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
Exclusive: Hamas OfficialPredicts Third Intifada Salah Bardawil, senior Hamas leader and member of parliament, in an exclusive interview with Abeer Ayyoub, warns that if President Barack Obama visits the al-Aqsa Mosque with Israeli security, "it will result in the biggest political disaster in the history of Palestinian-American relations." Palestine
Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi On Prospects for 'Armed Intifada' Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi, in an exclusive interview with Mazal Mualem, says that while there is a general consensus opposing an "armed intifada" by Palestinians, the situation is explosive and will deteriorate without diplomatic measures. Palestine
Abu Mazen Plays Neutral On West Bank Protests The Palestinian Authority has publicly supported the West Bank protests, but is keen to avoid spoiling US President Barack Obama's visit in March, writes Daoud Kuttab. Palestine
Arens: Netanyahu Made A "Mistake" With Livni Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, in an interview with Mazal Mualem, criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netantahu's decision to ask Tzipi Livni to join his government, while praising Netnayahu's handling of Iran. Palestine
Israel's First Arab Soccer Superstar Tells His Story Rifaat Turk, Israel’s first Arab soccer superstar, who paved the way for dozens of Arab players, tells Shlomi Eldar about the racism and challenges he has faced. Israel
Iraqi National Security Adviser Says Terrorism Linked to Havens in Syria In an interview with Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fayad describes the intricate regional and internal factors affecting his job, and what the future holds for Iraq’s national security. Iraq
Bad Timing: Israel Allows Oil Exploration in Golan Akiva Eldar writes that the decision to allow a US energy company to explore for oil in the Golan is not meant to antagonize President Obama in advance of his visit to Israel, but a sign that Israel considers the Golan an integral part of the state. Israel
Barakeh: Arab-Israelis A Faceless Entity Knesset member Mohammad Barakeh, leader of the bi-national party Hadash, explains to Mazal Mualem why the most social justice-oriented party in Israel did not benefit from the fruits of Israel’s social-protest movement, and points an accusing finger at the government and the media for ignoring Israel's Arab citizens. Palestine
Israeli Settlement Leader Invites Obama to Visit Oded Ravivi, head of Efrat's regional council, talks about the personal invitation he extended to the US president to visit the Gush Etzion settlement block in an interview with Mazal Mualem. Palestine
Muasher: Obama Should Try To Solve Conflict in a 'Few Months' In an interview with Akiva Eldar, Marwan Muasher, Jordan’s former foreign minister and its first ambassador to Israel, warns that the failure of the Arab peace initiative will signal the end of the “two-state” paradigm. Palestine
Israeli Settlement Expansion Casts Cloud Over Obama Visit Israel's green light to proceed with building new settlements ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit dampens expectations for change, writes Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
The Case for Israeli Censorship Ben Caspit writes that even if Israel is, in fact, the only democracy in the world with military censorship, it is also the only democracy continuously fighting for its existence. Israel
![Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Arens and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a news conference in Tel Aviv February 28. Arens said fighter planes had already raided key Hizbollah targets in Lebanon. The Israeli assault came in response to a roadside bomb that went off near an Israeli convoy in the south Lebanon occupation zone killing [Brigadier-General Erez Gerstein,] and a Radio Journalist and two soldiers.
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