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
Members of Tunisia's Ennahda resign, say movement no longer represents them Tunisia’s Ennahda party is witnessing unprecedented internal differences between its young members and its senior members, which some pundits describe as the beginning of the movement’s end. Tunisia
Libya is only small part of Turkey’s ambitious Africa overture Although Turkey’s moves in Libya capture a lot of headlines these days, Ankara has been busy on other fronts in Africa. Egypt
Has Israel struck right tone with Putin? Vladimir Putin's visit to Israel stressed a number of important points upon the Russian leader, but whether it will affect his thinking on the Middle East remains to be seen. Israel
Pentagon: 34 US troops injured in Iranian strike Dozens of US troops have left Ain al-Asad air base for medical evaluation following Iran's missile strikes earlier this month, despite the US administration claiming earlier that no service members had been injured. Iraq
Trump administration adjusts policies to new realities in Syria and Iraq Syrian Kurdish leader Mazlum Kobane has suggested in an interview new confidence-building measures with Turkey. Meanwhile, Donald Trump and Barham Salih have managed expectations in their meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Iraq
US Syria envoy: Any talks on troop withdrawal from Iraq must include all aid US envoy James Jeffrey says the United States wants to see its operations against the Islamic State in Iraq — which have been paused as US and coalition troops focus on protecting themselves in the wake of an escalation between US forces and Iranian-backed groups — resume as soon as possible. Iraq
Artistic freedom of expression shrinks in 'new' Egypt Nine years after a revolution that had "freedom" as a primary demand, censorship of the arts and music is back in full force with added restrictions on organizing cultural events in Egypt. Egypt
Intel: Pelosi seeks to reassure Israel as Democrats debate military aid House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is leading a congressional delegation to Israel this week amid an intraparty debate over conditioning military aid to the close US ally and Democratic efforts to limit President Donald Trump’s ability to attack Iran. Israel
Defeated Tunisian presidential candidate paid ex-Israeli intelligence official $250,000 Lobbyist Ari Ben-Menashe reported being paid $250,000 by Nabil Karoui's wife and a friend. Tunisia
Gaza men choose family councils but keep women out There have been no elections in Gaza since 2006, but family groupings in the enclave have started holding votes for a leader and board to administer family affairs. Palestine
New business council to provide network, funds for Rafah's budding businesswomen Palestinian women have started small businesses to make ends meet, but a new council aims to lead them to fields such as electronics or high-end products. Palestine
Erdogan's Libya strategy: Jump first, think later By openly taking sides in Libya, Turkey could end up undermining the clout it believes it has gained in that country. Syria