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
After the Israeli Elections, The Need for a Peace Process Nassif Hitti considers the prospects for a new approach to the Middle East after the Israeli elections. Israel
Israeli Elections: Apathy in Gaza, Apprehension in West Bank While Gaza seems to ignore the Israeli elections, Palestinian leaders in the West Bank worry about the emergence of a right-wing coalition government, writes Shlomi Eldar. Palestine
Robocalls Playing Bigger Role In Israeli Elections Mazal Mualem presents the 2013 model of Israeli elections, where the digital world has driven out the old world of billboards and speeches on town squares. Israel
Would Obama Ever Tell Netanyahu 'You’re on Your Own'? Akiva Eldar wonders what would happen if President Barack Obama ever told Prime MInister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel was on its own. Israel
Syria’s Reconciliation Minister: Turkish Role in Syria 'Very Bad' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor from his office in Damascus, Ali Haidar, Syria's minister of national reconciliation, said that President Assad’s Jan. 6 speech constitutes "a step forward toward solving the crisis” and that Turkey's “role is based upon a sectarian position, and they are supporting some of the Syrian people at the expense of others.” Syria
Rabbi Amsalem Offers Alternative For Israeli Voters Rabbi MK Haim Amsalem, one of the real surprises of the Israeli elections, explains to interviewer Mazal Mualem why he rebelled against his mother party, Shas, and called on rabbinical college students to enlist in the army. Israel
US Fails to Use Leverage With Israel Daoud Kuttab laments that the US no longer seems able to influence Israeli politics, despite the aid and assistance it provides. Palestine
Bibi’s Choice After Election Will Set Course for Israel Assuming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu comes out on top in next week’s elections, his choice about who to include in the governing coalition will affect Israel for years to come, writes Shai Feldman. Israel
New Generation of Political Stars Under Spotlight of Israeli Elections The new generation of young Israeli political stars will be tested in the current campaign and beyond, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Netanyahu's Real Headache Will Begin Day After Elections Once the elections are over, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to choose whether to create a narrow coalition with the ultra-Orthodox, or try to persuade reluctant center-left parties to join a wider coalition, writes Nadav Perry. Israel
Hotovely: The New Young Face of the Likud Mazal Mualem interviews Tzipi Hotovely, who represents the new wave of religious right Likud members who believe strongly in Greater Israel. Israel
Russia Still Key to Syrian Transition Fyodor Lukyanov analyzes Russia's role in a political transition in Syria, including President Assad’s proposal for dialogue with moderate opposition leaders. Syria
