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
Turkey’s Influence Divides Yemenis Turkish influence in Yemen, which has continued since Ottoman times, has proven to be a divisive topic among the Yemeni public. Yemen
The Alchemy of Syria's Conflict For US, Russia Disagreement over culpability for the Aug. 21 Syrian chemical weapons attack would not deter a US-Russian initiative to end the war. Syria
Israel's Brooding Versus Hopeful Expectation for Peace Israel's brooding over Syria should be shifted to hopeful expectation of a peaceful outcome. Lebanon
Israel Escapes Retaliation Threat from Syria Russia and Syria have offered the US a respectable way out, without damaging its deterrence, and relieving the region from an immediate retaliatory threat. Israel
Israel Will Pay for Obama’s Hesitancy On Syria Israel should expect little in return for its support of US President Obama's policies on Syria. Israel
Russian Initiative Offers Hope Of Breakthrough on Syria War Getting Syria to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention and give up its chemical weapons gives new hope for a surge in US-Russian diplomacy to end the war in Syria. Syria
How Israel Stopped Trafficking in Women Chairman of the Knesset Subcommittee on Trafficking in Women David Tsur explains that Israeli determination and American pressure have led to the virtual eradication of human trafficking in Israel. Israel
Lebanon as 'Theater of Surprise' In Syria War Lebanon is the traditional battlefield for regional conflicts. Lebanon
Obama Administration Should Stop Conflating Syria, Iran The Obama administration is risking a breakthrough with Iran in its rhetoric on Syria. Syria
'Diplomatic Vitality' Needed to Bring Peace to Syria While the US public awaits President Barack Obama's speech on Sept. 10, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has publicly criticized a US military attack against Syria, lobbying to continue negotiations during Geneva II. Lebanon
Erdogan, Istanbul Lose 2020 Olympics to Tokyo Istanbul lost its bid for the 2020 Olympics, but Erdogan may have lost more. Turkey
Women Playing Key Roles in Israeli Politics Israeli women are shattering the glass ceiling of male-dominated politics in the Knesset and preparing for the upcoming municipal elections. Israel
