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
Baalbek: symbol of power or living city? The “Baalbek: Archives of an Eternity” exhibition collected an unprecedented number of objects from the ancient Lebanese city, exploring the interplay of power and people through the millennia. Lebanon
Celebrating Afcon: Exhibit highlights Egypt’s sports through ages An exhibition of Egypt's sports heritage in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo shows that sports was clearly for all in Egypt — from rulers to women. Egypt
Intel: Where candidates came down on Iran in Democratic debates In a debate where foreign policy received very little airtime, Iran disproportionately dominated the national security discussion among Democratic presidential hopefuls this week. United States
Iran shifts to higher-risk strategy as Trump bears down on pressure campaign After exercising "strategic patience" for a year, Iran has shifted its strategy to one of calibrated escalation on the nuclear, regional and diplomatic fronts to try to secure economic relief, deter US adventurism and better position itself for possible future talks. United States
Iran stops stamping passports To alleviate concerns that a visit to Iran might complicate foreigners being able to enter the United States at a later date, Iran reiterated that it will allow tourists to enter the country through its international airports without having their passports stamped. United States
Intel: How terror attacks, sick president could impact Tunisia’s upcoming elections A pair of suicide bombers struck the Tunisian capital today, coming amid news that Tunisia’s 92-year-old President Beji Caid Essebsi was rushed to the hospital. Tunisia
Tel Aviv’s got scooter mania The Tel Aviv municipality is trying to bring order to the chaos unleashed across the urban landscape by the electric scooter craze. Israel
House panel advances bipartisan Saudi sanctions bill over Khashoggi murder The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously advances a bill that would sanction Saudis involved in the Jamal Khashoggi slaying. Saudi Arabia
Turkey makes case to Congress to drop S-400 sanctions Turkey is making a final pitch to Congress to prevent US sanctions for purchasing a Russian air defense system, according to documents reviewed by Al-Monitor. Turkey
Congress advances bill sidelining Turkey on Mediterranean gas dispute The Senate advanced a bill rebuking Turkish attempts to drill for gas near Cyprus. Turkey
2020 Democrats bash Trump for Iran crisis While one Democratic presidential candidate calls Trump's Iran policy reckless and another says the only reason there is a crisis is because of Trump, there are questions as to whether the issue will resonate with voters if no war takes place. United States
Pentagon sees Islamic State resurgence in Libya amid Tripoli fighting The Donald Trump administration has reported an uptick in the Islamic State’s power in Libya as strongman Khalifa Hifter has continued to march on the capital of Tripoli. Libya