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
Esperance Ghanem on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Esperance Ghanem shares her thoughts on journalism. Lebanon
10 Middle Eastern writers you should know These 10 female writers are challenging conceptions of women in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Rina Bassist on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Rina Bassist shares her thoughts on journalism. Israel
Israeli poet Agi Mishol avoids rallying for political causes In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli poet Agi Mishol speaks about the difference between men and women poets. Palestine
Gaza’s female mediators stand up for women’s rights Gazans are resorting to female mediators who achieved significant progress in the social reform field; however, these mediators still lack official and government support. Palestine
Iran holds first ever fashion week Contrary to Western stereotypes, Iranian women are avid followers of fashion and increasingly prominent in an industry that they hope to expand even to US customers. Iran
Conservative Gaza stifles female talent Many talented female singers gave up on their dream of professional singing because of the conservative society in Gaza and Hamas’ clampdown on female performers, whom they deem indecent. Palestine
Senate seeks to unblock path for war on Islamic State A look at the Middle East issues Congress will address the week of March 9. Iraq
Sibel Utku Bila on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Sibel Utku Bila shares her thoughts on journalism. Turkey
Arab women's new face in the Knesset In an interview with Al-Monitor, Aida Touma-Sliman, social activist and soon to be Knesset member, explains her long-standing political career in the Arab sector, battling violence against women and promoting coexistence. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox woman fights for representation in Knesset Ruth Colian managed to gather the needed resources to establish an ultra-Orthodox women's party that ran for a seat in the Knesset on March 17, but the ultra-Orthodox establishment keeps setting up obstacles. Israel
Islamic feminist challenges orthodoxy from within Turkish academic Hidayet Tuksal has made a reputation as an Islamist feminist, studying religious texts and challenging Islamist notions that marginalize women. Turkey
