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
Kuwaiti activists targeted under GCC security pact Following the signing of the GCC Internal Security Pact, the recent detention of opposition activists in Kuwait highlight a worsening plight for social dissidents across the region. Saudi Arabia
Congress marks 100 years since Armenian genocide Lawmakers introduce resolution ahead of bitter anniversary. Countries
Women face setbacks in new Libya Women in Libya seem to have been better off under Moammar Gadhafi’s rule, when they had better access to education and work and polygamy was virtually obsolete. Libya
US, E3 lawmakers pen joint warning on Iran Lawmakers from the United States, France, United Kingdom and Germany warn that bad deal will result in more sanctions "without fail." Iran
Does Iran have a card to play in Bahrain? While protests in Bahrain have remained largely peaceful, does Iran have any influence among the various Bahrain opposition groups? Saudi Arabia
Kurdish women’s movement reshapes Turkish politics A Turkish Sunni woman in her early 40s rises to the top of Kurdish and oppressed people’s political movement. Syria
With men out of work, Syrian women become sole providers Syrian women have had to find a way to face the hardships of being refugees and still find a way to provide for their families. Jordan
Mazal Mualem on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Mazal Mualem shares her thoughts on journalism. Israel
Iran's female MPs show mixed record Iran's female members of parliament have been few in number but have had a large impact on national policies. Iran
Walaa Hussein on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Walaa Hussein shares her thoughts on journalism. Egypt
Contemporary Islamic views support reform in favor of women The religious feminist movement has succeeded in improving the status of women in some parts of the Muslim world, while in others, there is resistance to any change regarding women’s rights. Saudi Arabia
Pakistan declines to join Saudi Arabia's anti-Iran alliance Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has rejected, at least for now, Saudi Arabia's entreaties for Pakistani troops to help guard the Saudi border with northern Yemen, controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi Shiite forces. Saudi Arabia
