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
No justice for Turkish women who kill in self-defense Turkish courts rarely offer leniency to women who have killed their husbands in self-defense, mostly because the women are too ashamed to recount tales of their abuse. Turkey
Congress starts to question UN arms embargo on Libya The shift follows a heavy push by Egypt and Jordan after the Islamic State beheading of Coptic Christians. Egypt
Saudi women react to new king Saudi women are unsure whether the new King Salman will reverse the limited gains in women's rights made under King Abdullah. Saudi Arabia
Lawmakers prep defense bill, Kerry defends budget A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 23. Qatar
Egyptian students launch anti-harassment campaigns The administration and activist students at Cairo University are making progress against harassment and have started campaigns to encourage victims to speak up and to identify offenders. Egypt
Have AKP's policies caused rise in violence against women? Although Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan showed solidarity with the victim’s family, the Justice and Development Party insists on useless populist policies on women’s issues. Turkey
Tensions rise between Saudis, Russians Russia's controversial policies in the Middle East have brought increasing friction with Saudi Arabia — both in the region and inside Russia — to new heights. Saudi Arabia
Gulf states to cut aid to Egypt The Egyptian government hopes the Egypt Economic Development Conference will succeed in attracting new investments given an expected drop in aid from the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
Congress demands review after Islamic State aid theft Lawmakers demand government review after militants shown distributing UN packages. Syria
Does Iran really control Yemen? Statements by Iranian officials about the importance of the rise of Houthis in Yemen demonstrates that Iran would like to give the perception that there is a new member of the axis of resistance. Yemen
Congress eyes military aid boost for Jordan Key House members are seeking to expedite the delivery of precision weapons to fight the Islamic State. Jordan
Arms shipment to Lebanon to arrive in April French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has announced that the first arms shipment of the Saudi grant, which has been stalled for more than year, will arrive to Lebanon on April 1. Saudi Arabia
