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
Russia Considers Saudi Angle in Syria The visit of Bandar bin Sultan, director-general of Saudi Arabia's intelligence agency, to Moscow last month was all about Syria. Turkey
Retired Israeli Diplomat Warns Of Deteriorating Ties With EU Retired Israeli Ambassador Yaakov Levy has sharply criticized Israel’s policy on Europe, a warning to Jerusalem that it had better examine its actions. Israel
Engel: Sanctions, Not Rouhani, Only Chance for Iran Deal Eliot Engel, ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discusses sanctions on Iran, his support for missile strikes against Syrian airfields and the need to maintain US military assistance to Egypt. Egypt
House Intel Committee Chairman Not Hopeful on Iran's Rouhani Mike Rogers, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence chairman, says claims of Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani’s moderation are more marketing than reality. Iran
Israeli Politician Calls to Annex Palestinians to Jordan Likud Knesset member Gila Gamliel does not believe in the outcome of the Washington negotiations: "The state of Israel is the only state we have" and "The Gaza Strip can annex itself to Egypt, some of the Palestinians can annex themselves to Jordan.” Israel
Egypt’s Precarious New Reality One month after the June 30 demonstrations that led to the ouster of Mohammed Morsi, Egypt's civilian leaders are becoming increasingly marginal to the broader changes taking place in the country. Egypt
Saudis Divided Over Egypt Saudi fears of a democratic Egypt are deferred as long as Egypt is crippled by post-revolutionary turmoil. Saudi Arabia
US Uneasily Adjusts to 'New Egypt' US Ambassador Anne Patterson had it right about the perils of "popular democracy." Egypt
Jordan Brotherhood Leader Says Morsi Ousted for Opposing Israel The deputy leader of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood, Zaki Bani Arshid, warns in an exclusive interview that Egypt's crisis will have a "great effect" on Jordan. Egypt
Egypt's Military Crackdown Threatens Civil War The United States has the only leverage left over Egypt’s military, and must use it to save the country from civil war. Egypt
Activist's Detention Possible Turning Point for Kuwaiti Women The sentence of political activist Sara Aldrees highlights growing female involvement in Kuwaiti politics. Legacy: Gulf
Yemen’s New Government Retains Bad Old Habits The faces of Yemen’s executive cabinet may have changed, but the same inefficiencies and failures reminiscent of the old government still haunt the country. Yemen
