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
New York synagogue becomes scene of latest attack amid Israel-Hamas war Jewish religious institutions in the United States, Canada and Germany have been attacked since the war began as antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents continue to rise across the West. Washington Pulse
Tunisia’s parliament to consider bill criminalizing relations with Israel The draft law criminalizes economic, cultural and military ties with Israel and comes amid growing unrest in the region as Israel intensifies its military campaign in Gaza. North Africa Pulse
US military aid to Egypt under scrutiny amid Menendez bribery charges The federal corruption indictment against the New Jersey Democrat comes just over a week after the Biden administration said it would release restricted military aid to Egypt. Egypt
Russia maintains Libya role after Wagner's mutiny, Prigozhin's death A senior defense official visited eastern Libya to meet with the Libyan National Army and assure them that Russian support would continue. North Africa Pulse
Wagner chief Prigozhin among passengers in fatal plane crash: Russian state media Russia’s grey-zone influence in the Middle East and Africa enters uncharted territory amid reports of the Wagner chief’s death. Russia / Mideast
Egypt hosted US, China, Russia, France, UK nuclear talks The Cairo talks followed a February meeting in Dubai on nuclear non-proliferation as the Biden administration seeks to set new norms with Beijing and Moscow. Russia / Mideast
Analysis Will Israel recognize Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara? Visiting Rabat officially for the first time, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering recognizing the kingdom’s sovereignty over the disputed region. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Egypt: Sisi's Africa tour highlights GERD, economic, climate change challenges Sisi visited Angola, Zambia and Mozambique this week, demonstrating the continued importance Egypt places on political, economic and security ties with southern Africa and the continent as a whole. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis One year on, Algeria-Spain blockade shows little sign of easing Since Algeria imposed trade sanctions on Spain on June 8, 2022, both economies have lost out on billions of dollars in business. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Israeli-Saudi normalization still elusive despite US push The Biden administration is seeking full diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, but Riyadh is unlikely to embrace normalization without significant concessions. Saudi Arabia
US Congresswoman Tlaib holds event for Palestinian Nakba Day in Senate The top Republican in the House tried to cancel the event to commemorate the Palestinian displacement of 1948, but Senator Bernie Sanders stepped in to help the outspoken congresswoman. Palestine
Shooting attack in Tunisia synagogue kills at least four Tunisian authorities are now investigating the attack on the ancient El-Ghriba synagogue on the island of Djerba, where two guards and two Jewish visitors were shot and killed. North Africa Pulse