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
Why women in this Lebanese refugee camp opt for trade, not aid A group of Syrian and Palestinian women from a refugee camp in Lebanon transitioned a struggling project into an enterprise that aims to export around the world. Palestine
Tunisians back new faces in parliamentary polls The city of Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of the Jasmine Revolution, has emerged as a barometer of Tunisia's progress in the decade following the toppling of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Tunisia
Interview UAE minister draws on the past to seize possibilities of AI future In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Omar Al Olama, the UAE’s minister of artificial intelligence, laid out his country's approach to AI, stating, “We do not believe that we need to wait and be followers in the AI revolution. We need to take the lead.”
Does Russia seek 'ideological alternative' to US with Gulf security concept? Despite popular claims that Russia's policies in the Middle East are free of any ideology, the recent Gulf security concept released by Moscow may suggest that there should be one. Syria
US lobbying revelations upend Tunisia’s presidential race A $1 million lobbying contract first revealed by Al-Monitor has sparked a criminal complaint against a leading presidential candidate. Tunisia
Congress pushes Trump to get tough on Idlib Congress is calling on the State Department to get tougher on calling out reported Syrian war crimes as forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime attempt to advance deeper into Idlib, one of the opposition’s last holdouts in the war-torn country. Syria
Congress aims to keep spotlight on Saudi Arabia one year after Khashoggi murder One year after Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Congress still seeks to hold Saudi Arabia accountable despite resistance from President Donald Trump and his allies in the Senate. Saudi Arabia
Pentagon to expand brain trauma treatment for terror war veterans The Defense Department plans to expand a program that transitions veterans of the war on terror in the Middle East from Pentagon health care to the Department of Veterans Affairs to include traumatic brain injuries, a signature wound of the 17-year war. Iraq
Iconic Turkish film festival returns with fanfare in its original name Adana's previous mayor had changed the name of the festival to the International Adana Film Festival, removing the symbolic Golden Boll from its name, thus offending the city's residents. Turkey
Four years in Syria, Russia expands military base, eyes challenges ahead After four years of fighting in Syria, Russia expands military facilities, but the nature of looming challenges is political. Syria
Young Moroccan activists rally for climate action Morocco is already taking big steps to combat climate change, but young people want their country to do more, starting with addressing the local problems that limit public engagement. Morocco
Trump intensifies ‘Arab NATO’ talks after Iran strike The Donald Trump administration is working to push forward with a military alliance of Middle Eastern states as the international community looks to respond to a suspected Iranian attack on a Saudi oil facility. Saudi Arabia