Iran nuclear talks? Russia could choose to escalate its relationship with the United States and Europe by interfering in the Iran nuclear negotiations. Russia
