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
Meridor Saddened by Likud's 'Ultra-Nationalist' Turn Dan Meridor, a former "prince” of the Likud Party, comments to Mazal Mualem on the right-wing turn in the Likud Party and his doubts regarding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to lead an important diplomatic process. Israel
Kerry Calls for 'Negotiated Outcome' in Syria Al-Monitor’s coverage and analysis of the upcoming visits by President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to the Middle East, Kerry’s call for a negotiated outcome in Syria and Tunisia’s worsening crisis. Syria
Kerry Puts Middle East First Geoffrey Aronson writes that, in the absence of a strategy for dealing with the Middle East, seeking advice from leaders in the region can be compared to listening to the inmates in an insane asylum, where useful advice is in short supply. Palestine
Belaid's Widow Holds Ennahda 'Politically Accountable' for Slaying In an exclusive interview with Ali Hashem, the widow of slain Tunisian opposition politician Chokri Belaid holds the Tunisian government "politically accountable" for his murder. Tunisia
Tel Aviv Calling, Mr. Obama US President Barack Obama should skip the dismal visits to tombs and monuments in Jerusalem in his forthcoming visit to Israel and drop by Tel Aviv instead, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Palestinians Not Optimistic About Obama Visit As US President Barack Obama prepares to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their respective capitals, Palestinians do not expect any progress on the peace process, reports Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Dan Meridor: Struggle With Iran Will 'Shape the Middle East' Departing Likud Minister Dan Meridor tells Mazal Mualem about the squandered diplomatic opportunities with the Palestinians, and how the struggle with Iran will shape the Middle East. Israel
Obama's Visit to West Bank Clovis Maksoud suggests that the recent Israeli elections may have unexpected results for President Obama's visit. Lebanon
PA Collapse Will Be 'Catastrophe,' Says Knesset Labor Leader “If the Palestinian Authority collapses, we will all regret it,” says Knesset Member Isaac Herzog, the Labor Party’s number two, in an interview with Mazal Mualem. Palestine
Kadima Leader Shaul Mofaz: 'Abu Mazen Is Our Partner' Kadima leader Shaul Mofaz explains in an interview with Mazal Mualem that he is gearing up to re-launch his diplomatic plan for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Palestine
Suicide Bombing Connected To Turkish Policies on Syria, Iran To the extent Turkey is active in Middle Eastern politics, especially in Syria, and is a party to confrontation with Iran, all the "terror exports" of the Middle East will be heading to the Turkish market, writes Cengiz Candar. Turkey
Terrorist Attack Linked To Turkey’s Syria Policies Kadri Gursel argues that Revolutionary Peoples’ Liberation Party-Front [DHKP-C] suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara is a response to Turkey’s policies in Syria. Turkey
