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
Congressman Ted Poe: US-Israeli ties 'very tenuous at best' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said he hopes "that the United States would mend its relationship with Israel." Israel
The social politics of weddings in Yemen The phenomenon of mass weddings is spreading in Yemen. Yemen
House Intel Committee Chairman worried about bad deal on Iran Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, says Congress should pass further sanctions on Iran. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia cracks down on illegal immigrants The latest crackdown raises larger questions about the role of foreign labor in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Russia's Iran policy in transition Russia is likely to benefit from an agreement between the P5+1 and Iran. Syria
Israeli Labor Party MK argues Yachimovich is no team player Labor Party MK Erel Margalit opposes Chair Shelly Yachimovich's leadership, arguing that she has failed to garner the support of the industrial sector and lead a strong opposition socioeconomic agenda. Israel
Prominent Likud member warns of massive layoffs The chairman of the Knesset's Labor, Welfare and Health Committee, Haim Katz, warns of a massive layoff wave in the Israeli job market, accusing Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennet for not fighting it. Israel
The Saudi Leadership Crisis US Secretary of State John Kerry will try to persuade the kingdom to be part of the solution to the crisis in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Women Drivers Not Deterred by Arrest A Saudi womens' activist writes that arrests won't stop women from pushing for their right to drive. Saudi Arabia
Al-Moussawi Says Iraq Can Be'Bridge' to Syria Solution In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Ali Al-Moussawi, top media adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, discusses the Geneva II Syria conference and Iraqi-Turkish relations. Iraq
Syrian Refugees Now Equal One-Third Of Lebanon’s Population US leads with assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon but budget battles and a lack of sufficient support from wealthy Arab states threaten to exacerbate Lebanon’s “existential” crisis. Syria
Syria’s Race Against Time UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again. Saudi Arabia
