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
European Muslim groups angered by inclusion on UAE's terror list The UAE's recently published list of 85 "terrorist" organizations has prompted an outcry from the European Islamic organizations included on it. United Arab Emirates
Russian envoy helps advance Iranian nuclear deal Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov has played a highly constructive role in helping to advance an Iran nuclear deal despite tensions between the Kremlin and the West. Russia
Turkey's women expand role in military The Turkish army is witnessing a rapid increase of females in its ranks. Turkey
In latest peace plans for Syria, Assad can stay Peace proposals by Russia, the UN secretary-general's special envoy and a European think tank are making news. Syria
Gaza's pregnant women suffer With the high number of wounded individuals during the last Israeli offensive against Gaza, doctors were often unable to attend to pregnant women giving birth or experiencing complications before and after deliveries. Palestine
Islamic State cell strikes Shiites in Saudi Arabia A deadly attack by an Islamic State cell on Saudi Shiites has upped the ante in the jihadists' threat to the Saudi royal family as the guardians of Islam's most holy sites. Legacy: Gulf
Sanctions talk heats up after second extension to Iran talks Lawmakers are making the case for a new round of sanctions in a Republican-controlled Congress. Iran
Russia's Middle East policy after the G-20 summit Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, ever skeptical of US intentions, elaborates on Russia's policies in the Middle East — and risks alienating the West. Palestine
Turkish woman's search gives voice to Islamized Armenians In an exclusive interview, Fethiye Cetin, a human rights lawyer from Turkey, reflects on her courageous journey of coming out of the closet about a hidden Armenian grandmother. Turkey
Despite differences, Turkey, Russia forge on President Vladimir Putin plans to travel to Ankara soon to “open up new horizons” in Turkish-Russian ties, even if the two countries differ on issues such as Syria, Ukraine and Cyprus. Turkey
Congress weighs easing restrictions on military aid to Egypt Lawmakers are debating whether to give the Obama administration the power to sidestep legal obstacles to the $1.3 billion annual aid package Egypt
Is a women’s college right for you? More women's colleges across the region mean that students should consider their options. Pan Arab
