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
Iran struggles to mold 'revolutionary youth' The Iranian government’s persistence in trying to force its preferred lifestyle on Iranians has failed to change the preference of a considerable segment of society for a more relaxed way of life. Iran
Algeria victory in Africa Cup fuels protest movement With Algerians continuing to protest the political elite, the state tried to win points by co-opting the national fervor over soccer, which is intrinsically linked to the Hirak movement, subsidizing travel to shuttle fans to see the national team play in the Confederation of African Football final in Cairo. Algeria
US troops return to Saudi Arabia after 16 years US troops are returning to Saudi Arabia for the first time in 16 years as tensions with Iran rise and the kingdom finds itself increasingly isolated in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Life is no bowl of cherries in Idlib's groves Constant shelling by regime forces has disrupted Idlib's centuries-old tradition of cultivating cherry groves. Syria
Will this mall put Beirut's fruit vendors out of business? A new mall for produce, scheduled to be opened next year, will test Beirut's attachment to traditional markets and street vendors. Lebanon
Work in Israeli settlements means high risks, no safety net for Palestinian laborers Most of the 36,000 Palestinians who work in Israeli settlements across the West Bank lack basic benefits including personal protection equipment and have little to no recourse when the worst happens. Palestine
Special Forces face down impacts of war on terror The Pentagon’s Special Operations Command is planning to study the impacts of the 17-year war on terror in the Middle East on the force. Near East
Source: Iran FM met Rand Paul to feel out possible US-Iran talks US Senator Rand Paul reportedly spoke with Iran's foreign minister this week with the president's permission, and some experts believe the quiet meeting could be the beginnings of an effort to negotiate. United States
Will Russia succeed where the US has failed? Russian President Vladimir Putin recently called his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, and expressed his readiness to push the peace process forward and resume negotiations. Palestine
Cairo's long-awaited Naguib Mahfouz Museum disappoints It took Egypt 13 years to create a museum dedicated to literary giant Naguib Mahfouz and now that it has finally opened, many find it not worth the wait. Egypt
Former military officers jump into Tunisia’s political arena For the first time since Tunisia's independence, a political party founded by retired military officers will contest legislative elections. Tunisia
Intel: US drone shootdown sparks more Gulf tension US President Donald Trump said today that the United States destroyed an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense officials told CNN the drone was brought down today by electronic jamming. Iraq