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
Libya swears in new prime minister of unity government Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has vowed to unify the war-torn country and lambasted the presence of foreign mercenaries. Libya
Biden leaves Syria on back burner as war marks 10 years In his first months in office, President Joe Biden's team has signaled that Syria’s civil war won’t be among his top foreign policy priorities. Syria
Israel behind serial sabotage of Iranian tankers, report says Israeli attacks have hit more than a dozen Iranian oil tankers in recent years, The Wall Street Journal reported. Israel
Emirati and Israeli companies pledge to work together on anti-drone technology The UAE’s EDGE and Israel Aerospace Industries agreed to develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System for the Emirates. Originals
Baghdad’s Mustansiriya Madrassa ready for World Heritage List Baghdad’s Mustansiriya Madrassa established by Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustansir around 1230 suffers obsolescence, dampness, environmental pollution and urban sprawl. Iraq
Biden's deputy secretary of state nominee OK'd by Senate committee The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved moving Wendy Sherman's nomination to the full Senate, with some Democrats and Republicans who had disagreed with her on the Iran deal voting to confirm her anyway. United States
Saudi Arabia to take ‘necessary measures’ to protect oil after drone attack Riyadh wants international support to prevent future attacks, foreign minister says alongside Russian counterpart. Saudi Arabia
Algeria’s Islamist parties failing to inspire Moderate Islamist parties in Algeria, which have been weakened by factionalism and internal disagreements over the years, are unlikely to increase their base in the upcoming general and local elections. Algeria
Saudi activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sentence upheld in Riyadh court The women's rights activist had appealed her probation, which reportedly includes a five-year travel ban. Saudi Arabia
US hits Iranian officials with travel restriction over ‘gross human rights violations’ For the first time, the Biden administration targets alleged IRGC interrogators over inhumane detention of protesters. United States
Intel: US hinders Syria’s return ‘to normal,’ UAE foreign minister says Flanked by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Abu Dhabi's top diplomat criticized the US-led campaign to economically isolate Syria under President Bashar al-Assad. United Arab Emirates
Biden administration reviewing old authorizations for military force There is bipartisan pressure from Congress to repeal the September 11 and Iraq War era authorizations following a US airstrike in Syria that was approved without congressional approval. Originals