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
Turks celebrate Ramadan under shadow of pandemic From masked drummers to online pide contests, Turks are bringing new twists to Ramadan in the coronavirus era. Turkey
Syrian refugees in Jordan build robot to fight coronavirus A group of young Syrians in Jordan’s Zaatari camp designed a sanitizing robot to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. Jordan
How Jordan’s refusal to extradite a convicted terrorist could imperil $1.5 billion in US aid Conservative Republicans are turning to a new law that could cut Jordan off from as much as $1.5 billion in US assistance unless it agrees to extradite a woman who helped bomb an Israeli restaurant in 2001. Jordan
Have taxes killed GCC economic integration? Saudi Arabia's recent decision to increase its value-added tax by 200% could spell the end of chances for regional economic integration and policy coordination. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s intervention in Libya turns tide to Erdogan’s advantage, for now Ankara has thrown in its lot with the Government of National Accord for reasons that have more to do with its own interests than Libya’s. Turkey
Intel: 331 lawmakers take International Criminal Court to task over Israel investigation Hundreds of US lawmakers have signed onto two letters to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging him to continue his “vigorous support of Israel as it faces the growing possibility of investigations and prosecutions by the International Criminal Court” over potential war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine
Report: Yemen has more coronavirus cases than official numbers show Houthi authorities have not reported test results for many suspected coronavirus cases, news organizations say. Saudi Arabia
Yemen advocates push for COVID-19 aid in next coronavirus stimulus bill Activists and humanitarian organizations want Congress to include COVID-19 aid for Yemen in the next coronavirus relief bill as skeptical senators question the Trump administration’s recent restrictions on assistance for Houthi-held areas. Yemen
Dubai reopens public parks, hotel beaches Mosques, movie theaters, nightclubs and public beaches remain closed. United Arab Emirates
Emirates to resume international passenger flights The Dubai-based carrier will start flying to North America, Europe and Australia on May 21. United Arab Emirates
Intel: How Turkey’s expulsion from F-35 program has hampered production A report by the US Government Accountability Office said Turkey’s expulsion from the F-35 program has complicated the Joint Strike Fighter’s already troubled production chain. Turkey
Intel: Progressive coalition pushes Biden on Middle East policy More than 50 progressive advocacy groups on Monday sent a letter to former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, urging him to make concessions to the left on Middle East policy. Palestine
