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
Looking behind the Russia-Iran relationship Despite the common perception of Russia as Iran's main backer outside the region, the two big regional players’ relations are shaped by long-term interests that can clash with immediate concerns and may complicate the battle against the Islamic State. Russia
How US airstrikes are affecting Moscow's Syria policy A central goal of Russia's Syria policy is to relegitimize the Syrian regime in the eyes of the United States and its allies in the region, and oblige them to recognize it as an ally in the fight against extremism. Syria
Lebanese women conquer abroad, suffer at home Successful Lebanese women abroad are making international headlines, but Lebanese women at home continue to face legal and social discrimination, impeding them from similar success. Lebanon
How Saudi Arabia is distancing itself from Islamic State While Saudi Arabia has confronted the Islamic State, the country has denied there is any connection between its state religion and the jihadist group. Legacy: Gulf
Moscow backs fight against IS … to an extent Russia is expressing cautious solidarity with the United States in fighting the Islamic State, while continuing its unequivocal support of the Syrian government. Iraq
How much of US Middle East policy does Moscow understand? Poor understanding of US and Russian policies has caused commentators to overlook that some of Moscow's and Washington's disagreements over the Middle East are strategic and tactical, but their ends the same. Iraq
Houthis' contradictory path in Sanaa Yemen's Houthi movement might be heading toward military clashes in Sanaa to force the government into meeting its demands. Yemen
Graffiti gets political in Yemen Yemeni artists have launched several interactive street art initiatives as a way to engage the public. Yemen
Syrian women find independence in embroidery An NGO in Lebanon that trains and employs Syrian refugee women in embroidery is also providing a safe environment where they can share their experiences and support one another. Lebanon
Russia focuses on eliminating Middle East terrorist threat Increased terrorist activity in the Middle East has Russia rethink its foreign policy, and support the Arab League's intention of a "comprehensive treaty of collective security." Palestine
Ferguson could lead to more US weapons for Middle East Congress wants to clamp down on leftover military equipment going to local police departments, but what will happen to all that surplus gear? Iraq
US shuns tribal leaders who claim to have infiltrated IS A group of tribal sheikhs want to visit Washington to convince US officials to drop Baghdad and give them direct support. Iraq
