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
Yemen’s Taiz residents still drowning in woes despite deal Yemeni citizens in Taiz doubt the power-sharing deal brokered by Saudi Arabia will help them overcome the major destruction and humanitarian disasters caused by the ongoing war and Houthi siege on their city. Saudi Arabia
Jordan's century-old Hijaz Railway may return as a public park Jordanian architect Hanna Salameh wants to revive a historic railway by turning it into a public park and tram. Jordan
Gulf donors drawn into controversy over foreign influence at US campuses Six US universities are under investigation for allegedly failing to report $1.3 billion in gifts and contracts from Middle Eastern and other foreign sources. Saudi Arabia
Trump condemns Iran protest crackdown, stays mum on Oman, French mediation efforts President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter’s question in London, said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran before he later clarified his answer and castigated the Iranian government. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How Russia is changing course in Syria Putin’s Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin traveled to Damascus Dec. 2 to meet with President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Lavish religious ceremonies in Turkey draw angry criticism Conservatives' extravagant religious rituals have drawn harsh criticism from every quarter. Turkey
Turkey sees greater partnership with Qatar than is apparent Turkey's commercial gains from its partnership with Qatar have been modest and the media fanfare over fresh bilateral accords is hard to comprehend. Saudi Arabia
Trump unfreezes US military aid to Lebanon without explanation The White House has lifted a hold on $105 million in security assistance to Lebanon. Lebanon
Concerns over finances, not Iran, will end Qatar crisis Citizens of Gulf States leading the embargo against Qatar are having to make economic sacrifices while their leaders continue their "ill-advised" and "unsupervised" spending. Saudi Arabia
Report: China, Russia worried about militants' return from Syria Beijing and Moscow are concerned that citizens who left to fight with jihadi groups in Syria could stoke radicalization at home following their return. Syria
Artist imagines Palestine through conquest imagery, female form An exhibition by the artist Vera Tamari approaches Palestine through military helmets, the female form and landscapes. Palestine
Egypt's Mada Masr determined to press on despite raid Lina Attalah, editor in chief of the news website Mada Masr, spoke to Al-Monitor about a harrowing police raid of the site's office and how she and the staff are determined to continue their work. Egypt