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
Israeli Media DiscriminateAgainst Women in Politics A report composed by women journalists reveals that the Israeli media relate to female politicians in a sexist manner, especially those of Middle Eastern or North African origin. Israel
In Yemen, Facebook, Qat, and Veil Increasing use of the Internet in Yemen today has managed both to increase people-to-people connections and reinforce some traditional customs. Yemen
Syria's Impasse Likely to Last Years Former UN official Salman Shaikh contends that neither the Bashar al-Assad regime nor the official opposition represent the true will of the Syrian people. Israel
UN Envoy on Yemen Deserves Spotlight Jamal Benomar, special adviser on Yemen to the UN secretary-general, has succeeded with a difficult brief. Yemen
Iraqi Shiites join Syria war Many Iraqi Shiites are joining the fight in Syria, by first receiving weapons training in Iran and then traveling to Lebanon, from where they are taken to Damascus by Hezbollah. Iraq
Israeli Women Battle for Jerusalem Municipality Elections Israeli women, Orthodox and secular, are engaging in campaigns for the upcoming municipal elections in Jerusalem, against the backdrop of judicial battles of women's exclusion from the public sphere. Palestine
Is Saudi Arabia Holding Up The Geneva II Conference on Syria? While Turkey may be shifting its Syria policy in response to domestic and international pressure, Saudi Arabia appears to be digging in to oppose the trend toward a diplomatic solution. Saudi Arabia
Khaleeji Cities Are Present, Future As argued by Sultan al-Qassemi, the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi deserve to be recognized as the new, 21st century centers of the Arab world. Pan Arab
Saudi Arabia Deepens Its Isolation The kingdom’s rejection of UN Security Council seat does not convey more proactive foreign policy. Legacy: Gulf
Yemen Plagued by Assassinations Yemen has witnessed a recent increase in assassinations, including some carried out by terrorist groups and others with political motivations. Yemen
Saudi Arabia Shifts to More Activist Foreign Policy Doctrine The kingdom should give priority to a regional initiative in Syria and a collective security framework for maintaining order in the Arab world. Saudi Arabia
Sacred Meets Profane During Hajj Politics and profit mix with spirituality during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Saudi Arabia
