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
Syria's Bus Drivers Brave War to Provide Transport Bus companies operating between Lebanese and Syrian cities continue despite the high dangers of war. Lebanon
Attacking Al-Qaeda in Syria A robust information campaign to undermine al-Qaeda in Syria would help to mitigate, although not eliminate, the dangers of the civil war. Syria
Saudi Arabia Pushes US Toward Military Strike in Syria Saudi Arabia is advocating for a US military strike in Syria to advance its own regional and sectarian agenda. Saudi Arabia
Iran Pleased With US Pause On Syria Strike Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had been stressing the need for cooperation and consultation on Syria. Syria
Syria's Rebels Not Unified On US Strike Syria's rebels are cautious about attacks that they believe may benefit Israel, and not aid them in defeating President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Battle to Lead Labor Party Begins in Israel Knesset member Isaac Herzog, running for Labor Party leadership, claims that the public is looking for a new diplomatic alternative. Israel
Syria Brotherhood Leader: US Position on Syria 'Negative' In an exclusive interview, senior Syrian Muslim Brotherhood leader Ali al-Bayanouni says, "There is no room for a political solution" with the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
US-Russia Diplomacy Could Be Casualty of Attack on Syria A US attack on Syria may undermine the prospects for a Geneva II peace conference and worsen already strained ties between Washington and Moscow. Syria
Knesset Member Wants Fellow Arab-Israeli MPs to Get in the Game Arab Israeli Knesset member Issawi Frej explains the backstory of his joining a left-wing Zionist political party. Israel
Saudi Arabia and Turkey Falter Over Egypt Though Saudi Arabia and Turkey share strategic goals in the region, the Egyptian coup is testing the strength of the two countries' relations. Saudi Arabia
Qatar Encroaches on Saudi Influence In Yemen As elsewhere in the Middle East post-Arab Spring, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are vying for influence in an unstable and economically weak Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Bloodshed in Egypt Requires US Response The Americans must realize that chaos in Egypt threatens the security of the entire region. Egypt
