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
Kuwait PM proposes drastically scaling back expat population Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah suggested the country reduce its number of foreign residents from 70% to 30%. Kuwait
Emirates, Etihad adding more flights after transit suspension lifted The United Arab Emirates ended its suspension of international transit flights on Wednesday. Originals
Pentagon’s new foreign military training proposal greeted with skepticism in Congress The Pentagon wants Congress to establish a new training program for foreign military officers, but some congressional appropriators say it duplicates a State Department program. Congress
What to expect from entente between Moscow, Ankara in Libya As Moscow intensifies its involvement in the Libyan conflict, the US State Department is stepping up pressure against Russian destabilization. Libya
Saudi aid to Yemen will continue despite reports of Houthi interference In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor after the Yemen Donor Conference, Abdullah Al Rabeeah, supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, said he expects pledges to continue. Saudi Arabia
Middle East expresses support for George Floyd protests in US Displays of support for Black Lives Matter protests in the United States pop up in Israel, Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. Originals
Gunmen kill Yemeni journalist in Aden A Yemeni photographer has become the 16th journalist to be killed in Yemen since the start of the country’s civil war. Yemen
Emirati ambassador: West Bank annexation will make region ‘unstable’ The United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al-Otaiba discussed Israel's annexation plans on Al-Monitor's podcast following criticisms by another Emirati diplomat. Originals
COVID-19 crisis returns spotlight to Gulf migrant communities Contract migration schemes make citizenship acquisition nearly impossible for migrant workers in the Gulf, and recent economic and health crises make any imminent changes further unlikely. Legacy: Gulf
Egyptian archaeologists rely on technology to preserve past Prominent Egyptian archaeologist Monica Hanna is using modern technology, including Google tools, to help protect Egypt’s heritage and teach students. Egypt
Intel: Pompeo, French counterpart discuss Libya war Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the situation in Libya today with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian, a State Department spokeswoman said in a statement. Libya
Intel: US offers no new funding at Yemen donor conference The emergency aid pledged for Yemen’s humanitarian response plan at a June 2 donor conference falls short of what is needed, with the United States not offering any new funding at this time. Yemen
