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
Turkey’s emerging artists dwell in dystopia The Mamut Art Project, an annual platform for young artists, reflects the new generation’s concerns on immigration, gay rights and the destruction of nature in the country. Turkey
Pentagon nixes Turkish offer to address S-400 fears The Pentagon will not consider a Turkish proposal to create a bilateral working group to temper US fears over Ankara’s looming acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Turkey
Congress stares down Trump on Yemen war After five votes, Congress has finally passed a bill ending US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, but it faces a likely veto from President Donald Trump. Saudi Arabia
Gays in Tunisia still suffer under archaic laws A new report on Tunisia's sodomy law highlights how members of the LGBTQ community who turn to police for protection can instead be subjected to abuse and violence. Tunisia
Putin, Netanyahu break ground on deeper Russia-Israel engagement The Israeli prime minister and the Russian president seemed to be on the same page on Syria and committed to closer ties during talks in Moscow. Israel
Can this project bring contemporary art to conservative towns in Palestine? Two Palestinian organizations have cooperated to launch a program in the conservative town of al-Dahriya that involved artists interacting with residents to prepare an exhibition. Palestine
What's next for Lebanon's blood shortage? Donner Sang Compter, a Lebanese nongovernmental group, has staged hundreds of blood donation events to take some of the pressure off patients who need blood. Lebanon
Is Bouteflika’s resignation enough to quell Algerian protests? With further protests planned later this week, it is becoming increasingly clear that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s resignation is unlikely to mark a neat conclusion to this tumultuous period in Algeria’s history. Algeria
Can Egypt's floral industry bloom in whole region? Egypt’s spring flower exhibition, the oldest in the region, unites flower producers with the public but the sector is eager to go beyond borders. Egypt
Pompeo blames Iran flooding on regime mismanagement, offers US help While the Trump administration said that it was prepared to help Iran following extensive flooding, at the same time it blamed the disaster on "regime mismanagement." United States
Pentagon holds out hope of salvaging military sales to Turkey Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said today that he expects the Pentagon to deliver the Patriot air defense system to Turkey even as Ankara eyes a fall installation date for the Russian S-400. Turkey