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
Republicans sour on two-state solution Republican opposition to a resolution endorsing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects the party’s drift away from a previously bipartisan pillar of US foreign policy. Palestine
Kuwait charts new path in changing region Kuwait is carefully positioning itself among its Gulf neighbors as a regional trading hub looking to enter the Chinese and Asian markets, while maintaining its regional relationships and alliance with the West. Gulf
Intel: US boots Turkey from F-35 program after Russian arms deal The Donald Trump administration said today it would formally kick Turkey out of the F-35 program after Ankara took delivery of a Russian air defense system that could threaten the American fighter’s stealth capabilities. Turkey
Istanbul soup kitchen serves hope to homeless A former homeless survivor of rape and other violence not only got herself off the streets but established a foundation to help others do the same. Turkey
Trump’s defense pick calls for US-led pact to deter Iran Army Secretary Mark Esper, auditioning for the Pentagon’s top job Tuesday, called on allies to join the United States in fighting Iranian malfeasance in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Ilhan Omar seizes spotlight to push pro-BDS resolution Rep. Ilhan Omar plans to introduce a pro-BDS resolution days after President Donald Trump invoked Israel to defend his racist tweets that put her in the national spotlight. Israel
Meet the 'fast and furious' of Lebanon Leila Nasrallah developed a passion for cars and driving at the age of 13 and today has helped assemble a community of fellow enthusiasts who meet every day to talk cars, race each other and drift. Lebanon
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
Russia eyes big picture with S-400 sale to Turkey Russia's controversial S-400 deal with Turkey is more about constructing a Middle East less dependent on the United States than direct competition. Turkey
Palestinian students look at gender equality through cameras A short film project in the West Bank urges high school students to examine gender issues through the lens of a camera. Palestine
How this Ramallah shop teaches women to fight against harassment Palestinian-American Yasmeen Mjalli created BabyFist to speak out against street harassment in Ramallah, but the shop quickly turned into a safe space for women to share their stories and seek legal advice. Palestine